I want you

Maria's Point of View

I stand on the rooftop, encircled by towering buildings, savoring a cup of coffee. The frigid air whips around me, but I relish in the warmth of my drink. As I watch people bustling below, I take another sip and appreciate this simple pleasure.

"What the hell…?"

Lost in my thoughts, Lennie's sudden shock startles me back to reality. She's staring at her phone with wide eyes, and I move closer to see what has captured her attention.

"Maria, have you seen the headlines? Can you guess who it is?" she asks, panic rising in her voice.

I furrow my brow and glance at the screen before questioning, "Who?"

But as soon as I see the photo, my coffee nearly spills out of my mouth.

It's a couple locked in a passionate kiss, their nude bodies entwined. The woman's face is blurred, but there's no mistaking the clear image of the man. 

It's him.

His eyes hold an enigmatic allure, cold and dark, as if perpetually filled with anger. Yet, there is an undeniable magnetism to his presence, demanding respect. It has been years since I last saw that face, but the impact it had on me still remains vivid in my mind.

If my memory serves me right, it has been four long years...

A lump forms in my throat as I realize who the woman in the photo is. The scar on her hand leaves no room for doubt.

"Wow! I can't believe this kind of lowly woman managed to capture Kairo Thompson's heart! I've been crushing on him for so long, and now this!" Lennie exclaims, her voice laced with fury.

It's me...

I quickly cover the scar on my hand, making sure she doesn't catch a glimpse. My true identity as the woman in the photo she's studying must remain hidden. Nervously, I nibble on my bottom lip before abruptly standing up.

She notices and asks, "Where are you going?"

I can't bring myself to look at her, but I gather the courage to reply, "Home. Something important came up."

"Can I help?" she offers, standing up too.

I wave my hand dismissively, declining her offer. "No, no, I'll manage on my own."

Without waiting for her response, I swiftly left the rooftop. In the elevator, I quickly pull out my phone to check the internet. To my disbelief, the photo has gone viral.

People had varying reactions. There was anger, curiosity, and astonishment.

[Who is she? Could she be Kairo's wife?]

[That girl must have a nerve! I bet she leaked the photo herself just for attention!]

[Could she possibly be the rumored wife? But who knows? Kairo's wife hasn't been introduced to the public yet, so it's still uncertain if it's her.]

Ding

I hurriedly stashed my phone away as the elevator pinged, only to be taken aback by the sight of two men in black suits waiting for me as the doors slid open.

I took two steps back and inhaled deeply before attempting to walk past them. Nonetheless, I was promptly blocked.

"Miss Hills, your husband is requesting your presence," one of them informed me politely.

It was no surprise that Kairo was the one who sent them. Whenever there was any issue related to his scandal, he would always be the first to point fingers at me. That's just how the Thompson family perceives me. And that's just the way he is.

"What does he want from me? I have no business with him anymore," I retorted icily.

Kairo Thompson and I, Maria Lucy Hills, had been married in secret, known only to our families.

In secret…

It hurts to think but dwelling on the past was pointless; it was time to move on. We divorced four years ago.

"Miss Hills, please cooperate. You know how impatient your husband can be," the man on the left warned.

His threat irked me, especially his reference to Kairo as my husband. 

He was no longer a part of my life, and I had no desire to be entangled with him again. But I knew making him mad would only worsen the situation.

With a resigned sigh, I glanced outside and spotted the familiar limousine waiting. With no choice, I headed towards it, ready to face whatever awaited me inside.

Not long after, we arrived at the luxurious villa. And seeing this state…brought back memories I wished to forget.

It was here that my suffering began, with accusations of cheating from Kairo and mistreatment from my ex-mother-in-law. Four years ago… I was coerced into signing an agreement and forced to leave with nothing but my weary body. 

As I stood there, tears welled up in my eyes, remembering the bitterness and pain that originated in this very house.

The Thompsons, the most powerful family in New York, held sway over everyone, including me. Bound by our grandparents' agreement and my mother's illness, I had no choice but to marry Kairo.

Marriage wasn't a regret, as I had loved him even before we tied the knot. But my hopes of being loved in return were shattered, as he failed to see the depth of my feelings.

"Welcome back, Miss Hills. Please, come in!" The maid's voice snapped me out of my reverie, and I couldn't help but smile at her. She was one of the few who had treated me kindly during my time here.

"Nice to see you too, Nana…" I smiled.

My gaze shifted to the man seated on the solitary sofa, exuding an air of coldness and darkness. His expressionless face and piercing gaze made me shudder, prompting me to look away and put on a facade of indifference. I refused to let him see how much his presence affected me.

"I wonder why the great Kairo Thompson called me here?" I wryly asked.

His eyes quickly changed, darkening as he scanned my face. I felt uncomfortable with every gaze, but I didn't pay it any mind.

"Instead of being sarcastic, why don't you just explain the scandal to me," he said coldly.

I grinned and retorted, "Are you suspecting me?"

"Why would I not?"

"Huh!" I blurted out annoyingly.

I wanted to tell him that I didn't care about him anymore and that I didn't want to be involved with him, but I knew it would be useless because he wouldn't believe me. I just smiled helplessly and didn't say anything more.

"Can't say anything anymore?" he sneered.

I clenched my fist and glared at him. "I didn't do it, okay? Whether you believe it or not, I have no reason to do that and I'm not that low of a woman!"

I admit that when we were newly married, many things crossed my mind. I wanted to sleep with him, but that was it and nothing more! I couldn't bring myself to create a scandal over something so petty!

"How can I believe you when four years ago you were willing to do anything just to get on top of my bed. You're desperate, Lucy," he uttered heartlessly.

"That was four years ago..."

Now, all the love I had for you back then is gone. It's erased from my memory and my heart.

I gave him my full attention, but it was clear from his eyes that he didn't believe a word I said. He narrowed his eyes and warned in a menacing tone, "Don't you know I can sue and throw you to jail for invading privacy?" 

I was left speechless in disbelief because I knew he wouldn't believe me. And I knew that with his temper, if he didn't like what came out of my mouth, it was highly likely that I would end up in jail.

In the end, just to avoid any more issues and leave this hellish place, I had no choice but to admit to a wrongdoing I didn't even commit.

"Alright, I admit it. I did it. But can you blame me? Kairo, it's been four years but I still can't forget you and in the days we didn't see each other, there wasn't a day I didn't miss you. And I know that by posting this picture, it's the only way I know to get your attention again."

"..."

"I know that this love for you is a curse and if this love is a sin, then let God sentence me to life imprisonment!"

I wanted to leave because even I couldn't stand the lies and disgusting words coming out of my mouth.

It took a while before Kairo spoke because he scanned me from head to toe, showing his disgust, then he spoke words that pierced my heart. "You're still shameless. Why did you do that? Tell me what you need and disappear!"

I didn't need anything material. All I wanted was to leave but I knew that if I said that, he wouldn't believe me and would only get angrier, so I continued. "You can't give me what I want!"

"And what makes you think that, huh?" Kairo smirked, then continued, "Tell me."

"I want..." I paused and gu

lped nervously as I looked straight into his eyes. "I want... you."