12. ANNOUNCEMENT

 Luis said, staring at me intently. Since he hadn't been coming to the house and it was very hot that day, I had put on a shorts set that highlighted my femininity. And I think he was surprised and looked at me for the first time in his life as a woman. I'm sure of it, his eyes roamed my body with surprise, he couldn't hide it and it made me feel uncomfortable. I shouldn't have dressed like this!

I reproached myself as I saw him running his tongue over his lips. Why didn't I think about the possibility that he might return? Until now he had considered me ugly, and I prefer he continues thinking that way. The last thing I want is for this brute to demand that I fulfill my wifely duties, and by the way he's looking at me, I think he'll do it at any moment, he'll force me to sleep with him. The deal we made was just words, if he breaks it, I can't claim anything.

That's why before he could continue looking at my body like a piece of meat he could devour whenever he wanted - because I know he can do it, we're alone, I'm his wife and no one would interfere to stop him if he decides to do it - I quickly think of what to say to snap him out of his surprise at seeing the woman in me, I asked very quickly:

"Did you have problems with your blonde from the plane?" I ask very seriously, making him look at my eyes instead of my body, which I prefer.

 Then I head inside the house and grab a robe that I keep hooked on my bedroom door, with him watching and walking behind me. I can feel his gaze traveling over my body. So after putting on the clothes that hide me from his lustful stare, I ask him again:

"If it's not trouble with your current girlfriend, then what is it, Luis?"

 Seeing his face showing both anger and concern at the same time. I don't think that's it, and even if it is, I doubt he would dare to come talk to me about it. I have zero experience in relationships to give advice.

 "Isabella, you're my wife, you shouldn't be asking me these kinds of questions about other women," he tells me very seriously.

 I look at him in disbelief. Who does he think he is? My real husband? I need to deflate his spousal pretensions before strange ideas occur to him.

"What's gotten into you?" I repeat my initial question.

Then I stand up to be at his height. I don't know what's wrong with him, but I won't let him play husband with me, much less possess me. Because despite having covered my body, he's now looking at my legs, so I address him very seriously:

"Luis, stop looking at me that way. Remember our conversation at the engagement party, we said each of us would do whatever we wanted and that you wouldn't touch me! So stop looking at my legs!" I demand, truly uncomfortable.

I quickly remind him, fearing that he might be getting other ideas that I won't accept. If he had problems with his cheap blonde, or with whoever, he should leave me out of it. I won't be his real wife for anything in the world. When I'm about to continue reminding him of everything, he suddenly blurts out:

"It's not that, Bela! And don't worry, that day I made clear the reasons why I agreed to this farce," he says, now changing his attitude slightly, then moving forward as if wanting to tell me something. "Bella, are you sure you and I can't...?" He stops at the look I give him. He shakes his head and tells me again furiously: "Our parents are coming for lunch today!"

"I beg your pardon?! Who came up with that crazy idea? You can't do that Luis, you have to check with me!" I shout, moving away from him.

"Don't blame me, I have nothing to do with this!" He yells at the top of his voice.

"No? And whose wonderful idea was it? Why didn't anyone call to let me know? I'm the housewife, I'm supposed to know these things, aren't I?" I also yell angrily.

"They just called to tell me, it wasn't me Bella," he defends himself while continuing to look at me.

I look at him for a moment, Luis speaks really furiously, I understand him, it infuriates me too, but we have to deal with them, they both do whatever comes to their minds. And I don't want this to fail, at least we must make them believe that everything is going well in our marriage. I walk towards the kitchen followed by Luis who informs me:

"It was our mothers' idea, you know them, they invited themselves!" he explains furiously. "They want to have a welcome dinner!"

"A welcome dinner?! And this madness so suddenly without asking us?" I finally ask, understanding the reason for his annoyance, and I completely agree with him, they should have called and asked us. But who am I kidding? Apparently, they think they can continue doing whatever they want with us. "What time is it? There's no time for me to prepare anything myself, Luis, what are we going to do? I know, call a catering service."

"I've already done that, Bella! Do you think I'm that stupid?" he asks and kicks the floor.

Luis speaks really angrily, I understand him, it infuriates me too, but we have to deal with them, they both do whatever comes to their minds. And I don't want this to fail, at least we must make them believe that everything is going well in our marriage. I walk towards the kitchen followed by Luis who informs me:

"I knew you wouldn't have time to make anything, if you even know how to do anything in the kitchen, you spend your time eating fruits. That's why I ordered a complete dinner, they should be bringing it soon, we'll have it on the terrace, it's beautiful and the weather is good," he explains, making me breathe relieved to see that the useless one at least knows how to do that.

"And why are you so upset if you've already arranged everything?" I ask, seeing that he continues snorting and moving from one place to another, until he stops again facing me and shouts and for a moment I fear it.