Chapter 2

ARIANNA

I rolled over to the other side of the bed with my eyes still shut, expecting to meet with the warm body of the man whom I called my husband.

But unfortunately it was cold. As cold as ice. As if nobody had ever, ever laid on that part of the bed before.

Wanting to not believe my guts, I used a hand and tapped on the side but I was only met with an empty bed space.

The reality caused me to fly my eyes open, my chest heaving.

Slowly I sat up, my eyes now darting to where Lucas would have laid on if he did spend the entire night with me.

It was empty as expected. I stared at it in a daze, expecting Lucas to magically appear out of thin air on the bed but it was all just in my head.

I thought it was a very horrible nightmare but this was my reality.

Sadness washed upon my face and I snivelled, trying so hard to not even shed a drop of tear.

I stood up dejectedly and walked into the spacious shower room.

I needed to clear my head and a hot shower would probably do that.

Pondering over my life, I realised how foolish I was in believing that Lucas really loved me last night when he made love to me.

He was fucking drunk yet I somehow expected him to stay in bed with me till dawn.

Am I not a big fool!?

Why do I keep on giving myself castle on air dreams?

I was honestly tricked into marrying Lucas.

I was fooled and I walked right into the trap like the big fool I was.

What was I ever thinking?

I never imagined that I would ever be married to someone like Lucas. I always imagined I would marry a man out of love, one who loves and appreciates me.

But Lucas does not. It was so vivid in the way he spoke to me and how he treated me. His eyes carried no emotions for me. I have a husband but he has never even told me that he loves me.

"Ari my dear" a feminine voice called from outside my room which chimed into my thoughts.

"Y-yes?" I replied unsure of who it was that was calling.

"I just wanted to check up on you. Breakfast is being set up please come out" the lady replied.

"Sure thank you" I answered back, still so unsure of who it was that I was relating with as a result of the ruckus going on within, my internal turmoil kept me distracted from the outside world.

Then it suddenly clicked onto me. Yes I could prepare some thing for Lucas and he would take it to work.

My mother advised me to always cook for my husband. According to her she would always say that the way to a man's heart was his stomach.

The thought of my mother and her weird little talks got me smiling. Quickly I freshened up and stepped out stark naked.

There was nobody here so I could as well enjoy my privacy.

I took out a floral blue dress from the closet accompanied by a pair of footwear.

In less than twenty minutes I was already done, slipping out of my room in a bid to try and win my husband's heart.

We were married but we still are strangers. I need to atleast try and make this marriage work.

On getting to the dinning, I noticed Lucas entire family was already seated. Including Lucas himself.

Their eyes were upon me apart from Lucas who had his gaze on his food.

Trying to walk gracefully, I prodded down the stairs and towards them.

I was so self conscious of my appearance and how I walked.

Lucas younger sister, Rose, smirked towards my direction. It was a kind of mocking smile and I did not know why.

"G-good morning mother and father" I greeted with a courtesy bow.

"Goodmorning Ari" Mrs Hilton said to me.

Oh so she was the one who came to call me.

But her husband did not respond to my greetings.

"Father I greeted you" I smiled at him.

His eyes did not meet mine, he did not even spare me a single glance.

What is the matter?

"I heard you. But now I am wondering, what sort of wife wakes this late in the morning?" His eyes finally connected to mine, a scowl on his face.

My mouth parted but no words came out. I was so speechless and nervous on how to reply. I did not want to upset him but he already was upset and a scowl sat on his lips.

"I am really sorry..." my eyes wandered towards everyone on the table.

Only Mrs Hilton had a friendly disposition towards me.

Lucas was not even interested in looking at me like as if I was covered in dirt and Rose kept on passing me devilish smiles.

"I am really sorry everyone. I just had a tiring day that was why I over slept. I promise to wake more early tomorrow" I pleaded, filtering my words to soothe father.

"That is not an excuse. You are not the first woman to get married. You better sit up and stop slouching. No wonder your parents were quick to sell you out" he strictly said to me with a stern look.

"James" Mrs Hilton held on to his hand softly in a bid to suppress his anger but he withdrew his hand from her's immediately.

"Teach this girl some manners Vivian and stop trying to cover up for her" Mr Hilton spat at his wife so rudely before walking out.

I fought back my tears.They all had high expectations of me giving them an heir but I had not given them anything.

I endured these type of taunts daily.

In the media and on the tv, they are all full of happiness and love but within themselves, there is coldness and disunity.

Heavens what have I gotten myself into?

I blinked repeatedly, fighting back my tears.

"Sit down and stop standing like a log of wood" Rose distastefully spat at me. I took in a deep breath and ignored her words.

Pulling out a seat, I sat directly opposite Lucas who still paid me no attention.

Like I did not even exist to him.

"Ari dear pardon my husband ok" Mrs Hilton kindly said to me.

Atleast if everyone hated me, she liked me.

"Oh you do not have to apologise mother. It was my fault. I did wake late" I replied smiling.

"Urgh disgusting" I heard Rose scoffed as she stood up from her seat leaving just only I, mother and Lucas.

"Uhm Lucas?" Mother called him to which he answered.

"Why don't you spend time with Arianna today after work?" She suggested to my delight.

"I doubt. I will be very busy in the office" he coldly said squashing the tiny glint of happiness that had begun blossoming in my heart.

What was I even expecting him to say in the first place?

"Can I atleast come bring you lunch?" I asked right as he was about standing up.

Lucas finally looked at me but no emotions were in his eyes for me.

"Do not bother. If I want lunch, I will go get some myself" Lucas replied harshly.

"Can you please drop me off at my parents house please then? I want to go see my mother" I requested fidgety.

"Why?" He let out a suppressed chuckle.

"So you can go spread more lies about us and taint our image right?!" Lucas yelled, suddenly being inflamed by anger.

I was shocked and my eyes went red. "No that is not it. I just want to spend time with her" I refuted his allegations.

"Fucking liar!" Lucas thundered.

"Calm down Lucas. She just wants to spend time with her mother. Is that a crime to do so?" Mrs Hilton stood up for me.

Lucas passed glares at his mother and then at I, breathing heavily. He was trying to control his rage.

"Do not be decieved by her innocent looks. She is nothing like that" he scoffed at me.

"That is not true. I just want to go spend time with my mother. I miss her. I rarely go see her and..." I choked back on a sob.

"And nothing! You lying gold digger. Your innocent looks might decieve my mother but not me" Lucas growled.

"Enough Lucas! In my presence you still talk to your wife in such a degrading manner? Have you no respect at all?" Mrs Hilton scolded Lucas, bolting up from her seat.

A defeaning silence swept the atmosphere with Lucas piercing gaze on me. "I have no respect for gold diggers and liars" Lucas scowled, his entire gaze still on me as every word rolled out of his tongue before walking out.

I turned to face mother and she had a sorry look on her face for me. She knew what was going on.

"You will be fine my dear. Just give him time. He will come to accept you and this marriage" she reached for me and squeezed my hand reassuringly as she spoke.

Time. That was what I was scared off. It was a fifty-fifty chance.

With time, he would either grow to love me or hate me even more than he does now.