Edited 29th of April 2023

Chapter four

I still couldn't comprehend what he had just said to me. It sent me on a rollercoaster of emotions that I couldn't put together.

Trying to rid myself of the butterflies dancing in my stomach, I stepped into the shower, letting the water work its magic.

Being married to Henry so far had been a wild ride of emotions. It would've been easier if he wasn't so attractive. At least then, I wouldn't want to grab ahold of him every second of the day. Despite all of that, I genuinely felt like I had found an amazing friend in him. He made me feel incredibly comfortable. His joking and teasing personality made me feel at home, so in that respect, I felt relaxed.

I grabbed the towel that felt too expensive and wrapped it around my frame, with my hair now up in a high messy bun. Wiping the mirror with my hand to remove the condensation, I quickly checked my appearance to see whether the jet lag had taken its toll yet. It had. I looked utterly exhausted.

Shaking my head I then realised I didn't have a bedroom to get dressed in, all my clothes were in my suitcase that resided in the living room.

I have a knack for getting myself into awkward situations, an inherent part of my personality at this point. Still, I needed to be more confident. It was only a towel, and Henry had seen me in my thongs not long ago. He would see me in my swimsuit too.

Hurrying across the tiled floor, my wet feet left footprints as I went. I finally reached my suitcase, but my heart was beating wildly in my chest. I knew I could never get used to this nervous feeling I had around Henry.

Kneeling beside my suitcase, I began to rummage through the clothes, trying to decide what to wear. I hoped I had the right attire for the hot weather.

I settled on a beige open-chest playsuit, with a plain black belt with a silver buckle and black flats. Of course, I also needed to wear my black lacy bra and matching knickers. This should do the trick.

Flinging the clothes out of the suitcase, I stood up hurriedly, trying not to let my wet feet slip. That would hurt and be embarrassing. Luckily, I composed myself well and walked quickly to the bathroom door.

"I made it," I hummed to myself, looking back into the large bathroom mirror. I quickly dressed myself in the clothes I had just chosen.

This honeymoon was a dream come true for many women, I wish it was for the correct reasons because I wouldn't be able to control myself if I were here with the love of my life, the whole villa gave me sex vibes. There was a fridge completely filled with alcohol beverages and also a stack of wine laid in the pantry, I would be completely smashed if it weren't for being on my toes all the time- also known as being incredibly nervous around Henry Cavill.

Looking at my attire I decided to now sort my mop of hair out, I began to brush the wet locks making them fall elegantly on my chest and then proceeding to grab the hairdryer that was plugged into the wall. That is the one thing I didn't understand about some countries, how it is apparently safe to have an electrical device situated in a bathroom.

Shaking my thoughts away I was finally looking presentable, my hair was now dry and hung loosely past my breasts, my teeth now the familiar pearly whites I knew and my jet lagged bags under my eyes were now lightly covered with concealer.

It wasn't that I wanted to look good for Henry, but I also didn't want him to think he had married a total tramp. Henry always took pride in his appearance, I could tell. He definitely worked out frequently to keep up with his muscly physique so for me it wasn't that I had to- I needed to. Otherwise it would be a complete embarrassment for both of us and anybody who may perhaps see us.

Walking out the bathroom I proceeded to sit on the sofa, the sofa was like two double beds put together so it definitely didn't lack any room, it was a stone grey colour that dulled the extensive colour of the walls and surrounding interior perfectly- everything at this villa was just perfect.

My leg was now resting on top of the other as I scrolled through my phone, intentionally avoiding social media to escape from any potential backlash.

I needed to contact Tom. He was a gentle man who made me feel love for the first time, an emotion neglected in my life thanks to my cold family, especially after my sister's passing. If anyone could have healed me from all that, it was Tom.

We first met during our first year of university. I was studying to be a midwife, and he was studying to be a doctor. Despite being in different departments, fate brought us together.

Our initial meeting was not how you would expect. We had collided into each other while getting lunch from the hall. I wasn't looking where I was going, and neither was Tom. My juice carton splattered all over him, and pasta sauce ran down my chin.

I wouldn't have changed a thing, though. For two years, all we did was spend time with each other. Our energies bounced off each other perfectly, and it was not long before we started feeling the romantic relationship forming. However, I always pushed Tom away when things got too intense because I knew in the back of my mind about the arranged marriage. Although I did give in a few too many times, letting my body entangle with his during random occasions. My mother would have been furious.

But, fuck my mother.

Clicking on the familiar name in my contact list I began to type up a message for him, hoping he may finally respond to me.
Tom obviously knew about this arranged marriage, I couldn't not tell him. So for just over a year we were walking on eggshells and he had gotten very cold and quiet towards me at first, not understanding why I couldn't just say no to my family.

-Hey stranger

My breathing quickened as I awaited impatiently for a text message back. It wasn't too late in England, it was only evening time.
I just hoped he still wasn't angry with me, Tom knew I loved him endlessly, if it were a different situation I wouldn't hesitate for the world.

-Hey Mel

Tom replied to me, this made my heart swell and my eyes well up with tears, he still wanted to talk to me.

-I miss you Tom

My fingers began tapping my leg as I waited for his next text message. I truly missed him, I just wanted to be with him.

A few minutes had passed, no response. I began to get upset by this, thinking I was being too full on, it was such a big situation for Tom to understand so I completely understood why he would be angry with me.

Biting my bottom lip inwardly I threw my phone on the pillows in-front of me. Cupping my head with my hands as a few tears fell from my eyes, my body curling up so my knees were now to my chest. Tom please forgive me.

