Amanda

“To hell with your hands. Never touch my son.” Caroline yelled after I attempted to touch Gabriel. She had been a pain in the neck for me.

For the past month, it had been stressful to stay with her while I took care of Gabriel in the hospital. Likewise, Richard took over the fashion business world.

“Amanda, where are you lost?” Gabriel snapped his fingers, bringing me out of my thinking world.

“Take me home,” he ordered quietly. I nodded my head in response.

Just as I was about to hold Gabriel by his hands, Caroline stopped me. Gabriel sensed what was happening. I smiled knowing fully well he was tired of our daily routine fights.

“Mom. Amanda. Can you guys keep it cool?” Gabriel requested. After a dissatisfied look, Caroline left my hand and crossed her arms over her chest.

I helped Gabriel to get his feet and assisted in walking towards the door. He faced his mother, “Mom, you need rest. You have tried enough. My wife will take care of me from now on.”

“No matter how much you try to make me like her, I never will. Just her face makes me feel irritated.” Caroline spat. She carried her bags and headed out, nearly pushing me to the floor.

We walked outside. Gabriel smiled as the sun reflected on his vibrant skin. He missed the sun, he missed outside and he missed everything in the outside world.

“It's all over. Let's go home now.” I said, opening the car door. I helped him to sit and I hurriedly made my way to the driver's side. Just as I was opening the door, I spotted someone shedding tears.

She walked slowly on shaky legs before she ran and gave me a bone-crushing hug. I reciprocated as I hugged her more. I missed Amelia and her lovely attitude.

“Why are you hugging her?” My inner voice screamed.

“No!” I retorted.

“Have you forgotten she is the daughter of the woman you hate the most? Amelia’s mother killed your mother. Push her off!” And as if I was controlled, I pushed Amelia to the floor.

“What's your problem with me?” I thundered.

“Amanda, it's me. Your favorite sister, Amelia.” She said, wailing. Realizing what I did, I tried to reach her but the devil in me stopped me.

Amanda called out softly, “Amanda.”

“Don't ever call my name. Who do you think you are?” I questioned my voice hard and firm.

“Your beloved sister.” Amelia retorted.

“Sister?” I said as I placed my middle on my right cheek. I bent till my face was nearly into Amelia's.

“As long as I can remember, my mother has a daughter and not daughters. Again, what I can point out is you are the daughter of my evil stepmother and none of her flesh can truly be friends with me.”

“Amanda, please.” Amelia cried as she grabbed my legs stopping me from entering the car. I kicked her in the chest before I zoomed off.

Through the side mirror, I saw her place her right arm over her chest where I kicked her. I felt a surge of regret build up in me but nothing could be done. The deed had been done.

“Snugglebug,” Gabriel called out to me but I ignored him. I hated that fucking name. “Will you answer me?” He pestered while I turned deaf ears.

I wondered where Gabriel got so much energy from in a few minutes we left the hospital.

I decided to punish him instead but no idea came into my head until my eyes captured something ahead. A smirk appeared on my lips as we approached the traffic light. Refusing to stop, I stepped more on the accelerator to increase the car's speed.

“Amanda, what the hell are you doing?” Gabriel shouted. That was what I aimed for, I wanted him to scream and yell my name. He deserved that anyway.

“My name is Amanda and I'm not snugglebug. I'm glad you changed that.” I said.

“Stop the car right now!” He commanded sharply but I feigned ignorance till we reached home.

Angrily, I got out of the car leaving Gabriel inside. I wanted to punish him more. I almost made my way into the house when I heard the door open so I thought it was one of his servants that assisted him.

I blinked my eyes when I remembered that he had no servants. Realizing what was happening, I jolted and tried to turn but a hand grabbed my waist and a well-gym body wrapped my back.

Instantly, I knew who it was — my husband.

“You're perfectly fine?” I asked.

Gabriel whispered, “Of course, but that is only when you stay with me.” The foolish me smiled and bowed my head.

“Shy?” He asked.

“I would never be shy of my husband. He should because he doesn't know who his wife is.” I said, casually.

“Seriously? Aren't you the same Amanda I met months ago in a different avatar?” He uttered jokingly.

I knew he said it on purpose and it was to mock me. That turned me off and I was forced to extend my legs backward and hit him underneath closer to his scrotum.

He groaned softly using his hands to cover his thighs. The groan was manly and seductive. I laughed before I entered the house.

I was pulling off my clothes in the closet when Gabriel entered. He had been romantic for the past few days if we were left alone in the hospital ward. I just didn't allow him enough because of his mother precisely.

His body gummed with mine from behind. He stuck out his tongue and licked my neck slowly. My belt fell off my hands and I shut my eyes.

“I'm happy my wife is mine.”

Immediately he mentioned wife, I opened my eyes and screamed, “I'm not your wife.”

He mimicked me for a while before he wrapped his arms slightly above my stomach. “Then will you be my slut… friend… girlfriend… partner… lover… or wife?”

“None!”

“My vengeful wife, why are you so mean?” Gabriel asked. I struggled to leave his grip but he was just too strong. I was like a prey in the clutches of its prey or more like beauty and the beast.

“Leave me!” I said after a while.

Gabriel stunned me after he placed a sweet kiss on my neck. My struggling body seemed lifeless after.

He brought his neck closer to my ear and muttered, “How about we renew our marriage contract?”