Her arms around his neck tensed without meaning to, and she spoke in an inarticulate murmur. "About what?"
"About how you got into the car accident… argh." His words fell into a grunt as Cherry's arms tightened further, stealing his breath and forcing him to tap her arms for release. "You're choking me, love."
"Why would you lie about that?" Her almost inaudible voice tickled his neck, yet he could pick up every single syllable of her disconcert and soothed her by caressing her back.
"Would you believe me if I told you I was scared you would hate me if you knew the truth?"
Cherry scoffed. "I would call you a coward for using that as an excuse." Her words elicited low chuckles from her husband until they disappeared in the deafening noise of fireworks.
"You're right. I am a coward. But I would do anything to keep you happy with me, no matter what."
"You love me that much?"
"Princess, the magnitude of my feelings could rattle you to your core if I don't control it. I can only pray you won't run away from it."
Cherry didn't reply, but her drumming heart spoke louder than words ever could.
"You thought I was cheating on you." His words broke the silence and stopped her heart. Her nose, which at first nuzzled against the crook of his neck, now grazed the tip of his own nose. Her hold on his shoulders firmed; the crisp fabric of his perfectly ironed shirt crinkled beneath her touch as she gaped at him.
"Huh? I did?"
"Yeah." He nodded affirmatively and chuckled when he saw her skewed expression of disbelieve. "I know, right? How could you have ever thought that when I'm utterly devoted to you?"
Exactly. How could I? Just by recounting the moments from when she woke up in the hospital to now, it would be blasphemous to even assume that this fine man could ever cheat on her.
I must have been dumber than a cookie cutter.
The way his eyes softened at her presence, his fingers whispering against her skin- fearing any pressure would leave a dent— all of this told her he would sacrifice the world for her.
Brandon cleared his throat. "Not to make myself look better, but it was all Dean's fault."
"Mr. Colburn?"
Brandon nodded. "Yes, he contacted you multiple times, instigating doubt in you against me."
"Why would I believe his words over yours?" She questioned, struggling to believe she would rather listen to that sly fox than her husband.
"Trust me, love. He knows his way with words. And think about it- this must be the reason you feel uncomfortable around him."
"I guess…" she mumbled, the doubt still lingering in her soft voice.
"On the day of the accident, Dean went to our house and told you that you could catch me in the act and brought you to my appointment with a client. He hid you and kept you at a distance where you wouldn't be able to hear the conversation. Once the client stood up to bid farewell, they tripped, and I caught them, but from your point of view I was hugging her. That's when I noticed you, but before I could say anything you fled, took the car and then it happened…"
"I didn't confront you about it?"
"No, you didn't. What's wrong?" He queried, noting the worry lines on his wife's face becoming prominent by the second.
"Don't take this the wrong way. I'm not saying I don't believe you-"
"Hey." He rested his palm against her cheek, giving it a tender caress as his voice dropped low. "It's okay. Speak."
Cherry's lips thinned. Are you really telling the truth? Is what she wanted to say, but she let those words die on her tongue and buried her face back in the crook of Brandon's neck— the fresh citrus scent of shower gel calming her down.
"No…it's nothing. I'm just tired, I guess."
Brandon planted a kiss on her temple, though fleeting it was enough to heat her skin up and temper those negative thoughts.
"It must have been overwhelming to hear all this. Do you want to go to bed?"
Cherry's nod was all the cue Brandon needed; he moved with practiced grace, his fingers expertly undoing her tight dress to reveal the cool slide of silk.
Good thing I wore a nightgown underneath the dress. His movements carried such speed that she had difficulty keeping up with it.
He then gathered her into his arms, a secure cradle, and carried her to the inviting depths of the king-sized bed, lowering her gently onto its soft mattress.
Soon after, he shed his clothes, leaving him in just shorts, slipped into bed beside her, and pulled her close, a contented sigh escaping him as he held her.
"Good night, Cherry."
"Yeah… good night."
Unable to sleep, plagued by her thoughts, silence settled around her like a heavy cloak that stretched on forever, waiting for the even breathing behind her to crush it.
After confirming Brandon was asleep, Cherry stared vacantly at the French doors, the glass fogged by the icy night air. Beyond the glass panes, the balcony that overlooked the park existed.
As she slipped from under the covers, Brandon's arm tensed up around her waist. She stole a glance at him, her heart beating quickly, then exhaled, relief washing over her when she heard his measured breathing once more.
Carefully, she pried herself free, draped a robe over her body, whisked her phone from the table and sneaked towards the balcony. Allowing the biting draft to greet her as she stepped outside, her slippers scratching against the stone floor.
She pulled out her phone, dialed a number, and pressed the call button. Holding the device to her ear, her expectations were low as she gazed up at the starless, night sky, but her eyes widened once a mellow voice broke the silence.
"Cherry, is that you?"
"Mom?"
"What's wrong, darling? Why are you calling so late?"
Her eyes seared with unshed tears at the concerning tone of her mother. "N-Nothing, I just missed you both."
"Richard!" Smack. "Richard!" Another smack. "Wake up, you old fool. How can you sleep when your daughter is calling!?"
