Chapter 2

The light hitting my face snapped me awake. I stood up and went to the restroom. I was still yawning when I turned to face the mirror. My eyes still have a puffy appearance to them. I went to the kitchen after grooming myself and dressed. Our house is a small modern house with two bedrooms, which is ideal for the two of us. The ambiance is amazing. The veranda is my favourite thing. Our parents chose this house and location because it is close to the university where we study.

Even though we stayed at Auden's house for three days after the wedding, we decided to sleep in separate rooms.

Because I was focused on the kitchen, I didn't notice Auden in the living room right away. I came to a halt and stared at him as well. His brow was furrowed. The gaze shifted to me and my chest. So I looked at what he was looking at as well.

I'm like a runner trying to get ahead of the finish line and back into the room. I recently discovered that I wasn't wearing a bra!

I hit myself in the head with my own hand. "Cams, pay attention! You're not just a single lady anymore, and you're not in your house, okay?" I said to myself. It was as if I had lost sight of what had happened the night before.

But wait a minute. Aren't we married yet? Nothing is wrong with that. No! No, not yet. Ugh. I took a deep breath while getting some underwear. Why did I just change, but I didn't wear a bra? I'm still talking to myself, and I'm not going to do it again. This is so embarrassing!

This is just an arranged marriage, we are not totally in love.

Okay, I love him, but the feeling is not mutual.

I felt a little embarrassed as I exited the room. I made a cup of black coffee for him and a cup of chocolate for myself. This is our family doctor's recommendation, and I can drink it. I carried it into the living room. He's working on something on his laptop.

I took a seat on another couch. "I made you a cup of black coffee." I smiled to avoid looking awkward. I placed a glass of coffee and a piece of chocolate on the table in front of him.

He looked up, but he also avoided it right away. Her ears are also bright red. Perhaps he was embarrassed by what he witnessed. How can I not be? It's even more embarrassing for me. As I watched him, it became clear that he was not the Auden I had spoken with the night before. I'm relieved in some ways.

"Why black coffee?" He raised an eyebrow as he looked at the coffee cup in his right hand. "Tita told me you like black coffee, eh?" I gulped down the chocolate I'd made. I'm curious as to why he was staring at the coffee. Is he thinking I put a love potion in his coffee, or is it poisoned? I'm not sure I'm desperate for his attention enough to do those things.

I looked at him when he nodded. I'm waiting to hear his thoughts on the coffee I made for him. He paused after the first gulp, as if savoring the flavor. In those few seconds, I couldn't tell what he was thinking. I'm not sure if he tasted it or I put too much coffee or sugar, or if I mixed his coffee incorrectly.

"How did you find it?" I clenched my teeth and waited for him to respond. He lowered the cup after averting his gaze. As he spoke, my chest throbbed.

"It's... It's horrifying! You are not obliged to make one for me the next time. I'm certain I can do it " He expressed his disappointment. He stood up and picked up the laptop. In the living room, I was gaping left.

"Oh, my mom just called. She has invited us to lunch today," he reminded me without looking at me, didn't wait for my response, and left me to enter his room, leaving me in the living room. I took a sip of the coffee and tasted it. It's bitter, but it's just right for me. It's not overly sweet. Perhaps it's simply not his preferred coffee blend.

I'm just trying to impress him, eh?

I returned to my bedroom to get dress. The gray hoodie on my bed reminded me of what had happened the night before.

FLASHBACK

"Y-you left this to me after the incident back when we were in high school." After telling him that, I bit my lower lip. I can feel the coldness and sweating on my palm. "I'm sorry, but I wasn't able to return this to you. So here it is, I'm giving it back to you." I acted as if I was handing it to him.

I'd been saving it for years, waiting for this moment. But there's something holding me back; the hoodie he left me is very important to me. But perhaps it's time to return it to its rightful owner. "But... Why do you still have it?" he inquired. His question put me in a bind. Should I say that I've had a crush on him for a long time?

"Because... uhm," I couldn't think of an answer, as if my tongue was stuck. Okay. Before speaking, I took a deep breath.

"I liked you since that day."

He let go of my hand right away. He smiled and then gave me a meaningful look. He drew his arms across his chest and looked at me.

"So, you've been planning this wedding all this time?" He laughed stupidly. His eyes spoke to me as if he sensed my desperation.

