Anna's House

Chapter Three:

Marianne's POV

As I walked into my childhood friend's house, a sense of relief washed over me. It was a stark contrast to the turmoil I'd felt in my now-empty home.

"Welcome, Marianne," she said, her eyes shining with happiness. "I'm so glad you left that marriage. I was tired of seeing you trying to teach Blake how to love you. That's not how it's supposed to be.”

“Thank you Anna. I have been waiting for him to change. Well, he made me signed the divorce paper, if not, I had be in that marriage if he hasn't pushed me to sign”

“Whoa! I don't want to stay long, I need to start going to work. Take care of yourself Marianne. My house is your house”

“Where do you work?”

“Homeland company”

My heart sank at the mention of Blake's company. “Oh! The same company my ex-husband works for?”

“Yes, but at a different branch. At first when you told me about how he treated you. I doubt it, because he treats his colleagues with so much love. I have seen it myself when I went to his branch for meeting and I have heard good things about him”

"That's the thing," I replied, a bitter taste in my mouth. "Blake was always charming and kind to everyone except me. Even his colleagues loved him. They had no idea how he treated me at home.”

“I am sorry you had to pass through that hard time. Some marriages are not meant to last. Bye, Marianne. See you later at evening”

“Bye” I watched her leave as I waved my hands.

I sigh, trying to hold back my tears, “I have done too much Blake. It's fine that you love others but not me. It's my fault for loving you too much” I took my phone and blocked his number and anywhere he could reach me, even if I knew he wouldn't even try to reach me.

****

It's 5pm and I waited till Anna came back. When I heard the door knock, I knew she's the one already.

“Welcome Anna, how was work?”

“It was fine, what did you cook?”

“I am sorry, I didn't cook anything” I replied

“What have you eaten?” She asked curiously.

“I do not feel hungry”

“Don't tell me that, so since morning that I left for work you haven't taken anything. I have eaten thrice today, and I am still hungry”

“You know you are working, so definitely you will be hungry. I am just here watching the TV”

“Watching TV doesn't justify this, don't tell me you are busy thinking. You should be happy that the marriage ended”

“Thank you Anna, I am happy” Even I can hear the hollowness in my voice. “I am really happy’

“speaking of which, you have a PhD in accounting, right?”

“Yes, I do. Don't you know?”

“Well, guess what," Anna says with a sly smile. "My company is looking for an accountant. I thought maybe you could apply for the position."

"Your company?" I ask, a sense of dread creeping into my gut. "Do you mean the same company Blake works for?"

"No, no," she says quickly. "My branch is different from his. He works at the other one.”

“Alright, but I will have to think about that, I am sorry.”

“It's fine and if you think it will affect you, then don't worry”

“Alright, thank you Anna”

“I'll go to the kitchen to cook now, to prepare food for us”

She left to the kitchen, and I sank back into the coach.

The silence is deafening, save for the occasional clatter of pots and pans in the kitchen. I try to focus on the TV, but my mind keeps drifting back to Blake, to the way he looked at me with such cold indifference.

I feel a hot tear roll down my cheek, followed by another and another. I start sobbing, unable to control my emotions any longer.

Anna came out of the kitchen and patted me on my shoulder.

“Everything will be fine”

We ate and we both went to the room to sleep. It was the first night I will not be sleeping at Blake's house after marriage. He must not see me leave the house, and I had always obeyed his instruction.

I kept on closing and opening my eyes to see if I would be able to sleep. But No, I can't stop thinking of Blake.

I tossed and turned, unable to find sleep. I kept replaying memories of Blake in my mind. The man I had loved, the man I had once believed was my future, was now gone.

The man I love all the days of my life.

I remembered when I finished my PhD and my father announced to me that they had arranged a marriage between me and Blake. I was the happiest lady, because he's my longtime crush since I was a young girl.