Page 44 of The Marriage Agreement (Agreement)

“Will I be, okay? You know takeoff and landing affect me. I need to buy more Dramamine. I can’t find the pack I bought at the airport.”

“We’ll pick one up on the way, and I’ll be right next to you.”

“Promise?”

“Yes, I promise to always be by your side and have your back.” I smile and kiss him, though a pang of hurt hits as the reminder of his promise stings—it’s temporary, while we are here, or at most until our contract ends.

Chapter 30

DELE

Five nights and six days, and now we must return to reality. Do I want to go back?Nope!Could I stay here with Luke forever?Yes!But as much as I desire to stay, I also know our return to Chicago isn’t optional. Chicago is our home. The bellhop takes our bags down. I lace my hands with Luke’s, clinging to the bliss of Honolulu and everything about us. Just a little bit longer before reality comes. I can almost feel reality pulling us apart, but only for a few hours, I’ll enjoy our bliss.

I lean into him during our drive; we are content with us, just like this.

My grip on his hand tightens as we board the flight. He holds my hand firmly, reassuring me that he’s got me. Inside the plane, everything is fancy and luxurious. The moment we sit, he must realize something, so he leaves his phone on the seat next to mine and heads to speak with the pilot.

The phone rings, and the display shows Lily M. with her picture. I don’t need to wonder who it is—I know she’s his ex-girlfriend. Honestly, the fact that she keeps calling him bothers me.

Osei told me how Luke was getting serious with her, and he thought they’d get married at some point. A knot forms in my stomach knowing she’s still calling him—they have history and so much in common. Besides my heart, the insane attraction, and the mind-blowing sex, we have nothing else. With her, they make a powerhouse couple. Plus, she fits better in his socialite world.

I’m only here because I won’t break the contract. Shit! The contract—how could I have let myself forget the pivotal reason he married me? It’s because I won’t break the contract. He sure knows how to make a girl fall for him, but I need to get my head straight. Hawaii was just that—a short pause before reality, which is coming back in full force now. I honestly can’t count how many times she’s called in the last five days.

When he thought I was asleep and answered her call, he promised to call her when he returned. I’d laid quiet, pretending I didn’t hear him, or that my heart didn’t wail at the thought of him promising to see her once he returned.

Guess she can’t wait. She’s calling him now. Before I can make excuses for her calling, the phone rings again—it’s her again.Dang, girl!I better start downloading reality before we take off.

No point in waiting until we arrive in Chicago. I reach into my purse to get my Dramamine and realize we forgot to buy it. Guess I’m just going to suffer through takeoff without clinging to him.

He returns, takes the phone, turns it off, and pockets it. Then, goes back to speak with the pilot before the seatbelt light comes on.

I ignore his offered hand—no more clinging from me. As soon as the plane starts to taxi, the noise begins to bother me. I grip the seat tight; my chest constricts. I can’t breathe, I feel sweaty.

Luke pulls me into him, holding my hand. I squeeze his hand tight. “Breathe,” he says. “Breathe, Dele.” I lean into his comfort, into the strong arms wrapped around me like a guardrail, preventing me from falling.

My tightening chest begins to ease. The flight takes off, and the plane turns. Once it’s at a cruising altitude, I pull away from him and wrap my arms around myself. I know it surprised him, but it’s for the best.

He doesn’t need to pretend we are anything more. We are heading back to reality.

I pretend to sleep, waking up to eat the food served, then return to feign sleep. He didn’t let me sleep last night—we made love several times. I’m sore. No, he fucked me to multiple orgasms, had my vajayjay dripping, and I was begging for more. Lest I call a spade a spade.

His driver, Martin, is waiting for us when we land. I greet him and sit at the other end of the car. I can feel Luke’s eyes on me, but I keep my focus on the buildings and moving cars. The silence in the car thickens. The moment we step into our home, I head straight to my room. No point in pretending anything has changed. My ignorance was bliss for five nights. After all, what happens in Hawaii stays in Hawaii.

I go to shower; I’ve missed this multiple-showerhead system. I change into my pjs and call Osei.

“Hey, are you back?”

“Yes, got back a short while ago.”

“Hope you enjoyed Hawaii,” he teases.

“I did. It was beautiful, but back to school tomorrow and work.”

“That fast?”

“Yep, you know the drill. The sooner I get back into the swing of things, the better.” I manage to keep my voice controlled so Osei doesn’t ask questions.

“Cool, so I’ll see you tomorrow then?”

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