"Do you want anything? I will get it for you?" Alex offered. His gaze gentle as he carefully held her in his arms, his hand caressed her hair.
Cyndi shook her head against his chest. Her arms circled his waist, holding him tight as though her life depended on it.
Alex exhaled with relief. "You get well quickly and we get our certificate…this time, my grandmother won't be interfering," he whispered.
Cyndi nodded her head again, her heart raced. This was the best news she could ever get.
After all, the effort wasn't in vain. Being Lady Hort was a name she had always envisioned for herself.
And not even Sonia would be able to take that away from her.
2But for the moment, she decided to bask in the warmth of the moment.
"I suddenly feel hungry," she said, her face deeper into his chest.
"Do you have any preference?" he asked, his chin rested against her hair.
Cyndi smiled lightly, gently pulled her hand away and placed it on his chest.
She traced circles on his chest, and at intervals she caressed him down.
Alex caught her hand swiftly. His voice was hoarse. "You know you shouldn't do that, you are still in the hospital."
"Why? Are you afraid?" she muttered, an unknown light flickered in her eyes.
"Of course. Who wouldn't be afraid of…" he paused.
Cyndi lifted her head to meet his gaze. Her eyes searched his face for a moment and planted a soft feather kiss against his cheek.
"I was still waiting for you to complete what we began earlier…" she murmured and kissed his lips this time.
Her hand carefully loosening the button of his shirt. Alex swallowed as he stared at the lady in his arms.
"You almost lost your life, aren't you afraid?" he asked gently as he burrowed his head against her neck and kissed her softly and sensually.
Her breath hitched, a suppressed moan slipped through her lips as she inched close, her hand finding its way into his hair.
By the time Alex pulled apart, a clear print of his lips sat on her fair skin like a tattoo. Pleased with his artwork, he kissed her cheek.
Cyndi giggled. "You are here, what's there to be afraid of?"
He flicked her nose. "Naughty girl."
"Are you sure?" she asked with raised brow.
Alex chuckled. "Don't worry, I had always loved that about you…not like someone."
Cyndi's lips stretched in a wild smile.
Sonia, you must be fuming with anger right now.
(Sighs)
Seeing the husband you so much cherished have a good time when you've just been sent to the morgue.
In this life, you lost, you should have known better not to compete with me.
You shouldn't have taken the one man that matters to me…we could have remained the best of friends.
Even though I never liked your guts.
"You are distracted," Alex said as he bit Cyndi's lips.
"Ouch! I was just thinking…"
"Can we let go of the thinking for the moment and do the needful?" Alex muttered against her lips.
"Of course," Cyndi beamed.
His head lowered, his lips trailed kisses on every inch of her bare skin and before long soft moans, groans and gasps tore through the ward with no restraint.
*
*
*
*
*
Buzz
Buzz
Alex's phone vibrated on the bedside table. He had placed it there in the heat of the moment.
His gaze trailed down the lady lying limp on his body, her breath evened out. She must have fallen asleep.
He placed a soft kiss on her forehead, carefully laid her back to the bed, his leg swung down and he sat upright on the bed, he ran a hand through his hair.
"That was crazy," he murmured softly, his lips curled up.
Though the day had been hectic, after the time with Cyndi, he felt refreshed.
Buzz
Buzz
Buzz
"Who on earth was that?" He winced.
With a frown on his face, he reached for the phone and the caller ID made his expression tighten.
With a swift slide on the screen, he lifted the phone to his ear. "Hello, Grandma."
The old woman's voice came through immediately, sparing no time to ask his whereabouts.
"Alex," she said firmly. "Have you begun the burial arrangements yet?"
Alex blinked. "Burial arrangements?"
"For Sonia," she replied sharply. "Or have you forgotten?"
Alex rubbed his forehead. He dare not admit he had forgotten about it, besides Cyndi was already like this…he dare not take chances.
He exhaled slowly, forcing his voice to be calm and painful. "I haven't started yet."
There was a pause before the Old Lady's voice filtered through again. "Why?"
"I had a few urgent matters to attend to," he said quietly. "And I am still in a meeting."
"Meeting?" his grandmother pressed.
"It wasn't in my itinerary…it just came up."
She sighed. "Alex, you lost a wife and you still had to hold a meeting? Is her life not worth anything? Your wife of four years. Even if she wasn't the best…she is still your wife."
Alex was exasperated listening to the Old Lady. How much he wanted to scream at her and tell her it was the wife she chose.
But he really couldn't snap at her, she is still the matriarch and more importantly his grandmother.
"Grandma, you calm down," he said softly.
"But Sonia still deserves a proper burial. The Horton family must not delay such matters."
Alex nodded even though she couldn't see him. "I understand."
"Handle it today," she said firmly.
The call ended with a beep. Alex lowered the phone slowly. For a moment he sat there silently.
Then he dialed another number. "Mr. Horton," his assistant answered promptly.
"James," Alex said calmly. "I need you to take care of something."
"Yes, sir, what is it?"
"Sonia's funeral," he said curtly.
There was a brief pause at the other end of the line as if the assistant was weighing the instructions carefully.
Alex brow furrowed slightly at the silence.
"Is there anything?"
"No, Sir. I understand. I will have it handled," James answered.
"You don't make a mistake…take care of everything," Alex continued. "The burial process, the ceremony, the venue. Make it dignified."
"Yes sir," James clipped.
"And James."
"Yes?"
"Keep it low profile and away from my grandmother especially about who is handling the arrangement."
James drew in a deep breath. "Understood."
Alex ended the call, his eyes narrowed for a brief moment before he exhaled.
Slowly, he turned his attention to the bed. Cyndi lay on her back, her hand folded across the duvet as she watched him quietly.
"Awake?" he asked.
She nodded. "I have long been awake, just that you were too busy to notice."
Alex touched the tip of his nose. "It was my grandmother."