Bound by Betrayal (The Mafia King Captive Bride)

“Goodbye Mrs. Ashley Abrecht,” I heard the receptionist say, but I paid no attention as I rushed toward the carport. I can hear the heavy footsteps behind me and I already know who it was.

“Ashley, just wait!”

I pressed the car remote, and the car beeped, but just as I reached for the door, a hand slammed it shut, blocking my way in.

“Mason!”

“Please, we need to talk,” he swiftly stated, coming to stand in front of me.

Closing my eyes, I draw in a sharp breath before meeting his gaze. “We have nothing to talk about,” I assert.

“No,” he shakes his head in disapproval, “We have a lot to catch up on,” he declares, placing his hand on my shoulder.

Tilting my head to glance at his hands, I exhale a sigh and return my gaze to him. “Mason, I’m sorry, but I am…”

“Married,” he interjects, cutting me off. “A cup of coffee won’t hinder your marriage, and besides,” he pauses, exhaling deeply. “You want me to forgive you, right?”

I squinted my eyes at him in confusion, “Mason… You wronged me too,” I pointed out.

Nodding his head, he withdrew his hands and rubbed his jaw in thought before meeting my gaze. “Then let a cup of coffee mend things.”

“Just a cup of coffee,” I responded skeptically, eyeing him up.

“Yeah,” he choked, trailing off, “Of course, just a cup of coffee.”

Nodding, I murmured, “Alright, let’s find the closest coffee spot,” putting his hands inside his pant pocket, he gave me a gentle satisfied smile before moving aside for me to get into my car.

Gripping my car door, I observed him heading to his own vehicle. He winked at me before opening his car door.

I can feel the hard beating of my heart.

Damn!

Swallowing hard, I stepped in, and slammed the door shut with a bang! Starting the car engine, I drove away from the premises.

Gosh!

The issue now is where can I locate a coffee shop in this vicinity?

As I drove down the road, I kept glancing through my side mirror, searching for any indication of a coffee shop. The thought of still being near my ex was unsettling me; I’m unsure if I can handle it. Concealing my emotions for much longer feels daunting.

Not like I can refuse… I messed up. If only a cup of coffee could mend the mistakes I made, then I have to go through with it.

Fucking goodness! Hit my palm on the steering in frustration.

Luckily, a sign post popped up by the road, “Brew Heaven,” a small but elegant-looking shop.

“This must be a coffee spot,” I whispered to myself when suddenly Mason’s car pulled up next to mine. Raising a curious eyebrow at him, he rolled down his window, shouting with a wink, “This place looks good, what do you think?”

Sighing, I cleared my throat, and offered him a forced smile, “Hmm, much better.” Smiling, he raised his glass window and headed towards the coffee shop.

“Much better,” I murmured, repeating my words before releasing a tired sigh as I watched him drive inside the shop parking spot.

However, exhaling an exhausted breath. I carefully maneuvered my car to the side of the road, ensuring it was in a safe spot. The shop stood just a stone’s throw away, its charm beckoning me closer. since the shop is just along the road with not much parking space. I chose to park on the road so it will be easier to drive out of the area once we are done.

Closing my car door, I strolled towards the shop. Mason had already stepped out of his car and was patiently waiting for me. If I wanted to make things right, I knew I couldn’t leave him waiting or feeling uneasy, but the awkwardness was hard to shake off.

“Let’s go,” he muttered, and we began walking inside. His finger trailed slowly against mine, causing me to tense up and quickly pull my hand away. But before I could take another step, he grabbed my hand, intertwining it with his.

“M… Mason,” I gasped, shooting him a disapproving look.

“I miss the feel of your hand,” he said, smiling down at me. I sensed something odd in his smile. Almost like I noticed a camera flash, but as I immediately turned around, there was no one there except for couples heading toward the entrance or exiting the area.

I attempted to pull away, but he tightened his grip on my hand. “Mason, we’re outside,” I reminded him, darting my gaze to ensure no one was watching us.

For some odd reason, his touch makes me uncomfortable.

He is just nice to me, right? I was the one that hurt him first but why this too much awkwardness between us?

“I know,” he whispered, letting go after a moment. “I’m sorry,” he apologized, to which I simply nodded with a weary look.

As we walked into the entrance, a serene silence enveloped us. The shop exuded a classic charm, with ivy delicately climbing the walls, painting a picturesque scene. My breath caught at the beauty of the place. “To think such a place exists here, unknown to me,” I marveled, captivated by its elegance.

“Yeah, do you like it this much?” he asked as we settled down on the chair by the window side.This is from NôvelDrama.Org.

“Yes, of course, but how come I haven’t seen it?” I smiled, looking around the place.

“I missed your smile,” he said, gazing at me intensely. Those words seemed to jolt me back to reality, causing me to let out an awkward chuckle. I offered him a small rueful smile. He looked at me, shaking his head in disappointment before leaning back in the chair.

“It was opened last month,” he answered, confirming my thoughts. “But if you like it this much, we can fix a coffee date every day,” he shrugged off, causing me to nervously gulp hard. I could feel my whole body heating up.

This place is suddenly hot… I let out a faint cough, using my hand to fan myself to ease the nervous tension building up inside me. The air around us grew heavy with unspoken words and lingering emotions.

And just in time, the barista walked up to us with a beaming smile on her face, ‘Welcome to Brew Heaven, please how do you want your afternoon coffee?”

“Hmm… We did like a latte with almond milk or a cappuccino, right baby girl?” Mason flashed me one of his naughty smiles, causing my saliva to nervously bob up and down my throat in full force.

“Yeah… I mean… Just get a normal coffee not too hot, please,” I managed to voice out. The lady nodded with a smile and left.

Not too hot so that I can easily gulp it down and flee out of here. I don’t know, but I don’t seem comfortable around him like before.

Not long after, the lady returned with our order, “Here, please enjoy,” she said turning to leave, but I immediately stopped her. “I would like to make payment because I will be leaving soon.” I can suddenly feel the change in the atmosphere around us immediately the words flee out of my lips, adding to the tension of the moment.

“Huh… excuse me, madam,”

“Ashley,”

Ignoring Mason, I smiled at the confused-looking lady. “Your point of sale machine, please,” I requested politely, trying to maintain composure amidst the swirling emotions within me.