After My Death, My Husband Who Threw Me Into the Hunting Grounds Went Insane novel Chapter 140

JULIA

A week had passed, and Adam was still in Florida. I had been sending him daily updates, schedules of his upcoming meetings through emails, but he never replied. I didn't want to assume that he was ignoring me, but his silence was bothering me. I had too many questions in my head.

What happened to his business there? How's Carlie? Was he with Demi? Was he mad at me?

 Though I hadn't heard anything from him, I was getting news from Henry. He was contacting his brother about the marketing ideas and plans and if there were significant calls from overseas, but he never told him when he was going to be back.

A week before, everything went great. Henry took me to the spa, and we went on a date. He had a lot of plans for us. It was a great thing that I hadn't experienced in my past relationship. He gave me his time. We'd been closer since Adam was away.

"A penny for your thoughts?" Henry approached while smiling. I chuckled.

"Do you have plans tonight?"

I shook my head. "Let me guess… You're taking me to another restaurant, and then you're going to introduce me to the chef and then—"

Henry shut my lips with his thumb. "No, something that I want to do for you. I'll come over to your apartment tonight."

I grinned. "Really?"

 "I don't do this with just anyone. I already bought some ingredients. I'll be your chef tonight."

I caught his thumb between my teeth. "My sexy chef."

"Aw," he jerked, but then he chuckled. "I'll see you at the entrance."

"Sure." He pressed a brief but deep kiss on my lips.

I felt frantic the moment he left. 

What was I going to do tonight? We're having dinner at my place. He's allergic to seafood—and peaches, I might add. What else, what else? I should also prepare a side dish. No, no. I don't even know what he liked. Adam didn't tell me everything. God! Anyway, I should hurry.

Henry was already at the building entrance when I got there. He opened the door of the car as I approach him, then he slid into the driver seat. A moment later, we were on our way home.

"Hey, do you go on vacation?" I asked, just to start a conversation.

"Sometimes, we go to Dubai, but I don't think I could leave any time soon since I'm busy with my new restaurant."

"Dubai! I always wanted to go there."

"Adam and I used to go there with the family. It's a beautiful city. I should probably take you there some other time."

"I'd love to." I smiled. "Hey, speaking of Adam, do you have any news about him?"

"Adam's preparing for a burial."

"Whose burial?" I questioned, surprised. "Is that why he still hasn't come back?"

"Carlie died yesterday."

I caught my mouth. "Oh, my God." I suddenly felt a pang of guilt. I even thought of bad things about her. "I'm so sorry," I said, expressing regret. "What happened?"

"She had complications from her injuries."

"I'm really sorry, Henry. She was your step-mother."

"Yeah, but I'm more worried about Adam. He's been taking care of her in the hospital, and she died right in front of him."

More guilt struck me. I'd been overthinking, and I didn't even think that he was having a hard time. I chose to remain silent on the whole drive.

We finally arrived at my apartment. Claire was home, and she opened the door for us. I informed her that Henry was coming and he was going to cook for us. Claire helped us carry the ingredients in the kitchen.

"At last, a decent meal. We don't have much time to cook for ourselves, and I don't know how to cook. Julia's always busy, so I always end up getting fast food," Claire explained while preparing the kitchen.

"Let me do that." Henry rolled up his sleeves to his elbow, then started sorting the ingredients. "I'm doing chicken piccata. It's one of my favorite dishes. I'll take it from here, Claire."

We watched him as he cut the marinated chicken, then he placed it in a bowl. He picked up a lemon, and he sliced it into thin strips, then he set the other ingredients ready. 

How would cooking be so sexy? Claire's eyes glued to him, her mouth slightly parted, I could tell that watching him makes her hungry. It's like watching a cooking show.

"Julia…" Claire whispered in my ear.

"What?"

"I've got to admit that your boyfriend is sexy. Tell me, does he have any younger brothers? You should probably introduce me to one."

"For your information, he's the youngest. They have a half-brother, though."

She clicked her tongue. "What a waste of a generation. Their parents should have made more babies."

"They couldn't."

"What is his brother like? Is he available? Isn't his older brother your boss?"

Adam and Claire? No, I wouldn't be able to picture that. I shook my head. "Adam? He's too old for you."

She shrugged. "Age doesn't matter. But he's giving you a hard time in the office, so I'll give it a no."

I glared at her. "Yes, no way!"

"I can hear you, you know?"

 Henry interrupted, then he smiled. "Let's wait for another fifteen minutes, and we're ready to eat. I also made side dishes."  

After our delightful dinner, Claire helped me clean the kitchen, and then she went to her room. I went to the living room as soon as she was gone. Henry was sitting on the couch with his eyes shut. His arms folded across his chest. He had fallen asleep.

