ADELE
We walked out of the registrar's office after we were done. We took our vows to always help each other through thick and thin and we even took the picture for our wedding certificates. Well, now I want to go back home.
"Wow! You are finally married, honey", Christopher's mother said and I turned to look at her. She is holding her right palm against her son's face affectionately.
"I will finally get to see my grandchildren", she said again and Christopher chuckled.
"Stop being dramatic, mom", he replied to her as he removed her hand from his face and held it instead.
He looked at me and I let my eyes lock with his for a while before taking my eyes off him quickly.
"You finally got married, sis", Veronica said to me as she stood beside me with a smile on her face.
"I am happy for you", I heard mother say and I looked at her in front of me.
"I am not sure if I am happy for me though", I replied with a shrug and mother looked around quickly.
"Don't say that!", she half shrieked with wide eyes and I chuckled. I like teasing mother.
It is true though. I am not sure if I am happy for me. I am not even sure if I know what I am doing.
"Congratulations dear", Christopher's mother said as she approached me.
"Thank you, ma'am", I replied back to her and she pulled me into a tight hug.
"You can call me mom", she replied with a smile after she had unattached her body from mine.
"Ah-"
"Oh, it is fine. Take your time", she said to me with that smile still on her face and I quickly changed my expression to a smiling one as well.
"I don't really know why you guys do not want a grand ceremony", she said with a tired sigh and Christopher spoke up.
"This is enough, mom", he said to her and she just nodded helplessly.
"You know, they can still go on a honeymoon", my mother suggested with a huge grin on her face and my eyes widened.
"No!", I shouted, forgetting all etiquette, and mother's eyes went wide as she looked at me in surprise.
"Uh, Adele dear. Why don't you want a honeymoon?", Christopher's mother asked softly and I gulped.
I had screamed out in rejection but even I don't know why I don't want a honeymoon.
"I think Adele is just a little nervous, Mother. She will be fine", Christopher said and I turned my head sharply to look at him.
"Moreover, we would have enough time to get to know each other at home", he added with a meaningful grin on his face and I scoffed in disbelief.
"He just had to spoil it all with that", I mumbled to myself.
"Oh!", Christopher's mother said sharply as she giggled at Christopher's words.
I looked at mother and she has a satisfactory smile on her face as well. Whatever.
I felt his gaze on me and I turned my head to look at him again. He winked once at me and I batted my eyelids at him in surprise before looking at him in disgust.
New sets of people made their way into the secretary's office and we all realized it was time to leave. We walked out of the building one after the other and I quickly started heading toward father's car.
"Uh, where are you going?", Christopher asked, stopping me dead in my tracks. I looked back at him, just to meet that surprised look on his face and I scoffed.
"Home. Duh!", I replied before folding my arms on my stomach.
"Yes, your new home", mother added and I turned my head to look at her just beside father who is standing beside Christopher.
"What's that supposed to mean?", I asked in confusion.
"It's only right that you go to your husband's house now, Adele", my father replied and I realized my mistake.
"Oh", I replied sharply before looking down at my feet.
"I have to get my things first then. I haven't packed up", I said as an excuse, and mother's giggle followed.
"We already did that for you, honey", I heard her say and I looked up at her in surprise.
"You what?!"
"Veronica and I packed it up for you before we left home this morning", she explained calmly again like it was no big deal and I can feel that anger surging up.
"And when was that?", I asked back calmly.
"When you are doing the dishes", it was Veronica who talked now and I turned my head to look at her.
I gave her a deadly stare to show my unhappiness about what she did and she quickly took her eyes off me.
"Uhn, Adele dear, are you nervous?", Christopher's mother asked before walking to my front.
Is that what this is? Am I just nervous?
"No, I am not", I replied anyways and she took my hands in hers.
"If Christopher does anything you don't want him to, just call me. I will always be there to support you. Trust me, you are in safe hands", she said slowly to me with a convincing look on her face.
"Thank you", I replied nonchalantly to her and she smiled.
"Let's go then", Christopher broke the good memory we were creating and I glared at him.
Veronica went to take my luggage out of the car trunk and Christopher quickly collected it from her.
