Bound by Tension
48

"Hi, Mom." I said into the phone, standing quite far away from Hames who was on the bed, to avoid disturbance since he was also on the phone with his Mom. "Hey, sweetie. How are you? How has your day been?" She beamed.

"Really great."

"Lila and Nikita are here with me, and the phone is on loudspeaker so they have questions to ask."

"Lila and Nikita? Together without me?" I cringed and I heard them laugh from the other end of the line.

"It's not such a bad thing. We're not totally enemies." Lila said.

"Oh, we are." Nikita interrupted.

"Silly. Let's ignore that and focus on the main point: how's your honeymoon going? It should be nighttime in Paris, right?"

"Yeah. Today was really great."

"How?" Nikita asked in a rush.

I glanced at Hames, the same time he glanced at me then chuckled.

"Hang on," I left for the bathroom then shut the door. "Well... today was really great. He planned a really cute romantic surprise for me. There were flowers, photos of me everywhere, and an a capella group sang a really amazing song for me, composed by Hames. There were fireworks with romantic words."

"Oh yeah, the fireworks are getting viral on the internet. It was so romantic." Lila said.

"I didn't know your husband was such a famous man but I love it! We'll discuss when you return from your sweet honeymoon." Nikita added.

"I also didn't realize he was so famous on the internet. Anyway, today was really great, I loved it and Hames was sweet. I haven't been able to check my phone due to sightseeing and dinner." I yawned. "I'm quite tired but not sleepy at all. I hope it's not jet lag."

"It definitely is, baby." Mia replied. "I love you so much, my child and I'm glad you're happy in your marriage. I wouldn't have beared the torture if something bad happened to you in it. Please return to your husband, we shouldn't disturb your romantic night." She giggled.

"There's nothing so romantic about the night," I rolled my eyes. I heard Lila and Nikita yelling over something that was clearly meaningless.

"These two. Bye, I've gotta go now. Momma's got business."

"Bye. I love you too." I said then ended the call.

I opened the bathroom door and was startled by Hames' presence by the doorstep.

I squinted my eyes at him. "How long have you been standing there and eavesdropping on my conversation?"

"I wasn't eavesdropping. I just had a call with my Mom. I want to use the bathroom but heard you say you love someone too. Who is it?" He folded his arms over his chest.

"A really cute guy." I shrugged.

"Such a liar. I want to trust you, so I know you won't cheat on me. By the way, you were calling Mia. Excuse me."

Want to trust me? I returned to the bed, covering my legs with the duvet and began checking my social media accounts. Our marriage had been partially confirmed on the internet.

After a few minutes, Hames returned from the bathroom and rolled into the bed with me, also covering his lower half with the duvet.

"We're going to watch a romantic movie. It's going to be torturous for me but as long as you enjoy the movie, it's fine. He picked the remote control from the bedside table and turned on the television. "Imogen, I was wondering..." he narrowed his eyes.

"Wondering what?" I set my phone aside, adding my pillows to rest my back against them.

"In Australia, you slept alone in the hotel room, but now you can't due to some new mental disorder?"

"It's a mental confusion not disorder. Yes, I was able to sleep there because it wasn't where I'd live permanently. That's how my brain works, I don't know, I can't question it."

"Are you sure that's how your brain works or it's just an excuse to be with your handsome, irresistible husband?" He laughed.

A frown appeared on my face. "It's really not funny, husband." I said venomously. "There's a long story attached to it."

"Really? What story?"

"I'm not interested in letting you know." I huffed, averting my gaze to the television as the movie started.

"I've made the Tigress angry. Gosh, I'm so stupid. Please forgive me." He held my hand but I slapped it away. "Just watch the movie or go to bed."

There was no popcorn. Boring...

He seemed like he wanted to say something but was hesitant so he began watching the movie.

After a few minutes of watching the movie in absolute silence, Hames broke the silence by clearing his throat.

"So... how did you like my surprise and our first honeymoon activities?" He winked.

"It was good." I replied indifferently.

"Just good? You obviously loved it. Shouldn't I get a reward? I spent a lot of time composing the song and thinking of what to do for you but you won't appreciate it?"

"Of course I appreciate it but the only person who'd be getting a reward is your extremely hot and cute friend."

"Who? Sam?" He frowned.

"Yeah. It might've been your idea but he made it happen so I'm grateful to him, not you. And I think I'm starting to fall for him. His French accent is so amazing. And the way he speaks magically," I fanned my face dramatically. Hames looked like he was about to explode with rage. "If this is a joke then stop it because I don't like it at all." He clenched his fists.

"A joke? I'm being damn serious."

"If you're so serious then it's pissing me off. If you replace my dumb friend so hot and you're praising him, there's a card in that drawer," he pointed at a drawer, "his home address and phone number is on it, you can go to him." "Really? I'd love to. I can use your car, right? I've been thinking of him all day long." I stopped myself from bursting into laughter.

