"Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that." - Martin Luther King, Jr.

Adonis stormed out of the room, leaving me astounded.

Nothing's free. Everything demands payment.

His words kept playing in my head. I was consumed with fear and agitation. Definitely, it was a challenge, and something that I should watch out for.

I went inside the bathroom and there I sat on the bathtub staring at the white wall. My head felt in a daze, my hands were trembling and my heart was pounding so loud.

I grasped the hem of the robe tightly, getting angry at myself.

"Argh!"

I was too focused on hiding my feelings for Adonis that I lost track of my own reasoning. Lying that I intentionally seduced him to finance my fashion company was way too much. I went overboard there.

Now, I ruined myself! He'll think I'm a very horrible human being now.

Feeling agitated and angry at myself, I took a shower to ease the tension off my body, allowing the cold water to run down my skin. Finally, my brain started to work normally.

Yeah, I had been fighting this intensifying feeling I had for Adonis. Last thing I wanted in our marriage was to fall in love with him. I knew it would go nowhere, because I would just end up getting hurt.

I was happy to hide my feelings until it faded away. But last night, I let go of my inhibitions. I became very open and vocal, I had no filter. I blamed the tea. Aphrodisiac or not, it had a bad effect on me.

But he insisted it was not the tea. When I could not find an excuse and deny my feelings, I said the impossible thing to say. When he got mad, my stubbornness provoked me to continue the lie.

Now, what am I gonna do? Accept that I made a mistake? Will he believe me?

It started when I woke up this morning and remembered the text message I saw on Adonis' phone yesterday while we were in the coffee shop.

I was mad with jealousy and anger that he was still hooking up with his ex. I controlled myself and tried to put it behind me yesterday, keeping in mind that he was not my real husband and would never be. I had my own plan in the future that did not include him. He could continue his affair with his ex, for all I care. We would return to New York soon, and I was determined to enjoy the last days of my vacation.

Another thing I remembered was hearing Adonis and Peter talking in the corridor.

"My bad, I almost called her Trisha," Peter chuckled, "early this year, you got engaged to Trish. I was shocked when you married a different woman."

"Some things are inevitable, I just went with the flow," I heard Adonis answer.

"At first, I wondered if the marriage had something to do with that massive land you're trying to get hold of from Pallis. But nah... you two look really in love."

"Of course we are," Adonis replied then they went away.

A massive land. So, there was land that belonged to grandfather that Adonis was after. The knowledge upset me even more. Made me lose my trust in him immensely.

I stepped out of the shower and changed into a yellow dress. At least, the color would brighten my gloomy day.

I sighed thinking of Adonis. Maybe he was having breakfast with the Changlis now.

My heart felt heavy with regret. But is there really a reason for regret? Maybe it's for the best.

It reminded me to stick to the original plan. Once Mom would be healed, we would get free from these hardships, and live together comfortably. A nice and happy home, where she could have her own vegetable garden to keep her occupied. We could get a dog, because we always wanted to have one or two, but could not because the landlord would not allow us.

We would not need a man to help us out. We had enough bad experiences with grandpa already. We were happy just the two of us.

I left the bedroom and joined the Changlis at the patio for breakfast.

"Good morning, Elena. I'm glad you're awake now. You just missed Adonis," Kimberly said then looked at the sky.

I followed her gaze, and there I saw a chopper up in the air.

Four hours later, I was the lone passenger of Stavrakos' private jet flying back to New York.

"Good evening, Mrs. Stavrakos. Did you have a wonderful day?" The butler of the Stavrakos mansion greeted me the moment he opened the door.

"A very busy day, as usual. But it was wonderful. Thank you, Bernard," I walked inside the mansion, heading to the center where a round table was. On top of the table was a huge vase filled with beautiful red roses fresh from the garden. It became my habit to stiff the flowers every time I arrived.

Adonis' mansion was huge. As big as his parents' mansion, according to Mrs. Jones, the head housekeeper of the mansion. The architectural design was a combination of classic and modern design, with Artificial Intelligence, FREDA. All materials were solid and came from different parts of the world.

There were two grand staircases, slightly curved with solid marble balusters. One at the left side that touched the wall, led to the west side of the mansion. While the other one at the right side against the wall, led to the east.

Your guess is right. Adonis occupied the WEST WING, while I, at the EAST.

Since I arrived from our honeymoon in Singapore, I have lived at Adonis' mansion. The staff were very nice and friendly, they treated me well, like a real mistress of the house.

As for Adonis, I haven't seen him since our last encounter in Singapore. I did not know where he was, what he was doing or who he was with... I just never bothered to ask.

It was better that way, so I would stop thinking of him every single time, wondering how he'd been. But the more I did not see him, the more I was longing to see him. It really sucks that I was feeling things for him when I shouldn't. Every night was a torture. I crave for his touch, his smell, his kisses and his love making. A few more days, and I would totally get over him.

I started my business three weeks ago, in partnership with my best friend, Camella. Adonis' executive secretary, William, coordinated with me, providing me with the start-up capital of One Hundred Million Dollars, for my Fashion Manufacturing Company.

Things were getting better in our company. We bought a huge warehouse and renovated it. It cost us sixty million dollars. Then we purchased vans and service vehicles, machinery and equipment, furniture, fixtures and others. We got suppliers of our textiles from India, China, Indonesia, Italy and Germany. We hired workers, designers, financial advisers, production managers, and others that would sum up our company's organization.

"Camella, make sure that we have enough money left."

"Don't worry, Elena. Everything is accounted for," she assured me, "by the way, I need your signature for the check vouchers. They're at your table. We need to purchase 30 laptops for the employees and 60 mobile phones."

"Is that necessary? They can use their own phones so we can save."

"They need a new phone for easy communication. Besides, let's consider it as their incentive also," she explained, and she convinced me.

Last week we had a soft opening of our new fashion company, ANELE. So far, so good, everything went smoothly.

~

I was in my bedroom, when there was a knock.

"Come in," I said, and the door opened. It was Mrs. Jones.

"Here's the dress you asked for a special laundry, Ma'am."

"Thank you, Mrs. Jones. Can you please put it in my wardrobe?" I was in front of my vanity mirror, combing my hair. I just had a shower and I was preparing myself to go down to have dinner.

"Yes, ma'am," she answered, then informed me, "dinner will be at seventy thirty sharp. Please don't be late."

I was surprised that she added not to be late.

"Why? Is there a special reason why I shouldn't be late?"

"Yes, maam. The master has arrived."

_____

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