It's been a week, Christian is trying his best to obliterate this feeling but it seems like this is embedded deep into my soul giving me intense agony that is killing me up. The pools of agonizing pain are immersing me in it and I cannot save myself from it. It's hard to overcome it.

Still, I am trying to recover from it but it's so difficult everything triggers the feeling of dread in me. Every action gives me apprehensions. I am scared of every little thing. But, thankfully Christian is right beside me. I only feel safe when he is near me even if he went somewhere, I felt terrified. In his absence, all the apparitions I was trying to subdue overwhelms me, leaving me with the inability to bear it and fall deep into the labyrinth of devastation.

Right now, we're sitting in the theatre; of the house watching Frozen and I am holding his arms. We were watching as he got a call, he paused the movie as he attends the call,

"Yes?" I looked at him. His expressions turned from calm to agitated one as if he is enraged. He spares a glance at me and pulled his arm away and walked out leaving me alone not before passing me a forced smile to assure me. Since I don't want to be alone, I chewed on my bottom lips and also walked out which was very wrong of me, I should have wait for him to come back,

"Can't you get a little thing done!?" I heard him yelling. My breath hitched and I leaned on the wall and shut my eyes. Clenching and unclenching my hands.

"If I don't come to work for a few days, you guys can't handle it!?"

"Who the hell told you to agree for collaboration!?" He was exasperated. I began to pant in dread, I just can't bear it. My trembling form couldn't even move. He kept on shouting as I continued to convulse. I took deep breaths trying to calm myself. I have lost my strength. Tears pricked in the corner of my eyes as I looked at him, his back was facing me.

He finally cut the call and turned away stressed. His look of strain faded when he saw me and walked closer. He came closer as I stumble back and fell on the ground. His expressions softened when he looked at me. He knows that I can easily be triggered now. I'm feeling so weak ever since then, you can easily evoke any negative emotion in me.

He reached his hand as I shut my eyes,

"Sophie, don't be scared. It's okay," he whispered. I sniffed and slowly opened my eyes.

"Everything is fine." He assured me. My breathless form just shook its head. He came close but I crawled back and stood up with the support from the wall.

"you okay?" He asked concerned.

"Y-Yeah.." I spoke faintly. He moved his hand close to me but quickly draw it back, he didn't touch me as I walked away with the support from the wall. He also walked beside me looking so worried.

I leaned on the wall and took out some deep breaths and finally calmed down,

"I am sorry.." I began to say.

"I am sorry for being a burden.." I said, ashamed.

"What are you saying? You are my wife, my responsibility, my everything. If I don't care for you then for whom I will?" I looked down but he held my chin and gave me a stern look,

"Don't talk like that. Ever. Again."

He pulled me in a hug. I bit my lips to not to cry.

"I just don't know, everything seems to evoke dread.." I murmured as a tear rolled down my cheek.

"I know, that's why I am trying my best to take you away from all this."He said such confidently that it somehow dispel some of the dread.

"Let us continue our movie?" He asked with a smile. I passed him a faint smile and nodded and we went to watch our movie.

As were watching and once again I am holding onto his arms as if my life depends on them, in a sense, it does. I then asked,

"What was the call about?"

"Office work."

"You should go, you can't stay at home forever and I have to learn how to be alone at home."

"How can I leave you like this? You can't even spend a moment without me."

"But, You can't be at my side all the time." I tried to reason. He sighed, "Yeah... I also need to go to work tomorrow. Something urgent came."

"See... You should go. I'll call mother here." He didn't answer as we continued to watch the movie.

The next day, I was sleeping but I felt a poke on my cheek. I groaned and slowly opened my eyes, I saw Christian smiling at me,

"Get ready. We're going." He said. I said rubbing my eyes, "Where?"

"Office." He said.

"Why do I have to come?" I asked sitting up.

"I can't leave you alone."

"I told you, I'll call mother."

"I clearly remember what happened when I left you in Eugene's care." He said monotonously. I bit my lips and looked down.

"Get ready. I am waiting for downstairs." He kissed my cheek and walked out.

I took a shower and wore a purple frock with a black belt in the middle and black leggings. I looked at my reflection. I wished the scars of my heart would have healed like the ones on my body. That revolting cut on my lips is still present but the rest is good as gone.

I applied a little makeup to hide them and when finally pleased with my look- facade. I turned and my gaze stopped at the corner. A sudden image of mine, laying there lifeless came in my mind as I took a step back and put my hand over my mouth. I quickly walked out began to look for Christian desperately. I saw Christian in the hall and hugged him.

"Sophie, are you okay?" He asked worriedly.

"You are right. I can't be with anyone but you." I said faintly. He rubbed my back and pulled away.

"I know.. Come let's have breakfast." He smiled. We ate in silence, I curled my toes to calm myself. I have to confiscate my feelings and be strong. When he is trying that hard to save me, I also have to put up a brave front. I have to be courageous enough that I can survive without his presence, he can't be physically present for me. Even if it seems impossible right now, I have to make it possible.

