Chapter 5 Too Big the Contrast

I looked over nervously, only to see him walk out of the bathroom in just a towel. He had a perfect physique. His skin, neither pale nor dark, was tanned with a healthy glow. I used to forbid him from exposing his body to me. Previously, when we were intimate, I was semi-conscious, so I hadn't realized his body was so stunning. Realizing I was openly staring, I quickly looked away, embarrassed.

He quickly approached me, radiating heat. I cowered nervously, my voice faltering. "When… When did you come back? Are you hungry? How about… I make you some food?"

"Food?" Reynaldo sneered. "What can you possibly cook?"

I was speechless. In his eyes, I was probably nothing more than a good-for- nothing rich lady. And it was true; I could do nothing but dance.

Reynaldo suddenly leaned in, whispering, "Actually, apart from cooking, you can do other things to make me happy." His eyes darkened with obvious lust. As his lover, I knew I should try every means to please him now, but my hands and legs went numb. The contrast was too significant; I wasn’t used to my new position yet.

While I dithered, he suddenly pressed his lips against mine. His kiss was fierce and domineering. Startled, I subconsciously thumped his shoulders in resistance.

He let me go, tittering with a frown. "You wouldn't resist me if I were Winston, right?" Winston was his brother, but what did he have to do with this? I used to have feelings for Winston, but I'd severed all ties with him after marrying Reynaldo. I hadn't seen Winston in three years; I wouldn’t even think of him if Reynaldo hadn’t mentioned him.

"My brother is coming back home. You must miss him a lot, right?" Reynaldo stared at me, a hint of coldness in his dark eyes. I licked my lips, intending to tell him not to jump to conclusions.

Suddenly, he laughed with self-mockery. "I can't compare with Winston in your eyes. Even though I've been richer and more powerful, you still don't like me, do you?"

I felt a pang of Reynaldo's self-abasement. "He's a nice man indeed, but you…" I began hurriedly.

"Shut up!" Reynaldo snapped, his face cold. I was going to say he was better. He was clearly angry. I pursed my lips, not daring to say anything further.

Reynaldo leaned against the window and lit a cigarette, staring at me with a snort. He blew a smoke ring and said indifferently, "Looks like you're still quite proud. Not quite lover material."

I worried he'd take back the money he'd paid for my family, so I hastily said, "No. I… I'm just a little out of it."

Reynaldo chuckled ironically. I bit my lips and walked to him. Since I'd made my choice, I shouldn't be coy. I stopped in front of him, wrapped my arms around his shoulders, and kissed his lips and neck. His eyes instantly darkened. I caressed his chest, trying to seduce him, imitating the attractive women I’d seen in bars. But I didn't know what to do next; I just stroked his chest aimlessly.

With a chuckle, he grabbed my wrist and said in a husky voice, "You don't know how to do this?" I lowered my eyes, not daring to look at him. He stubbed out the cigarette, held me in his arms, and kissed me passionately. In a daze, my clothes were removed, and my body was placed on the soft bed. My brows furrowed in confusion. How come? Didn't I already sleep with him before? Why… I was drowned by his passion before I could think further.

It was the next noon when I woke up. The sound of water came from the bathroom. I got up, aching all over, and found a smear of blood on the bed in shock. "Eh? How can this be? I thought I had given my virginity to him. Why is there still blood?" I wondered. A possibility made me frown.

Reynaldo happened to walk out of the bathroom. I bit my lip, embarrassed, and asked, "Did we sleep together that night?"

"No!" Reynaldo answered.

I choked in astonishment. "Why didn't you explain to the journalists?"

He glanced at me and said casually, "You and I were hugging each other naked. Do you think I could possibly explain that?"

"But you could have explained it to my family. If you didn't sleep with me, my family wouldn't have forced you to marry into my family. And you didn't have to…"

"What? Did you regret it?" Reynaldo suddenly got close to me, a chilly glint in his eyes.

I licked my lips, thinking, Shouldn't you feel mad? You were forced to marry into my family and suffered all those humiliations. And you were made to separate from your love!

Reynaldo suddenly passed the towel to me. I was stunned, then heard him say, "Wipe my hair for me."

"Oh…" I quickly took the towel, propped myself on my knee, and rubbed his hair. I couldn't help but think of the past. Previously, every time I washed my hair, I couldn't bother to use the dryer; I'd just lie in bed, wrapping my head with the towel. And he'd insist on wiping my hair and blowing it dry, saying I might get a headache if I slept with wet hair. At that time, I hated and insulted him, yet he still treated me with patience, as if he didn't hear a word. Thinking of his former meekness, his current coldness and fierceness formed a stark contrast. I truly found him terribly scary. He was such a scheming man that he had endured the humiliation even though he hated me.

Reynaldo put on his outfit. While tying his cufflink, he said to me, "Don't run about. Stay here and wait for me." I sat on my knees and nodded meekly. The first rule for a qualified lover was to follow the master's orders.

Reynaldo suddenly glanced at the bloodstain on the bed. I blushed and covered it with the bedsheet. Reynaldo curled his lips as if smiling. I recalled the past three years. It seemed he had never smiled at me; he was always poker- faced, like a machine. Now, it appeared he had concealed his thoughts so well.

I planned to get more sleep after Reynaldo left the villa. After all, he had been quite intense in bed last night; my legs were still weak. But my phone rang as soon as I lay down. When I saw the caller's name, I hastily got up from the bed…