Husband With Benefits
Chapter 176: Huh?

Chapter 176: Huh?

"Are you still going to divorce him after the contract is up?"

Nora looked at Erasmi in surprise. She had not expected Erasmi to know about the contract. How did he find out? Did he investigate her? She had no idea how she would feel after that.

Erasmi grimaced and said," I did not do anything sneaky, alright? It was Demetri who told me. Of course, he doesn’t know that I remember it. He mentioned it during the time I was sick..."

Erasmi trailed off. He had not been supposed to blurt that out. He’d been avoiding discussing the last ten years with anyone, including his therapist but here he was blurting out the truth like a leaking water tap. It must have something to do with Nora looking so much like Nellie.

Nora looked at him curiously as she questioned," Do you remember everything from that time?"

Erasmi had a faraway look in his eyes as he answered," Not really. Actually, I remember nothing from the past decade. My memory is all hazy and dark. I do recall some snippets from here and there over the past few months though. Mostly Demetri’s voice and not what he had spoken. But other than that, not much. This information was from one of those snippets. So, are you going to tell me? I think he told me when he married you. But he did not talk much about you after that."

Nora nodded," Yes. That is the plan. We will divorce once the time is up."

"Do you not have feelings for Demetri?", Erasmi asked with astonishment.

"Of course, I do. Other than Isabella, Demetri is my best friend. How can I not have feelings for him? I respect him and care for him."

"But you do not love him?"

Nora rolled her eyes at Erasmi’s confused face," I do love him. What are you trying to get at Erasmi?" Nora knew of course what he wanted to know but she deliberately pretended to be obtuse as she let him think of a way to question her.

Erasmi scowled and directly spoke," If you love him why would you divorce him?"

"What does loving him have anything to do with remaining married to him?" Nora asked again.

This time Erasmi understood her game. She was deliberately trying to avoid the topic. "Fine, then what will your relationship be after you are divorced?"

Nora bit her lip and then spoke mischievously," Well, he is my husband with benefits at the moment. Later we will be friends with benefits. That would be fine, won’t it?"

To say Erasmi was shocked would be an understatement. He could only shake his head and wonder what she was thinking. What was even this thing called husband with benefits? There was something like Husband without benefits also?

But before he could question her further about her intentions, Isabelle broke in," You old man! Why are you hogging my friend and trying to turn her into a wallflower? She’s young and chic! She needs to be dancing."

As Nora was dragged away to the dance floor, Erasmi leaned back in his seat, his eyes glittering as he watched the two girls dance. He watched as the boys soon flocked to the two girls, surrounding them like flies. He wondered if he would need to intervene but soon his own brothers had already enclosed, driving away those with ill intentions.

Erasmi could not help but watch Nora. It wasn’t just her face or her voice that was like Nellie. Even her mannerisms, the way she looked when she was excited, everything was like Nellie.

It made him worried and sceptical. If she turned out like Nellie.

Erasmi shook his head. Even then, Demetri had been able to see through to Nellie’s thoughts and her craftiness. Of course, if Nora was anything like that, Demeti would know. But Demetri was in love. And he knew very well how love could make a person blind.

He needed to find a way to stay here and keep an eye on this girl. If she was really going to do something to hurt Demetri, then he would prevent that.

Even as Erasmi continued to stare at Nora, he failed to analyze his own reasons. Not once did he doubt that he may be staying here because Nora looked like the woman he loved.

But someone else did. Gabe had already left the dance floor and was now sitting at the bar, as he watched the emotions flitter across Erasmi’s face. He was glad his older brother was back, but he was also worried that he was not fully recovered mentally. Knowing Erasmi, he would definitely not return with them tomorrow. So, either he would have to find a way to keep Erasmi away from Nora or he too would be staying here close to them.

***

Nora who was unaware of everyone’s intentions, continued to dance with Isabelle, having the best time of her life. Isabella was a great dancer and she kept her on her toes, while twirling her across the dance floor. As Isabella extended her hand, Nora quickly grabbed her and pulled her towards herself while moving their bodies in sync.

"I don’t know if I should hold you closer or run away, sweetheart. All those handsome Frosties are staring here. While I am sure, they are keeping an eye on you for their brother, I have a feeling that they are staring at me as if I am prey and they are hunters." Isabella spoke into Nora’s ear as the music’s tempo lowered a bit.

Nora grinned and quickly twirled Isabella around," Stick close to me then! Once you are away, you’ll be fair game!"

"Ohh, baby! I am already fair game! The question is which hunter should I choose. The old man is the most handsome, but he looks too much like Demon so that would be just icky. And that Gabe. He looks like he would totally melt me into the bed with all his brooding looks. But he hasn’t given me a second glance, kind of lighting up the fire in me."

Nora shook her head at Isabella’s words and tried to leave the dance floor, but Isabella was adamant in making her dance and drink until Nora was ready to collapse.

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