Chapter 95: Entangled Fates

Chapter 95: Entangled Fates
Chapter 95: Entangled Fates
Vera’s smile never wavered. “I want you, Lac. I want to be part of your life and your legally arranged wife. Mention me to the press like you did for your mistress.”
Lac scoffed. “That won't be possible.”
“Well, let’s say I've made the impossible possible.” She replied then clapped her hands twice. The maids came forward, their heads bowed slightly. “The new wife of your master has arrived and I demand ten times the respect and care you give your mistress. Understood?”
“Yes, ma’am.” They answered back in unison then came forward.
“Have I given out any order that you should help her with the luggage?" Lac questioned, his tone stern, making them halt immediately.
“You shouldn't be strict with our maids, my dear husband,” Vera stated as she stepped in, the smile of triumph growing wider on her face.
Lac grabbed her arm, stopping her. “You can take the luggage in.” He ordered, and the maids quickly obeyed him, leaving them as they pulled the luggage in. “You won't be allowed to blackmail me, Vera. Stay in your room quietly or face the consequences.”
“What about your mistress? Can't I see her?”
He leaned closer to her and then whispered. “Leave her alone. Do not make me repeat myself or you will regret it.”
Vera nodded, a flicker of dread crossing her face. “I will take note of that.”
Lac released his grip from her arm then made his way back upstairs while Vera turned to Nico.
“I’ll show you to your room,” Nico said as he walked to the stairs while Cera followed him, amazed by the interiors of the villa.
Lac arrived at the couple’s room and entered, closing the door behind him. The maids were dressing Elora up and as they saw him, they immediately curtsied and left the room.
Elora stood up from the chair as she turned her gaze to him.
“You are back.” She said, positioning her hair in a hair clip.
Lac held her hands as he got to her. “I have something to tell you.”
Elora narrowed her eyebrows. “What is it? You have been talking about telling me something since yesterday… Hope it's nothing serious?”
He shook his head. “Not at all. Whatever I wanted to tell you yesterday is different from today. That can wait.”
“I am so confused.” She said.
“If I don't tell you about her now, she's going to confront you later.”
Confusion etched on her face. “Who? Who's she?”
“I have a legally arranged wife, she's moved in.” He revealed calmly.
Elora widened her eyes as she took her hands from his slowly. “What?”
“Trust me, she's nothing but a normal person. This fake arranged marriage is nothing but for business.” He retorted, his tone firm.
“You gave a legally arranged wife and she's inside this house? With us? Why did I not know about this earlier?” She asked then gasped, realizing she had given him her dignity. “Wait…did you sleep with me just for my body?…whatever we had last night, was it true?”
“Elora, I don't want you to think like that. I love and you know it. This woman means absolutely nothing for me.” He answered back.
The new reality hung in the air as Eloea stepped back, her mind reeling with different thoughts.
“You made a fucking promise to me….Am I really just a useless mistress?” She inquired as her tone rose. “Wait…was the one calling you repeatedly yesterday night?”
“Elora.”
“Answer me!”
“Yes.” Lac sighed, attempting to close off the bridge growing rapidly between them. “This is business, Elora. There's no feelings attached…it is nothing but a contractual agreement.”
“What about us?” She questioned, tears welling up in her eyes.
“There's nothing coming in between us. This contract is complicated, all I want from you is to give me time to fix it out.” He replied, his heart aching at the sign of her distress.
Elora turned her back to me, trying to control her tears but it was of no use. “So what do we do now? I have to share you with her and we will sit at the dining table like a happy and big family?”
Lac stepped closer. “I won't let her come between us, Elora. All I want from you is your trust. I’ll keep her separate as if she doesn't exist.”
“What if she doesn't want to stay separate?” Elora asked, her voice wavering but firm. “She is your bride now…what if she wants to play the perfect wife? Who even am I to you? I don't know where I stand in your life, Lac.”
“You are in my heart. You are the one I want not her.” He affirmed.
Elora turned to look at her, the hurt glinting in her eyes. “Trust is earned, Lac. I am just like a guest in this house…what guest? I'm a prisoner in your house and I'll always be. I was a fool to let you have something with me last night.”
“Elora, I don't want you to think that way.” He said, reaching his hands to her shoulders but she stepped back.
“I should take my leave…
Lac’s expression hardened. “We should work things out..not leaving.”
“How do we work things out when I don't even know where I stand in your life?” She asked, her voice laced with hurt. “One thing I know for sure is that I'm a prisoner and your mistress. We have had a one-night stand together…
“You won't call that one a nightstand.”He cut in, his tone deadly. “Whatever we had last night should stay out of this, I professed my love to you and we made love with pure intentions.”
A flicker of defiance crossed Elora's face. “I don't care… I'll regard it as a one-night stand affair. Take all the time you need to fix whatever, I'm done with this conversation.”
Lac took a step forward to stop her but his legs failed him. He knew he had hurt her and he had to come forward and tell her himself otherwise, Vera would tell her another story. He slid his hands into his pockets, pondering how it fix the issue before it is too late.