THE FACE HE WORE. Dead men don’t knock.

His body?

Well… only I know where that is buried deep in the ground, so far down that even in ten lifetimes it can’t be discovered.

Now there’s finally some peace and quiet around here. Took me long enough.

“Mrs. Raina,” a voice jolted me from my thoughts.

I raised my eyelids ever so slowly, like the mourning wife I was expected to be. “Yes?” I replied, letting my voice quiver, like I was fighting back tears that threatened to fall.

“You can go home now. Your car is outside waiting. The investigation has been officially closed.”

Bringing the tiny napkin to my nose, I nodded and walked toward the door of the investigation office.

“You have to pull yourself together, Mrs. Raina. I understand it’s not easy, not knowing if your husband is dead or alive. But I can assure you, the detectives did everything possible. They followed every trail. We think it’s best to close the case. You and your family have suffered enough, you’ll need closure.”

“Thank you, sir. I understand you all did your best. And I believe… if my Mark is out there, he’ll definitely com… come back to m… me.” I said the last part with a broken voice, forcing tears into my eyes.

Without waiting for more unnecessary sympathy, I clutched my bag, turned on my heels, and hurried out of the office.

Mark wasn’t just anyone. He was handsome, intelligent and fucking rich. That’s exactly what drew me to him, I’m still in awe at how I was able to double-cross him without him getting a hint of it.

He was the most eligible bachelor in San Francisco, and getting him for myself wasn’t an easy game. Every girl wanted him. And why wouldn’t they?

One would think someone that handsome, that wealthy, would make the perfect husband. But that was far from the truth.

Far, far from it. Too bad I only discovered that after I said ‘I DO’.

The moment I stepped out of the investigation office, a mob of reporters stood outside waiting. Microphones stretched toward me. Cameras flashed. Voices fired questions I had no intention of answering.

I didn’t acknowledge any of them. I just slipped into the back seat of the black sedan waiting at the curb and shut the door.

Silence. Blessed silence.

My fingers curled tightly around the leather strap of my handbag as we drove past familiar streets, streets that I wouldn’t have to see very soon.

The mansion was packed when I arrived.

Everyone had been waiting for me. The widow. The grieving wife.

They couldn’t start the memorial without me.

“Welcome, Mrs Raina,” the butler said gently as I stepped through the doors. “Everyone’s in the sitting room. The ceremony is about to begin.”

I nodded once, slipping off my sunglasses.“Let’s get this over with.”

Running upstairs, I changed into the black gown I had specifically picked for the occasion. Ran my hands through the curls of my hair, and enhanced my red lipstick.

A tiny twirl in the mirror, and I was impressed with my look, boobs up, curve enhanced.

“Let him see the goodies he’d be missing in his grave,” I said, with a smirk.

The moment I stepped downstairs, every eye was on me. Some decided to ignore, but of course, the Karens won’t, whispering and pointing.

But who cares?

The ceremony went on with everyone empathizing with me, but deep down, I couldn't wait for the charade to be over.

Soon it was time to give my speech,” Mark was everything, he was the perfect husband.” I said using the tiny napkin to dab the tiny tears about to fall down my eyes. Even after his death, he still tormented me.

Gosh… now my perfect makeup will be ruined.

“He was caring, and loving… And the two and a half years of our marriage were nothing but heaven on earth. And he didn't just share that love with me alone, but to everyone around him,”

Ooh I do mean that part, he was going around sharing his love as well as his dick.

“So I just couldn't understand who'd hurt him or want him to disappear from our lives forever,” I added, allowing the tears to run down freely.

Raising my eyes ever so slowly, I noticed my sister in law eyeing me. I wasn’t surprised, she has never liked me, and has secretly blamed me for her brother's disappearance.

I sent her a secret smile… I mean she isn't wrong.

She deserves a little bit of reassurance. Unfortunately, she can only blame and suspect, there's no evidence linking his disappearance to me after all.

Unable to hold back my flowing tears, I quickly ran off the stage. Almost tripping over my flowing black gown.

