The morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow on my waking form. As I stretched, I couldn't help but feel the lingering soreness that served as a delightful reminder of my unforgettable night with Archer. It had surpassed all my expectations, shattering the preconceived notions I held about intimacy. The girls at school had warned me about the potential pain, and the textbook descriptions had painted a somewhat daunting picture. Yet, with Archer, it had been different. The desire that had pulsed between us overshadowed any discomfort, and the momentary twinge of pain was swiftly erased from my memory. He had consumed me entirely—mind, body, and soul—and each time he claimed me, it ignited a wild frenzy within me. I knew it wasn't one-sided; I had felt his own fervor reverberate through his quivering body. A sweet smile danced upon my lips as I turned to the side of the bed he had occupied, burying my nose in the pillow and inhaling deeply. A rush of happiness washed over me, and I couldn't contain a giggle, quickly muffling it with my hand. The joy bubbling inside me was profound, and I couldn't help but appreciate the small act of kindness when I noticed the freshly washed bedcovers draped over the shower faucet. He had taken the initiative to cleanse away the evidence of our passionate night, a gesture that both mortified and pleased me, showcasing his thoughtfulness.
After hastily freshening up, I rummaged through my wardrobe, initially selecting a lovely, sexy dress to wear. However, the thought of Mark crossed my mind, and I reconsidered, opting for a pair of cream-colored sweatpants instead. I didn't know how he would react to my relationship with Archer, and I wanted to tread lightly, avoiding any unnecessary complications.
As I descended the stairs, I fought to maintain a calm demeanor, attempting to act as though nothing had changed. Mark was already in the kitchen, engrossed in making coffee.
"Hey," I greeted, self-consciously tucking a strand of hair behind my ear, feeling nervous energy coursing through me. Mark turned his gaze toward me, his eyes leveling with mine, and I couldn't help but blush under his scrutinizing stare.
"Good morning. Did you sleep well?" he inquired, concern evident in his voice.
"Yeah, thanks," I replied, my voice betraying a touch of unease.
Sensing my apprehension, he probed further, asking, "Are you okay?"
I averted my gaze, feeling my cheeks grow warm. "W-why did you ask?" I stammered.
Mark's thick eyebrows furrowed as he responded, "I thought I heard you yesterday, and when I came to check on you, you were in the shower."
A surge of panic shot through me, but I quickly composed myself and offered an explanation. "Oh, I had a bad dream. That must have been what you heard," I fibbed, feeling a pang of guilt for deceiving him.
"A bad dream," he repeated, his concern deepening as he mulled over my response.
"Yeah, the whole Donovan thing must be getting to me," I added, attempting to divert the conversation to a safer topic.
"I...I'm sorry. I didn't think... Perhaps taking you there was a bad idea," he said genuinely, his remorse evident.
I felt a pang of guilt for lying to him and quickly reassured him, "It was okay. My first day at the Donovan's was quite eventful though."
"How do you mean?" Mark inquired, pausing in his coffee preparation to give me a penetrating stare.
I took a deep breath before continuing, "I met Archer's sister, Jessica. She was...intense."
Mark's curiosity piqued, he pressed for more details, his eyes fixed on me. "Explain 'intense'," he requested, his voice laced with seriousness.
"She stabbed one of their maids and asked me to patch her up to prove I was a real nurse. Can you believe that?" I shared, emphasizing the incredulity of the situation. Mark's response was a thoughtful hum. "You don't seem surprised. But of course, you know her. And why did she call you the enforcer?" I probed, recalling the enigmatic exchange.
Mark gave me a guarded stare. "She's not well in the head, Adele," he replied cryptically.
"Interesting. That's what Archer said too," I mused, noting the omission in Mark's response. But Mark had always been selective in sharing information, deciding what he deemed necessary for me to know.
Mark inquired further, "Did she bother you after that?" Tension radiated from his imposing figure as he spoke.
"I saw her on a few occasions, watching me from a balcony at the main house. Archer had guards swarming around me at all times, and I wasn't allowed to leave the building without them. Come to think of it, he said that was your idea," I stated, folding my arms and fixing him with a stern glare.
A gentle smirk tugged at the corners of Mark's lips. "You must have made quite an impression if Archer Donovan needed to use me to get you to behave," he chuckled.
I narrowed my gaze, feigning anger, before joining in his amusement.
However, the mirth in his eyes soon faded as he added a somber warning, "Jessica is beyond crazy, Adele. I told you, the Donovans are not regular folks. If you ever see her, make sure you're on your guard and alert."
"Hmm... noted. So, do we have guests?" I asked, maintaining the charade that I had no knowledge of Archer's presence. Meeting Mark's eyes, I subtly gestured toward the three mugs he was pouring coffee into.
"Well, we had an unexpected guest last night. Archer crashed here with Chad," Mark disclosed, leaving the rest unsaid.
"I see. Well, let's try to be decent hosts, then," I replied, reaching for an apron.
Mark raised an eyebrow. "Aren't you supposed to be going to school?" he asked a hint of amusement in his voice. "I don't mind being a lousy host," he added, causing me to giggle.
"I think I'll take the day off. I should feel better by tomorrow," I replied, trying to appear nonchalant.
Mark frowned, studying me intently. "Are you really okay, Adele?" he pressed, concern evident in his gaze."
I nodded, putting on a reassuring smile. "I am. I just need to take it easy today." I couldn't possibly tell him that I hadn't gotten much sleep because his friend had kept me up all night, or that I was feeling sore and might walk funny. I was relieved that Archer was still around, and I liked Chad's company too.
