07

As I woke up, I couldn’t help but flinch as I pulled away from the pink duvet. After what felt like an eternity of hesitancy, I eventually exposed my face to the world. The dazzling sunlight seeping through the window had me questioning whether or not I was blind ! With drowsy feet, I shuffled out of bed, rubbing my knuckles into my eyes. And boy, was I ready for a good stretch and a loud yawn. But as I reached over to touch the cold off-white carpet, something felt off. Wait, this wasn’t my usual room ! As I gazed into my surroundings, my mind instantly raced back to that time I had to pretend to be Aaron Knight’s married partner. It all made sense now- this was my husband’s house. Checking the digital clock on the wall, I came to terms with the fact that it was already 8 :50 p.m. Time to embrace the day !

I’ve been getting a lot of sleep lately, which has given me some time to think. My grandmother always talked about being an ideal wife, and while I never thought it would happen to me, here I am married to someone who doesn’t seem to care about anything but his business and wealth. But I’m determined to try and make things work. I want to be the kind of woman my grandmother was for my grandfather, even if my husband doesn’t seem to care about me yet. So, I decided to cook a meal for him and try to understand him better. Who knows ? Maybe there’s another side to him that I haven’t seen yet. As I got ready for this dinner, I excitedly tossed my oversized top and shorts into my closet.

Eternity dress

I had donned a cozy cardigan over my lovely white floral dress. As I headed out of my room, I noticed a few other maids hard at work. They gave me a warm greeting as soon as they saw me…Making my way to the kitchen, I caught sight of Amy slicing some cucumber. »Hey, Amy, » I called out. »Good morning, Time everlasting sweetie, did you get a good night’s rest ? » she inquired. »Oh, yes, it was great, » I replied, taking in the beauty of the kitchen. « What a lovely kitchen this is ! »Amy poured me a cup of coffee and said, « Here you go. »I took a sip and said, « Thanks, Amy. » »So, dear, what would you like for dinner ? » asked Amy. »Well, right now, I was thinking about cooking up a meal for Aaron when he gets home, » I explained. »Aaron usually comes home after 11 p.m., » she informed me.That said, we continued chatting and planning out the day, all in a friendly and upbeat manner.

« See ya, Amy ! Time for me to shine in the kitchen, » I exclaimed with a smirk. « But wait, you’ll need my help, » she retorted with a sly grin. « Nah, I got this. Just tell me where the spices and supplies are and I’ll work my magic, » I said confidently, leaning over the kitchen island like a pro chef. I totally ignored Amy once I started imagining what kind of cuisine would impress my husband. I mean, I couldn’t think of his favorite food if my life depended on it. So, I decided to whip up Mac and Cheese, spaghetti, a Key Lime Pie, and for dessert, some exotic Indian sweet called Carrot Halwa. I got that recipe from my grandma who knows more about Indian fare than Gordon Ramsay. After finishing the feast and topping off the Carrot Halwa with some crunchy dry fruits, I peeked at the clock feeling like a culinary badass. Oh my, Aaron is on his way and he’s known for arriving without notice. I better get ready and head to my room.

Decked out in a fancy chiffon number, my lips were slathered in the latest lip balm craze. However, the rest of my face was naked as a mole rat !My luscious, wavy locks cascaded down my back like a majestic waterfall, and I sauntered into the living room with purpose.Suddenly, the car engine roared to a stop outside, and I took control of the main entrance like a seasoned doorman. As I admired the pretty flowers by the door, I couldn’t resist giving them a little fluff – never hurts to impress, honey !I’ll be damned if my husband doesn’t catch a glimpse of me and swoon on the spot.