"N-no! Absolutely not! I have nothing to do with the marriage!" I explained. I knelt down and began to cry, causing my vision to blur. I'm telling the truth, but my actions make me appear guilty.

"We're married now, if you'll excuse me, and I can't do anything else. Happy?" he remarked sarcastically. He did not believe, according to the tone of his speech.

"I'm telling the truth! Believe me, please." I stared at him as my tears continued to flow. Why am I crying so much?

"You can keep it," he said then walked out the room.

I made a mistake. I can't believe he accused me right away without even listening to my side of the story. I had no reason to ask my parents for his hand in marriage. I only wanted him. Is that a bad thing?

END OF FLASHBACK

"I want you to take part our company as soon as possible. You're also graduating, "The man spoke authoritatively and wiped his mouth. It is not obvious that it is in its fifties because it appears young. My gaze lingers on him, and I can see the qualities Auden has instilled in him. His actions are admirable; the only difference is that Auden is conceited.

"Yes, Dad," Auden replied unequivocally. It just kept eating as if I wasn't there. He never looked at me once. "Not just yet," his father said, "but maybe before you graduate." Auden is quiet and simply nods and agrees with whatever his father tells him.

"Not yet, but maybe before you graduate," his Dad added. Auden is quiet and just keeps nodding and agreeing with whatever his Dad tells him.

It was business, after all, so we also got married because of our parents’ companies. We're now eating our brunch. We haven't eaten breakfast well before. Her Daddy and Mommy were at the table with us. They look so sweet and delicate with each other. But as far as I know, they are also just victims of the 'Arrange-marriage concept'. I wonder how everything turned out like this.

His father turned his gaze to me. "How's things working for both of you? Do you need anything?" he asked. He looked at Auden and me while waiting for an answer.

"It's okay. Everything is fine," I answered then gave them a genuine smile. Okay, I'm lying. What else can be expected in a marriage that is solely on paper? Maybe I expected everything to be fine when we got married. Far from the treatment I receive from him.

"Don't hesitate to ask me, ija. We are a family now, I'm willing to provide whatever you need. I don't want your parents to say that we neglect you," Auden's dad joked and then laughed.

"By the way, what about the household chores? Do you want me to hire someone? What do you think, honey?" said the woman on the left side of the table near Auden's Daddy. She look so elegant even though she's just wearing a plain white dress. Her voice sounded like a lullaby.

"Oh yeah, do you want to? How 'bout you, son? Do you want me to hire a new one or just send one of our housemaids there?" his dad asked as attention was focused on the food on the plate, he just looked up for a few seconds.

Auden took a sip of water then wiped its mouth before talking. "Actually, Dad, my wife and I have talked about it last night. She's willing to do everything regarding those. Right, wife?"

Three pairs of the eye are staring at me and waiting for my answer. Auden held my right hand resting on the table while smiling. His smile was strained and I could feel it. I stared at him and our hands as my chest throbbed. It was as if electricity flowed into my stomach caused a tickle.

When what he said sinks into my mind I gave him a what-are-you-talking-about look. I was confused but Auden's stare made me talk.

"Auden was right, Mom. I insisted that I take care of everything, but regarding clothes, we have decided that we will just have the laundry done." I awkwardly smiled. I will not allow myself to do the laundry. I'm aware of my situation and exhausting my body is not good for me. I don’t know what Auden’s plan is and he’s doing them.

Auden's parents looked at each other. I read in their minds that they knew my condition and maybe they were also thinking about how my parents would react about it.

"I'll just tell them, Mom and Dad," I said to assure them. I have so bitten on my lip because I can't believe what was happening. All my life, my parents never helped me with household chores. I'm not used to it. How is that?

"We're happy that you two get along. You're even trying to be independent on yourselves. That's unexpected," Auden's Mommy said happily and couldn't believe it. If they only knew that there was really no such talk. I sighed at the top of my lungs. I don't think it's a good idea.

Auden's mom and I were having a cup of tea at their garden. I don't know where he is now, because his mommy suddenly brought me here. I already know from whom he inherited drinking coffee. The only difference between them is that her mommy loves tea while he is on coffee. I inhale the fragrance of the various flowers that fill the surroundings. This is a good place to hang out and reflect.

"Mommy! Uwah!"

A five year old boy run towards his Mommy while crying. Auden and the kid are really similar. Its face is red that I found cute. It was as if I could see the young version of Auden. There is a big gap between their siblings because Audie was a menopausal baby. Mommy told me about them when we stayed here.

