"It's okay Candice, give yourself some time." I tried to assure Candice who completely changed after her marriage, it's been months of her marriage and her personality changed as she turned into a timid person rather than her usual sassy self. It feels like her facade has been broken and she can't hide her real emotions from me or Tyler anymore. She was somehow afraid and intimidated, did Tyler treat her well?

"It's so hard Sophie. All this luxury life... I can't bear it. I'm scared." She whispered as if she was on the verge of crying. She was scared of this? Of being called the wife of the King of Shipments? Her status...

"Why? What happened? Did Tyler do something?" I asked, concerned.

"No! I'm... it's... Sophie?" She said nervously.

"What is it? You can tell me"

"Can we meet? Can you come to my place?" She asked, her voice sounds scared and desperate. I felt like something bad was going to happen.

"Yeah... Sure. I'll ask Christian to drop me at your place tomorrow." I said reassuringly.

"Thanks.. I'll wait for you." She said and cut the call.

I sighed and turned to look at Christian who was looking at me with a smile and in admiration.

"What?" I asked, putting the phone aside and laying on the bed.

"Finally, you're not an airbag anymore." He said cutely. I scoffed as I laid on my side and turned to the wall. "Sophie, Listen. Have you decided on a name?" Christian asked excitedly. I just hummed in response and he asked, "Tell me."

"I won't," I said sternly.

"Come on.." He whined. I did not reply to him as he hugged me from behind, he nibbled on my ear as he kissed my neck.

"You're gonna name our child." I said but then he hummed and replied, "I was just asking... I wanna know your choice." I then turned to him and began to think as I replied, "How about Ella or Julia, maybe Enrique.." I trailed off. "What about you?" I asked. He exhaled but did not reply, "Hey, I told you. Now it's your turn."

"I haven't thought of a name yet, that's why I asked you to get some inspiration," he said with a cheeky smile. I gasped, "You are lying."

"No, why would I lie to you?" He said. I narrowed my eyes at him as I sighed and snuggled close to him and fell into a deep slumber.

The next day I asked Christian to drop me at Tyler's place. In the car, Christian began to ask,

"Is everything okay?"

"I don't know. Candice seems really scared and timid." I said looking out of the window.

"Maybe she is finding Tyler's way of life hard to adapt."

"Maybe... but what caused her to be that scared?"

"I am sure that Tyler can't be the reason behind it," Christian said.

"I hope so," I replied.

We then reached their place, I was about to get out but Christian held my hand as he leaned in and kissed my cheek, "Take Care." He said sweetly. I smiled widely as I also kissed his cheek, "You too." He gave me that usual look filled with immense affection and in-depth feelings. I let out a chuckle as I got out and he left saying that he'll pick me up on his way back home.

I entered her place, Candice looked so graceful. She greeted me politely. I hugged her as I began to squeak, "Hey, You seem so Beautiful!" She passed me a faint smile as she tugged a strand of her raven hairs behind her ear.

"Thanks... How are you?" She asked in a soft voice. I wonder where is that cheery voice of hers? I know she was always polite but where is the enthusiasm?

"I am great! And you?" I asked.

"Fine." She replied, hugging her sides.

"Where's Tyler?" I asked as we both took a seat.

"He's out of the country." She said as I made an 'o' face. I then asked her, "How does he treat you?" She formed a faint smile and replied, "Good. His gallant nature increased his respect in my perspective, I wonder why he was rude before our friendship." She mumbled the last part to herself.

Then after a silence, I asked her, "Candice, what happened? Why are you so low?" She formed a sad smile and looked down, "Maybe I have decided to stop faking happiness and there's no reason left to show affectation anymore.."

"What are you talking about?" I asked, worried about her talks and demeanour.

"How good would it be if I had never met Tyler? He can live his life happily not with someone like me.."

"Tell me what happened?" I put my hand over her shoulder as I gave it a gentle squeeze. Her lips began to quiver as she bit her lips. She swallowed hard as she looked up and smiled, "I have done things... which can destroy both of our lives. Tyler is the best thing that ever happened to me, I don't want to lose him... I... I have fallen for him." She spoke in a croaked voice as if she could cry anytime. "I have put a wall between us." She whispered. I put my hand over her shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze.

"Candice.." I said in compassion for her behaviour and thoughts.

"Did you talk to Tyler about it?" I asked as she shuddered and replied cautiously, "He tried to know but... I couldn't tell him. I-I am pushing us away..."

"Candice. What is that you are hiding?" I asked her. She gave me a mystifying look and decided to avoid my question as she stood up and asked with a smile, "Do you want something?" I shook my head no and sighed.

I decided to not push Candice but it seems like she is hiding something in her heart and no matter how much she wants to burst it she can't. Like something is pulling her and sealing her lips. I thought it would be better if she didn't push herself past her limits so we watched movies and talked about trivial things for the rest of the day and pretended we never had the talk of her about pushing Tyler away...

In the evening, Christian came to pick me up, "Take care." I said hugging Candice.

"You too." She smiled back and then we left.

"Good Evening." I greeted Christian sitting in the car.

"Good Evening. How was your day?" He asked.

"Fine... Christian?"

"Hmm?"

"Can you talk to Tyler and ask him about what happened to Candice? "I asked. He spared a glance at me and replied, "Sophie. I think we shouldn't interfere in their matters."

"Candice said she is pushing Tyler away and couldn't tell him something," I told him

"You don't have to worry, Sophie. Tyler knows." Christian replied nonchalantly.

"How?" I asked. "Leave It." He sighed.

"You know something, don't you?" I asked him. He inhaled and replied, "Yes, I do. That's why I am telling you and please don't ask any further questions. I cannot answer you." I looked at him for a second but then nodded as I formed a smile and asked him, "How was your day?"