I had picked this gown months before today, the same way I picked the dresses for other ceremonies like this.

I mean, it’s a happy occasion after all, preparation is necessary, isn’t every day you get to celebrate the death of your husband.

“How will you cope in this big house all by yourself Riana?” Mark’s best friend Jude asked, extending a glass of wine to me.

Batting my lashes to stop the tears, “Everything reminds me of Mark, and there's this hole in my heart. It hurts a lot just walking around the house knowing he's not there, or that he might never come back to me. I don't think I’ll be able to survive it. Hence, I have decided to move to Seattle, maybe the change of scenario will help me.” I said half-sob.

God… I’m becoming good at this…

Jude pulled me into a tight hug, his cologne tingling my nose,wrapped around me like a second skin.

I pressed my face into his shoulder, breathing in deeply. I’d imagined this moment before. Not with grief… but with heat. Legs wrapped around his waist, his lips at my throat, making me forget Mark ever existed.

But Jude was the good guy. Too loyal. Too noble.

And I had been, well too, married.

“Maybe I’ll stop by Seattle sometime,” he murmured, his lips brushing the top of my hair.

My breath caught in my throat.

I tilted my head up slowly, our faces just inches apart.

His hand slid to my lower back, patting me softly, like he was patting a child to sleep.

My eyes scanned the mansion, and luckily everyone had left.

“I don’t think I can sleep alone tonight,” I whispered, eyes locked with his.

Jude’s jaw tightened, like he was contemplating what to do, or what was right and what wasn’t.

“I’ll stay with you,” he said, voice low.

I nodded, slightly jubilating inside as I led him towards the stairs.

We climbed the stairs in silence, but I don't like such silence.

He stayed as far away as the stairs could allow, which was infuriating, cause I thought we had shared a little moment back there.

“I'll leave when you've fallen asleep,” he said cautiously.

The word “leave” rang in my head, What does he mean by leave?

Hell!! No man… You ain't going nowhere.

Not if I can help it.

I brought my hands to my head letting myself fall back slightly,” Ahhh!”

Without hesitation he rushed to me, and held me, one hand on my waist, the other holding my hand and stopping me from falling. “What’s wrong?”

“I…I… don't feel so we…well.” I stuttered, moaning in pain softly.

I was barely halfway through my sentence when his strong arms swept me off my feet, and he walked majestically to my bedroom. Just how I had envisioned both of us.

He laid me on the bed, using the covers to wrap me like he was protecting me.

It was so cute, and thrilling at the same time, Mark was never this sweet, well maybe in the early stage.

“I'll go get you some drugs,” he said, taking a step back.

“Jude,” I called out in a low voice, stopping him in his tracks.

Turning around, “Yes,”

“Please don't go, I'm too scared. Please stay with me, come lie beside me,” I whispered, letting my voice quiver like I was about to cry.

“I…I… don't think that's right Riana. I'll just sleep on the couch. If you really want me here.”

Stupid nobleman.

I’m hot and sexy… Any man will jump at the opportunity to lie down beside me.

I let the tears run down freely,” I just want to feel the presence of someone beside me, Mark's disappearance hasn't been easy on me. Please…”

He stood frozen on the spot, like he was battling with all his demons.

After so much hesitation, he took off his shoes and climbed on the bed, staying as far away from me as the bed would allow.

We were that way for what looked like an eternity, till I rolled over to his side in pretence of sleep.

I felt his body stiffen as our bodies came in contact.

I was so close to him that I could hear his heart racing.

I didn’t move away.

Neither did he.

I let my breath soften, brushing against his jaw as I settled closer.

“Riana…” he whispered, my name like a question, like a warning.

I tilted my face up to his, our eyes meeting in the soft darkness.

My hand lifted slowly, brushing his cheek.

He gripped my hand, almost too tightly, warning me to stop. But the pain only sent waves of thrill down my spine.

Without thinking twice, I crashed my lips against his. Soft and warm like I had always dreamed of.