He looked like an angel. His face was an epitome of male beauty, and I could watch him all day. I sat carefully in the space next to him, not wanting to disturb him, and then I closed my eyes restlessly.

A warm wet feeling soon touched my lips. I opened my eyes slowly and found Henry's face right on top of me. I was already lying on the couch.

"Hey…"

"I don't want to wake you up, but I have to go," he whispered. "You should sleep in your bed."

"What time is it?"

"It's three in the morning."

"Why don't you just stay?"

"I'd like to, but I can't. I have tons to do tomorrow."

I pouted. "Okay."

Henry pressed a kiss on my forehead. "Go to your bed. Goodnight."

***

I was thirty minutes late to the office. Damn, I was still so sleepy. Adam probably would get mad if he were here. Fortunately, he's still in Florida.

I went into Adam's office to organize his desk, but I couldn't help but think about him. When was he coming back? I was worried that I couldn't stop thinking about him.

"Julia."

"Oh, my God!" I jerked. I spun around and found Adam at the door.

He's here…

He scowled at my reaction and waltzed toward his desk, and sat. "What are you doing?"

"I'm re-organizing."

"Okay. Prepare the boardroom."

"Yes, sir." I left the room quietly.

Hurriedly, I went to the boardroom and asked the person in charge to clean it before the meeting. I placed the folders in front of each seat and a bottle of water. Adam strode into the room a few minutes later. He was carrying a laptop.

"Set this up, Julia," Adam ordered, then he put the laptop on the conference table. As usual, the urge electrified something strange sleeping in my chest. It's as if the room had gotten smaller for us.

"Yes, sir." I went around the table and plugged a cable into the projector. Adam sat on the center side of the table. I spied on him while he was checking the documents in front of him.

I cleared my throat and began to speak. "H-how was Carlie?"

"She died. Didn't Henry tell you?" His eyes were still focused on the papers.

"Of course. It's just—"

"Why ask something you already know, Ms. Taylor?" he raged. It's been a while since he called me by my last name.

Silence. I looked up at the image that appeared on the projector's screen. "How are you?"

"Good."

"About last week… I didn't have the chance to say goodbye, and I didn't get the chance to know how I can handle the office alone, so..."

"Could you please leave for a while?" He looked at me this time.

My mouth fell open slightly. "Sure. Sorry."

This was bad. He was probably mad at me. But why? I was about to exit when he stopped me by gripping my wrist. He spun me around to face him.

"What do you want from me?" he demanded, his tone harsh.

"I was just worried about you."

"Let's stop this, Julia. Stop worrying about me and stop concerning yourself too much. Can you do that?"

"I'm sorry, alright? I won't ask again."

Adam's eyes darkened, and his expression dangerous. What's gotten into him now? His jaw twitched. "Henry offered you a job, didn't he?"

I gaped at him.

"Did you think I wouldn't find out?"

"Adam, I didn't tell you because I haven't considered it yet."

"Considered? There's nothing to consider. I won't let you leave. But of course, you probably said yes, already."

"Seriously? Is that what you are mad about?"

"Tell me if you said yes."

"How did you know? Did Henry tell you?"

"You didn't answer my question. And apparently, I know everything, Julia."

"I haven't answered yet. Besides, I know you won't let me leave."

"But it's your chance to be with him," he provoked.

I pulled my hands away and stepped back. "Do you really think I would go that low just to be with him? I can be with him whenever and however I want," I pointed out.

He chuckled humorlessly. "However you want, you say? I accepted that he's dating my precious assistant, and now he's taking her away…" He moved forward, mirroring me as I step backward. "And I won't let Henry take you. Tell me, how much did he offer you?"

I stopped. My back slammed against the wall, and there was no space between us now.

"He's not trying to take me. Henry is nothing like that."

"Really? Why don't you tell me? I am going to match his offer."

"Adam, please…"

"I can't let you go to him. When are you going to get it?"

Adam cupped my face and then smashed his lips on mine. His fingers pushed onto the back of my head, pressing me into a possessive, lush kiss… a kiss that almost distracted me from seeing how all of this was a mistake.

"Hmph! Adam—" His mouth hovered on my lips again, keeping me from talking. My eyes grew wide.

"No!" I jerked from his grip and managed to shove him away. I slapped his face.

He laughed grimly, caressing my cheeks with the back of his fingers. "Does Henry taste better? I see that you don't want me."

"It's not like that."

"Not like that? He can't just bypass me and take you away."

"I'm still here, Adam. Don't you trust me? I'm sorry if I didn't tell you. I don't want you to get mad at him."

