The door opened in less than a minute. There stood Amanda, wide eyed with her a mouth dropped open. My heart was racing, my eyes trying to decipher whether the reaction was positive or negative.
"Hi, Amanda." I said softly.
Amanda seemed to have gotten herself undercontrol. "Well, isn't it the lovely couple who just got married without inviting family or even friends." Amanda replied chirpily, sarcasm dripping from every word.
I winced as guilt washed over me. "Won't you let us come in?" I asked, wanting to go inside as soon as possible so I could talk to her.
"Me? Stop you from coming in?" Amanda's eyes widened in mock disbelief. She raised a hand over heart, "I wouldn't dare." She said causing me to roll my eyes at her dramatic behavior.
"Thank you, Amanda." Theodore spoke causing both our eyes to snap towards him.
"Please, come in boss man and my lovely best friend." Amanda opened the door wide, allowing us to enter. I shot Theodore a glare before shuffling inside my former apartment.
"Forgive me for not preparing for your arrival. I would've gotten a red carpet for you newly weds to walk on, but I didn't know you were coming." Amanda continued sarcastically, making me imagine all sorts of ways I could torture Theodore. Amanda was mad which made me even more determined to win back her friendship and trust. I wouldn't survive without Amanda in my life.
"Amanda, who are you talking to?" April came out of my room. Once she saw me her face broke out in a smile and she rushed over to me, then wrapped her arms around me in a tight hug.
"Hailey, how are you cousin?" She asked excitedly. I glanced at Amanda to see her rolling her eyes.
"I'm fine, April, how are you?" I asked in return, breaking the hug.
"Oh I'm great, and you're married! How exciting!" She screeched. April then turned her head and looked at Theodore who just smiled at her warmly.
"And you must be the groom, hi I'm April, Hailey's cousin." April held out her hand wearing a beautiful smile.
Theodore took her hand and placed a kiss on top of it, making April giggle and me roll my eyes at his obvious attempts to make April accept him.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, April. I must say, Hailey, never told me she had such a beautiful cousin." In my opinion, Theodore was laying it on a little thick, much to my amusement.
I gazed at April to see her blushing softly. I smiled when I looked her, wondering how she hadn't changed, even the slighest, in all the time we hadn't met.
April was a petite, curvy girl who had innocence radiating out of her like a beacon. With fair skin-that ran in the family-that rivaled Snow White's, with big, leaf green eyes, and lips that were a natural red, made her look like a real Snow White. Whenever I looked at April, I wanted nothing than to protect her from the world. I didn't want her innocence to tarnish, and unfortunately this world would do nothing but tear her innocence to shreds. And that was something I couldn't bear.
"Thank you." April gazed at Theodore with adoration making me roll my eyes. Even I didn't adore Theodore when I first met him. Because he didn't use his charm on you then, my subconscious replied making me agree with it.
"Call me Theodore." April smiled at Theodore which he reciprocated. Just then, Ingrid sauntered in the living room looking as perfect as always.
"It's about time you two decided to show your married self." Ingrid remarked, wrapping her arms around me. I returned the hug and soon broke apart.
Amanda just stood in a corner while April and Ingrid conversed with Theodore. I strode over to where she was standing, took her hand and strode over to her bedroom. It was about time I talked to my best friend.
"I don't wanna talk to you." Ingrid said flatly.
I ignored her, rolling my eyes I sat next to her on the bed. "Amanda, at least let me explain." I begged her to stop talking and listen.
"Explain what? How you went and got hitched and didn't bother even telling me, let alone inviting me." She complained.
"Amanda, just stop talking and listen. Once you know what happened, you'll know that I was helpless." I defended myself.
Amanda just rolled her and crossed her arms across her chest. "Fine, talk, let's hear exactly how you were helpless." She muttered.
I took a deep breath to calm my racing heart. I didn't know why I was suddenly so nervous, but I was sure it had everything to do with the imtense way Amanda was staring at me.
"I was forced to marry Theodore." I blurted out. What was up with me and blurting things out? I had to get my filter repaired.
"Forced? How?" Now Amanda looked intrigued which was enough for me tell her everything. And I did. I told her everything how Theodore came and threatened me about ruining her future and sending her to a mental institution under false claims. I told her how on the same day we got married in a small church with only a handful of people. I even told her how only Theodore's brother, Harry, was there during the wedding; and how we took of for Bali right after we left the church.
