Chapter 27 - I Want You

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Cross scrambled from the bed and was almost at the door when he stopped to gauge Meredith's reaction. She was staring at her palms, ignoring him. 

"She won't go away if I don't speak to her. Let me…" he stopped trying to explain himself and opened the door to Beauty. 

"Emm… I noticed you left the gathering so I figured I should come check on you. You know, I would soon be on my way."

"That's nice. It was nice seeing you!"

"Are you sure you don't want me to step in? We have a lot to talk about considering how we left things. I mean, I never thought you still had such a beautiful home and that you've mended things with your father." Beauty said, her beautiful eyes staring into Cross's. He looked like he was upset and trying to control it. But Beauty pretended not to notice. 

"I never thought you were the type who would marry just any kind of woman. Can I come in?"

"No, I am having a private time with my wife"

"Your wife is in here with you? Was that why you left? To chase after her? If you had done that with me we would still be together now"

"We are not! And I am married. So, if you are done with what you've to say I need to go back to my wife"

"Your wife!" Beauty sounded angrily, pushing her way in to see Meredith lying with a duvet covering her naked body. 

"You really mean you wish to stay married to this tramp that your family does not approve of? Who is she and how did you guys meet?"

"Beauty, please … just leave before I…"

"Before you what? We were broken up yes but was that enough reason for you to marry just any girl?"

"You left me! You left when I needed you the most! Please leave my house!"

"What? You can't be asking me out"

"You heard him get out and leave our lives alone!" Meredith yelled not knowing where she got the courage. Seeing Beauty act like she owned the place made her blood boil when she was the one Cross had married. 

After giving them one last hateful glare, Beauty left. Cross locked the door and sat on the bed, totally confused. 

"Had I not been here you would have let her in and who knows what would have happened, right?"

"I want nothing to do with her!"

"It didn't look like that to me"

"I want you, Meredith, and no one else," he declared with a sense of urgency. "We're married now, and it's time we consummated this marriage and put the outsiders behind us. They can stay as long as they want and leave when they're satisfied." he continued, moving to her but Meredith couldn't forget that for a moment Cross had acted like she wasn't even in the room when Beauty came. Why didn't he shut her out immediately

"Do you still love her?" She asked, when he came to her cupping her slender face and kissing her body all over. 

"I don't"

"Do you love me then?" 

She asked but he silenced it with a kiss. 

"I'm scared that once I do this with you, I will never be free" 

"Shh, let's not talk about that now" he plastered her face with more kisses. 

Even though there were thoughts in her mind, she let him make love to her. He became the very first man in her life she had allowed to touch her body. Finally, she had lost her innocence to him and she hoped she wouldn't lose her heart to him as she stared deep into his eyes while he called her name. One day she would have to leave no matter how much she loved him. Because this was all a sham! 

—————-

The first night with Cross wasn't all that great because it was her first but the subsequent nights were awesome and she would often wake up tired during the day and a bit guilty that she had allowed herself to accept this new life with Cross. 

This morning Meredith woke up as usual to find herself all alone in the big house. Cross had gone to work and the cleaners were done with their work. Donning her sleeping clothe, she strolled to the kitchen to make herself breakfast. As she munched on the fried chicken and plantain she made, she couldn't stop thinking of the night of intense lovemaking between her and Cross and all the beautiful stuff he had said to her. The night had been unlike she had felt before. Girls in her uni had discussed it but she never knew it would be this strange and… she couldn't just tell how she felt about it all, but she was happy it was with Cross. 

Still in good spirits, she walked to the front yard to inhale the morning air, only to find Valerie sitting on the porch, in tears.

"What are you still doing here? I thought you were gone last week? What's wrong with you?" She asked, noticing the red marks on Valerie's body. 

"He did this to me! I know I don't deserve your pity but I just can't take it anymore!" Valerie wept, rocking herself back and forth. 

Meredith approached her cautiously, a bit sceptical about talking for long with her. If she were here that meant Marc was still within their building too. Why didn't Cross inform her that Marc was back to the same building she was staying in? Out of fear, she looked around to see if he was close by. 

"He isn't here but he's a monster! I just want to get away from here! The things he does to me! Imagine living with such a wicked and vile person! Don't you want to? We are all alone!"

"Slow down Valerie… Why are you here? Truly, why are you here?"

"Because I was jealous and angry when you left, I begged the nun to give me out to any man at all. I didn't care what he would do to me. And Marc showed up. Despite what he did to me the last time, I left with him. There's no hope for me there and what is life without hope? Tell me. You know I wasn't always this sort of girl. I was a student in the Music school, then one night I went out with friends and that was how I found myself in the Siren Home. I just want freedom!" Valerie continued her lies

"Why are you telling me all this now? What game are you playing?" Meredith asked, examining Valerie and she looked just as miserable as she sounded. 

"I am not playing a game. I am merely talking to someone who shares a history with me. Or have you forgotten we both are slaves no matter how rich we dress or the beauty that surrounds us?"

"I am not Cross's slave! He promised…"

"To set you free?"

"No! To protect me!"

"But will he set you free?"

Meredith shook her head, plopping into the seat beside Vaelerie. She was right they had a history and they were both slaves to men in different ways. How could she have forgotten her family? 

"So, will you plan your escape with me? Or will you live here in luxury while your family suffers in the misery of not knowing if you are alive or death" Valerie watched Meredith, hoping her plans would work on her again like they did the last time. 

"I don't know!"

"Think about it! Think really hard about it!"

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While Meredith was getting entangled in Vaelerie's manipulative schemes, Zarah was on her way to Douglas City. The disappearance of her sister had been a source of pain and turmoil for both her and their mother. Every time they questioned their uncle about Meredith, he responded with lies and excuses. The uncertainty of Meredith's well-being hung over them like a dark cloud.

However, a few days ago, Zarah stumbled upon a post mentioning a billionaire's son marrying an unfamiliar woman. Yet, as quickly as the post appeared, it vanished from the internet, leaving no trace behind.

 But she had remembered the popular name and she was determined to find her sister there. She had been saving some money for years. And now she had enough to go in search of her sister. She left home early that morning after writing her mother a letter. 

She would be heartbroken but she will be fine when she sees both of her daughters back. She was going to find Meredith, she assured herself as she got into a bus clutching her tiny bag of clothes. 

 Zarah is in Douglas city.