Chapter 44: Wifey what have you done now
Morning sunlight filtered through the curtains, bathing the bedroom in a warm golden glow.
Clara slowly opened her eyes, only to realize she was clinging to Dominic like a koala hugging the trunk of a tree.
One arm was wrapped around his waist, one leg had somehow found its way over his, and her face was buried against his chest.
"..."
The memories of last night came rushing back.
After Dominic caught her lying, she had stubbornly ignored him for the rest of the night. No matter what he said—or rather, no matter how loudly she heard his thoughts complaining in his head—she had refused to respond.
She had simply climbed into bed, turned her back to him, and forced herself to sleep.
So...
How in the world had she ended up glued to him?
Clara’s eyes widened.
I definitely slept on my side.
She slowly looked down at herself before glancing at Dominic.
"...Did I sleepwalk into my husband’s arms?"
Carefully, she began peeling herself off him.
First the leg...
Then the arm...
Then her face...
Just as she was about to escape, Dominic shifted slightly in his sleep.
Clara froze.
"..."
"..."
Seeing that he hadn’t woken up, she quietly let out the breath she had been holding.
"Phew..."
She looked at his sleeping face.
Then looked again.
And again.
"..."
A silly grin slowly spread across her lips.
"Wow..."
She rested her chin on her palm.
"My husband is ridiculously handsome."
Her eyes shamelessly wandered across his face.
"The eyebrows... perfect."
She nodded seriously.
"The nose..."
She reached out with one finger and lightly poked it.
"Also perfect."
Dominic didn’t move.
Encouraged by his lack of reaction, Clara leaned in a little closer.
"Those eyelashes..."
She squinted.
"Why are they longer than mine? That’s unfair."
Her gaze drifted lower.
"And these lips..."
She pursed her own lips.
"No wonder women lose their minds over him."
She sighed dramatically.
"If I weren’t already married to you, I’d definitely try to steal you."
A moment later she blinked.
"...Wait."
"I am married to you."
She couldn’t help giggling.
"Good job, Clara."
She gave herself a silent thumbs-up.
"You’ve got excellent taste."
Her eyes sparkled with satisfaction.
’No wonder I fell in love with him.’
She tilted her head from one side to the other, admiring every angle.
"Seriously..."
"How can someone look this good while sleeping?"
She leaned even closer until only a few inches separated them.
"If I stare a little longer, he won’t know..."
Her finger slowly reached toward his cheek.
Poke.
His skin was surprisingly soft.
"Oh..." She poked it again.
"So smooth."
Another poke. "And warm."
One more.
"I wonder if he’ll notice if I—"
Just as her hand reached for his hair—
BRRRRING! BRRRRING!
The loud ringtone shattered the peaceful silence.
Clara nearly jumped off the bed.
"What the—"
Before she could finish, she looked up and found Dominic already awake, quietly staring at her.
"..."
"..."
Clara felt as though she had been struck by lightning.
He’s awake?
Panic instantly took over.
Without thinking, she scrambled backward so quickly that she nearly rolled off the bed.
"Ah—!"
Before she could fall, a strong arm wrapped around her waist.
With one effortless pull, Dominic yanked her back against him until she landed squarely in his arms.
Their eyes met.
For a brief second, neither of them spoke.
Their hearts raced in unison, and the room suddenly felt much smaller.
(Why did you stop touching me, wifey?) Dominic thought with an inward sigh. (You have no idea how adorable you sound while shamelessly complimenting my looks. And here I was hoping you’d reward me with a good morning kiss.)
Clara’s eyes widened in disbelief.
He was awake?!
This sly fox!
Just how did he manage to stay completely silent? Not even a single stray thought escaped!
She had heard absolutely nothing.
Not one complaint.
Not one tease.
Not even a smug remark.
He had deliberately emptied his mind and pretended to be asleep just to hear her continue talking.
He’s getting better at hiding his thoughts...
Clara narrowed her eyes at him.
How dare he trick me!
She wanted nothing more than to expose him right then and there.
You shameless man! You heard every single word!
Unfortunately, she couldn’t.
If she reacted too strongly, Dominic might begin to suspect how she always seemed to know exactly what he was thinking.
Taking a deep breath, she forced herself to remain calm.
Then, noticing the hopeful look in his eyes—and remembering the kiss he had been expecting—Clara smiled sweetly.
Dominic’s heartbeat skipped.
(Is she actually going to kiss me?)
Instead...
Knock!
She flicked him squarely on the forehead.
"Ow."
It wasn’t painful. It was simply...unexpected.
Clara withdrew her hand with a smug smile.
"That’s your reward for pretending to sleep."
Dominic rubbed his forehead with an aggrieved expression.
"I was sleeping."
"Liar."
"I was."
"You even forgot to blink."
"...People don’t blink when they’re asleep."
"..."
"..."
Clara opened her mouth, then paused.
"...Fine."
He had a point.
Seeing her speechless, the corners of Dominic’s lips curved upward ever so slightly.
(She’s so cute when she’s trying to win an argument.)
Clara caught that tiny smile.
Don’t smile! You’re the guilty one here!
She huffed before slipping out of his embrace.
"Stop grinning and answer your phone."
She crossed her arms.
"It’s been ringing forever."
(Tsk...) Dominic sighed inwardly as he reached for the phone.
(And here I was hoping for a morning kiss.)
His face, however, remained as calm and expressionless as ever.
He picked up the call and answered.
"Grandpa—"
"DOMINIC STERLING!"
The furious roar from the other end was so loud that even Clara, standing several feet away, heard it clearly.
"I WANT YOU AND YOUR WIFE HERE RIGHT NOW!"
Dominic instinctively pulled the phone away from his ear.
"..."
He glanced at Clara, who looked just as confused as he was.
The couple exchanged puzzled looks.
What on earth had happened so early in the morning?
(Wifey what have you done now?)