"Thank you", he said politely after and I scoffed.
'Acting like he is close to me', I thought before rolling my eyes.
"He is cute and nice", Veronica whispered quickly in my ear before going to join father and mother where they stood.
Christopher came to stand beside me and I looked up at him. He is smiling. I held his gaze in mine for a while before father broke the silence.
"We would leave you two to it now", he said. He has that sentimental look on his face.
"Take care of your husband, Adele", father added and I gave him a smile in return.
Mother walked forward after that and pulled me into a tight hug. It feels so-- good. It has been a long time since I hugged mother like this, I can't even recollect the last time.
"Take care of yourself", she said into my ear before loosening her hold on me. She brought her hands up to cup my face.
"You finally got married", she said with glossy eyes and I gulped.
This is just too emotional for me.
"I did", I told her back, my voice quivering.
She walked back after smiling at me and Veronica waved at me. I waved back at her with a smile on my face before looking at Christopher's parents. They have that assuring smile on their faces as Mr. Marvin held his wife in his arms. I nodded at them in respect before looking up at Christopher again.
He offered his right hand towards me to hold on to and I raised a brow at him.
"Don't push it", I said quietly to him but the others somehow managed to hear me because they burst into laughter after I finished talking.
I guess I wasn't speaking as quietly as I thought I was then.
Christopher and I walked towards his car and he dropped my luggage in the back seat immediately after we got there.
I walked to the passenger door and was about to pull it open when he arrived beside me. He opened the door for me like a gentleman and I scoffed.
The drive to his house was too quiet, really too quiet that I had to speak up.
"What we are doing is crazy, you know", I told him and he turned his head to look at me quickly.
"Uhn?", he asked back in confusion that I had to turn my head to look at him as well.
"Getting married to a stranger"
"Oh", he replied quietly before facing the road.
"I hope we get along quite well then", he said as he faced the road and I chuckled.
I hope so too. A few minutes passed after that and still, we are not there. I am starting to get anxious.
"Where exactly are we going? Mars?", I asked or half shrieked that he chuckled aloud.
"No, we are almost there. Calm down", he replied with another chuckle and I sighed as I kept looking out of the window.
About fifteen minutes passed before the car finally stopped in front of a gigantic black gate. I can't even see what is behind it.
"This is your house?", I asked him with a raised brow and he smiled.
"Our house. Welcome to your new home, Adele", he replied and I frowned as I looked at the gate again.
I hope my stay here does not turn out to be the worse.
* * *
ADELE Christopher honked at whoever it was that was behind the gate and the gate opened immediately. He drove into the compound before parking the car under the car shed. Christopher got down before me and grabbed my suitcase from the back seat. "Come on", he called out to me before heading towards the front door of the building with my suitcase in hand. I looked up at the building in front of me and a sigh escaped my lips. This is it. I got down from the car and quickly went after Christopher. He opened the front door easily and held it open for me to pass through before going further inside. I took a step in and sighed deeply. This place is not so bad. I mean, the sitting room looks okay and it just screams wealth. Not to talk about the pool that is outside that I can see from the ceiling to the glass window that's beside the television on the right. "Come in properly, let me show you around", Christopher said to me and I looked up at him. "Fine", I replied, closing the f
CHRISTOPHER "I got married to you because of my father's company", I said to her and she furrowed her brows at me in confusion. I knew that sooner or later, I would have to talk about this with Adele. Ever since I first saw her at the dinner meeting with our parents, I knew she would be one to inquire about my reasons. I mean, what girl wouldn't? "Do you mind explaining what you mean by that?", only when she said that did I realize that she had been waiting expectantly for me to continue. "Uh, I have to be the next CEO of the company", I said again and looked up at her to see if she was still listening to me. "So? Become the CEO then. What have I got to do with that?", she asked quickly in one breath and her face tells me she is frustrated right now. "Calm down, it is not that simple", I said gently and she huffed at my words. "You are really impatient", I said with a smile and she rolled her eyes at me this time around. "Okay, so?", she asked after a while. "My Uncle Jeffrey
