Chapter 78

78 78- Kidnapped!

While getting ready Marissa didn’t know if Rafael was planning to go home or skip the office.

He didn’t have office clothes and was willing to drop her off at the

office.

“You have already provided me with an official car and a chauffeur. Then why go to such pains?” she asked him, looking through the

mirror.

He was lying in the bed, with his arms folded behind his head,

She was applying a nude shade of lipstick and for some reason, all felt too intimate. She felt like she was getting ready like a normal wife would get and he was observing her through the mirror… like… like… like a doting husband.

it

Marissa avoided his gaze and kept her focus on her face. His eyes. were making her nervous.

“Umm. You can go and sit in the car. I’ll be out in a few minutes,” she suggested trying to sound as nonchalant as possible.

But he had a knowing grin on his face, “Why? Is something wrong?”

She swallowed hard and tried to laugh it off, but he didn’t miss her fingers fidgeting with her blouse, “N…No… nothing is wrong. Why waste time when… you can do something more useful…” her voice wavered slightly.

He got off the bed and reached her in a jiffy. Circling his arms. around her from behind, he kissed her temple, “THIS is the most

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useful thing I’m doing,” he murmured looking at her through the mirror, “But if it’s bothering you then I won’t do it.”

He kissed her temple again and Marissa felt her heart going wild at this closeness. She finally raised her eyes to meet his gaze in the mirror before flickering them away again.

“I’m going out to say goodbye to the kids. But I’ll suggest you get used to this. Because I’m not going away from my family ever again.”

Marissa’s eyes followed him until he left the room.

His words were still echoing in her ears.

***

She headed to the kids who were still finishing their breakfast. Rafael was cracking some jokes, and the girls were giggling nonstop. Alex had a poker face, but Marissa could detect a flicker of amusement in his eyes too.

Standing there, she tried to steady herself, smoothing the

nonexistent wrinkles of her blouse The sight before her eyes was a normal family scene where a father was sharing some secret, waiting for the mommy to get ready.

“Ready?” He asked her, his eyes taking in her appearance. For a moment she thought she witnessed intensity in that gaze but then shrugged it off thinking she must be imagining it.

She gave a quick hug and kiss to the kids, “Be good to Flint. Don’t disturb Aunt Sophia. She stayed awake all night.”

“Yes, mommy,” they chorused with full mouths.

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When she stepped out, she found Rafael opening the door for her.

“I don’t understand why you are taking this pain. The chauffeur could have done this duty.”

His eyes narrowed into thin slits, “Now don’t tell me you are missing the chauffeur. Because if that’s the case then here he is…”

Before Marissa could understand, he bowed and gestured for her to sit in the car as if she was some royalty.

“Rafael…” she rolled her eyes.

“Ma’am. Your personal chauffeur here. Except you can’t sit at the back in the presence of this chauffeur,” he teased with a playful grin.

“Thank you, mister chauffeur,” she returned the same mischievous. grin, “And please watch out. You are about to step on my shoe!”

Her remark made him cock up a brow, “Really? What a tease you

are, Ma’am!”

He closed the door and rounded the car to get to his seat.

“So, ma’am,” he fastened his seat belt and turned to her, “Would you like to tell me where to take you or is it my choice?” he spread hist palm, silently asking for her hand.

Not understanding she placed it there. He held it and placed a gentle kiss on the back of her hand.

Her smile wavered a little.

“Let me take you on a ride, you’ll always remember.”

Oh, brother. The only ride she could remember was… the one she

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used to take ON HIM!

Bless her dirty mind.

She quickly looked out of the window to control her impure thoughts about him. My God. My body betrays me when he is

around.

She was a mess among this whirlwind of emotions and unspoken words. Finally, unable to bear the uncomfortable silence any longer

she turned to him.

Unable to decide what to say, she said the first thing that came to her mind was, “Kids birthday is next month.”

“Oh?” he looked at her sideways while keeping his eyes on the road too, “Really? Ask them for the theme. We should throw a grand birthday party.”

With a little hesitancy, she pursed her lips, “They never had a big birthday. We only celebrated it at home with a few kids from the neighborhood. However, this year I was planning to throw a proper

party.”

He nodded, “That’s great to hear,”

Now she was at a loss for words again. When her phone pinged, she took it out from her purse, “Where are you? I think Kate is planning to make a scene.”

The message was from Delinda.

Urgh!

Marissa tossed the phone inside her purse.

Kate’s attitude got so much better in the last few days and now

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again!

She heard Rafael clearing his throat maybe to get her attention. And when she gave him a questioning glance, he averted his

eyes.

How could someone look this handsome in a t–shirt and cotton

pants, “Marissa!”

He called her name a little loudly when found her distracted.

“Hmm? Yes?”

+107

While driving, he kept stealing glances at her, his hand was resting on the car console between them.

“You know what?” he began, his tone light, “I read somewhere that holding hands can reduce stress.”

Marissa raised an eyebrow, “Oh? Are you suggesting….”

Without missing a beat, he reached over and held her hand that was placed on her lap. Not only that he also intertwined his fingers through hers.

Marissa looked down at their joined hands and felt a shudder run through her. If Rafael felt it, he didn’t show.

He gave her hand a gentle squeeze, “What are you worried about?”

Before she could speak, she noticed the route ahead of her, “Where are we? This is not the office route, she turned her neck to look out of the window, “Isn’t it taking longer today to reach the office?”

“Yeah. It is!” he said, “Because we are not going to the office.”

“W…what? What do you mean?” she tried to free her hand but

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couldn’t do it due to his gentle but firm grip.

“What I mean to say is…” he murmured, his voice husky and

intoxicating, as he raised her hand and kissed it, “I have kidnapped. you, strawberry.”

Marissa felt her heart throbbing wildly.

Kidnapped?

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