Chapter 3 (The Husband)

It's been hours since I've been stuck in my room, and I am feeling hungry. 

Unbelievable, it seems that my husband is going to be late tonight. I haven't seen him today, which is annoying! He should have known that I will be coming home today, but he wasn't here to welcome me back home! This is absolutely bulshit! 

*GROWL*

Yes, I know. My stomach is empty. Should I try to call the maid? 

Honestly, this isn't the first time I let my stomach empty because almost every day I couldn't eat proper food because I live miserably in a cramped place. 

Huh? What am I blabbering about? 

Shrugging my head, I release a heavy sigh. Why do I think too much to the point where I do not know my stand. 

Thankfully, a knock from the door interrupts me from becoming my own enemy. 

"Come in," I said, plainly. 

I put my hands on my waist, waiting for the person to enter. Later on, the maid enters my room. 

This maid gave me a cold shoulder when I stepped on the doorstep of the house for the first time. What's her deal with me? It's ticking my blood! 

I didn't have the time to roam around or admire the structure of this mansion because of this stupid maid's attitude. Her existence, alone, is enough to piss my day. 

However, I couldn't confront her. I have to prove myself right or else I will look bad to anyone. 

Why am I acting considerate to her behavior?

"Hey!" I called the maid in an authoritative tone, cocking a brow cockily. 

"I came here to bring your dinner." She informed me without looking at me. 

Clenching my hand, I feel disrespected. It's like she didn't acknowledge me. My head is starting to heat up, but Erina, you must calm down. Nobody is here willing to defend you. 

Right after, the maid pushes the cart inside my room. 

Rolling my eyes out, I let her set up the table in my room. 

Hold on, that means I usually eat alone? In my room?! Am I this big castle's little prisoner?!

"Shit!" I swear under my breath harshly.

*CLANK*

I heard the maid drop the spoon, and she looks at me with an utterly surprised look. Wincing disgustingly, I looked at her with wrinkles on my face. 

'Don't you dare look at me like that!' How I wish I could spat these words out of my head. 

"What are you looking at?" I keep my brow high as I widen my eye. I did not break our eye contact, but this bitch dares to look away and ignore me. She maneuvers her hand to get the spoon on the floor. 

Some people being ignored would explode, and I am one of those people. I couldn't keep myself from holding back my emotions. 

Licking my lips, I raise my voice, "Hey, what is wrong with you?! Why are you ignoring me?"

When I spat those words out, my stomach betrayed me. 

*GROWL*

Damn, I am starving myself to death! I could feel my cheek burning as I try to look away from the maid's sight. I don't want to look innocent to her, but not in this case. Food is a must! 

"I have done preparing your table. You may enjoy your macaroni and cheese." She said hastily, making me click my tongue. 

"Get out of my sight, then," I commanded as I brush off myself. Without any hesitation, she runs over to the door while pulling out the cart. 

*BAM!* 

Thereon, she shuts the fucking door. She's lucky I did not pull out her hair. I managed to control myself, even though my stomach is rumbling. 

"What a dumbass bitch! Argh! The audacity! She didn't even address me properly," I groaned, trying to suppress the anger as I am already pissed--- and so you are! 

My attention suddenly shifted to the food placed on the round, glass table. Frankly, the food presentation is unappealing to my eyes. The macaroni looks a little different from the ones I had in a restaurant. It makes me want not to eat it, but I am hungry. So, I don't have any other choice. 

Rushing to the chair, I sit down immediately and grab the fork on the side. I quickly dap the fork on the macaroni to get a piece of it. 

Sniffing, I noticed that it smells like sour milk. 

Does the maid know how to cook? I ponder because if I were to judge she failed to impress me with her service. 

When I decided to take a bite, my eyes widen, and my nose flared. 

The macaroni--- No, the cheese becomes stale.

Clenching my hands into a ball of a fist, I slam both hands on the table as the fork dropped to the floor. 

"She's serving me expired food?! What the actual fuck is this?!" I got up from my seat, and I really need to confront this maid or fire her. 

Why is she serving us here in the first place! What kind of husband is he for allowing her to work---- Wait, fuck! Did he order her to be mean to me? 

Does he no longer want me to be here, so he wants to poison me? I could be overthinking, but it seems right. 

Right now, for sure, I need to look for that maid! I need to teach her a lesson.

Making my way out of my room, I run into the spacious hallway. I could even hear the echoes of every step I take. 

Where am I heading to? Perks of having a spacious mansion, ugh! It's frustrating.

"Hey, helper! Come out, come out wherever you are!" I screamed as if we were playing hide and seek while I, as the seekers. 

Panting, I did not hear any sound of footsteps near me. Damn, this house looks like a haunted one. 

The illuminance of the moon gives life to this empty, mysterious-looking hallway. I can feel the touch of the moon on my skin as I walk into the unknown. Funny, I am the wife, yet I know nothing--- everything in this household. 

My memories are all conflicted. It scales from I am Erina, to like, I wasn't Erina. 

"What the fuck is going on with me!" 

I rub my temples, keeping the wrinkles away. But, should I run away?

Isn't this the perfect timing? Since I died once, I don't want to die again!

Slowly, I turn my head around to check if someone is following me. I narrow my eyes to meticulously examine my spot. Fortunately, for me, no one is around. I bet that husband of mine would order someone to check on me since he couldn't care less about me. 

Disappointing as it may seem, but is what it is. 

Wasting no time, I quickly run. I keep glancing around to look for an opening to escape. 

Alas! No one is guarding the front door. I can't believe I've made it here! Sweating and panting, I rushed to the door. Then, I twirl the doorknob as it welcomes me out of the house. 

"I made it out!" I exclaimed contentedly. It's like I've been able to spread my wings and fly. 

Smiling, I fasten my pace, yet suddenly, I bump into something. Right before my body could slump to the ground, a hand wrapped around my waist to support my balance. I yelp as I closed my eyes.

"Are you alright?" A baritone voice asked me. His voice sends a shiver on my spine. It sounds so hot that I couldn't help but melt away. 

Curiously, I slowly flutter my eyes to open. 

Here, my eyes catch his baby blue eyes that could draw me in. I took my time to look at his face. 

Indeed, he got the looks. The looks that could charm and swarm ladies around him. His gaze is nonchalant. His jaws are wide and chiseled perfectly by the hand of God. His dirty blonde hair even shines like a star under the brilliance of the moonlight. 

Oh, and look at his lips, they look delicious--- I mean, plumpy, playful. 

Unexpectedly, all these thoughts blasted away when I heard him saying, "What are you up to, Erina?"

Believe it or not, my heart skipped a beat while my throat tightens. Then, I could feel my body stiffen in disbelief. 

"Hey, Erina. Are you okay? You are looking so pale." Even though those words show concern, his voice is weight none. 

This is not the time to assume Erina, so I have to ask. I have to know! I have to!

"Who are you?" I dropped the question, and I could feel him flinch on my skin. 

"Do you really forget me?" His eyes look at me intensely, piercing the deepest doubt in my heart. 

"I a-asked you first, who are you?" I stammered as I remove his hand from my waist, stepping one step backward. 

Breathing out, he wipes his face, trying to muster his courage.

"I am Jericho Arison, Erina." 

He introduced himself to me calmly, and it slowly breaks my heart. I did not expect to bump into him like this, and I never anticipated that it would tear me apart. I don't even know this man, yet I know this body once belongs to him. 

His hands sneakily entangle mine, and he takes a step forward as he says half-heartedly, "Erina, it's me, your husband." 

I huff in defeat, and my body numb as the voices inside my head say, 'My husband, huh!'