CHRISTOPHER I walk into my study room with my laptop in hand. I grabbed my laptop, shifting the computer on my study table to the back, so my laptop can sit properly on the table. I checked out a few reminders from work before checking the time. It's past six already. We should be having dinner by now. I shut down the laptop and was about to stand up from my seat when an image flashed in front of my eyes. The image of when Adele had held onto her suitcase and I had reached out to take the suitcase as well, only for our hands to touch. The way she had removed her hand from mine was like I was a bad allergy or something. I understand that she is getting used to this strange and sudden arrangement but the least we can do for each other and better growth is to treat each other with care and respect and not like dirt. I sighed before getting up from my seat and going out of the study room. I walked quickly to the bedroom and pushed one of the doors open. There she is, lying down at th
ADELE I stood by the sink as I washed the plates. Truth be told, I will find a way to ask Chris to make me this dish again. It was so delicious. It is like the food just melts in your mouth but with a little spiciness in it which makes it only much better. Chris asked if I liked it and I acted like I did not. I don't want to act so casually with him, so... And I have that drawing to figure out. I should try out 'his' drawing tomorrow again. I don't know why I keep forgetting how to draw his face. I finished washing the plates and as I walked out, I met Chris sitting on that middle couch that is facing the television in the sitting room. "You are here", he said when he finally looked up at me and I just stared back at him. "Do you want to sleep? Do you feel sleepy?", his questions came again and I raised a brow. "No", I finally replied and he nodded. "I thought so too. It would be weird if you said you wanted to sleep, depending on the fact that you just woke up an hour ago", Ch
ADELE Today is Sunday. My second day being a married woman. I watched Chris as he made us some toast. He said we are going to have it with tea and I shrugged at him when he said it. I am still amazed though. I mean, out of all the married women in the world. I am graced with one who won't forcefully have anything intense with his wife without her consent. He is like a gentleman. He is rare, I can say that. He is like- Daniel. My lips twitched a bit and my eyes stung when I realized that. He is just like Daniel in that part. "Are you ready to taste the best toast ever made?", Chris asked with a smile on his face, bringing me out of my thoughts. I have noticed. Christopher like being playful with me for reasons that I have no idea about. I wonder how he always managed to do it though. I mean, he can't be that comfortable with living with someone strange. Can he? I looked down at the island table as I ignored him and a plate of toast landed in front of me. 'Toast is just toast'
ADELE Time flew by so well because the next thing I knew, Christopher and I had had dinner and were already preparing for bed. "I am going to work tomorrow. Will you be okay at home alone?", I heard him ask from the couch as I tried to lay properly on the bed. Why wouldn't I be? "Yeah, I would be", I told him anyways. "I have your phone number. I will call you during lunch break tomorrow", he said again in his soft, deep voice. "Oh! So, you had my number?", I asked immediately without thinking and I heard him shuffling on the couch. I brought my head up to my head and slap myself on the forehead. Oh no! "What do you mean? Am I not supposed to have my wife's number?" I sighed before raising my upper body on the bed as I supported myself by placing my hands on the bed behind me. I looked towards the couch and apparently, Chris is sitting down on the couch as well. "I did not say that", I replied with a roll of my eyes and he frowned at me. "Why did you ask that question
CHRISTOPHER I walked into the house and it is silent, except for the faint sounds coming from the television that is on. Where is Adele? I walked further into the house and when I turned to go and switch off the television, I saw her. She is on the couch that is facing the television, the couch I always sit on. She is sleeping on her left side with her hands on each other, under her head and her face facing the television, only she is fast asleep. She is in a teal green gown and it has moved up to her mid-thigh. I looked up at her face and her brows are close to each other in a frown. I smiled at that. She is frowning even when she is asleep as well. I shook my head at her action before placing my suitcase on the table silently. I left her in bed when I left for work in the morning and now, it is her sleeping face I am still looking at when I got home. I frowned when I thought properly about it. She must have been bored. I walked forward to tap her on the arm but my hand hung
