NOVEL WEB Chapter 351: Greek's Gift
"Am I dreaming?"
"No, my love," Blaze whispered, his warm, minty breath fanning her flushed face and his deep, sexy voice filling the void in her heart.
Slowly but steadily, her dampened soul came back to life, and her heartbeat picked up its momentum, thumping unsymmetrically.
"Blaze!" Amelia called out his name again, her voice barely above a whisper. She blinked twice, tears sliding down the corner of her eyes and disappearing into the pillow.
She felt his thumb stroking his cheeks, stopping her tears from falling. She lifted her hand to touch his face, and for a moment, it felt as though the world had stopped spinning.
"Is this really you?" Amelia asked staring into his eyes. She was finding it very difficult to believe that he was really here seated beside her.
The last time she checked, she was inside the private room of a jet travelling to an unknown destination. She recalled speaking to Maria first and later, doctor Venessa, who said something about giving her a relaxing medication. Afterwards, she didn't recall a single thing.
However, from the look of her current surroundings, she could tell she was no longer inside the plane.
Rather, she was lying on a cloud-like, fluffy king-sized bed. Everything around her, felt as though it was painted in ivory and gold.
The way the overhead crystal chandelier shimmered, giving a warm and subtle glow, felt magical.
But nothing compared to the handsome man seated beside her, draped in a breathable two-piece, immaculate white short-sleeved shirt and pants. He was looking unusually enigmatic and charming, especially with the way his sleek brown hair was combed back.
"This has got to be a dream, and I don't want to wake up," Amelia whispered as Blaze's warm, pillowy lips caressed hers tenderly before parting them open with his tongue.
Amelia closed her eyes as her whole body melted like butter under his hot breath and passionate kiss. She felt one of his powerful hands slip under her head, lifting her slightly up and plunging his tongue deeper. While the other hand slid under her waist, holding onto her possessively.
A slight knock on the door, interrupted the tender moment, forcing the love birds to part lips momentarily. Both gazes shifted to the door as it creaked open.
Maria peeked from behind the door briefly, a warm smile spreading across her face at the sight of Amelia's flushed face and Blaze's intimate hold around her.
"Is this bad timing?"
"Mum! You're also in my dream?" Amelia stared at her mother-in-law in confusion.
"Dream!" Maria pushed the door fully open, stepping inside and closing the door behind her. She was adorned in a long sky-blue chiffon dress and a wide-brim beach straw hat. "What are you talking about dear?"
Blaze chuckled softly, nuzzling Amelia on the cheek.
"This is no dream, sweetheart. I'm really here with you."
"You are!" Amelia's eyes widened like a saucer.
Blaze bobbed his head, beaming like a child holding his favourite pet.
"Really!" Amelia half screamed, her teary gaze whipping to Maria, who also nodded with a smile.
"You were still sleeping when we arrived at our destination. Your husband received us at the airport and brought us home to our summer beach house on the island." Maria gestured to their new surroundings.
Amelia sat up fully on the bed with Blaze's assistance. She lifted her right hand and pinched herself on the cheek, the sting radiating up to her brain.
"Oh my goodness! I am not dreaming. This is real. You are h....." Amelia choked on her words, the happiness in her heart overwhelming her senses. She threw her arms around Blaze's neck and held him so tight, sobbing on his shoulder. "Oh, Blaze..."
"I'll come back later." Maria quietly exited the room and shut the door behind her, giving the couple the privacy they needed.
Blaze felt his heart throbbing with so much pain as Amelia cried out her heart on his shoulder. He gently lifted her off the bed princess style like a fragile egg and carried her out of the room to the open space balcony, where they could both feel the ocean breeze on their skin and enjoy the peaceful view together.
The sun was beginning to set and the sky was painted in vibrant colors of orange, red, and pink, creating a magical canvas.
Blaze gently eased himself into one of the plush cushioned swing chairs, still holding Amelia firmly to his chest like a tender child. He rocked the chair slowly while stroking her hair, their heart synchronizing as one.
Amelia felt a sense of peace and tranquillity wash over her, healing her broken heart and easing her pain.
Without even saying a word to her, Blaze's tender touch and the gentle caress of nature made her feel whole again. Her sobbing slowly turned to a quiet sniffle until she finally felt relieved.
"Feeling better?" Blaze asked calmly, planting a warm kiss on her forehead.
