23
MYKEL
She was right. I was way over my head—I let my cock rule over my brain. I let this fucking feelings cloud the purpose of this marriage.
I tried to talk her out, but who would I be fooled when what I said was the complete opposite of what I did?
We barely spoke as we bumped in the kitchen. Adley grabbed a bottle of water, and I grabbed the fucking milk. She paused as she noticed what was in my hand, then she turned her heels and walked to the spare room.
Fuck.
Fuck this feeling.
Fuck everything.
I had gone to bed an hour ago and was still up. I closed my eyes again, but my mind kept revisiting our last conversation. I went to my office instead and watched the football match replay on the tv screen.
I checked my email—I found one from Dash and another from Cenric. I opened Dash’s email first with an attached file—a starting up medical equipment manufacturer he wanted me to check out.
Then I read Cenric’s email. It was an update of their decentralized finance or Defi CENTH’s data. I had invested in CENTH even though the risk was aggressive because I trusted that it had the potential for the future of Cryptocurrency.
Closing my laptop, I went to the couch. I looked at our wedding photos Elise sent to me today. Adley seemed genuinely happy, even if she was terrified a day before and even if everything was a sham. Well, except our marriage was real. I couldn’t help but glance at the ring around my finger.
My Instagram account had almost a million followers. Then I updated my bio and added; Husband to Adley. The rest was the same, including the website link of Creed Foundation. Then I uploaded the picture of our hands as we exchanged rings. It was clear that the camera was focused on her engagement ring and wedding band.
I stalked her account. She had less than fifteen thousand followers and had not been updated since last month. Her business account was pretty much up to date with three million followers. I’d read some comments on their post, and most were positive except for trolls and shameless solicitors. I couldn’t help but be proud that it was the hard work of my wife.
My phone vibrated in my hand. My heart nearly stopped. Knots coiled in my stomach.
“Lex.”
“I’d never thought you would betray me one day, son,” he started. His voice was calm, but Lex was like a lion watching his prey—he could charge and pounce on you anytime. “I warned you, yet you defied me.”
“You didn’t give her much of a choice.” I sat straight on the couch.
“This is between my granddaughter and me, Mykel.”
“Not anymore, Lex. Whether you agree with me, you know you were too hard on Adley. When you talked to me, and she came to me, I balanced which one was right. And seriously, you could choose a better husband for her than Gary Merick, who did nothing but belittled her.”
“All I wanted for her was to stop wasting her time and start thinking of her future.”
“She wanted to choose her own future.”
“And how is it working so far?”
“Her future is with me now. I will support her no matter what decision she makes.”
“You know what you two are doing is not gonna work. You are using my granddaughter, Mykel, and I’m not too fond of it. I know this is just a sham. End this stupidity now before you are going to hurt Adley.” He grunted at the end of the line. I could feel the ick in his voice, but right now, I didn’t give a fuck. I won.
His words didn’t matter to me. I would do what was best for Adley and me, and I was going to make this right.
“Our marriage is real. It’s not a sham. We may not be in love, but we care for each other. Adley wanted to convey her message, and you received it. What you can do is file for the transfer of her parents’ assets into her name. Start treating her like a granddaughter, Lex, not as your collateral.”
“You can’t win over this, Mykel.” I already did.
I found my lips curving into a smile. He knew he was losing this battle. “I don’t have to as long as Adley will get what’s hers. If she decides to file for divorce after that, it’s up to her. I will respect her decision, but I’m not giving up on us, and I will always care for her no matter the outcome.”
“Where’s my granddaughter?”
“She’s resting. Stop sending your lawyers and Gary for another offer. What you are doing is textbook harassment and criticizing. And let her do her passion in peace. She made up her mind. For God’s sake, she’s an adult capable of making her own choices. And if her plans won’t work out, I’m here to help her start again.”
“What I’m doing is for her own good. I want to train her to run a billion-dollar corporation because, let’s face it, Mykel, she will be my only successor if I retire.”
“She’s a CEO of her own company. What more practice does she need? Besides, I can do it myself. You trained me, Lex. If you can be a great mentor, so do I. A little trust in her capability as a head won’t hurt you. Give it to her.”
***
In the morning, I found Adley in the kitchen with her laptop. I talked to Lex and let out what was in my chest, and my anger was gone.
I tapped the camera icon on my phone and then greeted Adley as I rested my chin on her shoulder. Then I smiled and captured that moment.
She eyed me suspiciously. “You’re in a good mood this morning?”
“Why wouldn’t I?”
“Breakfast?”
“You’re still upset.”
She turned to me and shook her head. She actually looked guilty this time. “I was desperate when I came asking for your help. You didn’t think twice about helping me. You kept at the end of the bargain even if it changed your life drastically. You helped me conquer my fear, and I paid you with what?” She looked down. “I felt ashamed, embarrassed, and ungrateful when I realized what I did. I’m so sorry.”
“Aw.” I made sure to look sweet before I gave her a quick kiss on her lips. “Did you just apologize?”