The drive was silent and we stopped at his office. Elvis Empire, this place never ceases to intimidate me but having him by my side, I am fine. It's been a while since I came here. He opened the door for me, he held my hand, my cheeks heat up as we walked inside. People looked at us, their stares were at our hands. Just like the last time, his whole being was protective over mine.

The lift was filled with too many people- again.

"Let's take the stairs," I whispered tugging on his sleeves.

"You know on what floor my cabin is? Can you walk that much?" He inquired.

"I just don't want to go in a cramped place," I whispered again.

He looked at me, my gaze was fixed on the ground but I can feel the looks of people.

"Fine." He sighed.

We are standing at the stairs,

"It's on the 45th floor. You sure you can walk that much?" He asked again.

"Let see. If I got tired, then we can take the lift." I recommended. He nodded as we began to climb stairs.

I looked at his back and somehow, I felt so proud. His broad back and a perfect dominating aura, made to rule this Empire he made on his own. A feeling of benediction filled me. He is an embodiment of a dream guy of every girl. I feel blessed to have a husband like him.

'A knight will descend for you..' I don't know about your Knight, Aunt but the person in front of me is my Knight, who has protected me from the abomination of this word.

An involuntary smile was formed on my lips as I walked. My breath became heavy on the 10th floor but I kept walking and finally at 20th floor, I was panting heavily and my legs lost their strength.

"Tired already?" Christian asked with a smirk. I just gave him a nod. I put a hand over my chest, trying to regain my breath.

"Let's take the lift." He suggested. I nodded and once again the lift was filled with people,

"Why do you have that many people," I complained.

"It's not my fault."

"Yeah, just like that lizard wasn't your fault." I scoffed.

"It truly wasn't my fault." He said defending himself. I sighed and we again took the stairs. We took 10 minutes to break after every 5 to 7 floor. I was leaning on the wall, sweat rolled down even though the building was air-conditioned. And struggling for a while, we're finally on the 35th floor. People kept looking at us but we ignored their looks.

"It almost an hour since we came here and I am still not in my cabin." He said narrowing his eyes at me.

"Then leave me behind," I said angrily. I am so tired, I can't walk and he is saying that it's my fault, yeah it is but I feel scared, it's not my fault. Dread took over me whenever I am in a cramped place now.

"You know that's never an option." He sighed. I continued to regain my breath but seems like he can't wait. I don't know that he is that impatient, he threw me over his shoulder, I let out a squeak,

"You are taking too much time." He said monotonously as he began to climb the stair with me over his shoulder. People kept looking at us and I felt embarrassed. A sudden feeling of shame took over me- even though he is my husband but I couldn't take it. I held his coat as I whispered, "Please... Christian.. put me down." My voice was hoarse. I am trying to control myself but it's so hard. I just couldn't shake this feeling and I don't know why this somehow evoked the dread inside me. My grip on his coat tightened as I bit my lips to prevent myself from crying- the look of people, that's what provoked this feeling.

He stopped as he put me down. I sniffed to not to cry as I kept looking down, he stroke my cheek as he asked gently, "Hey, I'm sorry. You okay?"

I kept looking at the ground as I didn't reply to him. He continued to soothe me as I remained stilled.

"I'm sorry, I won't do it again."He said with such tenderness in his voice that it made me to slowly raise my gaze and met his. I passed him a vague smile with my trembling lips but then I curved my lips downwards as I spoke in a barely audible tone, "The.. looks.. of people." It took him some seconds to register what happened as he unexpectedly pulled me in a hug- once again in front of everyone as he runs his hands in my hands in a loving manner as he whispered to me, "In my presence, Nothing can degrade you. And if anyone tried to do anything, they better be prepared for the consequences of scaring my wife." His voice was so sincere as it held deep meanings. I gave him a hesitant nod as we pulled away. Christian sent a glare to all the people who were looking at us and they quickly turned their gaze away.

"Let's go." He smiled offering me his hand. I pass him a feeble smile as I took his hand and we went to his cabin. We saw Henley on our way, she seemed happy to see me here. I passed her a faint smile as we went to his cabin.

"You take a seat, I'll do some work." He said when we reached his cabin. I nodded and took a seat.

I began to look around and stood up and looked out of the window and smiled. I feel so high, things seem so small. I then turned and saw Christian working. I kept looking around, It was quite big, there are two big sofas in the middle, A bookshelf in on the right to his table. And some decorative stuff and furniture. As I was reading the book, the door knocked and Henley entered and said nervously,

"Sir, You have a meeting.. with Mr Houston.."

"Of course, I have to deal with your idiocy." He said bitterly and stood up.

He was about to leave with Henley but stopped,

"Richard, stay here with Sophie, if she calls my name even once, you're gonna tell me the very moment, understood?" He ordered.

