"Okay Leon, I'll make sure to inform my wife."
Mark ended the call just as Aurora walked into the bedroom, fresh out of her evening shower. She wore a satin robe, her damp hair cascading down her back as she made her way to the dresser, applying her evening lotion.
"What do you have to inform me about?" she asked, not looking up. Mark turned around slowly, the scent of her skin hitting him like a wave. "Mmmm, you smell so good, darling," he said, inhaling deeply. Thank you," she replied with a slight blush. He walked over and wrapped his arms around her from behind.
"Mark, go take your shower," she teased.
Wife, are you trying to say I stink?" he arched a brow playfully. "No… but if that's how you interpret it, that's your problem," she smirked.
"How rude," Mark muttered, shaking his head as he walked into the closet. Moments later, he returned dressed in sleek black pajamas, his hair slightly tousled. He glanced toward the bed and smiled as he saw his beautiful wife already asleep.
Without a word, he slid into bed beside her and wrapped his arms around her waist.
"I love you," he whispered into her hair before drifting off to sleep. The next morning came too early with sharp knocks on their door.
Groggily, Aurora rose from bed and opened it to find Prudence and her handmaids waiting.
"Thank you, Prudence, but I won't be needing any assistance this morning." If you say so, Ma'am." They bowed and left. She turned back to see Mark still asleep, hugging a pillow like it was his lifeline. "Must be really tired, huh?" Aurora chuckled, shaking her head. She leaned down and kissed his forehead softly. As she turned to leave, a strong arm grabbed her wrist and yanked her down to the bed.
"Hey!" she squeaked in surprise.
Mark reached up, brushing the hair from her face and tucking it behind her ear. "You should be kissing my lips, not my forehead," he murmured with a wicked grin. Her cheeks flared crimson. How did he manage to say the most outrageous things with a straight face?
"You're so shameless, Mark. Let go of me I need to start my morning routine."
"Never," he replied, capturing her lips with his.
He kissed her slowly, passionately silencing every protest. She melted instantly. And that, he found absolutely intoxicating. They stayed locked in the moment until she gently pulled away. "I could do that all day," he grinned.
"Ryan!" she exclaimed, face red as a tomato as she scrambled into the closet.
They descended the staircase hand in hand. Mark was sharp as ever in a tailored black suit, and Aurora glowed effortlessly in a purple bodycon dress that rested just above her knees. Her hair was tied in a loose, messy bun. She wore no makeup, but her natural beauty did all the talking.
She kissed her mother's cheek, did the same to her father and grandmother, then offered polite smiles to her aunts, who nodded stiffly in return. Mark pulled out her chair like a gentleman and greeted the room. He then walked to Grandma Amelia and kissed her knuckles.
"Good morning, Ma'am."
"Such elegance," Amelia smiled, clearly impressed.The servants began placing a wide array of breakfast dishes across the table."This is a lot, Mom," Aurora commented, eyes wide. "Well, a house this full needs a proper breakfast."
Meanwhile, Mark was completely absorbed in his phone, failing to notice the maid serving him a plate of bacon. "No take that away!" Aurora snapped. "Mark's allergic." The young maid turned pale. I'm so sorry, Madam. I didn't know."
"It's okay, it's not your fault." Mark looked up and glared blankly, offering no comfort.
"You should be more careful," Kim said, concern in her voice.
"Mom, it's not her fault. Actually, Ryan is to blame." Mark looked up, confused. "Me??"
Yes, you! You've been glued to your phone since we got here. You're not paying attention to anything. This isn't our house where the maids know your preferences. They're doing their best."
"I'm sorry, Aurora, but I really have to get this work done—"
"Then do it somewhere else," William interjected sharply. "Don't sit at the table with your family if you're going to ignore them. It's disrespectful." The table fell into an uncomfortable silence.
Mark clenched his jaw but didn't respond. He wasn't used to being corrected. In his world, no one challenged his decisions not even his board members. But now, he was being scolded at the breakfast table like a teenager.
He forced a composed expression for the sake of Kim, but Aurora sharp as ever noticed the shift in his energy. His body was present, but his mind had withdrawn.
There was tension at the table a storm brewing beneath polite smiles and clinking silverware. And yet, things were about to get even more complicated.