10. The Clueless Husband

Okay so I reached to 1K reads. Greaaattt!

Don't forget to give your feedback. It will motivate me to write more and fast, hahahaha!

...

Am I married or not?

My mind was asking me that question for the umpteenth time and still I was not sure how to silence it. Since I could not discuss this problem with anyone, I tried to get some answers on that puzzle online. I went through few blogs, random articles related to Christian marriage to find out something related to my confused marital status. After reading them, I couldn't find the definite answer for it, but I got online confirmation as well about Samara's and Ashar's marriage.

Those blogs said the same thing that the man and woman must be present at the wedding while proclaiming marriage vows in order to become truly married religiously. So Samara was not married to him. Whereas about my problem, those articles summarized that if man and woman standing in front of God, witnesses, repeat the vows behind the minister, they are married. God is the witness of their marriage.

This really tormented me. It was a religious view. So according to Christian religion maybe I was married to him. Those online articles weren't helpful at all and they only increased my anxiety.

"Am I looking good? Please be honest." Carol's voice snapped me out of my bothersome thoughts.

I was standing outside Noah's house with Carol. It had been three days since I'd resigned from the mansion and gratefully no one had contacted me from the family. I was little bit relaxed.

I moved my eyes from head to toe, studying her appearance, "Yes, you're looking perfect."

In a lemon colored cocktail dress with a neck-length, copper hair and light makeup she was looking pretty and pleasing to eyes. Her dark eyes were gleaming in excitement. I didn't know about Noah, but some of the guys in the party would certainly steal glimpses of her.

She flattened her lips, "Thanks Sanaya for helping me today. I'm nervous."

I touched her shoulder, "Don't worry. Just do what your heart says."

Because of my sour mood due to the current on-going stresses, I didn't make much effort to look good. I squeezed myself into skinny ankle pants with a bright silk-crepe top. I left my long hair loose on my back and coated my lips with a light lip color.

"But listen, if I see you get busy with Noah and leaving me alone, I would leave, okay?"

She grinned, "You won't be alone. Noah's family has connection with Hobsons. Maybe, they are going to be there in the party."

She winked. My heart began hammering against my ribcage, loud and clear. That family's name was enough to terrify me to death.

"You didn't tell me why you stopped working for Hobsons." She continued.

No, no. I couldn't afford to see any of the Hobsons. I was running away from them.

"Anyways, the party is grand. Many rich families are there." She grabbed my hand and began dragging me towards Noah's house.

"Wait, Carol-" The sound of loud music made my voice barely audible to her. She could no more listen to my protest.

💙

After the cake-cutting ceremony, the guests were served dinner. I was sitting alone on one of the tables that were arranged in the lounge. Carol was not very distant from me. She was keeping her promise. She was with Noah on the dance floor. Their arms were wrapped around each other while their bodies were swaying with slow music. The way they were intertwined with one another explaining that Carol had already made her confession to him, but it was just my assumption. I couldn't be sure.

I roamed my eyes around and noticed the other guests just to pass my time. Noah's brother was in formal attire, looking happy. Some people came forward to him and offered him few birthday presents. His cheeks turned red as he accepted the gifts. Sighing, I glanced at other people. By seeing the crowd's outfit, I could tell Noah's family was not as rich as Hobsons were. They were one level below them.

My thought process was disturbed when my gaze caught the familiar face. Color drained from my face, turning it into a ghost white. He was the same man who haunted me in my dreams every night because in my dreams he found out about my trickery.

Ashar narrowed his eyes at me when they met with mine. Instantly, I moved my gaze and pretended to act oblivious. No he shouldn't see me here. Damn. I just wanted to disappear. I closed my eyes while desperately praying that he shouldn't see me.

"Sanaya?" His voice snapped my eyes opened. I saw he was standing in front of me. Rubbing my sweaty palms together, I rose on my feet. "So it's really you. How are you?"

Droplets of sweat appeared on my forehead. I moved my hand up and wiped them away. "It's nice to see you. I'm fine, how are you doing?"

His brows slightly furrowed as he looked at me, confused. He was probably noticing my uneasiness. I forced a smile, trying to mask my fear from my face.

He wandered his eyes around, "Do you know someone here?"

"No, I don't. I'm here with a friend."

He glanced back at me, nodding, "Why are you sitting alone then?"

"She's on the dance floor with her almost boyfriend."

Soon, Ashar would send you to prison.

Seriously brain, just shut off. I'm trying to act normal here.

"Your friend left you alone for her boyfriend. I should give you some company besides I'm already quite bored here." He exasperated.

