Chapter Three

Arabella.

Morning came too quickly and although I still needed much sleep I carried my tired self to the kitchen. I prepared breakfast for them, didn’t care to ask what they wanted to eat, and microwaved the croissants; that’s if they wanted any.

I did all of this before any of them would wake up, I rushed back to the room to take a bath when I was done. It is past six now and I don’t mind leaving the house by this time.

I picked a flowery dress, something that wasn’t too short or long. Though I love wearing short things, being the wife of Ashton came with a lot of rules.

I can’t dress like a slut; that isn’t good for the press and for his business.

I need to eat healthy, look healthy, and always have a smile on my face at all times. Which I find annoying at times.

I brushed and packed my hair in a tight bun, I have a lot to do today and wouldn’t want my hair to be a problem. As I was busy applying a little makeup on my face, I heard a shuffling sound from the bed. I look over my shoulder to see Ashton waking up.

His hair was messy….a beautiful mess to be honest and he looks so sexy with that sleepy look of his.

“Good morning,” I greeted before focusing on my makeup.

He continued staring at me without saying a word and even when I was done with my makeup I expected him to say something, or at least answer my greeting.

“How was your night Ash?” I asked, as I fully faced him.

He grumbled something under his breath and rubbed his face, “it was a nightmare,” he replied and I paused.

“Why? Did you have one? A nightmare?” I asked.

He shook his head then I frowned, how could his night be a nightmare when he didn’t have any nightmares?

“Because you were by my side. I couldn’t fucking sleep with all your nagging,” he answered.

My cheeks flushed as I processed his words, embarrassment rushed at the thought of him listening to my babbling all night.

“I’m sorry, I thought you were asleep,” I apologize.

I was thinking too much last night after the move he pulled last night and when I think too much I have the act of talking out loud.

It may not be that loud but it can get loud enough to disturb anyone around.

“You’re always sorry Ara and I hate it. I wonder how I was able to put up with your shits,” he muttered the last part to himself but I heard him.

It was just the two of us in the room and everywhere was quiet.

That dampened my mood more, I can’t believe he would say something like that.

“I….I’m sorry,” at least I think it’s right for me to apologize for disturbing his night.

I walked away from the vanity table and hesitated when I got closer to him.

I don’t know if he would like it if I kissed him right now.

What the hell is this?

When did I start getting scared of being this close to my husband? He is my husband so I shouldn’t be scared to touch or kiss him right?

“Don’t come closer,” he warned before I could take a step towards him.

“Don’t think of even kissing me with that hideous makeup on your face, you look ugly Arabella. Where the hell are you going looking like that?” He asked.

I froze, then looked at myself in the mirror before staring at him. My makeup was light; the way I’ve always wanted it, I had just a little lipstick on my lips and I could tell that I looked okay so why was he calling me ugly?

“This isn’t fair Ashton, you don’t get to call me ugly because I know that I’m not,” I told him.

If he thinks I’m going to bear this again then he’s wrong, for the past week now he has always thrown a word or two my way and I can’t do anything but let him go with it. But not today, if there’s something I did that angered him, something that made him feel like I’m too dirty to be close to him he should tell me.

“Did I do something wrong Ashton?” I asked and went on without waiting for his reply.

“Is there something I must have done wrong that you aren’t telling me?” I asked, staring at him with tired eyes.

I don’t know what to do anymore, I have been trying to come up with something to know why he wouldn’t touch me, why he wouldn’t kiss me or have sex with me.

And nothing, I couldn’t come up with anything.

My head is as blank as my mind, I tried recounting what has happened in the past months and the answer is the same.

I don’t know what I did to make him act this way towards me, I don’t know what I did to get two times the work I have been getting.

“I can’t answer that, Ara,” he said and sat up.

“You have to tell me, Ashton, I want to know. Why have you been distant these past few months? I’ve tried to make everything work out but nothing works out,” I let out what has been disturbing me for a while now.

“Like I said I don’t want to answer that Arabella and don’t you dare ask me that again,” he got up from the bed and walked past me.

I let out a sigh while rubbing my hands together, this isn’t what I pictured when I agreed to marry him.

I didn’t sign up to be this miserable in my marriage.

I looked at the bathroom door and released a loud breath, whatever it was that went wrong between us. I’m going to find out and work it out.

I picked up my bag and left the room, I went downstairs and was surprised to see a guard cleaning my car. The last time I checked the car wasn’t dirty, nor did I ask anyone to wash it for me.

“What are you doing?” I asked as I got closer.

The guard jumped slightly as he looked at me, I felt guilty for startling him.

“I’m wasting the car ma'am,” he replied.

I know that already, what I want to know is why.

“Who asked you to do it?” I asked, going straight to the point.

There’s no use beating around the bush, since this order didn’t come from me then it must be from one of those devils.

“Miss Lily ma’am. She asked me to wash this car for her, that she will be leaving soon,” he answered and my anger spiked up.

I know I shouldn’t pour my anger on the guard but I have no other option.

“Why didn’t you ask me first before doing it? This car belongs to me,” I told him, trying not to raise my voice at him but failing woefully at it.

“I apologize ma’am but Miss Lily said I shouldn’t….” I cut in.

“It’s fine, don’t worry about it,”

This is getting too much, Lily is getting on my nerves and she knows it.

I looked back at the mansion and scowled when I saw the devil leaning on the railing while smirking at me.

I felt helpless because there was nothing I could do. Ashton wouldn’t even support me if I told him about this so what’s the use? I also know going in there to confront Lily would make me late, I would rather walk to my cafe than disappoint my customer.

I went back inside to get another car key but it miraculously turned out my mother-in-law also wanted that same car.

I left the house looking angry, tired, and fed up.

This act needs to stop, these people need to stop treating me as their slave instead of a person.