Amelia nodded slowly, her head resting on his chest, feeling it rise and fall. Her ears picked up the distant rhythmic lapping of waves on the ocean shore, providing a soothing counterpoint to the occasional, piercing cry of a seagull.
She briefly closed her eyes, taking in the peaceful surroundings and breathing in the rejuvenating scent of the saltwater ocean.
She inhaled deeply and exhaled before finally opening her eyes and lifting up her head to look at Blaze squarely.
"Have you been finally released?" Her voice was a bit raspy and faint.
"Not really," Blaze replied holding her intense gaze.
"Then how did you get out? Did you escape?" Amelia's tone was laced with anxiety.
Her question, though innocent, earned a lazy chuckle from Blaze,
"No, my love. I didn't break out of jail. I simply made a deal with the chief warden so that I can be with you."
Amelia raised her brow in unbelief. "And he agreed just like that."
Blaze's smile deepened. "I can be really persuasive."
"Indeed." Amelia eyed him. "What if someone else noticed that you are gone? Won't they raise an alarm?"
"No one will suspect a thing," Blaze reassured her with an air of confidence. "As we speak, someone who looks exactly like me is serving my sentence. This will give me the needed opportunity to spend quality time with you and watch my baby develop in your womb." His left hand, settled on Amelia's baby bump, caressing it tenderly.
At once, Amelia's face lit up. "I really miss you." She cupped his face with both hands. "And I don't want you to go back there."
"I won't." Blaze leaned closer, holding her steady. "And I promise to avenge your mother with every blood in my veins."
A tear drop escaped Amelia's shimmering reddened eyes. But Blaze was quick to catch it with his tongue, invoking a deep sensual desire that made Amelia completely lose control of her feelings. She wasted no time claiming her husband's lips in a passionate kiss while the entire world slipped away, fading into the background.
********
The day slowly slipped by with Desmond doing everything within his power to appease his family for the ruined family dinner.
Although he stuck to his earlier lies of messing around with an unknown hooker for the night, he still confessed to cheating on Harriet, earning her cold treatment.
When Harriet left for the salon, Desmond went about preparing an apology meal to seek her forgiveness.
He was hoping to spend the entire day indoors, catering for his children, especially his younger child Claudia until Matt came calling, bearing gifts.
"Hello, little bro," Matt greeted, a devilish grin spreading across his face as Desmond answered the door. His ridiculing gaze narrowed at the slightly messy kitchen apron his baby brother was wearing, but he didn't comment on it immediately.
"Hey..." Desmond pinched his forehead, gritting his teeth as Matt strolled past him into the house, exuding an air of arrogance and supremacy like he owned even the air Desmond breathed.
"Home alone?" Matt asked, taking in the modest sitting room. He dropped the brown shopping bag he was holding on the centre table and sank into one of the double couches, crossing his leg, his gaze tilting back to his brother.
"Claudia is in her room while the other two have gone out with their mother."
"So you are the stay-at-home nanny and cook?" Matt raised a mocking brow, a wicked smirk curling up his lips.
"Taking care of my own child or cooking for my family doesn't make me lesser than a man." Desmond sneered taking off the kitchen apron.
"But messing around with Pearl on a day you are supposed to be with your wife and children makes you what...a genius?" Matt taunted, grinning wickedly as Desmond's face turned white.
"Not so loud bro." Desmond hurriedly sat down beside his heartless elder. "Claudia is inside her room. She could hear you and spill the beans to her mother."
"Relax, little brother..." Matt patted Desmond on the shoulder. "Your secret is always safe with me as long as you play by my rules." He pointed to the bag on the table. "Everything there belongs to you and there is more where that came from."
Desmond slowly picked up the bag and looked inside. His eyes widened at the sight of about ten packs of hundred-dollar bills, alongside a new mobile phone and some fancy wristwatch–his irresistible vanity.
"I'll also be sending a brand new car to your home later this evening." Matt continued. "I wouldn't want my baby brother hopping different cars or using public transport. You should live like a king."
Desmond's heart started pounding wildly in his chest. These gifts reminded him of a saying: beware of Greeks bearing gifts.
Matt was never known for giving anything for free. There was always a price to pay.
"What exactly do you want from me, Matt."
"Just a simple token..." Matt paused, his gaze darkening. "...your loyalty when the time comes."