" How strange is this that those who crave for the warmth of others love, do it in the most cold and apathetic ways.

They want it but conceal it, not begging for it.

And those who fake to love, do it in the most deceiving ways?"

- Suzangill©

.........

I cover up my shocked look immediately. With a fascade of boldness. Gulping to answer back. Trying not to stutter.

"None of your concern , Mr Reed."

His intense gaze doesn't waver from me. To only have that scowl on his face to be replaced by a smirk of disbelief.

As he takes in my word.

My feet were turning ice and hands sweaty. But I don't show it. Nodding, I speak. Turning around to leave.

"Enjoy your night. Goodnight."

My heart was thumping against my ribcage , feeling those burning eyes on my back. I had taken just one step up the stair when his emotionless voice made me stop.

" I didn't aske you to leave now did I?"

" Come.Have a seat."

I just stand there, breathing heavily. Should I run to my room, I am feeling vary of the way he is talking ? But then he will think I am a coward.

No. What's there to be afraid of. I will just sit for few minutes and leave.

"I am not going to eat you Stupid girl. Come here."

He orders. Placing one leg over the other, leaning back on the seat. And I merely nod.

I was going to settle on the seat in front of him, the farthest from him. When he pats the sofa beside him.

"Here"

What the hell is his problem? Biting my lip, trying not to retort back. I sit beside him..or rather in the other corner of the sofa. Maintaining a safe distance.

He doesn't say anything for next few minutes and the silence was getting really awkward.

But he didn't seemed to care.

Pouring himself another glass,he to lean back again, turning all his attention on me.

Asking casually while swirling his drink.

"So Ezra. How is work going?"

Why is he asking me this? He never cared for it. What's the catch. I am really feeling afraid of him now.

"It's good."

He nods. Taking another sip. His eyes set on my face, making me lower my gaze.

"You have dark circles under your eyes. Aren't you sleeping properly? Is something keeping you sleepless these days?"

I don't speak. Clenching my fists. Fake... the concern? it's all fake. Why is he acting. What's his motive.

"I thought you didn't cared Mr Reed. Why are you even asking this?"

A cynical laugh breaks out from his lips. As he keeps down the glass of whiskey, folding his hands. Looking at me.

"Indeed."

"You are right. I don't care for you Ezra."

Moving closer to me. He grabs my chin in his grip, forcing me to look at him.

"But"

Looking down at my lips for a second. He settles his eyes back on mine. Speaking in a serious voice.

"I do care for my little wife."

"Where she goes? Who she meets , what she eats and even-"

"The sins she commits"

I look at him in confusion. My brows furrowed. Sin? What Sin? What the hell is he talking about? And who is he , talking to me like that.

Pushing aside his hand, I scoff. Getting up.

"It sounds funny coming from the lips of a sinner himself? What happened got bored?"

"We can play you games some other time Aaron. I am tired and I want to sleep."

"Please excuse me"

I speak. Trying to walk away, the second time. When instead, a strong grip on my waist pulls me back.

A scream leaves my lips as I fall back in his lap. My senses freezing.

"Aaron! What the hell-"

He didn't let me complete. Coiling his arms around my waist and locking his hands infront of my stomach.

He imprisons me, settling his chin on my shoulder. To make his hot breath fan my neck.

"Shh my little wife. No way can you accuse me of it when I didn't fuc* let alone touch a women since the day I married you."

I go still. My heartbeat audible in my ears as he places the first kiss on my neck. My legs turning jelly.

"Aar-"

"No way can you say that. When despite being a man with needs. I didn't force mine on you."

His other hand slides in my t shirt and I breathe heavily. My back arching to hit his front.

"When I gave you freedom. When I didn't set my claim on you. When I gave you every facility and respect."

His kisses stop suddenly. When I felt his hand going still.And his tone suddenly changed from soft to deadly.

"But I guess you didn't deserved it."

And next I know, he pushed me aside from top of him like my touch burned him. Making my front to hit the sofa as I gather myself.

Clenching my fist, I turn around to look at him. Fuming in anger.

"Aaron!!"

I scream. Looking at him in disbelief.

While he? He stands up, adjusting his shirt. Picking up the drink to sip it, while looking at me through the rim of the glass.

"What the hell is wrong with you! Why would you do that! I am not your plaything Aaron! You can't play with my emotions!"

He again looks at me with that cold look. His next words making my soul to shudder and mind to go blank.

" You can't be my plaything but can be his, huh?" . . .

" You won't let your husband touch you but a stranger fuc* you, huh?" . .

"Bravo Ezra! Bravo! You got me fooled there by your innocence."

Clapping his hands in fake mockery.He steps closer to me. Gripping my chin, making me look up at him.

"I- I didn't do anything. You are mistaken"

I stare back at him in determination. Not afraid when I didn't do anything wrong. While he just stares.

His eyes taking in my features, till he finally nods.

Leaving my chin to step back from me and settle down on his chair again. Pouring another glass of alcohol, he leans back. Crossing his legs.

Placing his hands in his pocket and taking out an envelope. Throwing it on the table in front of him. He speaks coldly.

"Fine then. Explain this."

My limbs freeze. As I stare at the envelope. Gulping. What's in it? But I didn't do anything wrong. Why am I afraid now? Come on Ezra.

"Hurry up"

He says impatiently. And I pick up the envelope, while looking at him. Taking out the picture, my entire body went into a state of shock.