"Yeah?" I reacted unknowingly. I didn't want to sit in his company. God, I wanted to kill Carol right now. The person I had been trying to run away from, he was here right in front of me, still completely clueless.

"Your table is empty. Let me get you some snacks and drink." He caught the waiter that was passing by and ordered him to place the food on my table. He put BBQ chicken platter and granola bars on it.

"You like blueberry flavor right?" Ashar raised his finger at me and asked in nonchalance.

I puckered my lips and lifted my brows in astonishment. He even remembered my lie I told him thoughtlessly that day.

"Huh?" I responded.

He turned towards the waiter and told him, "Bring a blueberry drink. Anything you have."

Waiter nodded and walked away. Ashar smiled at me, "Take a seat."

I thought of blueberries at that day because his eye color was similar to them. But how should I tell him that? Why was he being so nice to me? He was making me feel bad and remorseful.

Reluctantly, I sat back on my chair. He mimicked me and settled down in front of me. "You shouldn't have done that. You should enjoy the party with your acquaintances."

"We now know each other so don't be so formal." He shook his head, "Besides, I've already met with the people I know here. I didn't want to come here at first place because our relation with Rogers is strictly business."

Roger was Noah's last name. Waiter came back with two blueberry lemonades. He placed it one on my side and another one in front of Ashar, then he went away. Ashar immediately bent down his head and sucked a large sip through a straw. His adam's apple moved as he gulped down the liquid. I moistened my lips for no reason. Blueberry was not my favorite flavor, but I think it was – from now.

In formal, dark suit he looked enthralling. It was my third time seeing him and I found him more good looking every time. I wanted to enjoy the attention he was giving me and act like a straight girl around this handsome creature. But my mind wouldn't let me forget that wedding day.

"So how is it going at my house? I hope my Mom doesn't irritate you with her fashion tips." He moved up his head, leaning back in his chair.

I had resigned from his house since three days and he still didn't know. "I've left that job. You don't know?" I answered nervously.

He raised his brows, "Why?"

"I was bored." I tried to keep my answer short.

I had dropped my résumé to few cafes and stores near my apartment, but, I got no response so far. I had to reconsider those jobs that weren't paying well because I had no other option left until I would get a college degree.

"But, I thought this job was paying you good enough."

I pretended to look around, silently wishing that he should just drop that topic. I avoided the eye contact with him. "My friend is not at the dance floor." I said.

I tried to locate Carol at the dance floor, but she and Noah both of them were not there. I became worried. She was there few minutes ago. I strictly instructed her not to go anywhere without telling me. I was relying on her. She brought me here.

"Maybe she is around here somewhere with her guy as you said." Ashar said. I glanced back at him and nodded in agreement, thinking to wait for her few more minutes.

Lightly grabbing the straw of my drink in front, I moved it in circular motion. I still couldn't make myself to take a sip from it, because my insides were not okay right now. The fear was pulsing through my veins.

"Did anyone say something to you at my house that made you leave that job?" He quizzed.

I raised my eyes at him. His ignorance about everything was making me infuriated. He was a good person. It shouldn't be happening to him. He was thinking he was married, but he was not.

"No. Everyone was nice to me." I whispered. It was me who was the problem.

"How old are you?"

"Eighteen, why?"

"Nothing. Just wondering why my Mom called you young." He answered, "And you're young."

I once again danced my eyes around to find Carol, but she was nowhere. My perturbation escalated for her. She was not the type of girl who would spend the night with a guy on their first day of relationship. Even if she was, I was not going to let her because I didn't trust Noah.

I called Carol. She should've at least informed me if she had changed her plans. She was not a careless person so that's why I was worried.

Ashar stood up from his chair. My gaze followed him, "You should find your friend. I should go now."

Carol was not picking up my call. Damn, where the hell she was!

I stood up from my chair as well and asked him thoughtlessly, "Can you help me?"

I didn't know why I asked for his help when I should stay away from him. But, I was quite worried for my friend that I couldn't think straight right now. Noah was a bad guy. I had seen him once sexually harassing a girl at school. Even the complaint was filed against at him, but no strong action was taken because he was from the wealthy family.

Carol said it was some rumor that was created against him, but it was not true. He really did that. I was the witness of his crime. I was waiting for Carol to see his true nature because I knew she wouldn't believe me as she was blinded by her likeness for him. Maybe my mind's warning would turn out to be wrong. Maybe, Noah liked Carol as well and had changed, but still I needed to have a confirmation at least.

"Help?" He quirked a brow at me, waiting for an explanation.

"I need to find my friend because I don't trust the guy she's with. I just need to make sure that she is fine." I elaborated.

He also looked worrisome, "Let's first start from the house."