Forced by fate – Destined to be his Wife

“We will talk about this at home on Sunday when you come for dinner.” Aunt snapped, adjusting her jacket and waving him away with a fingertip gesture. Annoyed and yet unwilling to create a scene in this boutique. She had no agreement to this little fame chasing tramp staying in her family. In her mind Rhea would be coming back and it was only a lovers tiff. YuZhi could be a cold and cut off man when he was hurt, she knew this well, so she fully believed this was a temporary setback.

“Sure. We can make it this week; work is calmer and TangShi misses Xiaosu seeing as you forbade her to come work for me.” He raised a brow knowing fine well the only reason she stopped it was to hurt TangShi.

“Xiaosu is an important part of the running of the house, of course she’s needed where she is. Visit more often and you will see her.” Aunt retorted not willing to admit it was purely spite and she would continue to play these games as long as YuZhi continued to shut Rhea out.

“Of course.” YuZhi wasn’t in the mood to argue and without further conversation they said their goodbyes and she left them to carry on with the fitting in peace.

YuZhi lounged in his seat and settled himself to watch TangShi when she was put on a podium and tended to by two women with a measuring tape. Urging her to then try on the gown to see what alterations it needed.

It was an hour or so of tweaks and fittings and he silently appreciated the view of his beautiful bride in a dress that seemed made for her. Proud of the woman who would stand alongside him and glad his family had chosen her out of all the women in Shanghai. He couldn’t deny that despite their rocky start, TangShi made him happy without doing anything except being herself. Whether he needed a shoulder, a side kick, or someone to talk nonsense with, she adapted to fit the bill and they had found a companionship he never expected. Her being a natural beauty was the icing on the cake and he couldn’t fault anything about her. He genuinely liked being with her and missed her when he wasn’t.

TangShi yawned covering her mouth as she came to him, task finally done and YuZhi had tried on his suit without it needing much. He was a regular fit and only required the minor of alterations.

“We should head to the ring shop, or we might be late. That address is across the other side of the city.” TangShi pointed out, lifting the card from the table and sliding it into YuZhi’s pocket before sliding her arm into his.

“Come on then, Mrs. Leng.” YuZhi led the way, pulling her in so she nestled against him on his arm, cuddled up and headed out. “You know you have to pick your own ring, right? Something you like. Don’t just okay with the first one that I point out.” YuZhi nudged her gently as they walked, and she glanced up at him.

“You think I okayed the dress because you chose it?” She smiled softly, seeing how he might think that.

“You’re too accommodating and willing to agree. You could have refused all three and looked through the entire catalogue.”

“I really did like it and you’re right, it’s something I would wear. Don’t overthink it. I honestly wouldn’t have agreed to something I hated.” Even though he chose it, she already liked it. And even though he was sure TangShi was completely meek and a pushover, she knew she stood up for herself when it mattered.

“Hmmmm, just make sure from now on in, you choose for you and not to please me or bow to pressure from Aunt RuiZi, don’t let her bully you.”

“I know, you told me this already.” TangShi went back to leaning against him, exhausted from being prodded and poked and maneuvered in the fitting. Hungry but knowing they didn’t have time for a pit stop.

“Well, remember it. Anyone gives you a hard time I’ll kick their ass.” He sighed, opening a door to let her through first and switching to taking her hand, lifting it impulsively and kissing her on the wrist gently. “I’ll be your protector.”

TangShi blushed, giggling and turned away to hide her reaction and squeezed his hand with an impulsive lurch of happiness. YuZhi had become more affectionate in the last few days, pushing more intimacy since they shared a bed again and she couldn’t help but hope that maybe he was beginning to feel about her, the way she did for him. He seemed more relaxed and carefree now Rhea and he had cut contact and he knew she had left China for a short while.

“Did you mean what you said about our future?” She probed quietly, thinking back to what he said to his Aunt and wondering if it was to annoy her or absolute honesty. The thought of being allowed to stay with the baby she would give birth to was something she had never allowed herself to hope for.

“Sure. We get on, we’re close, why couldn’t we stick this out and see how it goes? It would be healthier for our future kid to have both parents raising it. Being married doesn’t mean being trapped for eternity, it has its benefits for us both.” He smiled, swinging her hand in his as they headed into the carpark. “Unless you meant shacking up in a hotel for a weekend? In that case, let’s go!” he winked, being funny but TangShi’s heart skipped a beat, and she widened her eyes in surprise not sure if it was or wasn’t a joke. “Don’t look so scared. I’m kidding.” He shrugged assuming she was worried about it not being humor and carried on pulling her with him, not really thinking more on it. TangShi however answered in impulse, her heart hammering and she bravely said what she had been thinking since that night. It hadn’t been the intention of her question, but now they were on the topic.

“What if I did?” She blurted it out and YuZhi stopped dead in his tracks, snapping his head to his shoulder to look at her and his mind went blank, swallowing hard. Bringing them to face one another without letting go of fingers.Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.

“As in going to a hotel together? You want to…….? If we cross that line, Tang……. We……” YuZhi faltered. Instantly nervous as a wave of heat swept over him from head to toe. Knowing he should impulsively refuse what she might be suggesting but not able to really find a good reason. It’s not that he hadn’t thought of it in brief moments and then shook it off. It would mean no more clinic, but he couldn’t bring himself to cross a line with her like that. Sex was a big deal with someone like her.

“If I’m going to have a baby, shouldn’t I have at least done ‘It’ once.” She blushed, crazily shy about saying it out loud, admitting she was a virgin, and couldn’t look him in the eye. Hot all over from sheer uncomfiness and mortification about this topic. Knowing that it couldn’t be worse than going to that horrid place and enduring what they did there. She had been depressed for a long time about the fact that she could legitimately become a virgin mother if she fell pregnant. Even if he didn’t love her, she would give herself to him willingly because she was a hundred percent sure he had all of her heart now and she couldn’t change it. Eight years ago and now, she was in love with him.

“Tang, we’re friends. It could really mess that up.” YuZhi faltered, panic setting in and rubbing a hand through his hair so he messed its style slightly. He was scared that if he followed an urge to take TangShi to bed, he may lose what they had now, and he still didn’t know where his heart was concerning Rhea. It had only been days and he had filed all that mess in the darkest corner of his brain for now while they had more pressing things. Faced with this, he didn’t know how to react.

TangShi squirmed under his scrutiny and then waved a hand airily. Aware he seemed unwilling, and this was becoming increasingly awkward.

“Can we go. And just forget this. I’m being silly. We’re going to be late.” She walked away from him at speed to give herself space and inhaled deeply to calm her crazy nerves and fluttering heart. Blushing all the way to her roots as YuZhi followed her in silence at a slower pace. His own head stuck in a freeze frame as he turned over the possibility and tried not to overthink it.

Watching her as she headed to the car in front of him and tried to get his head around what she just implied. His own heartrate sped up and a strange stirring in the pit of his stomach made him antsy as he tried to shake it free. He wasn’t immune to her as a woman, he wasn’t against sex considering they were now both free agents in terms of love. She was his legal wife, and they did have to produce an heir one way or the other, so it’s not like it was outrageous. It wouldn’t be a casual fling or playing around given he wouldn’t be misleading her. It would change the dynamic between them for sure but maybe not in a bad way. He already knew he had undefined feelings for her.

YuZhi shook his head, swallowing loudly and rubbed his face. He couldn’t believe he was even contemplating the what if’s and pro’s and cons of taking TangShi to bed.