As he approached, he cast a careful eye over me, yet his gaze was obscured by a parched expression that he held up before his face. When I noticed the way he looked at me, my heart sank.In his impeccable Armani suit, he looked like he had stepped right off the pages of a magazine. How could he possibly choose someone as simple and refined as me when he could have anyone he desires with the snap of his fingers ?His stunning diamond blue eyes surveyed me with a hard stare, yet I couldn’t help but sense that somewhere deep within, they held a genuine care for me. I gave him a heartfelt smile while averting my gaze, struggling to look directly into his exquisite eyes.But then, he simply shrugged his shoulders and walked right by me, completely oblivious to my presence. It was a moment that tested my heart and left me feeling truly empathetic for his inability to see the beautiful connection that could have been between us.I couldn’t help but wonder, « What could be going on with him ? Is there any way he could show even the slightest kindness towards me ? » As he climbed the stairs to his room, I turned around and couldn’t shake off the sadness that had settled in my heart due to his confusion. I looked down to see blood pouring out from a cut on my finger – I had accidentally grabbed onto a sharp thorn of a rose with so much force. « Oh no, » I muttered to myself. « I must serve Aaron dinner soon. He’ll be coming downstairs any minute now. »I rushed to grab the first aid kit and tend to my injured finger. Thankfully, the cut wasn’t too deep and the bleeding stopped after I cleaned it. But despite the small injury, a deep sigh escaped my lips.Regardless, I knew I had to prepare dinner and walked with my feet pointed inwards towards the kitchen. After finally laying out the food on the table, I tapped my fingers nervously on the surface, still feeling a sense of unease.A few moments later, he appeared dressed in a navy blue shirt that hugged his chiseled figure and running pants.During dinner, he occupied the head seat while I served him the meal I had prepared, feeling tense and uneasy. »Where are the servants ? Why are you serving ? » he inquired, tilting his head curiously.I gathered my courage and explained that I had excused them for the day to prepare his meal. I was unsure if he would be angry with me for making such a decision.With a timid voice, I said, « I hope you don’t mind, but I excused them for the day. » My tone was soft and empathetic, hoping to appease any possible anger he might have felt towards me. »You don’t need to cook, house cleaners are readily available for that, » he declared with a harsh tone while looking down on me.Unfazed by his demeaning words, I responded with confidence, « If it’s not too much trouble, please do taste what I have cooked for you, » and a mischievous smile appeared on my face.As he took the first bite, I observed his expression change from a scowl to a look of pure satisfaction. It pleased me to see him enjoying my culinary creation, and I couldn’t help but smile.Unfortunately, his joy was short-lived as his demeanor quickly turned cold and uninterested.Nevertheless, I take pleasure in knowing he enjoyed my cooking. Although he may never give me compliments, I can see the satisfaction in his eyes. »

« Hey there, I whipped up some Carrot Halwa for dessert ! It’s a scrumptious Indian delicacy, have you ever tried it before ? » I asked, grinning eagerly.

Once again, his face lit up with delight as he savored the taste of the delicious Carrot Halwa. But soon enough, he went back to his serious demeanor. After we finished dinner, he headed to his study. As I held his hand, I promised him, « I will be the best wife I can be for us. Let’s give our marriage another chance. »He took a step back as I said those words, and after a moment, he gave me a hard stare before I could read his expression. Then he quickly let go of my hand, as if he was afraid of being burnt.

« Enough of your nonsense, cease your foolish banter ! Your treacherous ways and attempts at deceiving me are all too clear. Your extensive knowledge of my organization doesn’t fool me – I know you’re scheming with my competitors. Don’t even dare to pretend you have any honor left in you. You are nothing but a conniving opportunist ! Once we unravel who has been leaking information to my enemies, I will sever all ties with you. This is a just a contract marriage, not a romantic one. I demand loyalty and trust, and you are incapable of providing either. Your tears do not move me. I will not tolerate being taken advantage of by someone like you. You should be ashamed of yourself for trying to manipulate me. But mark my words, you made a very huge mistake by betraying me, and you will face the consequences of your actions. » he said with clenched jaw.

« Why do his words have such a powerful hold on me ? As he leaves the dining area, I’m left feeling so downhearted. It’s like a searing, salty blade slicing through my skin and piercing my muscles and bones. The sensation is overwhelming, like a sudden, sharp jolt of electricity coursing through every inch of me. I couldn’t bear it any longer, so I fled to my room. On the floor, tears streaming down my face, I pondered why he didn’t believe me when I told him the truth. All I ever wanted was his trust, but now I’m left feeling only his scorn. I swear to you Aaron, I never meant to deceive you. »