"I'm just kidding, don't assume things," I laughed, making him pout.
"You're a liar," he said, still pouting.
"Tsk, I'm leaving before they start looking for me at home. Bye-bye, Christian, take care," I said, finishing my meal. Our conversation had gone on longer than I expected.
"Bye! Take care, love you," he said, making me roll my eyes before leaving.
"In your dreams, bye!" I retorted as we got into the car.
"Ma'am, who was that?" Wen asked.
"A friend," I replied.
Back home, I unpacked my shopping bags and made myself a glass of milk.
"Where did you go?" Zandro's voice boomed, startling me.
"Uh, I went shopping and ate out," I stammered, intimidated by his tone.
"With?" he asked, his gaze intense.
"With July. Why? Problem?" I challenged, meeting his stare. He was unusually serious.
"Someone told me you were with a boyfriend, having dinner," he said coldly.
"Yes, it's my boyfriend! He's really nice," I retorted, referring to Christian. A male friend is still a boyfriend, right?
"Fvck, Ash! You have a husband, and you're flirting around!" he exploded, his words stinging. The anger mixed with a pang of hurt.
I slapped him, stormed to my room, grabbed the watch, and went back downstairs. He was leaving the kitchen but stopped when he saw me. I handed him the box.
"Open it. I bought it for you because of what happened and because of the 'boyfriend' comment. You could have asked before making such hurtful accusations! I hate you, I hate you so much!" I cried, leaving him there.
Back in my room, I broke down. Why was I crying?
Once I calmed down, I lay down and reached for the necklace and ring Iâd bought, only to realizeâ¦
"Oh no, I gave him the wrong thing! I gave him the ring!" I groaned, placing the box back on the table. Embarrassment washed over me.
I fell asleep, overwhelmed by my mistakes.
A loud knock woke me. It was Wen.
"Ma'am, Sir said to make sure you eat because he's working overtime. If you don't eat, he'll fire us all," he said nervously.
"Fine, I'm coming down. You're disturbing my sleep!" I grumbled, brushing my hair.
After getting ready, I went downstairs at 9 PM. I made myself a meal, choosing a sandwich and chocolate milk over the minudo. I was so hungry, I devoured three sandwiches, two pancakes and four glasses of chocolate milk.
As I washed the dishes, Zandro was from behind.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you. I was just jealous. I don't want anyone else talking to you or touching you," he said, the scent of alcohol on his breath.
"You're drunk again! If you keep this up, I'm going to kick you," I said, helping him upstairs. He was surprisingly heavy.
"I'm really sorry, wife. I didn't mean to say those things. I was just jealous, and I wanted to kill that man," he mumbled, his eyes closed. He locked the door behind us, so we went into my room.
"I hope you're not mad at me," he said. I took off his shoes and wiped him down with a wet towel. I even took off his shirt because he was getting hot.
This drunkard is making me think of strange things!
"Wife, thank you for the ring. I should have asked before, so I wouldnât have said those things," he said.
"You're just such a⦠insensitive jerk," I retorted, finishing up. I tucked him into bed, adding extra pillows and blankets.
A few hours later, I felt myself being lifted and placed in bed. Zandro. I pretended to be asleep. He covered me with a blanket.
He lay beside me, and then, worse, he hugged me from behind. What's happening?
"Even though our marriage is just on paper, it's for you. That's why we got married in a church, because I love you, Ashley Nicole. I forced your father to make you my wife," he whispered. My eyes widened.
"I really wanted you, so I did that. I hope you'll love me someday, wife," he whispered.
Is this what happens when he's drunk? This is dangerous; I might actually believe him!
Overwhelmed by the events, I fell asleep.
I woke up with Zandro still hugging me. I let him be; I had slapped him earlier, and I felt bad.
TO BE CONTINUED