"Good. Henley kept asking me about the gender of the child, I told her I don't know but she just didn't listen," he said with a sigh. I chuckled when I heard it. "Poor you. When she came to know about it, she just exploded."

"She knew it before?" He asked.

"Yes. I went to the hospital with her."

"When?"

"On my birthday." He suddenly stood the car and abruptly moved close to me and smirked, my heart skipped a beat as he said, "So you were hiding it from me for a while." Unlike before, when he did this before our marriage which left me terrified. I smirked back as I poke his cheek, leaning in more, "Yes because I want to give you a surprise on your birthday." I pecked his lips and moved back and motioned him to go.

"Well, it's the best gift I can ever receive." He said and pulled away. "I know," I said childishly.

When we got near our home, I suddenly said, "I want an ice-cream Christian."

"Sophie.. can't you have said it before? We were just about to reach home."

"So what? I said want it. I want it. I want ice-cream. That's it." I said firmly while closing my arms at my chest. He stopped the car again and turned to me. He looked at me for a second and then pinched my cheek and smiled, "As you wish, My Queen." I grinned as I began to clap in happiness. We then had ice-cream and then returned home.

***

Today is our anniversary and I am six months pregnant now. I am feeling so happy like all the heavens are on my side. My heart is filled with content, I felt butterflies in my stomach and I felt like beaming in blithe. No words can explain my exhilaration. I felt like glowing, nothing in this world can make me this much happier. The cheerfulness anticipated by the fact that we have lived a whole year together is filling me with elation. The start was so difficult as the thorns in our path hurt both of us a lot but now, the way he sucked out that recurring venom is admirable as the rest of the months were passed in enlivened situations and vivid colours that are shining in our future too. It feels like nothing can go wrong.

I woke up as I stretched and sat up. I yawned and turned my head and saw no one. As I was sitting on the bed to drag myself out from the feeling of drowsiness, the door opened revealing my light of hope. He smiled widely when he entered. He came close to me, he cupped my cheeks as he kissed them, "Happy Anniversary, Love." He murmured. I giggled and replied, "Happy Anniversary, My sweet Husband." He gave me a loving look that will last an eternity as he bent to his knees and held my hands, "Thanks for coming in my life. No matter how much I thank God for joining my destiny with yours, it can never be enough. You are my fortune. My greatest possession is your love. You are my redemption, my every inch belongs to you. I love you so much, Love.

..I know the previous year was filled with both happy and sad memories but for the upcoming year, I promise, I'll make every moment for you to treasure. I'll stay by your side forever and will try my best to become a good husband... and a father." He said earnestly.

A tear pricked in the corner of my eye as I cupped his cheeks and pecked his lips, "I love you Christian and every moment I spent with you is precious to me. My heart seeks you in your absence. The blessing to have you in my life is inexplicable. If you are with me, I have all the riches of the world with me. I don't want to go anywhere else leaving you. Christian, you have tried enough, you have spent the countless time to make me feel secure and loved. Please, for the upcoming year, give me the chance to say that I am here and always will, to say that when I am with you, you have nothing else to fear, to say that I'll try my best to be a better wife and mother."

"But, Love, You have already elicited this feeling in me." He said, giving me an innocent look. I smiled and none of us spoke a word after it as a feeling of immense love emerged from us giving both of us deep satisfaction that fate bound us together and we are thankful for it. The silence spoke a thousand words and also meant deeply to us. Like, no words are needed to be spoken to say what we felt we both know we are happy.

Christian averted his gaze from mine and said, "I cook breakfast for us. Come." I grinned when I heard it. I love it when he cooks for me. I quickly stood up and freshened, I went to the dining hall as the aroma of breakfast filled my nostrils. I inhaled as I complimented, "It smells delicious. When did your cooking become that good?" I asked taking a seat.

"Let's say, I asked for Aunt's help to prepare for today." I spare a glance at him who was looking at me intensely to see my reaction. I hummed as I took a slice of waffle and was about to take a bite but then Samuel came, "Sir, We have company."

"I have told everyone to not disturb me today. Who is it?" He asked, raising an eyebrow, slightly angered. Samuel came closer and said lowly to him so that I can't hear it. Christian's eyes widened for a second as a look of astonishment and rage glistened in them but he soon regained his posture as he gave me his flawless smile and said, "Wait here. I'll be back." I held his hands as I asked timidly, "Is everything okay, Christian?" He passed me a reassuring smile and replied with a 'yes'. He then left leaving me all alone. I sighed as I put my chin on my palm waiting for him to come so that we can eat together.

When he didn't come after a while, I decided to come to the hall. My eyes widened in the horror of the sight before me; Cops were taking him. I rushed to him as I held his arm. Tears blurred my vision as I mumble his name. He narrowed his eyes at me in sorrow as he moved as kissed my forehead and whispered, "Please don't come after me." Before I could say or do something, they took him away. I put my hand over my mouth as I fall on the ground. Tears streamed down, as I felt my heart heavy.

Why? Why is this all happening? Whenever we decide to start our lives anew something came in between. Something always ruined it. My mind just couldn't comprehend what has just happened. Why'd they taken him away?

As I was lost in incomprehensible thoughts, I decided to call Tyler maybe he knew something about it. I dialed his number,

"Hello, T-Tyler, W-Where are you? Please h-help me, Police t-took Christian a-away." I spoke with my shaky voice. My quivering lips can't even produce anymore sound as I began to cry but then I heard the sound of a cry from the other side too,

"They did the same with Tyler.." Whispered Candice in a croaked voice.

"C-Candice... D-Do you know the reason?"

"They say his money is morally wrong as he might be involved in Mafia." A gasp left my mouth when I heard it. I couldn't' speak anymore as my world stopped.

Why?