I was stiff upon hearing it. My heart skipped a beat in dread, a shallow breath escaped my lips.
“You can’t be serious.” My lips began to quiver along with the terror. I began to pant as tears brimmed in my eyes.
What he was trying to say was clear to me and I can’t tell Tyler about my past.
‘I am scared. I can’t lose him.’
“How can you say this?” He can’t threaten me for what he promised my Mother to never speak of and now he is blackmailing me for money.
He is a devil. A tear fell from my eye as I stumbled back.
“Candice is my sister! No need to bring brother Nicolas in every matter!” Rufus yelled.
But I, who was lost in the depth of the abyss which held nothing but agony, couldn’t speak or react.
“Choice is yours Candice. Either get me the money or tell your beloved everything- what you are not ready to tell because your relationship is on a thin line and can break easily.”
My grip on the doorknob tightened, my heart clenched, I closed my eyes as a tear fell on my cheek.
I lowered my head as heartbreak filled me. Legitimacy.
Being a victim of this, I was at the loss of words and actions.
I have no choice but to become a slave of Elmer’s words just to save my fragile marriage. I sniffed and tried to stop my tears from spilling out.
“Candice..” Rufus called me in pity and was about to come close but I took a step back.
“Leave it.” I put my hand in the air to stop him from coming and console me because I don’t need it.
Sympathy cannot fix my mistakes of the past, my undesirable situation, my helplessness.
‘I am defeated, even after breaking the cage, I am still chained.’
“If it was any other man, I wouldn’t care but I won’t let you put a stain on Tyler’s name, I won’t let you soil his image.” I enunciated.
I took a deep breath and managed to produce a vague sound.
“Fine… I will give you the money.” and left.
I was thinking of going home but I changed my mind and went to have ice-cream to fresh my mind.
I need it.
I don’t want to stress my mind about what has just happened and went home and told Tyler that I am home and there’s no need for him to pick me up now.
*
“Tyler…” I called him, relaxed in his embrace, tracing my fingers over his chest.
He hummed in his handsome voice.
A sad smile came to my lips as I asked, “What would you do if I did something wrong or hurt your feelings?”
He held my hand from his chest and kissed it and passed me an assuring smile.
“I will forgive you.” He said sincerely.
A tear sting in my eye when I heard it, I buried my face in his chest and exhaled, “Even if I can’t forgive myself?”
“Then I will eradicate the reason why this all happened.” He declared firmly.
“And if you get angry?” I asked playfully.
“Hmm. Now that’s a problem. IF I get angry, I lose control but I want you to stay with me. Don’t leave me because of it.”He hugged me close, kissing my neck.
“I will never leave you for any reason.” I whispered.
I then shifted and sat on top of him. We both smirked and held hands, “I won’t even let you.” He winked.
My heart pounded against my chest when his flawless beauty wink at me. I leaned in and put my hand on his chest.
“You know Tyler. I sometimes think you love me even before our marriage.” I joked.
“No. Why would you think that? We didn't meet. How come I love you? There’s nothing like this.I don’t have any reason to love you. I haven’t-”
He rambled nervously to which I chuckled, “I was kidding. Why did you get nervous?”
He looked at me with astonishment for a second but then let out a sigh of relief and shook his head.
“Nothing… not wanting you to think of me as a stalker.” I laughed again.
“We haven’t known each other for a while. We became friends after a few months. How can you know me?” I explained.
“Yeah.. How come I know you.” He hesitantly repeated my words.
I opened my mouth to ask something but he flipped us over and again hugged me.
“Leave it, tell me about something else.” He whined like a kid.
“About what?” I chuckled.
“About.. um.. Leave it, just remain like this.” I laughed and hugged him back.
“Okay..” I snuggled close to him and smiled widely, safe in his arms. Away from the pain, from the misery I have faced.
When the moment of my agony crossed my mind, all the happiness was replaced by apprehension and dismay.
“What would you do if I lied or hid things from you Tyler?” I asked.
“What happened, Candice? Why are you asking this?” He asked.
“Nothing… I had a nightmare.. Just answer.” A nightmare in real life.
He exhaled and began to say, “Then I will forgive you.. probably. I mean I will.”
“I would probably be angry but I will forgive you in the end because I love you and can’t stay angry at you for long.” He paused, thinking about it.
“So yeah, I can forgive your every mistake except cheating. Its consequences would be fatal for both of us.”
I shivered violently when I heard his last sentence and by the vehement tone he spoke it. It gave me chills.
“What happened? Why did you get scared?” He asked.
“Your talk scared me.” I fidgeted.
He laughed, “You are saying as if you are cheating-” I cut my fingers over his lips and said seriously.
“Tyler. You have talked about it today, never said it ever again. I am only yours and will not tolerate you if you mock my love.”
He looked at me intensely and nodded, “I know.” He smiled.
I puffed and moved away from him.
“Come on, Look at me Candice.” He hugged me from behind.
“What-” He pulled me into a kiss before I could speak further.
I blushed furiously and lowered my gaze shyly, “You are my life, Candice.”
He said cupping my cheeks, staring into my eyes deeply, living in my eyes.
I could feel the intensity of attraction between us under my fingernail stirring my mind with his need; his love.
“And you are mine.” I murmured, looking away.
He nibbled my bottom lip and whispered, “I know…”