"But Sir, You haven't read the file yet, You-"

"Don't worry about it. You stay here with her." He said professionally. I opened my mouth to say 'Good Luck' but he was about to leave without acknowledging my existence so I shut my mouth, maybe he forgot that I am here. He opened the door, he was about to leave but he stood there for a moment. He turned to me and walked towards me, I looked at him, he cupped my cheek and smile, he bends on his knees and said,

"I'll be back soon. Wait for me."

"That's why I told you, I can wait at home for you." I reasoned.

"I told you, I can't leave you in anyone's care. I'm in the conference room, if you need me, tell Henley, she'll call me, okay?" He explained and I gave him a nod.

"Good Luck," I said looking down. He kissed my cheek, "Thanks." He grinned.

"Make sure not to take your eyes off from her." He said and left. My lips formed a thin line as I kept looking down.

"Are you alright, Ma'am?" Henley asked sitting beside me.

"Yeah.. somehow.," I whisper. A silence broke out between us and after a while, she asked,

"Ma'am, if you don't mind... May I ask something?" I hummed in response.

"When we first met you're so confidant and sarcastic.. and now.. you're so different... Sir told me you were missing.. is everything fine?" She asked hesitantly.

"You knew.," I said looking down.

"Only I know. No one else here, I've been working for Sir for 7 years, I can be trusted... I know it must be difficult for you to believe that since our first meeting wasn't good... I am so sorry about it... My engagement called off and I was sent to shop for someone else wedding so... I am sorry I shouldn't have done that.." She trailed off.

"Oh, no, it's okay... It must be hard for you.." I said sadly. She passed me a sad smile.

"It has been a while since I have seen Sir smiled." She said.

"Henley... if you have known Christian for seven years... then tell me about him.." I asked intrigued. I want to know about him.

"Sure... So... Sir got married at the age of 23 with Ma'am Merlin, they're a cute couple- Oh, I shouldn't talk about her.." She said apologetically.

"No, it's okay, tell me whatever you can."

"So, I have been working for him since the very beginning, When Elvis Empire was nothing but a dusty building, Sir worked very hard to make it grow. Ma'am Merlin was always by his side supporting him, he used to say that he'll twist fate and settle with her, I never understand that and I still don't. And then he took a lot of risks to grow his business and at 23 he got married to her and at 25, he became what he is today. He progressed at an inhumane speed. And at that age, I can remember, there's was the party to celebrate this achievement of his and his mother had an accident." Accident? Didn't she attempt suicide?

"She lost her life, sir was devastated. After her death, Ma'am Merlin's behaviour changed too, she turned rather prideful and arrogant and began to fight with every second person she meets, including Sir Christian. But Sir never raised his voice against her, he always smiled whenever she argues, she sometimes passes heartbreaking comments that made him depressed, he used to ask for advice to make her happy, but things got out of hand and when he finally couldn't be able to bear her, he divorced her." She said with a smile. I wonder how much of this is true. Like she doesn't know why he and Merlin divorced. I smiled faintly, he is such a nice guy, he never let the world know that she cheated on him.

"After that, he was so depressed, he stopped smiling, turned cold as ice. He turned hollow after losing everything. It's been three years and finally, I have seen him smile genuinely. Sir is a great guy, I truly admire him, He has suffered a lot. I am glad he's finally happy." She finished.

I just stare aimlessly at the floor. I don't know what to say. I am amazed when he is that broken, he is still fixing me when he is the one that needs salvation the most.

What can I do for him? When I can't take care of myself, would I be able to save him? I won't know unless I'll try. I'll try my best to turn our relationship into an everlasting moment that can give both of us redemption so that we can be together, every breath, every moment, every life...

I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply,

"It's your husband."

"He gave us money to do this."

My breath hitched, my strength lost my body. I put a hand over my chest and began to pant. He can never do this.

'When he can defile you at the party, why can't he let you be defiled by someone else.' Another voice came from inside me. He removed this feeling from me.

'just to elicit it again.' He can never do this to me. I trust him, even if the world, even if my own self is against it, I still trust him with everything. I trust him with my life. He can never do this, his golden heart can never do something this low.

Tears brimmed in my eyes as I began to pant,

"Are you alright?" She asked rubbing my back. You have to prevail this Sophie, you can't be a burden.

I put a hand over my mouth to stop myself from crying and gave her a nod.

"You're not. I'll call Sir." She was about to leave but I held her hand,

"Please.. don't.." I whispered.

"Ma'am.." She spoke faintly. She continued to rub my back. My heart began to thump loudly. I close my eyes to let out this feeling. I have to overcome this. I clenched my hand and felt something metallic. I slowly opened my eyes and saw my wedding ring. I was out of breath but stared at it. I moved my hand from my mouth and wiped my tears. I put my hand close to my chest and close my eyes and hung my head low.

"Christian.," I mutter. Tears rolled down.

"Ma'am, I'm calling Sir." She said firmly.

"Don't.." I said shutting my eyes tightly.

"Please don't call him," I whispered. My body was trembling violently. Come on, you can do it. Whenever air touches my body, it feels like someone is touching me, toying with my dignity. No matter how much I try, I can't remove this feeling...