Together1
A while ago, Kaivan ordered Mike to investigate who accompanied Anne for breakfast at the hotel restaurant. Then, the answer was obtained that the man accompanying his wife was one of the guests who was staying on the 12th floor. However, when he tried to confirm it again, it turned out that the guest had already checked out on the same day.
Ignoring the incident for a moment, Kaivan became curious once again. In the past few days, he frequently noticed that Anne was not in her room in the mornings or evenings. She also no longer prepared breakfast and dinner like before.
What made Kaivan even more curious was when he asked Mike to investigate through the CCTV footage. He discovered Anne often sitting alone in the lobby or on the rooftop while talking on the phone for hours on end. He wondered who she was talking to for such a long time and why she would leave her room just to make a phone call.
“Her expression clearly shows seriousness. Maybe Madam is having an important conversation with someone,” Mike explained while showing the CCTV footage he obtained to Kaivan.
“Could be,” the man nodded. “Unfortunately, I can’t hear what she’s talking about.” Kaivan continued to watch the video recording in front of him.
“If you want, I can place a listening device in some of the spots your wife frequently visits,” Mike offered. Besides, it wouldn’t be difficult for him if Kaivan agreed to the proposal.
“No need,” Kaivan shook his head immediately. “Let it be her privacy. I’m just curious about what she’s been doing these past few days. Since all she’s doing is making phone calls, I don’t need to worry excessively.”
Mike nodded in response.
“Alright, Mister. In that case, I’ll return to my room. Don’t forget, be ready in an hour.”
Reminded so, Kaivan immediately glanced at the clock on his wrist. Today was indeed scheduled for his trip abroad.
“Just get everything ready. I’ll join you soon.”
After giving the order, Kaivan got up to go to the presidential suite room he usually shared with his wife. Five minutes later, Anne arrived. It was unclear where she had been before, wandering around until she entered the room exactly at seven in the evening.
“Where have you been?” Kaivan immediately reproached. “Why are you coming back so late?”
As before, Anne remained silent. She just glanced briefly, then turned and continued walking toward the room.
Annoyed at being constantly ignored, Kaivan got up to follow her. He reached out to hold the door, which was almost closed by the room’s owner.
“What else do you want?” Anne asked coldly. She seemed reluctant to engage with her husband.
“I’m talking to you,” Kaivan replied.
“There’s nothing we need to discuss!” Anne retorted.
Kaivan didn’t care. He pushed open the door wide. In one swift motion, he pushed Anne’s body until she leaned against the wall.
“I really don’t like being ignored like this.”
Anne let out a frustrated sigh. She deliberately averted her face, not wanting to make eye contact with the man in front of her.
However, Kaivan was different. Feeling continually ignored, he brought his hand to grasp Anne’s chin, forcing her to look at his face.
“Where have you been all day? Don’t think that just because I’ve been quiet about it, you can do whatever you want.”
Anne pushed Kaivan’s hand away from her chin, trying to escape his hold. But her efforts were in vain; she couldn’t break free.
“I won’t let you go until you answer my question,” he insisted.
Anne sighed softly. Her sharp gaze conveyed deep frustration.
“It’s none of your business where I want to go. Besides, didn’t you yourself ask not to interfere in personal matters?”
Kaivan nodded. He immediately brought both of his eyes to meet Anne’s bluish gaze. He tried to delve into what was implied there as he spoke softly.
“But this time you’ve gone too far. Remember, you’re staying in my place. That means you have to follow the host’s rules. If you don’t agree, you can just leave.”
Anne scoffed. She clenched her hands tightly to contain her emotions. But instead of letting her anger out, she chose to offer a faint smile.
“Don’t worry. I won’t leave the room without your knowledge anymore. Now move aside, I’m tired and want to rest.”
Kaivan didn’t care. Instead of complying with Anne’s request, he lifted her without permission. Carrying her, he took her out of the room. His actions left Anne bewildered.
“Kaivan, put me down!” she ordered, hitting her husband’s shoulder. “Where are you taking me?”
“You have to come with me,” he replied, holding Anne as they entered the hotel elevator.
“Go where?”
“Italy,” Kaivan said casually.
“Italy, you say?” Anne asked and then shook her head vigorously after a while. “No… no… I don’t want to go. I want to stay in the hotel. Put me down!”
“I won’t put you down, let alone leave you alone at the hotel. Wherever I go, you have to come.”
“I haven’t even packed.”
“Your clothes are already in the car,” Kaivan replied.
“Please, let me stay in the hotel.”
“And allow you to freely meet other men?” Kaivan accused.
“Excessive!” Anne immediately exclaimed. “Who’s meeting other men? I just don’t-”
“Ssssttss…” Kaivan hissed. “Quiet! I won’t tolerate protests from you,” he ordered again.
Right after the elevator door opened, while still carrying Anne, Kaivan took her to the hotel lobby. His actions naturally drew the attention of everyone passing by. But instead of feeling embarrassed or awkward, he appeared indifferent until he finally got into the car.
