Chapter 5

Luka's eyes flashed with a cold, calculated anger, his pupils turning into slits as he stared at Lydia.

She could read the silent messages that he would not tolerate her behaviour towards his mind. Something stirred within Lydia as she stared at Luka.

She wanted him. She wanted this tall, sexy, greek like god man. Plus, he was extremely rich.

Why did her stupid sister have to get a man as good as this? Lydia thought to herself.

"How dare someone as filthy as you are call my wife a skank?' he repeated, his voice rumbling like thunder on a summer day, a low, ominous growl that made Lydia's heart race.

Her heartbeat shuttered as a surge of adrenaline coursed through her veins,leaving a tingling sensation as she watched the confrontation unfold.

She had never seen this protective side of Luka towards her like this before, his attitude was a surprise but a welcome change.

Lydia's face contorted, her features shifting into a mask of spite, her lips pulled back to reveal a hint of contempt. "Oh, so you're defending her now? How sweet." She scorned.

Luka took a step closer and the temperature of the room dropped, it felt like he had fire blazing in his eyes and it was directed at one person, to kill her.

"You have no right whatsoever to speak to her like that. Apologise or face the consequences."

Lydia snorted, "Apologise? To her? Never. I didn't even do anything wrong to her".

"Calling my wife a skank, worse part in public, was nothing wrong? It was some form of affection!?" Luka asked, his tone reverberating round the building, his eyes spitting fire.

Thersia's eyes flashed, her jaw clenched, teeth grinding together and her fingers curled into tight, tense knots. She was boiling with rage over Lydia's refusal to apologise.

She would have loved to rush forward, and whipped her palm across that stupid face of hers, but Luka's hand on her arm stayed like a vice-like grip.

"Don't create a scene. You might end up not punishing her enough, let me handle this," he whispered.

Luka's eyes never left Lydia's face for even a second as he reprimanded her.

"You're lucky I haven't thrown you and banned you out of this mall right now. Apologize to my wife, or face the consequences,"

Lydia's gaze wavered, a fleeting crack in her armour of confidence that quickly sealed itself shut.

She had to apologise before Luka embarrassed the living daylight out of her.

"Fine. Sorry, Thersia." Lydia spat out with reluctance.

Thersia's eyes locked onto Lydia's, her expression unyielding. "Sorry isn't enough, Lydia."

She wanted to watch her grovel in shame, she would have enjoyed torturing her, but Luka's grip on her arm tightened.

"Enough, Thersia. Let's go." Luka said.

Thersia hesitated, her eyes still fixed on Lydia, but Luka was already pulling her arm gently to follow him and leave.

Thersia felt a strange sense of gratitude towards Luka. She never had the slightest idea that he could ever stand up for her in public, and it felt really really nice to be defended.

But as they left the mall and stepped into the bright sunlight, Thersia's memory on why she actually came to the mall resurfaced.

She had almost forgotten about it in the heat of the moment and she had no one to thank, but her best sister in the whole wide world.

"Luka, I need to go back to the mall," she said, with a determined look in her eyes.

Luka looked at her like she was using her feet to think. He raised an eyebrow," What for?"

"I need to finish my shopping. I can't let Lydia ruin my day."

Luka's expression remained passive. He actually didn't care if she finished shopping or not, and he hoped he realised that he defended her for himself.

"Alright, let's go back since you want to continue your shopping. But stay close to me, okay?" Luka replied with a straight face.

The last thing he'd want was for another unnecessary scene. He didn't have the energy for that, he wanted nothing more than to get into his car and head home. But since she insisted, so be it.

Thersia nodded, feeling a strange sense of comfort with Luka by her side.

As they walked back into the mall, she realised that maybe, just maybe, this contract marriage wasn't a bad idea after all.

Having the money to splurge and do whatever comes into your head was fun and she enjoyed having this unlimited card too.

Oh well, she's Mrs Ice King, she had better embraced her position.

The second journey into the mall was filled with stares from people. She was with Luka Thompson and well, that was one of his malls.

Even if no one knew he was the owner. To be fair, she recently found out that he owns the mall and it's one of many others.

Just how rich is her husband? She wondered.

He could probably spend money on a whim anytime he felt like too.

She scoffed when the manager came down to personally help her make her choices and select items with her.

"Where was this nice attitude when she entered?" She murmured to herself

Thersia could feel the stares from people boring into the back of her head. They wondered who the eye candy beside her was.

The fact that he wasn't well known facially made him a mystery to other women. They all wanted a piece of this hunk, but his stoic expression made them dare not to come close.

Plus, he had bodyguards around him and Thersia. It was like a circle that no one could break into.

She was done shopping within a few minutes and it still shocked her how it was done extremely fast.

The sales girls were pleasant this time around, with a fake ass smile plastered on their faces.

As Thersia and Luka walked out of the mall, Luka's grip on Thersia's arm relaxed and his expression transformed from scary to indifference.

Thersia felt a pang of disappointment, the truth finally dawned on her. His defence of her was only for his ego and show.

"Well, that was fun," Luka said, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "Now, let's get back to reality. You're still just a trophy wife, Thersia. Don't get too comfortable thinking otherwise."

Thersia's heart sank, the initial warmth she felt earlier evaporated immediately and it was replaced with disdain.

She should have known better than to let her guard down for a second and ever think that Luka was actually looking out for her, that his behaviour in the mall was genuine.

"You're cruel, Luka," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

When did she become so muddle headed to even feel any atom of warmth for him. She felt utterly stupid.

Luka shrugged, like her emotions were the last thing on the planet earth that he would ever worry about.

"Just keeping you grounded, Thersia. Don't forget your place."

She bit her tongue so hard that she drew blood, the metallic taste in her mouth made her realise she was a fool for letting him mess with her like that.

For a second back there, she felt being in a contract marriage wasn't so bad. But now, she felt stupid and irritated.

She would never give him the satisfaction of seeing her crumble. Never..

Instead, she steeled herself for the long, lonely road ahead, trapped in a loveless marriage with a man who only cared about appearances.