His Devious Rule

With Alvin beside her, a month slipped away like sand through an hourglass, leaving behind a trail of moments and memories for her to reminisce for the rest of her life. 

Days turned into weeks, each sunrise and sunset marking the relentless passage of time. Yet, she longed for the day when Zane completes his exams and runs into her arms.

After a video call with Zane who sprinted inside the gates of the school, Anya breathed a long sigh looking at her friend finally showing her face.

Anya complained right after, "Girl, why are you so busy?" 

Her calls to Krystle over a month started and ended with 'Annie, I will call you later.' 

'Babe, I'm dead tired.'

'Sweetheart, I need to rush to work.'

Anya observed her friend who was beautiful as ever but her charms, her mischief, her cheerfulness, and quirky attitude were lost. She felt like there was Krystle's doppelganger sitting in front of her.

Earning the fake smile, Anya calmly asked, "How are you doing?"

However, Krystle suddenly flashed a wide grin with her eyes narrowed asking with a hint of mischief, [You tell me, how are you?… You are all glowing… What's the secret?] 

'Click.'

Anya glanced at her husband exit the ensuite with just a white towel wrapped around his low waist. His body was flushed to the hot water, looking as sinfully delicious as he could be.

Anya had lost count of how many times he seduced her, had his way with her, devoured her, and made her horny by doing particularly nothing. Yet, a delicious pink crept on her face earning his sinfully gorgeous smirk.

Although her eyes shifted to the screen, her attention was split on the man who was dressing himself. 

She shamelessly responded to her friend in an audible whisper with all honesty, "By sleeping with my husband." She softly shrugged, "In other words, making love in the sunset, having wild sex at the beach, getting laid in the yacht, making out in the museum, hooking up in the silent disco, bonking in the car…"

Krystle and Alvin: "…"

Alvin was proud of himself for going beyond his wife's expectations and learning that she remembers every detail in her mind. Yet, he was tongue-tied after hearing her.

Anya, who expected Krystle to burst into laughter at her craziness, was confused. This wasn't Krystle in general.

'Work pressure? Fought with Linus?' Anya's thoughts went wild.

Krystle who composed asked in shock, [Oh my god, who is the lady I'm speaking with?]

Anya gave another try, "Why else do couples go for a honeymoon?" She shrugged and answered her question, "To have s*x, s*x, s*… Ouch.." 

Alvin smacked her head before she repeated it. He deduced that she was trying to make Krystle laugh.

Krystle stiffly laughed but she failed to bring her real laughter. Her efforts were saying something but her face and eyes were failing to cooperate.

Anya's expression changed right there and asked seriously, cutting off her laughter, "Krystie, what happened?"

Krystle abruptly fell silent. She stared at Anya but said no word came out of her lips. She knew she would be caught by Anya, she tried for days to swallow her pain but she just couldn't avoid her friend. 

Anya waited silently for Krystle when a message popped on her laptop screen, [Broke up.] As a gentleman, Alvin sent a message to Anya, without voicing it aloud in the room to avoid embarrassing Loudmouth.

Anya was shocked but she clenched her fist and controlled her reaction. She waited for Krystle to gather herself and speak. 

Alvin thought to give space for the friends. He leaned and kissed the side of Anya's forehead. His indulging voice was low but audible to Krystle, "I will be in the study." In other words, 'find me after your call.'

Anya nodded at him in response and watched Krystle look anywhere but her. Anya silently watched Krystle's eyes moisten, the rims of her eyes turned red and her chin shook, failing to speak and compose herself. 

Anya wanted to fly to Narnia for her friend but Krystle needs a break from Narnia and she has work. So she said, "Come here, Krystie." Zane and her parents were flying the next day.

Krystle tried to shake her head in refusal but Anya cut in and stressed her words, "You are coming with Zane. I will be waiting for you." When Krystle wanted Anya to enjoy, Anya wanted to give her shoulder to her friend.

Krystle again tried to refuse but Anya's firm voice sounded, "Krystle."

Closing her eyes, Krystle breathed out through her mouth and nodded as a tear rolled down her cheek. She agreed to go to her friend and she needed Anya more than anybody else.

Anya rushed to Alvin as soon as the video call ended. "Alvin… Do you know why they broke up?" She anxiously asked, "When did it happen? Why didn't you tell me? Did you speak to Linus? Did something happen?"

Alvin closed his laptop and wrapped his arm around her shoulders as he took her to bed. "It's probably been a week, Little Donut." His low deep voice was soothing to her ears but the words and topic were making Anya restless. 

He helped her get on the bed, "I got an email regarding a change in CEO at Manpower. Then Rob said they aren't living together and meeting each other." 

He laid Anya down and climbed on the bed but Anya sat up, worried for her friend and also Linus. "Linus had a proxy for the CEO position at Manpower, right? Then why did they break up?" She believed it couldn't be the reason.

Alvin sighed seeing her sleepless. Grabbing the duvet, he took her out to the lounge near the swimming pool, under the numerous starstruck dark sky. 

He cuddled her, silently accompanying her when she continued to voice her worry, trying to deduce the reason as she slipped into slumber with deep frowns.

Linus has turned into the former version of Alvin. Talks less, never smiles, works nonstop, quit enjoying his life, barely visiting his parents, and skipping food. 

Alvin got to know about Linus a few days ago from Harrison and Liam. Unfortunately, Linus wasn't ready to speak about his breakup with anybody. 

Alvin said nothing but he was worried about Linus who compromised his passion for love, then gave up on his passion for him (Alvin). And now, Linus has lost his love and passion.

He and Anya rediscovered themselves, and are passionate about their work. Alvin wanted to let go of Linus to do whatever he wanted but he also wanted to give Linus time to make his own decision.

He tucked Anya on their bed and exited the bedroom dialing Linus's number.