Silence. He brushed a hand through his hair harshly. We stared at each other as if the world stopped spinning. Suddenly, it felt like an eternity. Adam pulled me back into his arms and lifted me gently. I was lost again in his world.

"I've missed you," he whispered between our lips.

My throat dried up. My senses revved up with life as I inhaled his sensual, sandalwood scent. My body instantly responded to him. I wrapped my arms around his neck.

"This is so wrong," I whimpered.

"It's worth the risk."

His lips landed back home. Home. I'd been away from home long enough. I was rightfully where I was supposed to be. There was no other place I'd rather be than with this man who's been taking away my sanity, piece by piece.

My emotions were rising again. Every nerve in my body responded. I felt so much passion whenever I'm with him. I knew that I can't betray Henry, but being with Adam felt so right.

I kissed him back, and he groaned in between our lips. He slid down his arms around my thighs and lifted me up. I felt Adam walk around, he took me into the file room. He locked the door without breaking the ravenous kiss.

He put me on a table as the sounds of our mouths and breaths were the only things I hear in the room. He tugged his necktie, and I pulled it out of his collar and let it drop. He finally let go of my legs and dove in for my throat, devouring me delectably. Every inch of his rippled muscles turned me on, and I felt like my world revolved around him and only him.

I moaned in sheer pleasure, then I bit my lips. I wanted him. I wanted this so bad. I started unbuttoning my blouse, but he stopped and held my gaze.

"I can't take you here. It's too dark."

"I don't care."

He pressed a small kiss on my lips. "It's just not right. You should be in bed. My bed. I mean, I may hurt you here."

"Why would you hurt me?"

He chuckled. "It's not the right place."

"I don't care, Adam," I whimpered. "Please."

The pleasure I felt moments ago caught me off guard. I wanted to feel it again. Hell! I wanted him to have me in this dark room right now. Soft laughter escaped his lips.

"I can't, alright? We can't."

Damn it. I was so aroused. How could he do this to me when he's the one who started this? I reached for his mouth and kissed his lips.

"How could you leave me like this?"

"You have no idea how I feel right now, Julia," he answered, almost breathless. Adam put back his suit and tie. He fixed himself and went out of the room like nothing happened.

What about me? I looked like shit. I was still in the reverie of the aftershock of Adam's kiss. My hair was a mess, my lipstick smeared all over my mouth. In short, I was like a slut who was willing to fuck her boss any time at any place. I fixed myself in the bathroom before the meeting started.

A little while later, the meeting began, and a manager from the creative department was explaining a new proposal project in front of dozens of men, including Henry. I was sitting on the chair beside Adam. The team leader from the finance department was now speaking in front, showing us some graphs of financial and sales reports on the projector screen. Adam was listening to him, and he was back now into the powerful boss until I felt his hand travel on my thigh. I jerked.

My eyes grew wide as I felt Adam's hand squeeze my inner thigh. His face was utterly impassive, and he kept on listening to the speaker.

I suddenly got conscious of my surroundings. I looked around and caught Henry's eyes. He was scowling at me. Then I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket. I drew it out and checked the message. It was from him.

"Henry, I just want to tell you that—"

"Dinner's over," he cut me. "I think we should continue this at my place. I just moved into a new penthouse." He wiped his mouth with a napkin and put his utensils down.

"But I can't leave Claire. She's alone in the apartment."

"Oh, I forgot." He smiled at me this time. "Maybe at your place then. I'll invite Claire next time so she won't be alone."

I smiled back. "Is that okay?"

"It's okay. Your sister likes me."

"Right. We should go down then. I'll just tell your brother we are leaving."

"Sure. I'll just call someone to clean this stuff up." Henry kissed my temple, and then he asked me to head down first.

When we reached the executive floor, I stepped into Adam's office to tell him I was leaving. But to my bewilderment, I found an almost naked Demi on top of Adam. She wore only a black bra with her breasts almost bursting out and one strap down her shoulder.

I immediately caught my mouth to prevent myself from screaming. My stomach twisted in pure disgust.

Adam swiftly pushed away from Demi as soon as he saw me.

"Julia…"

I stepped back, but I was caught by Henry, who appeared behind me. "Whoa! What the heck is this all about?"

Adam walked closer, ignoring his brother's query, and tried to reach me. "Jules… it's not what you think."

"Don't come any closer!" I concealed myself behind Henry.

His eyes and expression were filled with regret. "Julia…"

Demi stepped on the ground gracefully and tried to fix her wrinkled skirt. Then, she put back and buttoned up her blouse.

"Hello, Henry," she greeted, but she didn't sound like herself. What the hell was going on?

"Take Julia out of here," Adam instructed. "Please…"

"Why would I take her away? What's going on here, Adam? Demi?"

