LAKE

I came home late. It wasn’t supposed to happen, but I had to drop by the IMI office to grab some files of proposals that I needed to review and sign.

Owen called me an hour ago to tell me that Maverick was already in my penthouse. I didn’t know why I suddenly felt excited about going home, even though sometimes it got lonely, and I had to rest.

Maybe that was the reason why I took women to bed. At least they filled my instant need, but it felt hollow again. Meeting that need didn’t fill the void in my chest. I knew something was missing. I just hadn’t figured it out yet.

I may have money, friends, and people who cared for me, but after that, in the darkness, I felt alone— loneliness and pain visited me most of the time. Yes, money couldn’t buy eternal happiness, and I didn’t know if I ever felt that way with contentment, completeness, and wholeness.

I’d say having a broken family affected me so much. I was once happy with my parents being around, but it fell apart when they got divorced, and my father changed into a callous distant son of a bitch.

Owen met me at the door. “Boss.”

“Where is she?” I carried the box of Maverick’s new phone.

“Over there.”

Owen and Homer had an apartment downstairs. They were among the few people who had access to my penthouse. It was for security reasons, and my uncle Moses Braddson never took our safety lightly after what happened to our family for the past years.

“Thanks. I’ll be staying home for tonight.”

“Call us if you need anything, boss,” said Homer before they left right away.

I walked towards the living room, and I instantly found Maverick looking out the window. The view was spectacular at this time when the city lights blinked like a million stars.

“Hey.” I suddenly didn’t know what to do. What the fuck is wrong with me?

She quickly turned around with those big green eyes staring at me, still wearing the same silky camisole but ditching the oversized suit jacket. I realized she was fit with an hourglass figure. Her arms were toned, and she rocked that camisole with just an ample amount of cleavage of her perfect size breasts.

“Hi.”

“You made it.”

“Yeah. The view is beautiful.” She went to look outside the window again. “So you keep it like this without curtain?”

“No one can see from the outside. There’s smart lint all over the window.”

“Oh, okay.”

“How was your grandma?”

She faced me again. “She’s fine. We’re waiting for the blood report.”

“How often does she visit a doctor?”

“Every three months.” She smiled a little. “She saw my ring, and I don’t think she bought my lies.”

“Why did you have to lie?”

“I never lied to her, but I couldn’t just tell her I just got married before picking her up for her appointment. Nana is always positive and dreams of watching me walk down the aisle.”

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine. Who knows, maybe we will find the right people for us when this is over.” She shrugged. “Or you can go back to no commitment relationships.”

“Did OB tell you about that?”

“It doesn’t take a rocket science, Lake. Is it okay if I call you Lake?”

I couldn’t help but smile. “Yeah. Why? Are you planning on calling me by Mr. Winston?”

“I don’t know.”

“I have a few names. Choose which suits me better. Just don’t call me bunny.”

“Bunny?” A small smile appeared on her lips. “Why bunny?”

“Mom called me bunny.”

Her dimples popped out when she tried to hide her smile. “Bunny, huh.”

“Yeah. She still calls me until now. Big bunny. I mean, I’m a grown-up adult, and she still pinches my face and calls me Big Bunny in public.”

“Lucky for you, you have a proud and loving mother who calls you Big Bunny.” I could feel the pain and sadness in her voice, and it squeezed my chest. “My mother left me when I was three because her boyfriend didn’t want to take care of a kid.”

“What the—” I held my word.

“Yeah. Nana raised me and became my own mother. I don’t know, and I’ve never met my father either, so it’s just Nana and me.”

“She raised you well, Maverick.”

“She calls me Ricky because her name is Augustine.”

“You’re the second.”

“Yes.”

“I wanna meet her someday.”

She chuckled. “She hates my ex.”

“Hmm.”

She raised a brow to my reply. “Let me guess, Owen told you what happened at the alley.”

“Yes.”

“Well, it seems that you know everything about my life.”

“Not everything, and you can ask me anything. I will tell you as truthfully as I can. Anyway, this is for you.” I offered the box.

She shifted her gaze at me and to the box in my hand. “What’s that?”

“A brand new phone.”

“I have a phone.” Her stare hardened.

“I know, but I bought this for you. The bill is on me for a year.”

“I don’t need a phone, Lake. Thank you.” She went to the couch. “Mine works just fine.”

“Well, I have a phone, and I bought this for you.”

Her eyes narrowed. “It’s not part of the plan. What’s wrong with mine?”

“I know, Maverick, but I wanted you to have a new phone, and most women would die to receive a gift from me.”

“Well, you should know this. I’m not like most women. I’m not a charity case, Lake. I know what I signed up for, and I don’t want you to shower with me with gifts. I don’t want you to dress me how you want me to look. I am who I am and have my own identity, and I’m not going to change who I am for you.”

