Wife By Benefits ✔️

Chapter Eight





CHUGGING DOWN an entire glass of milk. Nathaniel sigh in contentment wiping his lips with the back of his hand. Finally he felt a little bit of relief. The night unfortunately wasn't helpful and dreamy as he'd expected to be; the familiar pains of the past caught up with him.

A sigh escape his lips again, his gaze narrow center on the now growing garden. Samantha and Kenneth had really done a job well-done. Maybe he'd head to the closet store around; probably Mrs. Andrew's store. The finest gift one would wish for, would be transported right here.

The sunny ray of sun hitting right at the garden, bringing the flowery scenery. It delivered a great sense of comfort—it felt homey. And indeed it was, that Nathaniel was grateful for.

The vibration coming from his phone on the island draw Nathaniel's intense focus away from the backyard flowerbed.

Sighting the ID he groan, knowing of what was to come from the caller. "Mom." He dryly remark, sauntering towards the living room, he dropped on the couch, placing a cushion on his lap.

"Oh now that not the way you talk to your mother you haven't seen for months. Change that tone." She countered, her breath deepened as she struggle with whatever task at hand.

The habit of cautioning him or either if his brothers never gets old. Anna Carter. A lovely up strict mother of five. Nathaniel could praise the energy the older woman has raising up stubborn children of hers. A gold medal to be given.

Anna seize no opportunity in reminding the Carter's children of their rascal role they all played in hers and their fathers life. She even keep a picture and video of it all.

On one hand Nathaniel loved how composed Anna was, keeping all memories of their trouble some childhood. The Carter's children were known as the hellions kids. As disturbing as that sounds Nathaniel and his siblings never care. But at the other hand, he resent what his mother kept. Some where very embarrassing, to the extent of suicide planning.

And Anna care less. So she said, but Nathaniel calls it a bluff. She care and will always care.

Pinching between his brow, he threw his head back shutting his eyes close, not before briefly glancing at the wall clock. "Afternoon Mom." He mutter out, feeling unnecessarily tired.

"That's more like it." She replied satisfied with his greeting. "Why aren't you at work?" She nosed out, the clinging sound of mugs meeting together sound at the background.

Shrugging off his fatigue state, he's eyes opened at her words. "What do you mean?" He tried playing dumb—but he should know better than to out on a pretense once it comes to his mother.

Anna's collected voice calmly spoke out, like she was prepared for anything. "I called your office, but apparently you never showed up to work today." Nathaniel rubbed on his spike beard. The awareness of what'll soon jump out from his mother's mouth unsettled him dearly. "Now that Samantha opt in helping out with the kids gives you enough time to finally get a breath of fresh air."

"Who told you?"

A deep chuckle came from the line. "Is today perhaps Saturday. Because he tends to ask questions on Saturday," A manly voice spoke out from the background. Hinting their conversion had been on speaker. "Aren't I right boy?"

Nathaniel rolled his eyes, he shouldn't be surprise his father was in their conversion; Anna and Dalton Carter never leave each others sight. "Good day Dad. It's lovely to hear your voice." He sarcastically said, staring blankly at the white carved ceiling.

He received a snort in reply. "Yeah right. Why do I find that hard to believe?" Dalton smart mouth said. One of the things Nathaniel loved about his father, was the casual way he spoke with all his children,—as if they were his siblings.

The sound of a slap and an ouch echoed in the line. "Will you stop teasing him, Ken. And as for who told me, or rather us—Dylan did, two days ago."

"Of course he did." He grumbled, rolling his eyes—thankfully his mother couldn't see him, to be rewarded with a frypan on his head.

"When were you planning on telling us?" Anna said, the disappointment laced in her voice. Deep down Nathaniel felt guilty of keeping such information from his parent, but he couldn't help it.

He sigh depressed and tired, feeling irritated—couple with his father's laughter in a humorless situation such as this. "I'm sorry. I've just been busy since then, lots of papers were waiting on my desk immediately I resumed office."

"I understand," Anna spoke with a plate meeting a marble echoed on the background. Feeling the need to change the topic, Nathaniel mouth opened but was unable to speak, as he was been interrupted. "How's Samantha?"

Sitting at the edge of the couch, the thought of Samantha immediately crossed his mind. Unfortunately he'd woken up late, unable to see Samantha and the kids. Only a paper magnate on the refrigerator.

Stating;

Taking the kids for a stroll

PS: Your breakfast is in the microwave.

He'd loved it if she'd been here, then their could discuss about how her night ended, but he was greeted by silence. Something he was getting used to, at the lack of Samantha's presence.

Recently Nathaniel had found out he'd begin getting accustomed to Samantha. He feared something wasn't right—it was deeply killing. Guilt had come to become a close friend if his.

Because of this same guilt, he had persuaded she should date Brandon. He wanted the guilt feeling washed away from him, but he couldn't help but think it was more than that.

What could it be?

"Samantha's great," He said breathlessly, the sudden urge of saying her name brought a strong tung on his chest, as he unconsciously rub on it. "She's been helping out a lot. Taking almost all the work which was needed to be done. The most selfless person have ever met. Putting others needs first before hers, mo-" He stopped at his ramble, almost groan out at his outburst.

