I woke up to something soft nudging my face. With one eye, I witnessed a paw coming for me, so I tried to avoid it.
"Chester? What's wrong?" I tried asking, but I was still groggy after being woken up. It was while attempting to roll over to touch Chester that I realized my predicament.
Under me was a still-sleeping Lucian. With his arms around my back and waist, it was difficult to get up.
Contemplating on how to disentangle myself from his grip, I got a good look at his face.
When he's like this, he looks peaceful and harmless. How unfortunate that he turns into a demon once awake. He's not so insufferable if he could just stay like this.
If not for Chester, who's been asking to be let out, I would have probably tried going back to sleep.
The oversized fur ball kept rolling around, dashing here and there, happy just by existing. Meanwhile, I've been plagued with many thoughts from last night.
I have no delusions about suddenly having a deeper relationship with Lucian. If anything, this just shows how detached he is about the situation. To this guy, there is a big difference between physical intimacy and affection.
I'm guessing it's all about the job description for him. I'm currently his wife, and this should be a given with our agreed-upon set-up. Which idiot would sign off their rights to use their dick forever when they've gotten married. So if he can't use it elsewhere, I'd better offer an alternative.
I had my reservations because knowing isn't exactly the same as accepting. So before I get deluded into believing anything more, it would be best to set my own expectations.
Sitting on the floor with my knees cradling my face, I mentally assess my situation.
First, saying that I didn't enjoy it would be a lie. He's skilled, just like with everything else. Second, he's legally my husband for God knows how long, and I had never been a staunch advocate of withering until I was wrinkly and gray. Third, I've always been aware of my standing in this relationship.
So, the conclusion is that I can keep playing like this. Consider it a fee for having to live with his annoying ass.
But he will have to tell me why he's got such shady people hanging around him. He could use only so much distraction to cover up his state.
My life could certainly be a novel. Who else would have a love life as rancid as mine? But at best, I could be categorized under wealthy face slappers because even romance is questionable right now. But I have no plans to have mafia or crime-related tags, thank you very much.
Absorbed in my own thoughts, I failed to notice Lucian, who had been leaning on the door frame and watching me.
"What's got you constipated so early in the morning?" Lucian asked, surprising me.
"You. Who else? I grumbled at him. Taking in his figure under the morning sun, he's really a fine piece of art. A solid ROI for that gym he's got there.
I decided to stand from where I was slumped, I prefer not to look this meek when going for an interrogation. Not that my height would tower over him, but you gotta respect the principle.
"They say that a happy wife is a happy life. What to do when your wife's angry 99% of the time?" Lucian swished his hands mockingly.
"Said wife wouldn't have to be angry if said husband wasn't an obnoxious brat who's being followed by shady creeps. Explain Lara." I demanded.
"Ah, that. She's the Charity Gala stalker, Lara Castor."
"Great. I've got cheaters for relatives, and you've got stalkers for fans. What a great combination."
"She's been utilizing her family influence to stifle complaints and had recently leveled up to using third parties. Before I returned, she'd only been up to petty tricks and crimes. Vandalizing, stalking, intimidation, and trespassing."
"Only? That's just only?" I looked at him weirdly.
"And now? She's off to kidnapping or hostage-taking?" I added, puzzled by how he made it sound like a simple matter.
"If it's her, she may have kept the child in some playroom. She's oddly maintained that line, teetering into breaking the law. It's why she's been able to do things." Uncrossing his arm to ruffle his hair, he was slightly irritated.
"If reported, all she'd claim is that a delicate girl found a lost young boy and decided to take him in. In fact, she'd probably have footage of exactly that moment. But to the people affected, it's easy to know that she's bat shit crazy."
"Woah. What dedication. You'd have to give her that much."
"Catching delicate-looking women who could cry on cue is really much harder than imprisoning burly criminals. Maybe she and Alexa could be best friends." Seriously thinking that these two might get along with each other, had it not been for liking the same guy."
"She's gone as far as using her family to connect with Grandfather. He found her a bit cuckoo, so he turned down the offer."
"So now you're saying that there's a probability of her coming over? And then what, is she going to ask me for a duel?!" My face is probably sour right now, and I'd love to cry foul that he didn't tell me about such a problem before getting married, but then I remember that I have several idiots after my ass too, and he did mention her in passing.
"Probably? She once tried intimidating female employees who said their greetings outside of the company. So I won't be surprised that she will want to see my wife."
"You could've married her. She'd probably be willing to bleed for you, you know? She's just a little unhinged." This is a very serious matter, but I can't help but imagine how annoyed Lucian must have been.
"Yeah, sure, that's why I found someone more unhinged." He looked at me pointedly, and I snarled at him.
"But I'm guessing you haven't talked to this Lara girl as much?"
"Yeah. Our only interaction was sitting at the same table at a Charity Gala. Why?" Lucian said while ruffling Chester's fur.
"It's obvious. Because she's still infatuated with you and probably thinks that the sun comes out of your ass. That would only be possible if she never actually talked to you." I flat-out tell him.
"Too late. You've already benefited from this mouth that you seem to hate so much." He shrugged at me.
"Maybe it's not too late to file for divorce, damn you."
Inner peace, come to me.