He huffed, turned off the television, laid on the bed with his back facing me and covered his entire body with the duvet. "Goodnight." He gruffed.

I stopped myself from chuckling. I had taken things too far. I didn't want that but it was fun though. I was probably going to apologize tomorrow; I didn't want Mr. Grumpy back, I preferred sweet and romantic Hames.

I turned on the television and resumed watching the movie, deciding to focus my attention on it.

The movie lasted for a few more hours before it ended. It was really amazing but I was feeling bad for making Hames go to bed out of anger.

Still in his sleep, he turned to face me. His gentle snore made a smile form on my lips.

I laid on the bed with my side; my elbow was on the bed and my head on my palm.

"Silly man. Of course you're hotter than Sam, idiot." I chuckled, stroking his face with my fingers. "You shouldn't have slept out of anger, I was only teasing you. If I'll eventually fall in love with you, I'd only admit it once in a decade because I don't admit things easily so..." I felt kinda stupid talking to myself but it also felt right.

"Thank you so much for making me feel so special. I really appreciate and love it." I shifted closer to him, maintaining my position and stroking his hair with my fingers. "Thank you for loving me. I'll admit that it makes me feel special too. None of my ex-boyfriends has ever loved me like you do."

"I was going to reward you tonight but unlike you, I'm not smart enough to think of something mind-blowing but I promise I'll reward you soon, when I come up with the best reward. Thank you so much, my handsome husband."

He looked so peaceful as he slept and something inside me was urging me to give him a kiss or something. A simple kiss wasn't going to harm either of us but why? I didn't know why I wanted to.

Reluctantly, I held his shoulder and gave his cheek a long kiss. It made relaxation flow through my body and something was urging me to do more than that but I didn't want to take advantage of him in his sleep but pecked his lips. It also felt damn good. Okay, this had to stop.

***

I wondered where Hames was. I had woken up without him beside me. I did my morning rituals, had breakfast but he hadn't returned to our hotel room.

It's not like I cared about him being around me anyway (actually... I did).

I decided to apply make up on my face to get rid of the boredom.

"If Hames doesn't return then I'll go on a walk without him." I said to myself.

After applying make up, he still didn't return so I decided to go on a walk around the hotel. I realized that my pictures were no longer everywhere, it didn't have a romantic theme anymore.

I bumped into Sam who was yelling at three of his employees.

"Hi," I smiled at him.

"Bonjour, Mme Hendrix." He dismissed the employees.

"Have you perhaps seen my husband this morning?"

"I saw him leave earlier, is there any problem?"

"Not at all. I he wasn't- I haven't seen him all morning." I scratched my arm.

"Oh, he should be back soon. If there's anything else you need, you can let us know."

"Sure, thank you."

"Excuse me," he walked away.

I was about to use the elevator but bumped into a hard figure.

"I'm so sorry. I..." I noticed the figure was a frowning Hames. "Jeez, where have you been all morning?"

The elevator door opened, a few people in suits walked out of it, then he stepped in without answering me. "Hello?" I walked in too. He made the doors close and hit the button to the third floor. "Didn't you hear me?"

He still ignored me, plastering a frown on my face.

The elevator doors re-opened on the third floor then we left for our room.

After shutting the room door, he strutted to sit on one of the sofas.

"What's with the silent treatment?" I walked to him, folding my arms.

"I have to work." He replied frigidly, taking his laptop from the table. Oh God, what was with this attitude? This was my boss at HamIX International and not my husband.

"Working on our honeymoon? I thought you already worked extra to create time for this honeymoon."

"Of course I did but what's the point if the wife doesn't appreciate anything the husband does but is instead falling for the French guy." He scoffed. "I can't let the business fall. You can spend quality time with Sam if you want."

"So you're still mad at me over that?" That proved he didn't hear my confession last night. I sighed in relief. I had thought he might've heard.

"Why not? My big surprise turned out to be meaningless to you but it doesn't matter. I'll take a break."

"Take a break from what?" I lifted an eyebrow.

The doorbell rang, bringing a smile on his face. "Finally!"

"What's that?"

"Please get the door."

Reluctantly, I walked to open the door.

"Hi," a woman waved at me. She was extremely beautiful with long, wavy, brown hair, adorable hazel eyes, sharp jawlines and high cheekbones. Ignoring her beauty, I frowned at her clothes; she wore a crop top that showed up more than half of her breasts and a skirt ending only a few inches below her butt.

"What do you want? Do you work here too?" I asked rudely.

"No. I'm here on Mr. Hames Hendrix's invitation. I'm here for business with him." She puffed out her chest. What sort of business could she have with Hames?

"Let her in, Imogen." Hames said.