“Well, then, we have a problem. I want you to dress according to my lifestyle. And I’m not gonna change who you are. I just want you to look decent and presentable before my family and business partners.”

“I will dress according to the dress code, but gifts? Don’t buy me anything.”

I stared at her for a moment. Unfuckingbelievable. And it hurt my ego a little bit. “This is just a fucking phone, Maverick. Take it or sell it. I don’t give a shit.” I threw it to the couch before I walked away and went upstairs.

My body still vibrated with anger as I entered my room. I took off my clothes and went to shower.

It took me a few minutes to calm down, and I stepped out of the shower room and wrapped a towel around my waist when I heard a gasp and felt that I wasn’t alone anymore.

I secured the towel tightly and turned to Maverick with wide eyes, hands over her mouth. “What the fuck are you doing in my room?”

She blinked rapidly, pulling off her hands over her mouth while I patiently waited for her answer.

“Get the fuck out!” I pointed at the door, and she was startled by my voice.

In just a matter of seconds, she dashed out of the door, and she was gone.

“Fuck.” I blew a breath when I realized something. I picked up my phone and dialed Owen.

“Boss?”

“You didn’t show Maverick her room?”

“She called me to where she should be staying, so I told her the last door to the left.”

“That’s my room, you idiot.” My jaw locked hard.

“Aren’t you two supposed to be sharing the same room?” His voice was laced with jokes. “And I believe that’s your job now, man.”

“Fuck you.” I left my previous room because that was where I shared with women. I somehow wanted a fresh start, but I blew it off before it even started. “Her room is next to mine, where she has her clothes and everything she needs in her entire stay.”

“Well, you can tell her that now, boss.”

“I don’t wanna talk to her right now.”

“Phew.” He sounded like he was grinning. “Don’t tell me you barely got married less than nine hours ago, and you are already fighting.”

“Well, shit, genius. You figured it out.”

“Why?”

“She didn’t take the phone I bought for her.”

“Well. She may marry you for money, but she’s paying it off by working for you. Miss Bates is used to having things she only needs. She doesn’t want to spend something on unnecessary accessories. You have to understand an independent woman who works hard six hours every night and wakes up early in the morning to go to school.”

“It’s just a fucking phone,” I gritted to prove my point even if I was not winning.

“For you, but for her, she can buy medicines, an extra pair of shoes, or shirts from that money.”

“Whatever.”

MAVERICK

Jeez.

We hadn’t been married for a day, and we were already fighting. He had already kicked me out of his room, which I thought was mine for 365 days.

At that moment, I wanted to flee, but I signed a contract, and I had to endure how he treated me under this roof as long as he wouldn’t get physical, and that was my limit.

I could play a good, loving wife before his family, friends, employees, and business partners, but that was it. I signed up for this, which was the price I must pay.

I found the room that was supposed to be for me. It had a well-made queen-sized bed, a small walk-in closet, a door to the right that must be the bathroom, and a floor-to-ceiling window with white curtains drawn to the sides.

Instead of dueling with what happened earlier, I went to shower quickly. Then I checked the closet to find something to wear. Surprisingly, I found dresses, jeans, pants, shirts, and tees folded in color-coordinated. Some suits, tweed jackets, skirts, shorts, and denim jeans were there. In the drawer were underwear and bras of my size.

“What the hell?” How did he know my size?

My phone vibrated. I grabbed some clothes and quickly put them on. I picked up the phone. It was a message from Genesis. I went to the vanity to brush my hair. There were sets of makeup, brushes, and some skincare products for the night and morning routine.

I ignored those things, and I went to bed. I read Genesis’s message and replied.

MAVERICK: I’m staying at a friend’s house tonight.

GG: Anyone I know?

MAVERICK: Nyt, G

GG: 😅 Nyt

I must have fallen asleep right away. I was always an early riser. I was already up before my alarm went off at five in the morning. I grabbed my book from my bag and went downstairs.

I felt like a new person; I didn’t even recognize myself anymore. In the kitchen, there was a high-end, top-rated coffeemaker.

While the coffee was brewing, I opened the book and began reading. I took some pointers on my phone because, in the afternoon, I had to attend classes.

A few minutes later, I knew I wasn’t alone anymore. Since I was the guest and an employee in the penthouse, I swallowed my pride.

“Morning.”

“Morning.” Lake came in, and I could smell his cologne. “Studying?”

“Yup. I took the liberty to use your nice coffee machine.” I smiled and looked at him. He almost caught me off guard.

From the well-dressed big boss in a suit, the man before me looked younger and cordial in a t-shirt and sweatpants. He kept his carob mid-length waves and brown hair unkempt but looked hot nonetheless. His blue eyes looked tired, but he seemed to be smiling at me.

