Page 14 of Always Been You
“You’re a vision. I don’t think I’ll ever forget this,” I whisper, brushing a strand of hair from her face. My voice is softer now, the possessiveness replaced by something deeper, something I can’t quite name.
“Like a damn goddess.” My hand trails down her spine, soft and reverent, and she shivers beneath my touch.
For a long moment, we just lie there, wrapped in each other, our breathing slowly evening out as the world settles around us. The intensity fades, replaced by a quiet warmth, a contentment that feels like a discovery all its own.
“Thank you,” she murmurs as she drifts off to sleep. I watch her for a moment, my heart strangely full, then I quietly slip away to the bathroom to get a clean towel. I dampen it and return to gently clean her up. She stirs slightly under my touch but stays asleep, her breathing deep and peaceful.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………
The persistent ringing of my alarm wakes me up. I stretch, then hit the snooze button. I haven’t slept like this in years. Last night was… different. I felt lighter, maybe even happy—which is rare. Ever since my parents died, that part of me, the one that used to be carefree and full of life, died too. But last night, for the first time in years, it felt like a piece of that old me was back.
I stretch again, patting the side of my bed, only to find it empty. Lawliss scent lingers around but there’s no sign she is around. I spot a note on the side table and I know instantly that she’s gone.
Thanks, Ed, Till we meet again…
Xoxo Lawliss.
The content of the letter confirms my suspicion. My plan for the day was to spend it with her and indulge even for a day before it all went down. I was going to have breakfast, lunch, maybe even dinner, and then somehow coax her into bed with me again.
There’s no way she can avoid me, even if she wants to.
I sigh, put the note in a drawer, and stand, heading to the minibar to grab a glass of wine. I pour the wine, swirling it absently as I stare out the window. The city’s waking up, but my mind’s already running a mile a minute. If I want to win her over, I’ll need a plan. A damn good one.
She likes pottery, if I remember correctly. A little museum visit wouldn’t hurt. Something private, something intimate. Or maybe... maybe I’d paint something for her. I haven’t touched a brush in forever but for her, I will. Maybe she will prefer something that feels spontaneous. I make a mental note to call the concierge and see what they can set up on short notice.
Every detail has to be perfect. I know she’ll try to push me away. Lawliss isn’t the kind of woman who gives in easily. But I’m ready for that. I’ve waited years for this moment, and I’m not about to let it slip through my fingers.
My phone rings and I go to answer the call, putting it on speaker.
“So, I did what you asked,” Josh’s voice comes through, skeptical as ever. “Called in some favors and…”
“And what, Josh?” I ask, keeping my tone steady.
“I see someone’s in a mood today. Well, your marriage certificate will be ready soon.” He says in a clipped tone to match my response.
“Thanks, man. I knew I could count on you.” Josh likes to say we’re best friends, and I can’t even argue with that. We’ve been tight since the day I first landed in London, and the way we met was… well, comical.
I still remember that night. I was walking down a dark alley when some guys jumped me. Out of nowhere, here comes Josh, who wouldn’t hurt a fly but somehow thought he could take on five guys all by himself. In the end, I had to save his ass and somehow, that whole mess turned into a friendship. Despite coming from a wealthy family, he still insists on working for me as my assistant.
“You sure about this?” Josh pulls me back to the present. “I looked into her, you know. Not only does she come from a powerful family, but she’s also known as, and I quote, a no-nonsense lawyer.’”
I rub my temples. “Yeah, don’t I know,” I mutter more to myself. Getting Lawliss to sign those documents is a risk I was willing to take.
I know she’s not going to be thrilled when she finds out. I also know there’s a storm waiting for me, brewing just under the surface of those pretty hazel eyes. The Lawliss I remember isn’t one to take betrayal lightly, and I didn’t just cross a line—I blew it to pieces.
I’m not sure how her family will react to this. Her old man will probably be disappointed in me and her mother is going to have my neck. No Dua is going to like the fact that I married Lawliss without her knowledge. I should know—I used to be like them, strong on morals.
They’re exactly the kind of people who could make my life hell if they wanted to, because no matter how much I’ve changed, I can’t do anything to them because that would be ungrateful of me after all the support they gave me.
Moreover, I’ve never backed down from a fight, and I’m not about to start now. I’ll deal with it as it comes. Hell, I’ll deal with anyone who tries to come between us. Because there’s no going back now. Lawliss will be mine, one way or another.
“What are you up to Eddie? I know you’ve had these marriage documents wherever you go. I also know you kept updating it but why did you use it on her? She didn’t even look at the document when she signed, which was weird to begin with. Did you drug her?” I down the drink in one go.
“Josh, since we’ve known each other, have I drugged someone who didn’t deserve it?”I ask, my voice laced with danger but that doesn’t face him. He goes on.
“Ah, I see. So she deserves to sign her life away without knowing. That poor girl, tsk tsk” I can feel him shaking his head.
"Well, I did warn her that I wasn’t the same guy she knew so there is that,” I reply.
