Chapter 58 are you offering your personal service?

Alisha's POV

I regarded him with a furrowed brow, a mixture of curiosity and concern tugging at my features. "Go see Shaunda? Why so suddenly? Didn't we just visit her last month? Has something happened to her?" Despite the complexities of my feelings towards Archie, one constant remained—I owed his grandmother, Shaunda, a debt of gratitude. It was she who had chosen me as Archie's wife, providing the means to break free from Joey's control and securing better medical care for my own grandmother.

Shaunda didn't live with us; she inhabited a tranquil island, seeking solitude and peace. Moreover, she rarely summoned us for visits. This unexpected request stirred a sense of worry within me—had she encountered some trouble?

Archie cleared his throat, his uncertainty palpable. "I'm not sure either. All she said was that she wants us to come see her."

Frowning deeper, I probed, "Why didn't you ask for more details? If she's unwell, we could arrange for a healer to tend to her. And if it's a matter requiring our aid, we should prepare accordingly."

Archie's gaze evaded mine. He rose from his seat. "Shaunda didn't provide many specifics. If our bags are packed, we can leave whenever you're ready."

I detected something unspoken lingering beneath the surface. A thousand questions swirled in my mind, but I had no time to think it clearly.

I planned to leave Archie after completing "one-week" agreement. But now, hearing Archie's words, I hesitated, the weight of conflicting thoughts tugging at my resolve. "But, I can't..."

Archie's voice sliced through, laden with a touch of accusation, "What's holding you back? Is it because you want to stay here to see Gray that you are unwilling to leave?"

My eyes flashed with irritation, my tone sharp, "You're being absurd! Don't involve others in our issues." I met his gaze squarely, my words deliberate, "Our marriage is crumbling, Archie, and I won't burden Shaunda with our troubles."

A silence stretched between us, Archie's expression inscrutable. In that moment, it struck me how little I truly comprehended him, how many layers he concealed beneath his face.

Breaking the quiet, Archie's question hung in the air, "What do you want to do, then?"

My response was a fragile whisper, "Just... spare Shaunda the truth. I don't want her to be disappointed." Shaunda insisted on choosing me as the Luna of the Golden Crest, despite opposition from other members and even Archie's mother, Stephenie, but I had let her down. I promised to be good wife, an excellent Luna, but now, I felt so sorry to betray her trust. A mere two years of marriage had crumbled, leaving me worn and adrift. I couldn't go on.

Archie's nod was accompanied by a derisive snort, "Hmph, suddenly afraid of Shaunda's blame? Fine, I won't tell on her this time, but remember, should a next time arise, brace yourself for Shaunda's reprimand."

I was confused by Archie's enigmatic words. Before I could even begin to inquire about his meaning, Archie's voice sliced through the air, directing his attention to Mireya, "Is our luggage ready, both mine and Alisha's?"

Mireya's response carried an undertone of apology, "I'm sorry, Alpha, it will take a few more minutes."

Hearing this answer, I interjected right away, "Hold on a moment, why are you packing Archie's bags?" Ordinarily, after sending me to Shaunda's, Archie would take his leave, and I would spend a few days with her. Therefore, Mireya only had to arrange for my essentials. So why the need to pack Archie's belongings too?

Archie met my gaze, his tone gently patient, as if addressing a child, "Because I will also be accompanying you for the next few days, and I need to prepare accordingly."

I sat on the bed, utterly flabbergasted. "But you've never stay there before. Why the sudden change?"

I had no problem accompanying Shaunda in her island, but I had absolutely no desire to stay with Archie. Just getting through that promised week had left me drained; I had no interest in spending extended time under the same roof with Archie. The past two years had been challenging enough; the notion of reentering a cohabitation I had no desire for was overwhelming.

"I am Shaunda's grandson, so why can't I stay with her?"

"No, there's absolutely no chance I'll endure staying with you!" My voice carried a resolute tone as I swiftly turned towards Mireya, asserting, "Do not pack his luggage."

Archie's eyebrow arched, his eyes glinting with amusement. Without warning, he lowered himself, his palms pressing against the surface on either side of me. His gaze locked onto mine, and though I attempted to avert it, his warm breath tantalizingly danced across my forehead. His voice, a mere whisper, tickled my ear, "Now that you stop Mireya to pack my luggage, so, are you offering your personal luggage-packing service, then?"

In irritation, I snapped back, "Who said I would pack it for you?"

His tone grew playfully taunting, "But you used to be quite enthusiastic about it. Remember those business trips? You even organized my underwear and pajamas, ensuring maximum comfort and breathability. I must admit, I grew rather fond of your impeccable packing skills. What's changed now?"

My retort came sharp, "I was naive and foolish back then, but not anymore." A torrent of memories flooded my mind – the futile attempts to win Archie's affections through care and devotion, only to realize they would never be forthcoming. My efforts had been in vain; I was merely an efficient housekeeper in his eyes. Although I had resolved to move on, the recollections still managed to evoke a fresh wave of tears, blurring my vision.

Wishing to shield my vulnerability from Archie's gaze, I moved to wipe away the evidence of my emotions. Yet, before I could, his firm grasp enveloped my hands, and in a startling shift, he leaned in. His tongue, gently brushed away the teardrops that had gathered on my cheeks, leaving a trail of bewildering sensations in its wake.