ADELE I sat on the bed as I placed the clothes I would be needing at Chris's Uncle's house in my suitcase. Today is Friday, we leave for his house tomorrow. I raised a brow as I remembered the conversation I had with Chris on that day. "We would have to sleep together as well", he had told me and my eyes widened. How will that be possible when we have never slept in the same bed before? Chris said his uncle would suspect that something is wrong if we ask to sleep in two different rooms and I agree with him. The door to the bedroom clicked open and I looked up from where I sat at the foot of the bed. Chris walked in with his work suitcase gripped tightly in his hand and he has a tired look on his face. He raised his head and when his eyes met mine, he gave me a small smile. Hmph! "Hey", he greeted me when he was about to reach where I was. "Hey", I replied before running the zip of my suitcase. "You packed up already", he stated as he sat down on the bed as well with the suitca
ADELEIt's been a week since the competition. Everything is back to normal and Chris has even gotten up to prepare for work today as well.Oh yes, Bianca's modeling job went down because of what happened at the competition. Apparently, someone had been filming all that happened. She got out of the police jail not long after she was placed in it but I think she has learnt her lesson. Chris walked out of the walk-in closet and I sat up immediately to look at him. I felt a sharp headache and I hissed. Chris got in front of me- at the foot of the bed- in no time as he asked. "Hey, are you okay?" I pushed my hand in front of him to tell him to stop talking. I don't know where this headache came from all of a sudden. "Yeah, I am fine," I replied with a smile as I looked up at Chris. My stomach started making some disturbance and I winced when I suddenly got a stomach ache. I bent forward on my seat on the bed as I clenched the cloth holding my stomach tightly in my hand. "Adele?""So
ADELE"So, why did you do it? Why did you take my artwork?" I asked and she moved in the tight grip of the investigator. She brought her face in front of mine as she spat those foolish, unkind words. "Because I hate you," she replied as she looked into my eyes and I frowned. She moved back as a loud hysterical laugh escaped her lips. The investigators moved his feet while he pulled Bianca after him. She stopped laughing all of a sudden and screamed at the top of her voice. "I can walk on my own!" She demanded to the investigator who held on to her right arm and he let her go immediately. She walked in the front while the two investigators walked behind her. I released a deep breath as they went out of my sight. Chris arrived backstage with the two men who had collected my artwork from me outside the hotel yesterday. They were both carrying my artwork."You are here," I said as he reached in front of me and he nodded. "And let's welcome Mrs. Marvin to the stage!" I heard the Ma
ADELEThe investigators arrived some moments later in a black round-neck top and jean trousers. Two of them went into the hotel while others stayed inside the car, not far away from the hotel. I welcomed them into my hotel room and shut the door. I am only thankful that the event has started, so all the artists are in there. Chris asked me to take my seat on the bed while the two investigators stood in front of me. Chris stood on my left, not far away from the bed and not far away from the investigators. "When last did you see the artwork, Mrs. Marvin?" The nice and calm looking one of the investigators asked. "Uh, yesterday afternoon when I brought it here in my husband's car," I replied and the other one wrote something down. "Your husband explained to us that two men collected the artwork from you," he said and I nodded. "That's right," I replied and the other man wrote something down again. "Can you describe those men?"I nodded and tried to make a good description of them
ADELE"Bianca?" I asked as I squinted my eyes at her and she giggled. "Surprise!" She said back cheerfully and I furrowed my brows at her. What is wrong with her?"Oh right, I did not know you would be here as well," she added in her normal self as she slanted her lips at me. I must say, she is still looking beautiful as always. "What are you doing here?" I asked and she sighed. "I am here for the art competition," she replied and my mouth went round in surprise. I thought she was a model, how can she be here? Or does she perhaps paint as well?"Wha-? How?" I let out uncontrollably and she chuckled again. "Well, I might have lied to my new boyfriend that I know how to paint. Then, he signed me up for this and here I am," she said with a shrug and I nodded at her words knowingly. Well, that sounds like her. "Nice to see you again then," I greeted as I forced a smile at her and she smiled back instantly."Same here," she replied and I hummed before getting into my room. "I wil
