Chapter 2

     Larissa sat in her bedroom, staring out of the window as the rain pattered against the panes.

 She couldn't help but wonder if she had made a mistake in marrying her crush,  Stanley. For the past two years of their marriage, she had tried everything in her power to build their relationship, but nothing seemed to be working, Stanley never for one day touches her, but Larissa was still with him hoping that one day, he might likely touch her,  

As she looked out of the window, she could see Stanley's car driving into the parking lot, She still remembered the day he had proposed to her, she had been so happy, but now, she couldn't help but feel trapped In the loveless marriage, 

Larissa climbs the stairs down, and she walks towards him to help him with his briefcase, “Honey, are you okay?” Stanley's voice startled her as he walked into the room.

“I'm fine,” she replied, and she took the briefcase, and immediately headed upstairs, not wanting to start a conversation. She knew that Stanley would try and probe her, 

Stanley walked Into the bedroom, had he showered, and retired to bed, 

Larissa walked over to him and sat on the bed. “You know I love you, right?” she asked,

Stanley looked at him but didn't reply, he had heard those words from Larissa so many times, but they didn't hold the same weight anymore,

“I know I haven't been the best wife for you, I know you don't want me, but I promise I'm going to make it up to you,” Larissa continued.

Stanley sighed, he had heard those promises before too, but they had never materialized, and he asked, “what do you want me from me?” Stanley asked, desperation creeping into his voice.

“I just want you to touch me,” Larissa said softly. “It's been two years, Stanley. Two years since we got married,”

“I know,” Stanley said, his voice filled with guilt. “I've been trying to work on myself, but the feelings and emotions Is not there,” he explained, 

“Why?” Larissa asked, finally turning to look at him.

“Larissa, I don't have feelings for you, my feelings Is for someone else, I love Barbara, not you” Stanley said, 

Larissa felt a pang in her chest. She had suspected as much, but hearing it confirmed was still a shock.

“Stanley, have I done anything wrong to you by getting married to you?“ Larissa asked, 

“Larissa, you did more than evil, I only got married to you just to please my grandfather,  and I agreed to get married to you just because Barbara Is not yet ready for marriage then” Stanley said, 

“I still love you, Stanley,” Larissa said, reaching out to take his hand. “But I can't force myself to do something you might not be comfortable with.” she said, 

Stanley pulled his hand away and stood up. he needed some space to think.

“I can't keep living in this mansion with you, Larissa, you are choking me, and pretend like everything is okay,” Stanley said. “I need some space, Larissa” he said, and he stood up from the bed and headed downstairs, pour whiskey In the glass cup, and he drinks until he was Intoxicated, but Instead of him to climb the stairs, he slept In the private living room till In the morning,  

Larissa looked crestfallen, but she didn't object, she knew that she had to leave him alone,, because he might be willing to do something nasty by beating her up, Instead she left the bedroom to the guestroom where she slept, 

Larissa woke up early, and she took the car keys, carried her bag and left the mansion, and she headed to nursing school program without telling him, 

months later, Larissa spent a lot of time in the school, but still trying to work on her marriage, because she made sure she call her husband, Stanley twice daily, 

Though, she realized that she loved Stanley, but she didn't want to continue living in a loveless marriage. She decided to put her foot down and make some changes, and she returned to the Stanley's mansion, 

When she returned to the mansion, she sat Stanley down and had a serious conversation with him. She made it clear that she loved him, but she couldn't continue living in a marriage where she didn't feel loved or wanted, 

“Okay, do you want us to make the marriage open?“ Stanley asked, 

“How do you mean?“ Larissa asked, 

“I will watch you do your things the way you like, and you too will also watch me do my things, there won't be any questions or complain” Stanley explained,  

“Larissa understand him, but she pretends as If she was a novice, and she left for school, only Stanley's grandfather understand Larissa's movement, because, she always carry Stanley's grandfather along In  everything of her plans, because, Stanley doesn't give her listening ears, 

Instead of Larissa bothering herself with unnecessary thought of her loveless marriage, she concentrate on her nursing program, and she had been studying diligently, and had made a lot of new friends at the hostel, she enjoyed the atmosphere and the camaraderie of the other nursing students. But Larissa always felt a little empty at the end of each day because the thought of her loveless marriage always occupied her mind,

One day, as she was making her way back to the hostel, she bumped into Stanley on the street with another girl leaning on his parked car, gisting, laughing, smiles, and they felt happy together, Larissa thought In her mind that the girl her husband was gisting with might be Barbara, as she was about to cross to the other side of the road, she later decided to call his name, 

"Stanley!" Larissa smiked when she saw him. "What a surprise!"

Stanley barely glanced at her. "Larissa," he said, tonelessly,

"Oh," Larissa's smile faded. "How have you been?" she asked, 

"I've been busy," Stanley answered shortly. "I have to go. Talk to you later."

And with that, he continues to gist with Barbara,  Larissa watched his retreating form, feeling a lump form in her throat. Why did she even bother? Stanley obviously didn't care about her,

Larissa knew that they had a loveless marriage. But it still hurt to have him treat her like she was invisible. Larissa wondered if Stanley even remembered that she was in nursing school. He had never shown any interest in what she did.

As she went back to her hostel room, Larissa tried to push away the feelings of loneliness. She had learned to depend on herself. She would focus on her studies and make the most of her time at the nursing school.

A few days later, Stanley called Larissa. She was surprised to hear from him, and he said, “Larissa, “I will be traveling out of the country tonight, but I'll be back in the country next week," he said. "I have to go to a conference, and I thought I would catch up with you later” he explained, 

Larissa was surprised. Stanley had never made an effort to see her before.

"Sure," she said, trying to keep her voice steady, 

They arranged to meet up at a restaurant near the nursing school. Larissa was nervous as she waited for him. She wondered what he wanted to talk about.

When Stanley arrived, he looked the same as always distant and unemotional.

"How's nursing school going?" he asked, picking at his food.

Larissa was shocked that he had remembered. "It's going well," she answered. "I'm in my second year now."

Stanley nodded as if the conversation bored him. "That's good."

Silence stretched between them, and Larissa tried to think of something to say. But she realized that there wasn't anything left to talk about. They had nothing in common, no connection at all,

Larissa finished her meal quickly, hoping to leave soon,

"Well, I have to head back to the hostel," Larissa said, standing up.

"Okay," Stanley said, also rising from his seat. "See you later."

Larissa walked away, her heart heavy. She didn't know what she expected, but it certainly wasn't that.