“It was sincere, Mykel.” She poked her finger on my chest. “In fact, I went to your room last night, but you were not there. Where did you go?”
“I went out to blow off steam.”
In an instant, her smile disappeared. “Oh.”
My laugh was breathless as I watched her reaction. “Kidding. I was in the office and fell asleep on the couch.” I went to pour coffee. She already had a cup for her.
“Are you kidding?”
“I swear. What did you add to your coffee?”
“What available do you have? Almond milk. The carton you picked last night.” She giggled.
“I was pissed at you. Why are you even working on Saturday?”
“Just crosschecking to make sure they did not miss any details.”
“Enough of this, please. Let’s sit on the couch.” I closed her laptop, picked up her coffee, and took it with me. “I have something to tell you.”
“Don’t tell me you have a plan to turn the guest room into a nursery room. I swear I’m gonna punch you in the nose.”
I laughed it out. “It’s not actually a bad idea.”
I remembered how Mom sat on the couch, and Adley was doing the same, cross-legged.
“Are you gonna tell me or not?”
“Impatient, aren’t we? It’s about Lex.”
I uploaded the picture I took in the kitchen into my account and tagged her before telling her what I talked about with Lex.
“What did he say? Grandpa called me last night. I knew what he would say, so I let it send to my voicemail.” Her gaze locked on mine.
“Well, he knows we’re married. He said it’s a mistake blah blah blah. He also mentioned wanting you to work with him to train you. He wants you to be his successor, baby. I told him, let me train you instead.”
“No.”
I held her hand. “Adley, you can’t run away from your responsibility. You are a Kross.”
“I’m not running away.”
“How do you deal with the Kross Corp? Somehow, I understand Lex’s sentiment, Adley. He cares about the corporation. And I was hoping you would consider sitting as the CEO. Besides, it would boost Blaze’s leadership as he takes over the K&B.”
“You think this through last night out of your anger?” She looked at me with pride in her eyes.
“No.” I leaned on her shoulder.
“You’re heavy.” She did her best to push me back until she gave in.
“Get used to it. You did not sleep in our room last night. This is what you get for leaving and letting me sleep on the couch.”
“How was it my fault?” she asked before checking her phone. “What the hell?”
I snatched it from her while the screen wasn’t locked. “You’re chatting with your ex?”
“Privacy, please?” She tried to snatch it back, but my arm was way longer.
“Just a minute, baby.” I went to her Instagram and edited her boring bio. I hyphenated her name with Creed and saved it. Then I gave it back.
“What did you do?”
“Nothing catastrophic.”
“Oh, my God!” She just figured it out. “Did you just post the picture in the kitchen and tag me? Wow! Billionaire playboy did have some perks.”
“Not a playboy anymore. Still a hot billionaire, though.”
She snorted. “If I don’t know you, I thought you’re disgusting.” She laughed out loud this time. “I bet. It must be hard for you to give up your casanova image.”
“I’m not complaining.”
“I guess you’re done breaking hearts, huh?” She looked at me in silence.
“I did not break any hearts, baby.”
“Whatever floats your boat,” she mentioned as she tapped on the screen. “I followed Dash. Wow! This guy is so optimistic. Congrats. Can’t wait to be Uncle D. See you soon. Love you both.”
“Yeah. He’s like the male version of the Kardashians. He likes selfies and that stupid filters.”
“I commented a heart emoji on the photo.”
“Thanks for being a supported wife.” I grinned like a fool.
She commented ‘Mine’ with a heart emoji that garnered a couple of likes.
“Oh, God! Did you hyphenate my name?” she asked, stunned. She shot me a glare.
“Yeah. What’s wrong with that? Are you ashamed of taking my name?”
She rolled her eyes. “I shouldn’t have married you if I was. Creed has a ring to it. Way better than Merick. Don’t you think?”
“Don’t ever mention your name and his in one sentence.” I checked the comment section. “Fuck.”
“What’s wrong?”
“There’s just a troll in the comment section. Don’t check it, Adley. Let me block her.”
“Her, huh? He’s mine first.” She growled in irritation as she read the comment I was trying to delete.
“Baby.”
“You posted our picture, and we’re in this together. Can I curse? Bitch!” I watched her type her reply so fast. Her lips pressed into a thin line. Whatever it was, I knew I would be proud of her. “There.”
“Don’t get those comments under your skin.”
“I know.”
“I’m proud of you.”
“Ditto.”
“He saved the best for last,” I laughed out loud as I read her reply to Maisey’s comment.
“How many times have you slept with her?”
I opened my mouth to answer, but no words came out as I was so stunned to see the reaction on her face. I smiled like an idiot instead. Adley Creed was officially jealous.
“Baby…”
“I know that she was a part of your past.” She put her phone down, folding her arms over her chest.
“She was the last woman I slept with. The night I met you. Let’s say I’m thankful to her somehow that if I didn’t go with her, I wouldn’t have met you.”
“Just once?”
“You know I don’t sleep with the same woman again since, you know.”
“A yes or no would suffice.”
“Yes.