"Please take her away. I can explain later."

I let out a laugh of sheer disbelief. "I can leave on my own, Mr. Cavendish. I was about to leave anyway. You two should just continue what you're doing." 

Demi flashed out a grin. "Who's this girl with you, Henry?" she asked, looking at me. "Your new girlfriend?"

What? Didn't we meet several times before? What act was she trying to pull now?

Adam sighed, then rested his hands on his waist. "It's Sofia, Henry. Greet her."

I frowned. Wait, what? Sofia?

"Sofia?" Henry's eyebrows furrowed, but his voice full of recognition. He knew what was happening. Demi walked towards him and pulled him to her, but Henry stood still.

"I missed you, Henry," she said.

This was sick. This couldn't be happening. I moved away from Henry as well. I felt like I needed to puke.

"Can anyone tell me what the hell is happening here?" I demanded.  And Sofia? Who or what the heck is Sofia?

"Your girlfriend's asking you who I am. Why don't we show her my love?" Demi hooked her arms around Henry's neck and sensually smashed her lips to his. And Henry just stood there, letting her kiss him.

I gasped, covering my mouth in bewilderment. What the hell was wrong with these people? They're crazy! What did I get myself into? I needed to breathe. I needed to get out of here.

I sprinted out of the room and headed towards the washroom. I turned the faucet on, and cold water streamed down. I hastily splashed water on my face and rinsed my mouth.

I was probably dreaming. That wasn't real. It couldn't be real. I gazed at my reflection and began to question myself.

Was this what I wanted?

Adam suddenly appeared in the mirror.

"Julia…"

"Get away from me!" I screamed. He was a part of this madness—whatever it was. I should run away.

He stepped closer. "Julia, let me explain."

I shook my head firmly. "No, stay away from me."

"Don't avoid me, Julia. You see, this is who I am. This is how we are," he confessed, his voice filled with guilt, and his expression was unexplainable. "This was what I couldn't tell you."

"What can't you tell me?" I spun around and faced him. "I don't even know you anymore. You're all sick. Both of you." I began to cry hard. "Is this what you meant by you were sharing her?"

"What you saw earlier… it's nothing. Nothing happened, believe me."

I wiped my tears away and tried to compose myself. "I have to go. It's my birthday, after all."

"I don't want you to leave like this. Just listen to me. Demi is sick. She has dissociative identity disorder."

The world suddenly stopped spinning for me. What Adam said—if it was true—then that explained Demi's behavior. However, I wouldn't be able to understand their bond to her. Obviously, they still wanted her.

"But you two don't! So get away from me, please."

I turned away and headed out. Hastily, I pressed the elevator button to open, then I stepped inside, but Adam followed me and slid inside.

 "I don't want her," he hissed. "I want you. All this crazy stuff, this is what I wanted to tell you all along, but I didn't have the chance. Nothing happened between us. If you just let me explain."

I didn't answer. I gave up. I needed to know what's happening.

"I won't deny anything. You saw me… us. But believe me, I didn't want to. She was delirious, and she has this sexual urge. It's hard to explain. I know what Demi could do when Sofia dominates her. She has suicidal tendencies and—"

"And then you two ended up lying on your desk, and you're about to fuck her?" I snapped. "That, I couldn't stomach."

"That isn't what's going on," he said tightly, then he pushed me to the elevator's wall and pressed onto my body. "That isn't how it's supposed to look if I was trying to fuck someone," he breathed on my neck. "She was all over me, not the other way around."

I gulped my dry throat. "Then what did she want from Henry?"

He finally released me and stepped back. "She always wants Henry. She asked me to call him."

"And you were really going to call him?"

"Of course not!" he hissed incredulously. "I knew he was with you."

My shoulders fell. "Why did he let her touch him?"

"This was what I was trying to tell you," he said softly. "I told you, you don't know my brother very well. Demi was the reason why Henry had a breakdown in the past. I can see now how he likes you, Julia, but when it comes to Sofia, he couldn't avoid her."

"How did it turn out this way? He said he loved me. I need an explanation. There has to be a reason."

"Whatever his reason, are you going to forgive him?"

I shook my head. "I don't know."

"Hey, I'm sorry you had to see all that. I'm sure Henry is as confused as I am right now. But I think you should go home and take a rest. You wouldn't be able to speak to him after what you saw."

I took his hand away. "Adam, I don't know if I can rest in this situation. I'm so confused."

"But you still have to rest, Julia," he cut me off. "Come on, I'll drive you home."

"I want to be alone," I refused. "I don't need you or anyone right now."

"I wasn't asking." He grabbed my hand and brought me outside.