My hands trembling as I just stared.

No .. how?.... It's impossible.

"It's not photoshopped.I got it checked."

He declares casually. Staring at the liquid in his drink. Making my heart to thud faster.

I stand there frozen. Confused, perplexed and lost. Tears leaving my eyes without permission.

How can this happen...no....did someone force me? But when...I don't remember...oh god what happened.

My thoughts are interrupted by him sighing.

"Ezra...."

He says, with a hint of warning and I come out of my thoughts. Clearing my tears to look at him.

"Huh?"

"Sit down"

He urges. Offering me a glass of drink. But I was lost in my thoughts refusing it. When he places it in my hands instead.

"Drink it"

Seeing him looking so calm made me more anxious, was it the silence before the storm. Why isn't he shouting at me? Why is he so calm.

Staring at the liquid, I decide to gulp it this time. Trying to ease my mind.

It burns my throat and I get distracted of my thoughts but only for a second.

Reality hiting back again.

How will I prove it? Will he trust me? Why will he? He already thinks I deceived him.

"Now I will ask you just three questions Ezra. Answer me truthfully."

He says placing his elbows on the seat rest behind. Fixing his stormy grey orbs on me.

I barely nod. Fumbling with my hands. My legs trembling with the fear of the unknown.

"Question 1: Is that you in the picture?"

I stare at the pictures blankly. It was me only, without a doubt. But how...I don't remember.

"Yes"

I answer truthfully. Clenching my fist. Not knowing how I will prove this wrong .

While he leans further, placing his elbows on his thighs. Moving his face closer to me.

"Question 2: Who is the man?"

I stare at the person's back in the pictures. Who was he? How did he even....why is he kissing me...I feel dirty...did this person really kiss me?

I feel something crawl on my skin...the urge to rub my skin...raw.

"Ezra answer the question"

He warns bringing me out of my thoughts. And I just lower my eyes.

"I- I don't know who he is"

I thought he will shout. Call me a slut. Degrade my character, but he did nothing.

Just sitting there calmly, like it didn't affect him.

"Question 3: When was it? Do you remember it?"

And I break down completely. Crying rivers. Trying to speak between sobs.

" I seriously don't know Aaron. I don't even remember. Trus-"

He gets up. Not letting me complete.

Making my heart to shatter more.

What was I expecting? He doesn't care. I bet he believes those pictures.

" From this second onwards. You are not stepping a foot out of this house without my permission."

"All your calls will be tapped and you will stay here."

I look at him in horror. Tapped? Permission? He is punishing me...I can see it. But I didn't do anything.

"What! You can't do that Aaron! I am not a prisoner here!"

He steps closer to me. The darkness in his grey eyes deadly ,as I feel my insides screaming.

" I am not asking you. I am telling you. Ezra. Your freedom ends here and I don't want to hear another word from your lips regarding it."

"But.."

"Another word. And you will be punished."

He turns around to leave. But I can't keep it inside me.

I want to know desperately what he thinks....does he really think that I really slept with that man behind him?

Clearing my tears,I ask him in a voice not stuttering this time. Determined to get an answer even if it breaks me.

"Why are you punishing me by doing this? You really think I betr..ayed you?"

I ask and he stops.

His back going stiff.

Turning around he looks at me with those beautiful yet dangerous eyes. Storming raging inside them.

"If you would have fuc*ed another man behind my back Stupid girl. "

"You wouldn't be still standing in my house, looking at me like this.

" You wouldn't still have my surname behind yours Ezra.'

"You wouldn't have been my Ezra then."

Stepping closer. He looks at my lips. And my eyes widen.

My Ezra

Did he really said that.

"I-I..."

"And as for your punishment now. I think I need to do this everyday to help you remember who you truly belong to."

And next I know. He changes the route of his kiss. To land them back on that tender spot on my neck.

Making my legs go week, to be only held by his arms firmly.

" You are mine Ezra."

He says. Kissing more passionately.

" Remember it"

And that's when I understood what he was doing.

He was leaving the hickeys as his claim on me again.

Coming down from the heights of ecstasy. I feel him placing his forehead against mine, holding my face in his palms. And I couldn't stop myself.

" Th...thank you for trusting me ....I thought...you wouldn't...."

I say. Looking into his eyes. And he kisses my forehead. Pulling me to his arms.

" Shh. Don't think much about it."

" But...but I feel dirty Aaron...I...the person I swear I don't know who he is."

I say scratching my arms and neck, that photo. Resurfacing in my mind. When I feel a grip on my wrist. Stopping me.

I look up at him, surprised to have him lift up my wrists. Locking them behind his neck.

" Shhh Stupid girl. Stop thinking about it."

Smirking he suggests, making his nose touch mine.

" Or do you want me to help you forget it?"

He suggests. And I bite my lip. Not sure.

" No...w?"

" Hmmm"

He says kissing my jawline while caressing it.

" Here?"

" Hmm "

He says unbuttoning my shirt and I look around in horror. Despite knowing that all the staff left already.

" Aaron...I...think ..we should continue...this upstairs..."

I suggest. All my worries gone. When he instead pushes me back on the sofa. Making my body to literally bounce on it.

" Or maybe not "

He suggested. And next I know he discards his tie , stepping closer to me.

Lust burning bright in his eyes.

My heart thumping in my chest. And throat running dry.

This was it.

There were no barriers, no restriction now.

And I think the prey is going to get hunted tonight.