When I was done, I apologized to Amanda repeatedly while she just sat there not saying a word. Her silence was beginning to creep me out. It wasn't like her to keep her mouth shut for more than a minute, so this sudden absence of words from her had me on edge.
"Amanda, say something." I prompted.
Amanda blinked. Once. Twice. "Holy pearls, Hailey." My heart settled back to its regular rhythm at hearing her speak.
"Yeah, holy pearls, definitely." I agreed.
"That was so romantic." Amanda gushed and this time I was the one looking at her strangely. What was wrong with this woman? Was she even sane? How would the prospect of forced marraige be the slighest bit romantic? How?!
"No it wasn't." I wanted to slap her.
"Yes, it was. I mean, Theodore forced you to marry him, forced you! Do you have any idea how awesome that is, I never had a guy who forced me to marry him." Amanda sighed dreamily.
"Woman, what planet are you from? There is nothing, I repeat, nothing romantic about a forced marraige. He didn't even propose to me, can you believe how awful that is." I ranted. It felt so good to talk to my best friend again.
"If he proposed, it would've wasted his precious time." Amanda countered making me glare at her.
"Excuse me?! Are you defending him?" I asked with suspicion.
"I'm just saying, cut the guy some slack, plus he called me while you guys were in Bali explaining everything. He even apologized for not inviting us. He also said he's going to make it up to us." Amanda confessed making my eyes widen in surprise. Wow, Theodore actually did that?!
"Are you serious? Why didn't you tell me and pretended to be mad at me?" Now I really was angry. I was so close to having my hair turn white due to all the stress and guilt I felt for hurting my family, and all the while Theodore had already fixed everything.
"Theodore said it had to be kept a secret. That's why I pretended to be mad at you, plus I was still a little hurt for missing your wedding." Amanda answered me. I was comfused whether to slap her or hug her. In the end I chose the latter and enveloped her in bear hug.
"I'm sorry about everything, I wish I could do it all differently." I apologized for the final time.
We broke apart and smiled. I felt so light knowing there were no more issues between my best friend and I.
"So tell me about your honeymoon, and don't leave out the details." Amanda ordered excitedly. I spent the next 20 minutes telling her everything that happened in Bali and told her about the estate Theodore bought for me as my wedding gift. Amanda listened attentively, her gaze not wavering from my face.
Once I was done telling her everything she began gushing and saying how romantic Theodore was. I just rolled my eyes at her words. She had barely met Theodore and she already adored him.
"Tell me when did April and Ingrid arrive?" I questioned once she had come back from Theodore-land.
"They arrived on the same day you called me. They told me that once they saw the news of you getting married, they both got here as soon as possible. Ingrid had to get a plane ride while April drove here, and they haven't left since; no offence Lee, but they are both starting to drive me nuts." Amanda complained.
I chuckled. "Don't worry, I'm sure they'll leave soon since I'm back now." I answered her and she laughed when she exhaled a sigh of relief.
We talked a bit more. Amanda told me how she was planning to go in the modelling industry. She was currently working under a famous designer, but her real passion was in modelling. However, due to her having no contacts and barely any experience she couldn't get a job in the modelling industry. I really wanted her to be a model, so her dreams could come true. I wanted nothing but happiness and success for my best friend.
"By the way, a man by the name of Ian came a few days ago asking for you." Amanda told me causing dread to pool in my belly.
"Ian? Why?" I questioned. I did not like the fact that he came over here. And how did he know where I lived? I barely talked to the guy, let alone give him my address.
"He said something about wanting to congratulate you on your wedding, and before leaving he said that he will come again. He was so creepy, Lee. I talked to him for like three minutes and I felt as if there were spiders crawling all over me. The man is bad news, Hailey." Amanda told me. My heart instantly agreed with her.
Theodore chose that moment to enter Amanda's room, followed by Ingrid and April. I would've smiled but my mind was tangled up in Ian. Why was he here? What did he want from me? I was starting to regret not ignoring him when I had the chance. I even accepted a freakin' dress from him.
Theodore perched on Amanda's bed next to me his thigh grazing mine, while Ingrid and April flopped on bed ungracefully next to Amanda. Both of my dear cousins were wearing grins that were creeping me out. Great first Ian and now these two, did these people come from Creepoville?
"Yo, cousin, our darling brother in law here had so graciously given us a diamond jewelry set as an apology present for not inviting us to your wedding." Ingrid told me excitedly, while April nodded enthusiastically.