"What should I make?" I asked, diverting his attention back to breakfast.
Mark took a moment to appraise me before responding, "Anything you want, baby bird. We can send Chad out to get groceries if you need anything."
"Great. I'll make a list," I replied cheerfully, feeling a warmth spread through me at Mark's affectionate nickname. He returned my enthusiasm with a warm smile.
I decided to prepare a sumptuous brunch that could double as both breakfast and lunch. With Chad off to get the necessary ingredients, I put my culinary skills to work. While I may not have been as proficient as the chefs in Archer's mansion, I had learned a thing or two from Mark, who was an excellent cook himself. He had imparted his knowledge to me, ensuring I could whip up a delicious meal.
As I bustled around the kitchen, the tantalizing aroma of the dishes filled the house. The fragrant scent of freshly brewed coffee mingled with the aroma of sizzling bacon, freshly baked bread, and aromatic herbs. I whipped up fluffy scrambled eggs with cheese, crispy bacon, and sautéed mushrooms. I also prepared a colorful salad with mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and a tangy vinaigrette. For the main course, I made a hearty chicken and vegetable stir-fry with a special homemade sauce that Mark had taught me. The rich scent of the dishes mingled, making my mouth water with every whiff.
I arranged the dishes on the kitchen counter, a makeshift dining area since we lacked furniture. The state of the house made me feel a tinge of embarrassment.
Mark and Chad conversed in hushed tones in the living room while I pretended to be engrossed in cleaning up. I caught glimpses of Mark watching me, sensing that my happiness held a different quality. Deep down, I longed for Archer to taste my cooking, hoping he would appreciate the effort.
Mark went to fetch Archer but returned without him, I fought to conceal my eagerness and pretended to be engrossed in cleaning up the kitchen. I scrubbed the countertops with unnecessary intensity, trying to distract myself from the disappointment welling up inside me. Ignoring Mark's conversation with Chad, I focused on my task, hoping to create the illusion of indifference.
In their conversation, I overheard Mark asking Chad about Archer's phone, and my heart skipped a beat. I silently prayed that Archer hadn't left it behind in my room, relieved when Chad confirmed that he had it with him. A wave of reassurance washed over me.
The passing minutes felt agonizingly slow, but then, I heard the faint sound of footsteps descending the stairs. My heart raced, anticipation coursing through my veins. Every nerve in my body tingled with the hope of finally seeing Archer, and I anxiously awaited his appearance. My heart skipped a beat as I turned to see him, but he seemed distant, barely acknowledging me.
"Thanks for letting me invade your home," his voice resonated deeply.
"No problem," Mark replied.
"Here, Boss, your phone," Chad interjected, offering Archer his device.
Archer took the phone and scanned through it, seemingly engrossed. Finally, he acknowledged my presence, his tone cool and distant. "Good afternoon, Miss Rutherford."
"Hey," I replied, feeling a pang of disappointment at his detached demeanor.
"Sorry for barging in like this. Mark mentioned you cooked. Thank you, though you shouldn't have. I was wondering if we could pack some for ourselves," he requested, raising his phone. "Looks like something urgent just came up. I need to leave immediately," he added, causing my heart to shatter into countless pieces. Thankfully, Mark was preoccupied with Archer's message and remained unaware of my emotional turmoil. Chad, on the other hand, averted his gaze, sensing the pain in my expression.
"Is everything okay?" Mark asked, his voice filled with intensity.
"We'll discuss it outside," Archer responded briskly.
"Of course, I'll pack some for you and Chad," I managed to say, forcing a smile through the pain.
"Thank you," Archer acknowledged before turning to Chad. "Stay and collect the food, Chad. I'll be in the car. Have a nice day, Miss Rutherford." With that, he swiftly departed, followed by Mark, leaving me alone with Chad.
With a forced smile directed at Chad, I turned away, desperately attempting to compose myself before I completely fell apart. Every fiber of my being trembled uncontrollably, and my body racked with aching pain.
It felt as though my heart was being squeezed by a vise, and the knots in my chest and gut tightened with unbearable intensity. The pain was suffocating, leaving me gasping for air as tears welled up, blurring my vision. I pressed my lips tightly together, fighting against the overwhelming emotions threatening to consume me.
Despite the anguish coursing through my veins, I managed to gather the strength to pack the food for Archer and Chad, reserving a portion for Mark.
Swallowing the lump in my throat, I squared my shoulders and approached Chad, my eyes avoiding his gaze. "Thank you, Chad," I managed to say, my voice trembling. He simply nodded in response, the silence between us amplifying my anguish.
Once Chad had left, I hurriedly made my way upstairs, desperately trying to stifle the sobs threatening to escape my lips.
Locking the door to my room, I sought solace in the bathroom. Following Archer's earlier actions, I turned on the tap, allowing the water to cascade and drown my sobs.
Hunching against the cold tiles, I slid down to the floor, my body racked with shivers as tears streamed down my face. Each sob was muffled by my trembling hands pressed against my mouth as if trying to suppress the pain erupting from within me.
In that moment of despair, the harsh reality set in. I had made a grave mistake. Archer Donovan harbored no genuine feelings for me, nor was he attracted to me. I had deceived myself, foolishly creating illusions where none existed. He was a seasoned man, while I was nothing more than an ignorant child, clueless about the intricacies of a man's desires. Archer had simply sought physical release, and I had naively complied, just like the Barbie I had seen in his company during our first encounter.
The memories of his callous words, where he casually dismissed the woman's emotions, flooded my mind, reinforcing the painful truth.
“God, no…” I whispered in agony.