Clarissa
I woke up craning my neck.
Why?
Because it was hurting, really bad.
I groaned for the last time and got out of bed.
I mean I could sleep a little more since I have nothing to do but no.
*********
After taking a shower, I dressed up in a white sundress and a pair of sandals.
Contemplating whether or not to leave my room, I finally did.
As I walked down the hallway, I heard a sound.
In fact, music.
And as curious as I was, decided to follow.
Reaching a room, I poked my head in to see.
It was just Brandon, his back facing me, lifting weight.
"Staring's rude."
I heard him say.
So much for you gawker!
But how'd he know?
I'd be lying if I say I didn't die when he turned around.
The ABS!!!
He is a freaking Greek god.
I know I have said that a lot of times but now it's pretty much purely verified.
Without a word, I rushed downstairs.
Getting into the kitchen, I met with a middle-aged woman with raven black hair with little streaks of grey hair busily working on something on the stove
"Hello." I waved shyly.
She raised he head to look at me.
"Oh hello there you must be Mrs. Bartels."
Mrs. Bartels?
Okay.
"Ye-yes, I am"
I moved to sit behind the kitchen counter.
"I am Cathia, Brandon's nanny, I've been with him for a really long time, he's like a son to me."
"That's sweet."
Brandon has a nanny?
Adorable.
Brandon
Walking into the kitchen, I met with laughter.
I see Clarissa had already met with Cathia.
Cathia is Alan's mother and she always happened to be there for me.
"Morning."
Just Cathia responded.
Maybe she didn't hear me.
"Good morning." I said again
Again, just Cathia.
Of course she heard you, she just ignored you.
Nobody expected you to treat her the way you did last night.
I looked at Clarissa to see her busily eating.
"I'll be a little late tonight, nan."
"Why's that?"
"I have a couple meetings to attend to."
Cathia simply nodded.
"I'll see you later."
Clarissa
After breakfast, I wandered around the house.
This place is huge.
Eventually, I stumbled on a room and decided to check it out.
Upon opening the door, I was dumbstruck.
A library.
We've struck gold.
Brandon
Sitting behind my office table, I was planning the next ways to send arsenals all around the country and beyond. My firm was known as one of the best in the trade of weapons. Whilst arranging a couple files, someone walked into the room.
When I lifted my head, I locked eyes with Clarissa.
"Good afternoon."
"What are you doing....."
She just dropped a basket on the table, turned and left.
*********
Clearing up my table after having lunch, the door to my office opened again.
And this time, it wasn't Clarissa but rather Sophie.
The girl responsible for a lot of damage to my life.
"What do you want?"
She slowly walked up to me.
"I met your wife earlier." She said air quoting the word "wife".
"You haven't answered my question."
Sophie sighed and sat on my table.
"Well..... I have missed you and I know you've missed me too."
What the hell is she talking about.
"Get. out." I said through gritted teeth.
Before I could speak again, Sophie smashed her lips on mine.
Clarissa
I was sitting in front of the television watching a reality show when Brandon's face lit up on the screen with the headline;
"MOST ELIGIBLE BACHELOR, BRANDON BARTELS, OFFICIALLY OFF THE MARKET."
I don't know why but a small smile crept on my face.
Maybe because you're now married to the most eligible bachelor?
My mind suddenly drifted back to Brandon and his office.
For a fake company and a cover up, they were actually doing pretty well.
After what happened last night, I am going to do my absolute best to ignore him.
Brandon
I laid in the bed I had in my office, stationary.
Everything felt strange and I felt different.
Was it because of the foreign round metal on my finger?
Or that I was now bound to someone?
And that I had someone I was supposed to refer to as my 'wife'?
How could you stoop so low Brandon?
With reality dawning on me, I sat up and got out of the bed.
"Brandon, where are you going?"
I rolled my eyes.
"You have to leave."
Sophie groaned and rolled her eyes at me.
"Don't tell me it's because of HER." She spat.
I grabbed her dress from the floor and threw it at her.
"That was a mistake."
"You know it's not. Brandon, you can't stop loving me even if you tried, I still love you."
The audacity and nerve.
You allowed her do this.
"Get. out."
I said and grabbed her by the hand and turned her towards the door.
"There's no we."
***********
Entering the house, I was given a full on update on what went on in the mansion while I was away.
And to my surprise, Nathan didn't try anything stupid.
I walked into my room and changed into some casual clothes and went into my study.
For some reason, all I could think of today was what transpired between Sophie and I.
And even though there was nothing between Clarissa and I, I felt a pang in my chest thinking about it.
Guilt.
Not being able to think straight, I got out of my room in search of Clarissa.
She wasn't in her room, the living room or the kitchen, yet my guards told me she hadn't left the house.
Then I decided to check out the library.
Opening the door, my eyes landed on her.
She had her legs in the couch in an oversized sweatshirt and shorts with a book covering her face.
To announce my presence I cleared my throat.
Clarissa
Halfway through my book, I heard a sound.
I brought my book down to uncover my eyes to lock eyes with no one but Brandon.
"What are you doing here?"
"I should be asking you that."
I internally rolled eyes at him.
"I am reading as you can see."
Can't he just leave?
"What book?"
Is this an interview or something?
"You wouldn't know even if I told you."
"But I own the place?"
So?
"And you can have it all to yourself cause I am leaving."
"With that, I got up and headed to the door.
"Clarissa wait."
I turned to look at him lifting a brow.
"What?"
Brandon ignored what I said and was just walking towards me.
"What are you doing?"
"Did - did I do that?" He said pointing to my neck.
Oh so he now noticed.
"I can take care of myself thank you very much."
Without sparing him a glance, I walked out of the library.
Brandon
As a mafia Don, I never really cared about anyone but myself but now all I could think of was that bruise on Clarissa.
"You're here."
Cathia said, gesturing to me.
I went straight to her and got my food.
"How was today, Clarissa?"
The moment I dragged my chair to sit, Clarissa got up.
"I'm full." She said to Cathia.
She went ahead to clean up her plate, totally ignoring me.
"Good night, Cathia." She said as I watched her go upstairs.
My gaze followed her until she entered her room and shut the door.
I slowly shook my head.
All my life, I never really cared if anyone snobbed or ignored me but I actually cared now.
"What's going on?"
"What do you mean?"
Cathia sighed and stood behind me.
"What happened between you and Clarissa?"
"I gave her a single rule, not to leave the house and she did."
"And?"
"I got pissed and hurt her."
"How?"
"I strangled her by the neck."
"You what? She isn't just anyone for goodness sake, she's your wife..."
"I know. I know."
Here comes the scolding.
"What have I told you about your anger? You are going to get up, shove your egoistic pride down your chest, go up there and apologize."
I groaned.
"Now!"
I lazily stood up and muttered a "thanks" to Cathia.
Much love to Science 11 girls 🤎🤎🤎