"Where is my apology gift, Mr. Benson? Not only you stole my best friend for a month, you didn't even bother inviting me to your wedding." Amanda demanded.
Theodore chuckled while handing her a black, velvet box, with golden locks. Amanda narrowed her eyes in suspicion but accepted the box anyway. She quickly unlocked the box and opened the case. Her eyes widened; shock evident on her face.
"Oh my God, this is gorgeous, Mr. Benson." Amanda gushed, sounding like a six year old.
"I'm glad you like it, and please call me Theodore." Theodore replied with a soft smile.
"Like it?" Amanda looked up at Theodore then back down to the gorgeous diamond jewelry set, "I love it, Theodor. Thank you, but I must say, it looks expensive." Amanda commented.
Theodore wrapped his arm around my shoulders affectionately. "My wife's family deserves nothing but the best, and diamonds are the best, and no, they are not expensive at all." Theodore replied. This man could really make his way inside a woman's heart.
"Well this is wonderful, I always thought my husband would give me my first diamond, but instead it's you, but I don't care, as long it's my diamond I don't care who gives it to me." Amanda told Theodore laughed softly. Her eyes never leaving the diamond jewelry.
Ingrid and April showed Amanda their jewelry sets, ignoring Theodore and I for the time being. I turned my head sideways to see Theodore similing at me.
"You really went all the way to fix your problem." I commented.
"Well my wife was upset, and we couldn't have that. My father always told me a happy wife means a happy life." Theodore replied.
"Well, I must say he is a very smart man, I actually want to meet him." I told him.
"Don't worry, you will; but for now I'm going to take what I'm owed, sweetheart." Theodore stated in a soft, husky, tone.
"Oh, what are you owed? And who owes you?" I inquired.
"You owe me, darling. You owe me you, and I plan on having my way with you tonight." Theodore answered seductively, a wicked gleam in his charcoal eyes.
When he said this, my heart begun racing in arousal. I completely forgot what I promised Theodore, but he had reminded me, and now it was time to pay my end of the deal. I just wasn't sure I was ready for it.
"What's wrong, sweetheart? You look like you're having second thoughts. Are planning on going back on your word?" Theodore questioned with the same seductive allure.
"No, I don't break my promises. I try my best to keep my promises." I told him confidently.
"Good," he kissed my cheek, " then we won't have any problems." Theodore whispered the last part, causing my skin to pebble.
"Hey, lovebirds, we're here as well, keep the romance behind close doors, will ya." Ingrid said causing all of us to laugh.
"By the way, you guys are staying for dinner, and I'm not taking no for an answer." April stated.
"Okay, April, no problem at all." Theodore told her much to her delight.
Meanwhile, my heart was racing while my mind kept coming up with one erotic scenario after another. What would Theodore do? Would he be gentle? Would he stop if I told he him to? Would he hold me after we were done? Why was I suddenly so nervous about having s3x with Theodore? We had s3x before. Yeah, but your sanity jumped off the cliff the moment Theodore put his hands on you to massage your sore muscles! Whatever the reason, I was nervous, but I wasn't going to back out. I made a promise to Theodore and he went a whole month without breaking his promise. If he could do it then I could bloody well do it as well.
The snapping of fingers brought me out of my s3x laden thoughts. I looked to see Theodore gazing at me with amusement.
"Where were you lost, sweetheart?" He inquired.
"Nothing, just thinking about stuff." It was not exactly a lie.
"Well I hope you were thinking about all the things I would do to you once we get back." Theodore whispered in my ear, causing my heart to accelerate.
"You wish, Theodore, you can't do much." I mocked with bravado.
Theodore raised his eyebrow, challenging me. "Oh, well then sweetheart, I can gurantee by the end of this night you'll be eating your words." He responded.
"We'll see, Mr. Benson." I said.
"Oh we will, Mrs. Benson." Theodore replied then stood up from the bed and bent low enough that his lips were brushing the back of my ear. "Let's go and eat, then I'll take you home. I'm sure that when morning comes your throat will feel dry and scratchy, due to all the screaming you'll be doing." Theodore promised and strode out of Amanda's room, leaving me a flustered, hormonal mess.
One thing was for sure, Theodore always fulfilled his promises. I ran a shaky hand over my neck, fearing for my throat's well being. Where did I find this man who was the definition of the word wicked? How did I end up married to this sexy man who could make any woman weak in the knees? And most importantly, what had this man planned for me tonight?
Holy muffins.