Chapter 3

The color of the decoration of the dining room matched the color of my face - RED. 

I was livid. He was running late yet again. 

It's our one year anniversary,and I expected him to at least show up a bit earlier than the days before this particular day.

It's a special day or isn't it to him?

I remembered how things had been in our first months of marriage.

How he'd managed to fulfill little wishes of mine - those I voiced out,or didn't even voice out.

How he sent flower bouquets to me in my office - oh, that'd make my heart flutter.

I had thought we were on the right track,that things were summing up - we were finally getting close.

The love I'd harbored for him for years without letting him know naturally awakens, leaving sparks in its awake - it grows more,more and larger.

The sudden hugs,kisses he'd shower me with - they are all seeping into my brain.

With a deep breath,I recoiled back in fear of us falling apart,of our marriage going down the drain.

I still want him. 

Although,ever since his girlfriend came back and claimed I led her to miscarriage her child,he had changed towards me.

Usually before I get home, he'd already be here waiting for me.

My stomach churns in sadness.

I feel so pathetic for still holding to the only thread that connects us together.

He had made me feel miserable these past few days, but I still wanna please him,want him to look into my eyes and bless me with his awesome smile that always makes my worries go away.

However,it doesn't look like that would be happening soon,not anymore.

I looked down at my dress and a frustrated sigh left my lips.

I'd even gotten the lastest edition of Jenssa dresses for this day. 

It cost millions, but that was nothing to me.

Money,I have. 

Fame,I don't need, but I couldn't escape it,being the only heiress of Howell's company.

My fingers drums the table, slowly - an action that belies how impatient I was feeling inside.

I've missed him. I really do.

Tears blocked my eyes, threatening to fall.

I grabbed the wine bottle,and poured myself the fourth glass.

The food I had prepared personally for him has been reheated twice,and it is turning cold again with no sight of him.

A month intensive cooking class successfully wasted!

I downed the wine,too much of it as it drips down to my dress,soaking the cream color of my dress into red.

I scoffed. "So unfortunate." I added,as the tears finally breaks through.

Today couldn't have been any deadlier.

I checked the wall clock,and it clicked 9pm.

The entrance door creaked opened,and my eyes darted to it.

There comes my husband. 

The corner of my lips curled up into a lopsided smirk,as I wiped my tears.

I guess this wasn't really meant to be. 

Our parents pushed us too much, didn't they?

We could have just remained childhood friends and nothing more.

My stomach tightened in regret of giving myself to love.

He was dressed in a blue shirt,with the top three buttons loosened, giving a free show to his tempting porcelain skin.

He was wearing a blue jeans,and black sneakers. 

His hair was a bit scattered,but that added to his allure.

I balled my fist,my teeth grinding in annoyance.

When did I start to become crazy for him?

So crazily in...love.

I twirled the wine glass in my hand, looking away from him.

I won't deny the fact that I still wanted him to make up excuses for being so late again.

His eyes met with mine after he turned from shutting the door.

They trailed down to my body,and I raised an eyebrow at him.

"You look like a mess."came his words.

I wasn't expecting him to say that aloud.

Surely, something wasn't right.

The rim of my eyes shook,and I brought my eyes back to the table,not giving him a reply.

I crossed my legs, trying to exude my usual confident but I failed at that as my leg slides back to the ground.

Was it the drink?

But, I'm not one to get drunk easily!

Normally,three bottles wouldn't even get me tipsy!

And I picked a wine with five percent alcohol.

I saw him move towards the dining area,and he appeared in my view,gave the food a look before sitting down, opposite to me.

Not that there were other chairs he could sit on. 

Only two chairs were available - Wife and Husband.

"You cooked?"he asked.

My lips stretched in a smile, "yeah."

"Why?"his cold response startled me.

My eyes squinted,and I relaxed back on the chair, releasing a pant.

"Today is..."

"...our first year anniversary,what else?"he cut me off, brusquely.

I scoffed, staring at him. 

I placed my glass down on the table and inhaled a sharp breath.

"Maverick, just tell me what's on your mind."I demanded, my stomach weaving in pain. 

If I was with Asher,I swear that I'd have collapsed.

All these emotions are too much for me to bear.

He breathed out loudly,and placed his hand on the table - the one that bears our wedding ring.

My eyes shot up at him when I noticed something unusual. He wasn't wearing the rings we exchanged!

"Quite...a nice ring...."I trailed off, eyeing it.

I saw a look in his eyes,before he quickly withdrew his hand from the table.

What's left to hide?

I've already seen he was no longer wearing our wedding rings again!

His eyes flickers,as if he was guilty of a crime.

He raised a cup and filled it to half of the length of the glass cup,and sipped it, still avoiding looking me in the eyes.

"Helena,remember our agreement last year?"his voice was sleek and coarse - too gentle for what I wanted,the reaction I seek from him.

My eyes shimmered in fury.

"What? Keeping me here, waiting for you like some sort of dumb wife wasn't enough,Mav?"my teeth gritted in annoyance.

Why wasn't he saying anything as to why he was late?

I hated the fact that I was starting to break down before him.

I was wrong in my decision last year. 

I shouldn't have opened up to marriage,to love!

"That was your choice."he replied,with no ounce of emotions in his voice.

He was finally looking at me with his blank eyes.

"You chose to marry me,chose to wait for me and..."his mouth welcomed a smirk.

"..I can see your heart now beats for me. That was your choice also."he added, arrogantly.

I sighed, trying to calm down the beacon in me.

My hand balled into a fist,and I didn't know when I raised and banged it on the table.

"Maybe you are the deluded one,Mav!

Have you forgotten i'm the cold princess,you b!tch!"I flared up at him,leaning out of the chair.

I cursed at myself for using childish lines.

But who can withstand heartbreak? - it knows no young or old person.

"Oh, princess,your feelings must not be really settled and now it's getting to your head." He scoffs,his eyes in mine, swirling up pent up emotions in me.

"I'm a man so should a man be called bitch?"he tilts his head to the side, mockingly.

Why was he acting like this tonight?

Normally, he'd just apologize for coming late,and we'd eat our food silently.

I scoffed, reclining back in my seat as I reminisced on my life.

I was the most talked - about woman in the city. 

I was approached by different men for marriage, but I refused them all.

How...on earth did such woman end up being a waiter in her marriage?

I touched my forehead, releasing a disappointed sigh.

The turmoil in my tummy seems to keep rekindling at every second.

I clenched my jaw,and gazed at him.

He was busy tasting the food I prepared and squeezing his face up.

An alarm shrilled in my head - What? It isn't good?

He dropped the spoon,and shook his head.

"You're better off as a business woman only. You have no transactions to make in the kitchen. 

It's best you have your servants serve you,as a princess should be served. A princess....in distress."he commented,and my composure shook.

What?

I invested my six hours on that!

Is that what a caring husband should say?!