Chapter 31

***Kenya.***

*Evening...Same day.*

6 PM. A long time had passed since I left the house, hours ago. I was exhausted.

After the cab left, I checked my phone for any missed calls from Levi. None but messages and missed calls from my friends. Disappointed, I knocked the door.

Entering the house, I was greeted by an odd tension. *Something was off*

I walked further in, Levi's voice and another, mumbling. I came to stand in the doorway of the living room, pleased to see Blake alive and well. I thought he would have been vaporised by Levi or something. The TV blared with a news item.

"***Levi Ruthford's Secret Wedding at Malibu!"***

***"Our sources revealed that Levi Ruthford was seen with his new bride, both brandishing their wedding bands in the Malibu sun."***

The face of the news anchor, gave way for a photo of both of us in a passionate kiss earlier in morning at the beach.

I gasped, catching the attention of my husband. I wondered how he had heard the sound. Was he expecting me? A deep smile split his handsome face, as he extended a hand to me. I yielded to the pull, holding his emerald gaze. My short pale blue, thigh length dress, teasing my bare thighs. I drew close and

his hand possessively held the small of my back. His signature bergamot and citrus scent, teasing me.

"Hello Blake." I greeted. I remembered that awful night at Dave's office.

"Pardon me, Mrs Ruthford. A good evening to you as well. I am sorry I didn't hear you come in." Blake greeted with a warm smile, his eyes holding something there. Apology or regret, I wasn't sure. I nodded, trying to dispel my distaste for both men.

"When did you come into Malibu?" I asked.

"Oh, hours ago, Mrs Ruthford"

"Please, call me Kenya." I cut in, softly. I caught a brief unreadable look pass between Levi and Blake.

"Am afraid I can't do that, Mrs Ruthford." Blake admitted apologetically. Levi spared me a warning look. Then he turned to the Television. The air, thick as I grew incensed . He was controlling my life.

"Forgive me for not getting you a wedding present as the wedding came very abruptly." Blake's voice broke into the ice.

"I would like to use this chance to congratulate you." He smiled.

I forced a smile. Levi piped up the volume, ending the conversation.

***"The new Mrs Ruthford is no other than the latest belle of the Manhattan theater, the former Miss Kenya Anderson. An employee of Byron's dance company, owned by Dave Byron. Our sources tell us that she equally works at a small dance school, J'aime, owned by Claudine Bark, which was recently gutted down by fire."***

A photo of me dancing with little children at the dance school, filled the screen.

"How did they get these?" I muttered, shocked.

"We've managed to track down the persons at the beach that took the shots." Levi revealed, crisply.

I could sense his palpable tension in our entwined fingers. I feared for those persons.

"What would you do to them, Levi? Am sure they had no idea what they were about." I desperately pleaded.

Levi paused and gave me an intense gaze. His eyes searched mine and I wondered if for once he recognized my pain. My fear.

"I wouldn't do anything out of the ordinary, Kenya. I promise."

Levi assured, softly. I breathed easily. He pulled my palm and kissed inside it. The warmth from his soft lips tingled me. Evoking last night's memories.

Blake cleared his throat, interrupting the spell.

"The law suit against them might not be the only solution, if I may add. The phones haven't been off the hook since this broke out. Trying to curtail the press, as well as pacify the party members, Sir." Blake stared with keen eyes at the both of us.

I suddenly wondered if that was the reason my phone had been buzzing this evening at Mum's place. Choosing to hide from the world, I hadn't given a thought to my phone, except for when I had scanned the screen for any missed calls from Levi. I flushed.

"What do you suggest?" Levi asked, interested.

He pulled me closer.

"Well, I suggest you both prepare yourselves for a welcome party tomorrow at New York." Blake started, catching our attention.

"A formal wedding reception, where you would both be formally introduced as a couple to the world. The ballerina and the Business man that fell in love. Everyone will be appeased."

We flashed a knowing look.

*Fell in love?* I frowned.

*Our story was far from that. Deceit. Secrets. My stolen life. Nothing more.*

"It's perfect." Levi's voice came in soft. I turned a sharp gaze to him.

"But it's not." I squeales. "We have no love between us, Levi. We would be lying." I protested. Levi tensed and turned to Blake, who stood mortified.

"Would you see to all the arrangements, Blake and leave us for now." Levi demanded, his eyes boring into me. Blake nodded and exited the room.

"Come with me." Levi ordered, his voice cold. I turned a defiant gaze to him. "Please." He added. I hesitated a bit, before I nodded.

Leading the way, Levi wordlessly took me upstairs. Our shows echoing in the halls.

When we entered the room, I couldn't help but feel nostalgia from last night.

"I don't want to be here." I pleaded. The sound of the lock clicking turning me to face Levi, who stood menacingly in front of the door. Slowly, he closed the distance, taking his black long sleeved shirt off. His tattoo, flashing angrily.

"What are you doing?" My voice came above a whisper. My breath catching in my throat as I hungrily watched him. Levi was silent, tossing his shirt. His bare torso, toned. Hot.

Taking measured steps, he stood before me. Pressed against me. I struggled. My body already too weak to resist him.