“What’s mine in this penthouse is yours.” He opened a cupboard, grabbed two cups, and placed them on the marble countertop.

“Let me help.”

“Take a seat. I’ll take care of the coffee. Would you like some pastries?”

“You have pastries?” I sounded surprised. Stupid, I know. He rewarded me with an arched perfect brow, nonetheless.

“People living here gotta eat, Maverick.” His gaze landed on my hands.

“I took them off before I went to bed. I’ll put them back before I go out. Don’t you people like always on a diet?”

“Ouch. Is that how you see me? Only eat grass and drink exotic water?”

I broke into a smile. “I didn’t say that. Let me guess, your pasties came from France.”

“No, Maverick. There’s a good pastry shop downtown, but if you like French pastries, I can ask a friend to bring them for us.” He put two croissants into the microwave to heat up.

“Your friend is in Paris right now?”

“Yeah. He’ll be here tomorrow. Not a friend. My cousin.”

“Striker?”

“You know Strike?” His eyes squinted as he placed a cup of coffee and put a teaspoon of sugar and two creams into it. How did he know that?

I rolled my eyes as I watched him place the pastries before me. “Who doesn’t know the only son of Moses Braddson, who is married to London Vanderford? I’m kinda a fan of London.”

“You wanna meet her?” He went to take something from the ref.

I shrugged and took a sip. “I don’t wanna fangirl and humiliate you.”

Lake laughed out loud before he sipped his coffee. “I like her. She’s funny, passionate, sometimes childish. She’s driven, stubborn, and always fights with Striker, but she loves my cousin very much.”

“It’s public knowledge that Striker is adopted. How did you feel when you first found out?”

He put two forks into the bowl of sliced fruits. “I always wanted a sibling or a cousin to play with. I was shocked and happy when I found out he was my cousin. Strike is a good man. I love that guy to death.”

“I’m sure he feels the same. I saw his post on his Ig. He was with some guys.”

“They served in the military. They’re like brothers, and they saved each other’s asses back then. Glad Strike came back home alive.”

“Yeah.” I grabbed the fork and stabbed a slice of kiwi. “I’m sorry.”

“For what?” He came closer, so close I could see the flecks in his eyes.

“About yesterday. I should be grateful.”

“Hmm.” That was all he said before he went to sipping his coffee.

“If the phone—”

“Take it. Do however you want, but it’s a wedding gift.”

“I’ll use it. I think it’s time for an upgrade.” I cleared my throat when I heard nothing from him. When I lifted my gaze, he stared back at me, almost making me squirm. “Um.”

“Yeah?”

“Sorry about last night. Owen gave me the wrong instruction.”

“He did not. He thought we were sleeping in the same room.”

“Oh. I should have knocked.” I pursed my lips.

“It’s fine. And um.” He seemed to be finding it hard to find the right word or something. “I don’t—”

“You don’t what? Apologize often to your employees. It’s fine.”

“You’re not my employee, Maverick.”

“A hired wife, then.”

“We may have an agreement, but we are legally bound in marriage. You are my wife. What I was trying to say is that I don’t usually yell at someone or kick them out. I was just pissed off because no one has ever turned me down or declined my gifts. To be honest, I don’t often give gifts.”

“Water under the bridge. We were both set off on the wrong foot yesterday.”

“Yeah. I’m sorry.”

“Apology accepted.”

After our delightful breakfast, I went back to my room and continued reading. An hour later, I heard a soft knock on the door.

“Come in.”

The door swung open, and I stared at Lake in his dark gray suit. Damn, it should be illegal to be this handsome.

“I said I’m going to work.”

“Oh, yeah. Good luck.” I awkwardly waved my hand, my face flaming.

He looked amused with my reaction. “See you later.”

“Yup.”

“What the hell is wrong with me?” When the door closed, I threw myself in bed and covered my face with the book.

***

The classes bored me to death, and my mind went constantly with Lake. Thankfully, my last class ended five minutes ago.

I should start bracing my heart or building the tallest and strongest walls around my feelings because I felt like I was having a crush on my husband.

“Nice ring,” Cooper said, eyeing on my engagement ring. “When did you get married? Wait. With that guy, Heath?”

“Hell, no.” I rolled my eyes as we walked to the parking lot. “We broke up weeks ago.”

“Right. He’s with that blonde.”

“Leah Fox.” Yeah, I checked her on Instagram. She had three million followers, while Heath unfollowed me the same day he kicked me out.

“Yeah. I think you’re effortlessly more beautiful than her. Now tell me who stole Maverick Bates’s heart and put a ring on your finger.”

“That would be me.”