“What’s the real reason for taking me all the way to Italy?” Anne bombarded Kaivan with questions as the car they were in headed towards the airport.
“There’s some work I need to finish.”
“If this is a business trip, why do I have to come along?”
Kaivan turned to look at her.
“I’ve already said, I don’t trust leaving you alone at the hotel. Plus, isn’t it a wife’s duty to accompany her husband wherever he goes?”
“Oh my God. Did I hear wrong, huh?” Anne sneered. “Maybe what you mentioned doesn’t apply to me, who got married out of necessity.”
“Yes, you’re right.” Kaivan nodded. “Even though I’m forced and you’re not my type, but since we’re in this situation now, you should behave like a real wife. Remember! Don’t embarrass me.”
Anne huffed. Muttering under her breath, she turned away.
“Such a demanding person!”
****
After two hours in the air, the plane Anne and Kaivan were on finally arrived in Milan, Italy. Before the aircraft landed perfectly, Kaivan tried to wake up his wife, who had been sleeping soundly the whole time.
For a moment, Kaivan gazed at Anne’s face, observing how his wife was peacefully asleep beside him.
If only you had come into my life in a more straightforward manner, perhaps I wouldn’t treat you like this now.
Kaivan grimaced. Not wanting to dwell on it, he immediately reached out and gently stroked Anne’s cheek while calling her name.
“Anne… wake up. We’ve arrived.”
Fortunately, after being called once, the woman next to him responded. She stirred slightly, blinking her eyes open and adjusting her position, waiting for the flight attendants to give the signal to disembark.Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.
Throughout the journey from the airport to the hotel, Anne remained mostly quiet. She chose to gaze at the shimmering lights lining the road until they finally reached their destination.
“You can go to the room and rest first,” Kaivan instructed when they were in the hotel lobby. “I need to take care of some work first. Your belongings will be delivered directly to the room.”
Anne simply nodded. Accompanied by a female attendant, she was guided into a room that was similar in layout to the one she had been staying in in London.
Feeling extremely tired, Anne decided to freshen up first. She was determined to rest afterward. However, sleeping for nearly two hours on the plane had left her body feeling sore.
Yet, when she exited the room, Anne was taken aback by Kaivan’s presence. He was casually sitting on the edge of the bed, talking on the phone. The conversation seemed serious. She had no idea what he was discussing with the person on the other end of the line.
“Why are you coming to my room?” Anne asked upon seeing Kaivan hang up the call.
He looked up, not answering immediately. Instead, he stood up and unbuttoned the navy shirt he was wearing. It was clear to Anne how Kaivan’s abdominal muscles were perfectly exposed.
“Kaivan, what are you planning to do?” Anne adopted a cautious stance. Unconsciously, she even took a step back from where she was standing.
“Obviously, I want to rest,” he replied nonchalantly. The next moment, without hesitation, Kaivan took off the trousers he had been wearing. He was now left in tight boxer briefs that covered his lower body.
“Kaivan!” Anne exclaimed. “Why are you undressing in my room?”
“I told you, I want to sleep.” He then crawled onto the bed, sinking into it. He paid no attention to Anne, who was staring at him in shock.
“Sleep? You mean we’re sharing a room?” Anne double-checked.
“Yes. We’re sharing a room while we’re in Milan.” Lying down, he responded calmly, unburdened. It was unlike the usual Kaivan. “Besides, didn’t you used to offer to sleep with me often? So, this time, I’ve decided to take you up on your offer.”
Anne, in her standing position, immediately shook her head.
“I want to sleep alone. It’s better if you book a separate room for me. Or if you’re tired, I can go to the reception myself to arrange a room with the hotel staff.”
While speaking, Anne walked toward the door. She turned the handle, intending to leave. However, when the door opened, she was instantly taken aback. She found several burly men standing guard in front of their room.
Confused, Anne closed the door again. She walked back to the bed, meaning to ask Kaivan for an explanation as he was already buried under the blanket.
“Why are there so many guards outside the room? You’re not in danger, are you?”
Kaivan pushed aside the blanket covering his face. He narrowed his eyes as he spoke.
“It’s not me who’s in danger. It might be you.”
Anne fell silent immediately, unsure how to respond to Kaivan’s words. She wondered if he had found out about her hidden secrets.
“Never mind,” Kaivan spoke again. “Now go to sleep. Don’t ask too many questions. I’m really tired and need rest. I have work to do tomorrow morning. If you don’t want to share the bed with me, you can sleep on the couch.”
Anne complied. She chose to get onto the bed. Covering herself with the blanket, she tried to close her eyes, attempting to fall asleep as soon as possible.
They slept for a while. By chance, Kaivan woke up at 3 a. m. He turned to his side and found that Anne wasn’t next to him. Baffled, he faintly heard whispering from inside the bathroom. Slowly, Kaivan slid down the bed, walking toward the bathroom to determine who was talking.
Pressing his ear to the door, Kaivan could discern that it was Anne speaking inside. She might be on the phone with someone he didn’t know about.
Who have you been contacting all this time, Anne? For God’s sake, you’re really making me curious.