"Why, honey?" Mommy asked him in a soft tone.

"Kuya didn't let me have a bite of his chocolate!" he complained while still sobbing. I hold back a laugh at Auden’s younger brother.

"Audie, didn't I tell you it's forbidden? That will make your teeth worst!" his mother said. I am glad to see their family that even being rich is not a reason to spoil the child.

"You'll stop crying or I'll call the dentist to come over and pull out all your teeth?" threatening the lady in a calm voice.

The child fell silent and wiped away the tears. "But-" the boy would answer but Auden stopped him when it came. He's wearing a white polo shirt, it just looks amazing. He looks so neat and fresh.

"No buts, Audie," Auden insisted. In the tone of his speech any child would be frightened. Audie fell silent and wiped away the tears and then hugged her mother.

When Audie's eyes and mine met, he came closer to me. Maybe he still remembers me even though we only played once. I smiled.

"Hi! Next time, I'll bring you some chocolates, but promise me you'll behave, okay?" I parted his hair, blocking his puffy eyes.

"Ate Adeena, why are you just visiting here again?" asked the child, who frowned at me. I stopped. Wait, did I just misheard it? I turned to Auden and her Mommy. There were also traces of shock on their faces. They even looked at each other.

"I'm Ate Cami. Did you forget about me right away? Anyway, who's Ate Adeena? Is she your cousin or your playmate?" I asked Audie. I even pout to pretend to be sulking. We met again before now she just mentioned the name 'Adeena'.

"Mom, we're going home," Auden hurriedly said goodbye. It applies to me. "Let's go," he said with his serious voice. I said goodbye because Auden might get even angrier.

"Let's just play next time, huh? We'll be back here," I said to Audie and pinched his red and fat cheek. I didn't dare to ask Auden why he was in such a hurry to go home earlier because I didn't want make him mad anymore. I'm also not sure which one to ask because I might have misinterpreted what happened.

He just quietly focused on driving until we got home as well. I remember what we talked about earlier that was not in our plan. We didn’t even talk about housework, surprisingly he made his own decision. He even lied to his parents. What for?

Arriving at the gate of the house, I came across something rectangular and wrapped in brown wrapping. The packaging is obviously thick and there is a note on the outside 'Fragile, Handle with care'. It's like my heart. Haha! It seems that I am the only one who is interested in this matter because Auden immediately entered the room and locked himself up. He was no longer in the mood and could not talk. Even before it was opened, we already knew its contents.

"Wow!" I was ecstatic. What I saw caused my eyes to shine. This was our wedding photograph. It's obviously framed, but it's also personalized. I'm looking forward to seeing it on display and hanging.

There is another hanging available; simply hang what is missing. I attempted to hang the picture frame, but the hanger was too high for me to reach. The picture frame is also somewhat heavy.

Though hesitant I decided to knock Auden in the bedroom and ask for help to hang the picture frame.

"What?" he irritably asked after opening the door. It took me a while before he opened it. He looked down at my hand.

"Can I?" I asked him. I'm referring to the picture frame. He blinked and lowered the book he was holding.

"Fine, where is it?" he asked. I wanted to clap but I restrained myself. I think my smile was almost ear -splitting at those times. I pointed to the spot where he would hang the frame. He caught me smiling frowning at him. Eventually it disappeared and was replaced by a goofy grin.

"Here?" he asked. I nodded as the smile widened.

"Be carefu-" It's too late to remind him. Cracked pieces of frame glass fell on the floor. His hands holding the frame earlier were left in the air. The smile in my lips slowly faded.

"Sorry, it slipped out of my hand." He inserted both hands into the pocket of his sweater in the front. It was as if nothing of him had just broken it and then turned around and left. I was statued for a few seconds and stunned before picking up our picture. I'm very onion-skinned. I wiped away the tears as if I had no intention of stopping. This is just a frame. I sat on the side near the cracked frame.

I feel so much regret while seeing the frame pieces. It wasn't even kept knowing that this is our wedding picture. What made me feel bad was knowing that he did it on purpose, as if he didn't appreciate anything that made me happy. I'm not sure about his motives why he keep doing such things to me. I can't believe myself for being such a pity. Until I just cry all the time.

I bit my lip to stop the sobs from wanting to go away. Although my vision was blurred with tears, I saw Auden in front of the door of his room. He was holding the doorknob while looking at me.