Rapid fires of smacks sounded from the other line until an alarmed voice responded. "Huh?? What, what? Who? Cherry? Have you finally remembered you have parents?"
"Ha, ha, hi dad," Cherry scratched her cheek as she weakly laughed. "How have you both been? Are you enjoying your vacation?" Puffs of clouds escaped her mouth, thinning away in the air as she marveled at the scenery presented in front of her. The millions of sparkly dots danced across the park. Mesmerized by the magnificent scape, she rested her forearms on the railing, wanting a better view.
"Don't be shy. Tell me all about it, but leave out the mushy stuff." She added with a sly grin.
"Vacation? What are you talking about?"
"Huh?" Her smile vanished, and the iciness of the railing ached her skin, making the hairs on her neck stand up.
"Honey, your dad and I haven't gone on a vacation at all."
No, please don't do this. Cherry's heart palpitated in an odd manner.
"We have been waiting here for you." Her mom spoke, not noticing how Cherry's breathing turned shallow. "Where… have you been waiting?"
"We are at ■■■■."
A sudden wall of static rang in Cherry's ears, and then the line died with a click. For a moment, Cherry felt frazzled by what had happened, but she couldn't linger on it for too long as her arm got yanked back. The grip bringing the warmth back into her skin from its fierceness pulled her attention to her husband. The glow of the lamps, disguised as lanterns perched against the walls, cast a shadow over his eyes.
His cold gaze flickered momentarily to the phone in her hand before fixating on her anxious look. "What are you doing out here?"
"I- umpf!" She couldn't get two cents in before a tug on her arm pulled her into his chest, smothering her face. Once she escaped the burrows of her husband's pecs, her cheeks got clasped in a firm hold.
Bushy brows twitched in a frown as his callous digits stroked her face tentatively. "You're freezing."
"I was just feeling a bit suffocated inside, so I only stepped out for some fresh air."
The exerted strength on her arm eased, and she felt Brandon's hand slide down her arm to hold her hand in his, wanting to bring some warmth back into them.
"Is there a reason you need to make phone calls when I'm not near you and at night too, princess?" His voice carried a tang of pain whilst his eyes dangled on the border of worry and contained anger.
Startled, her mouth opened and closed in a voiceless action. He asked her a normal question. She knows this, understands it even, still it overthrew her. Forcing her to grapple for words that could appease her husband.
Brandon sighed, watching his wife's brow furrow as she struggled for an answer, before plastering an amiable smile onto his face.
"You'll go back to bed with me, right?"
"Yes, for sure. Of course. I will!" She nodded her head vehemently, relieved that Brandon segued from the topic. With open arms, she reached out to him, her fingers tingling with anticipation. He blinked, surprised at her, his arched brow silently questioning her movement.
Recognition of her actions struck her, and her cheeks sparked into flame. Shit. Over the past few days, she had become accustomed to being carried around. At first she would sputter her protests, but Brandon, stubborn as a mule, would turn a deaf ear to her requests. And now her body betrayed her, assuming by itself that Brandon would carry her like always.
She missed the cue to retract her arms on time as her husband, who made her toes curl with a chuckle, swooped her off her feet into his arms, commenting,
"You're truly an endearing princess."
"I wanna die from embarrassment." Cherry silently cursed behind the safe concealment of her hands. The cold air that had sliced at her skin seconds ago now abated its time behind the closed doors.
Suddenly, something soft touched the back of her hands. The feeling of suppleness leaving her skin spurred her to risk a peek between the gaps of her hands, only to come eye to eye with the mischievous glint of Brandon.
He kissed my hand.
As if hearing her mind, his mouth hitched up into a crooked grin as he lowered her onto the bed.
"How can you think of leaving your man behind?"
He joined her, his weight creating a dip in the mattress, causing Cherry to slide closer to him. Her instinct told her to roll back to her place, but she didn't want to give him the satisfaction and stayed flushed to his side.
"Just so you know, no matter where you go I'll always find you." To keep the tone light, he uttered the words with a smile, but his eyes, filled with hollow darkness, betrayed his emotions.
Cherry rolled her eyes and sang with mocking disbelieve. "Riiigght." But the tips of her ears glowed red. He snickered in response, wrapped his arms around her and flushed her against his torso. "Goodnight, princess. For real this time."
Enveloped in warmth, Cherry's consciousness waned until she welcomed the darkness.
Listening to her steady breathing, Brandon stepped out of the bed, grabbed his phone, and crossed the chamber to the bathroom.
Dialing a number, it took one ring before the other side picked up. "What the fuck was that?" Brandon barked at the person. Fury overtook all the kindness he had reserved for Cherry.
"We are sorry, sir. We didn't expect her to call late into the night."
"As far as I remembered, I hired you lot to keep tabs on my wife's phone calls and jam them if necessary 24/7. Are you begging me to put a bullet through your head?"
"It won't happen again, sir."
"For your sake, I hope it won't." Brandon cut the call, raking his fingers through his hair agitatedly, whispering under a taut breath, "Fuck!"