The sound of feet walking towards me made me stiffen, it was Henry. I genuinely didn't want to see him right now, I just wanted to be left alone to wallow in self pity. My heart felt like it was broken into tiny pieces, irreparable.

"Are you okay Melanie?" Henry asked softly as he crouched down to face me.

Breathing a deep breath of air I removed my hands from my face, looking hesitantly at him. My face now tear stained, removing any trace that I had made myself look remotely presentable today.

"Henry can I be left alone, please?" I muttered just above a whisper, my voice croaking.

Henry glided his hand on to my arm, squeezing it gently "Melanie you can talk to me, you do know that right?"

I stifled a chuckle as I placed my hand on top of his, where it rested on my opposite arm. "You don't have to pretend to care, Henry."

Henry sighed and furrowed his eyebrows before sitting down next to me on the sofa, making sure his shoulder was touching mine this time. "I am not pretending. I care about you."

His words softened me, and my body leaned into him, resting my head on his shoulder. "Thank you," I muttered.

We stayed silent for a while, enjoying each other's company. I found comfort in the sound of his heartbeat as I moved my head to his chest, my arm wrapped around his waist.

We laid there for what felt like forever, enjoying the silence until my phone rang, disrupting the cozy moment. My heart raced as I thought it might be Tom, that he might actually miss me too.

I jumped up from the sofa and grabbed my phone, seeing Tom's name on the caller ID. A weak smile formed on my lips as I slid my finger to answer the call.

"T-Tom," I stuttered.

"I'm sorry I didn't reply to your message," Tom replied in a dry tone, his throat sounding tight as he tried to talk to me.

Looking up at the ceiling, I held back the tears threatening to escape my emerald eyes as I clutched my phone tightly to my ear.

"Don't apologize. I understand that I've put you in a difficult situation, and it's hard to comprehend. Honestly, I'm still struggling to come to terms with it myself..."

"I miss you too, Melanie. I really do. I want to kiss you, hold you close...I want you, Melanie-"

Tom's voice cracked, indicating that he too was holding back tears. It was uneasy for me since Tom wasn't someone who expressed his emotions too much. I realized that I had hurt him badly.

"But I can't do this; I can't be with a married woman."

His words felt like the walls were crashing down on me, and my knees grew weak, threatening to collapse.

Tom didn't want me anymore.

Before I could even say a word, the phone call ended abruptly. I took a sharp breath and felt my cheeks sink in.

It was over between Tom and me. We were never officially together, but the romantic relationship and even the friendship seemed to be over.

Shaking my head repeatedly, I sank down onto the cold tiles, my hands meeting the floor. I felt weak, alone, and most of all, angry that my family expected me to be like this, married to someone I didn't love when I already had my soulmate.

Painful sobs escaped my lips, and my chest hummed with agony. I felt numb to everything and everyone.

Henry slid his arm around my weak frame, pulling me into him. My sobs were now muffled against his bare chest, and I appreciated his comfort.

"Is this about the man you love?" Henry asked.

I licked my soaked lips and cast a saddened look at him. "Yes, he doesn't want me anymore. It's humiliating."

Henry's gaze dropped, and he looked like he had a thousand emotions running through his head. "I'm sorry."

"Please don't apologize. It's not your fault." This time, I was more reassuring, cupping his cheek so that I could look intently at him. It was the first time I had gotten so close to his face and been able to touch him intimately.

"It's not your fault," I repeated with a stern voice, trying to muster newfound confidence. I didn't want Henry to feel apologetic for me; he didn't deserve to be entangled with my negative mindset.

Without any apparent emotion, Henry planted a soft kiss on my forehead, easing my pained heart. This man didn't understand me, and he didn't know me, yet he wanted to comfort me and remove all the negative feelings swirling around in my head.

I sat up, putting a bit of distance between Henry and me. My eyes glinted with a familiar look when I was up to no good. "Let's get absolutely smashed. Screw him."

Henry raised a brow, and that fanged smile appeared on his lips, instantly lightening the mood. "Let's get smashed."

We both stood up, a cheeky smile planted on our faces. "So, Mr. Cavill, will you be my wingman for the night?"

Henry swallowed hard before echoing a chuckle. "You want your husband to find you a man?"

I shrugged my shoulders, did an over-the-top spin, and darted him a piteous face. "Please..."

Henry raised his arms in surrender, and of course, my puppy eyes worked their magic. "Fine, but the bedroom is still mine."

My mouth dropped a bit, and I raised an eyebrow, doing the signature Cavill look. "I can't sleep on the sofa!"

Henry pretended to gag and bent over, laughing. "Th-this is truly a weird situation."

This made me laugh too. Who could imagine my husband helping me get laid? "You can definitely say that!" I exclaimed, making my giggles apparent.

Grasping his arm, my demeanor turned sour as I looked him up and down. "Why aren't you dressed yet? Have you seen the time?"

Henry frowned at me. "I'm on holiday. I didn't expect to be Mr. Cavill, the wingman, tonight."

Rubbing my top and bottom lip together I tried to hold in a giggle playing it's way into my throat "that suits you"

I then swatted his arse with my hand as if he were a stubborn horse "to the bedroom!"

This made him flush a bright crimson red, he then pretended it hurt by making an 'o' shape with his mouth. "Uncalled for"

Shaking my head I flashed him a cheeky wink "not uncalled for. Plus it was a great excuse to touch your arse"

Shrugging his shoulders he turned away on his heel, shouting these words behind him. "You don't need an excuse!"

Normally this would throw me off guard and cause me to be embarrassed, but this time I took the joke lightheartedly and instead shook my head with a wide grin on my face.

Henry Cavill, you're my sexy best friend...