ADELE"Chris? What are you doing here?" I asked with my eyes wide in surprise. "Can I come in?" He asked and I moved away from the door immediately. "Of course," I replied as Chris pushed his body in with a sigh. I closed the door and turned around to look at Chris immediately. "I called your phone," he said with a sigh as he sat down at the edge of the bed. "My phone is dead," I replied as I moved forward and stood in front of him. "Oh, I got so worried though," he breathed under his breath and I took my seat beside him. "I know"Chris pulled me into a hug immediately I sat down and I gasped in surprise. I became comfortable in his arms and just hugged him back tightly. "I missed you," he breathed into my neck and I chuckled. "I missed you too," I replied as I rubbed his back with my right hand. We stayed like that for a short while before he finally let me go slowly. "How are you?" He asked as he held my hands in both of his. "I am fine," I replied with a small smile on
ADELE"My artwork?" She asked and I nodded. "Some guys asked for my painting when I got in front of the hotel-," I started panicking as I explained but she cut me off midway. "Oh, those guys. I forgot about them," she replied and I took in a deep breath, waiting for her to continue. "They collected mine as well, saying they had somewhere allocated for each artwork," she added and I released the breath I was holding. "I guess that is how it works then," I said with a smile and she nodded. "Yeah"She faced the stage before turning to look at me again. "I am Veronica," she introduced herself as she stretched her hand which had three rings on them towards me. "Wow," I said out in amazement anyways and her expression turned into one of deep confusion. "You have the same name as my younger sister, that's all," I replied quickly before taking her hand. "I am Adele, Adele Marvin," I said proudly and her eyes widened. "I knew you looked familiar," she said cheerfully with a huge smil
ADELE"He knew my name, it was pretty weird," I came out to Chris as I furrowed my brows at the direction the men had gone in. "Oh?" Chris asked back and I turned to look at him. "Yeah," I nodded and Chris raised a brow. "You realize that is not strange, right?" Chris asked with a chuckle and I frowned in confusion. "And how is it not?" "Because you are pretty popular. At least, a bit." Chris explained before using his index and thumb to hold his jaw as if he was thinking about something."Uhn?" I asked with a raised eyebrow. I am still confused. He brought his focus back to me before explaining more clearly, "You are Mrs. Marvin, remember?" He asked and my mouth went round in shape in realization. "Oh yeah! Yeah, that's true. I almost forgot," I said the last sentence as a silly joke as I chuckled but I don't think Chris understands. He is looking at me in surprise and confusion at the same time. "Come on, I have to get my baggage out of the car," I said as I hit him playful
ADELEIt's finally a day before the day of the competition and I am very excited about it. Chris is carrying the little baggage I packed into the car. The baggage contains the little necessities I might be needing during my stay there. He returned to the art room and I took my gaze off the covered artwork- that is standing against the wall- to him."I seriously can't peep at it?" Chris asked and I rejected the idea immediately. "No! It is going to be a big surprise," I replied with a tired sigh. "Help me get it out of the house?" I asked and he walked closer to where I stood. "Sure!" He replied before holding the artwork from his side. He tried lifting his side and he dropped it back down instantly. My eyes widened in fear when I heard that slight sound it made against the tiled floor. "Don't you dare hurt that thing, Chris, or I am going to get angry at you," I warned with a frown on my face as I pointed my index finger at Chris and he chuckled. "I seriously don't know why you
ADELEI have moved back into my art room since the moment I started working on this competition project. I don't want Chris to see what I am making or it would ruin the big surprise. The competition or event is in two weeks and Chris has really been helping me a lot. He has been buying all the art supplies I ask for while I collect them from him, just at the door of the art room. Then, I shut the door right in his face. It had been fun to shut the door in his face in the beginning but now, I miss him so much, that I close the door slowly. A knock sounded on the door and I raised my head from the painting quickly. Chris is here. When did he get back from work?I dropped my brush in a can before walking to the door. I pulled it open and Chris's face appeared in front of me. "Hey," I breathed out and he smiled. "Hey," he replied before pushing his hands into his pocket. "Dinner is ready," he added as he took his left hand out of his pocket and pointed behind him. "Oh oh, I will b