Who was he planing on convincing? His parent? Or himself?

"You should bring her along with the kids tomorrow for a gathering." Anna suggested, catching Nathaniel's discomforting situation.

"You're in California?"

"Yes came back four days ago boy. If toys been passive enough, you'd have heard from your brothers." Kendrick sarcastically replied, making Nathaniel grit his teeth in guilt.

This life style had always been that of privacy, ever since he'd resign from the army. One thing well know was you never remain the same after the army. A huge vivid damage printed on the mind, can never be taken or wipe away.

All resigned soldiers has a story. And his wasn't one to be discussed about. A fact he was yet to face, or maybe never will be.

"I'm sorry. How's Rhoda and her baby?" He asked, wanting to know the already news of his baby sister who'd put to bed three months ago.

Nathaniel couldn't be more happy for her. She'd found love with the man Nathaniel never expected she would. Andrew McBroom. An attorney in Texas, a very close friend of the family—known since he was little.

The two manage to find themselves attracted to each other. But Andrew's decision in moving to Texas almost strain their relationship, but somehow they'd manage to compromise the whole situation. With Rhoda moving to Texas.

That was love. He thought as he prepared himself for a long conversion with his parent, who couldn't conceal the joy of adding another child to the family.

But deep down Nathaniel hurt, because he knew what he'd lost—a child. One thing he might never have again.



"LOVELY ISN'T it?" An unfamiliar voice spoke from Samantha side, making her snap gaze briefly from Kenneth on the swing.

A woman close to her Thirty's took a seat next to Samantha on the bench. Her accent and hair gave her way. She was an Indian.

A beauty she was, that Samantha could testify about. The smooth straight texture of her black back length hair glitter at the shinning sun touching it.

Indeed she was beauty.

"Yeah it's." She stared back at Nathaniel, as she held onto the stroller Olivia peacefully slept in. Kenneth laughed along with the children close to him.

The park filled children and parents, most having a picnic, while most for comfort of fresh air and moment to think.

Samantha had woken up with the urge of taking a stroll with the kids. The house felt suffocating and disturbing, but she knew it was all about keeping a far proximity from Nathaniel.

As unsettling at it sound, Samantha felt something was about to change for them both. The atmosphere proved it, the awkward silence proved it. There was no story about that.

Samantha wasn't an expert in relationship, but she knows what attraction means, even thou she hadn't experienced it firsthand.

Was she by any chance attracted to Nathaniel?

The thought of being so made Samantha lightheaded. She can never be and will never be. For God sake he was her brother in-law.

Nathaniel isn't has and will never be hers. His heart belong with Natasha, and she'll never fight for that, because he and her—never exist.

"You want more."

Samantha once again took her gaze of the little boy, and gaze back at the woman by her side. Her brow furrow in confusion at the woman's statement. "Excuse me?"

A soft smile appeared on her face as she stared at Kenneth. A sadness filled her eyes as she studied him. "You want more, but you're afraid of what would happen."

Shaking her head in confusion. "I still don't understand what you mean?" It was disturbing at the presence of the woman by her side felt threatening, and oddly comfortable. How can that be possible.

Her gaze shifted towards Samantha for the first time making her gasp at the familiar eyes gazing her way.

There was no way? Blue eyes?

Samantha was dumfounded. It's impossible, she wanted to argue out. But the blue eyes still staring at her, proved more.

"I mean you should follow your heart," Her long finger touched Samantha's chest, making her vibrate at the gesture. "Not your head. They all deserve you, you deserve them. There isn't anyone more perfect for them, but you. Don't leave Samantha, it's time for you to be happy. You've suffered a lot and you deserve more" Her luring soft voice spoke out making Samantha's heart clench in pain. The woman lean in kissing Samantha's wet cheeks gently.

Samantha closed her eyes briefly, letting the tears roll down her cheeks. Her hands lifted to hold the woman's hands on her cheeks. But she met with coldness.

Eyes flip open, she frown as the woman drift away from where she sat. "Don't go. Please." She pleaded, knowing what was coming.

"Be happy. Dear sister."

Samantha sat up straight, squinting her eyes a little by the ray of sun shooting on her.

Natasha?

Gazing round the park. The hustling noise of the children frolicking around brought her to reality. Kenneth laughter by her side as he made funny faces at Olivia, made she sigh in disbelief.

A dream?

For how long had she slept? How can she take a nap with the kids by her side, in a public area.

Lifting her hands on Kenneth head, he averted his blue eyes at her; similar to Natasha's. "I made her laugh!" He hysterically jumped up, with a glee in his eyes.

Samantha smiled in return, feeling her cheek dried with tears, she hugged him tight. Seeking comfort from the little boy. Her family.

But somehow she felt she's being watched. Gazing sharply behind her. Her brown eyes study the surrounding she was in. The hairs on her arms stood, as goosebumps filled her body, making her skin pickle.

Whoever that was watch her had no good intention.

It was deadly. And first the first time she wasn't being paranoid.

********

Who could be watching her?

Thank for reading Wife By Benefits.