Chapter Two

Arabella.

I found myself making the croissants and vegetable salad just as they requested, I couldn’t disagree more not after Ashton threatened me with cutting the funds. Ashton decided to also eat from the croissant. I mixed the dough and rolled it as I stared at the wall clock. It was almost eight twenty now and I was still in the kitchen.

My whole muscles were screaming at me to go take some rest but I couldn't. I have to finish this before nine, yes you heard that right.

My husband timed me and expected the food to be ready before nine.

By the time I was done rolling and shaping the croissants, I was damn tired. After placing the croissants in the oven I started to make the vegetable salad for Lily and clean the used dishes when I was done.

Fifteen minutes later I got the croissants out of the oven and placed them on a clean plate, adding an orange and red wine before leaving the kitchen.

I sighed tiredly when I placed the food on the table, though they saw me dropping it on the table they always wanted me to call them first before getting up.

“The food is ready Mom,” I told her and left before she could say anything else.

I went back to the kitchen, took my bag, and carried my tired body to the room. There are only two things on my mind and that is to take my bath and climb my bed. I’m exhausted.

Getting to the room, I took off my dress and walked naked to the bathroom. I'm not ashamed of my body I love my body more than anything.

I have everything in the right place and I'm someone other ladies out there call sexy, they all looked up to me being this sexy and also being Ashton's wife.

Since I am too tired to take a shower I decided to use the jacuzzi instead. I made the water room temperature before getting in it.

A satisfied sigh left my mouth as soon as the water touched my body, this is what I have been looking for.

I close my eyes to enjoy my bath properly.

I didn’t know how long I spent sleeping in the jacuzzi but by the time I got up and walked back to the room naked, Ashton was already in the room.

That means they were done eating.

I walked past him to the walk-in closet, I took a night dress and slipped it on. I didn’t bother wearing any panties since I didn’t need them. I stepped out and saw Ashton still in the same place I left him.

I don’t know if I should be worried or happy that he didn’t touch me tonight, he always finds ways to make love to me but not tonight. It felt like he wasn’t even looking at my body.

I pushed the thought from my head and kissed his cheek,

“Good night honey,” I told him.

“You need to clear the table, Ara,” he said and I paused.

I looked at him slowly, “what did you say?” I think I must be hearing things.

He looked at me finally taking his focus away from his phone, “I said we are done eating and the table needs cleaning. The used dishes are still there you have to take them away,”

What the……

I can’t believe he’s actually saying something like this to me, after slaving myself all night to prepare something for them they couldn’t take their used dishes to the kitchen.

“I’m tired Ash, you can send Lily to do that,” I told him.

His sister is old enough to know what’s right and what isn’t.

“I know you are tired but I need you to clear that table Ara,” he repeated.

“But….I prepared the food, I did all the work and your sister did nothing. What's wrong if she takes the used plates to the kitchen she ate with?” I asked, glaring at him.

Oh gosh, I don’t plan for any drama tonight. All I want is to have a good rest before tomorrow.

“My sister isn’t your maid to do the little things you can do as a wife. You don’t get to question me Arabella, whatever I say is what you do, and right now I want you to go downstairs and get that table clean,” he ordered and I shrank back.

In times like this, I always get scared of Ashton. With the look in his eyes, it always felt like he would hit me if I didn’t do as he said.

To avoid any quarrel tonight I decided to do as he said—as always.

“Okay, I will get it…clean,” I told him.

I dropped the sheet and walked out of the room, my heart felt heavy as I took the stairs to the dining room. This wouldn’t be the first time I’m being treated like this—like a slave, in my own husband's house and this also wouldn’t be the last.

I know of it.

When I signed those papers I didn’t know what I was jumping into, I love Ashton, yes and nothing will change that.

But this; this treatment is just too much. I don’t get to agree or disagree about something in my house. My voice won’t be heard even if I try and I will get more hits from my mother-in-law if I do that.

Things weren't as bad as this the first month after my wedding to Ashton, in fact, things were good. Though his family; his mother, sister, and little brother didn’t like me that much, I wasn’t used as a maid the way I’m being used right now.

I try my best, I try my best to make them like me. I did whatever my mother told me to and yet even after doing those things, they all still didn’t like me.

The only one who loves me in this family is my husband but now I’m having second thoughts about that.

I let out another sigh as I walked into the dining room. I have a quick plan; get the dirty dishes and dump them in the kitchen sink. I plan to wash them in the morning.

You may all be wondering why we don’t have a maid or someone to help with the washing and cleaning of the house.

Here’s the answer, Ashton wouldn’t let me hire someone. No, In fact, his mother hates the idea of seeing someone unrelated to them in our house.

That’s bullshit because they have more than ten maids in their family house. I know this was her way of punishing me and her being here almost all the time added to it.

My steps faltered when I got to the table, I couldn’t believe it.

My eyes watered when I saw the untouched croissants and vegetable salad on the table. They didn’t take a bite and yet they let me slave away in the kitchen even after telling them I was tired.

The empty boxes of pizzas and fries were on the table and I needed no one to tell me they ordered dinner. They must have done this while I was bathing.

I gulped down nothing and took a deep breath, don’t cry Arabella. Don’t break down.

But I couldn’t hold it back this time, so I took a seat and held my head with my hand. I let the tears flow out silently while staring at the untouched food. I couldn't help but wonder what wrong I had done to be punished this way.

All I wanted was a happy home with my husband and my family. I thought I’d found that with Ashton but guess I was wrong. I can never be happy in the house, not when I’m being treated like a slave and nobody cares about my presence.

Thinking about my present condition made me tear up more. I'm only bearing all of these treatments, and insults because of two things; my family and my love for Ashton.

I believe that every newly married couple has their own challenges and I believe this is mine. I believe this is going to pass, I have this hope that one day Ashton’s family will love me and see me for what I am and not what they think I’m after.

I stayed there crying for twenty minutes before clearing the table. I placed the croissants and vegetable salad in the refrigerator and then washed the dishes before leaving the kitchen.

Just like every day, I’m always the last to go to bed but the first to be up.

I hate my life sometimes.

I actually envy those who don't live the kind of life I’m living right now.

I made my way back to bed, I glared at Ashton as I saw him already lying on the bed. His phone was still in his hand, lately, he had been typing on that phone too much and that felt suspicious. He wouldn't even let me see what he's doing anytime I try to.

“What took you so long?” He asked and for a minute, I actually had the thought of lashing out at him.

He’s the cause of everything, he made me prepare that food even though they all knew they wouldn’t eat it.

But I can’t.

“I told you I’m tired Ash,” that was the only thing I said.

I climbed the bed and slept beside him, I leaned closer to kiss him. We always do that before going to bed, it’s more like our ritual.

As I leaned closer, Ashton moved back.

He looked at me with an annoyed expression, “What are you doing?” He asked and I looked at him in surprise.

“Kissing you goodnight Ash,” I told him, and for a minute…I thought I saw the look of disgust in his eyes.

“That wouldn’t be possible tonight Arabella,”

What….what does he mean by that?

“Why?” I questioned only to get a glare from him.

“Because I said so, I don’t want you to kiss me tonight and that’s final,” he let out a scoff before facing the other side, turning his back at me.

I stared at his back for a long time before lying down. I stared at the ceiling, the sleep far gone from my eyes after what Ashton did.

Should I be worried my husband doesn’t like me touching or kissing him anymore? And on top of that, it's been over a month since he last touched me.