CHAPTER 6

I cried inside my room. Claudia’s words continued replaying in my head and although I knew that this marriage with Joaquin would only last for 3 years, I couldn’t help but be scared of what she might do to destroy my already messed up life.

I have a lot of secrets and I’m scared that she would find out everything about me. Based on what she said a while ago, she would do everything to make sure I’ll go crawling back to my old life. But I don’t want to go back there anymore. I want to start anew because Joaquin was kind enough to offer me a new life. I don’t want to waste it.

I heard someone knocking on the door of my room and I knew that it was Joaquin. He’s finally home but I couldn’t bring myself to see him so I went to my bed and pretended to be asleep. I heard the door opened. Joaquin was walking towards the bed where I was. I felt the bed moved when he sat near the edge. His breathing was heavy but calm. I felt like crying again.

Slowly, I felt his cold hand caressed my face like he was wiping something off it. Perhaps I failed to completely erase the traces of tears when I cried. My heart hammered inside my chest until I no longer felt him. And before I knew it, I fell into slumber.

The next morning I woke up feeling tired. My eyes were a bit swollen so I removed my contacts and wore my eye glasses instead. I went downstairs to cook breakfast but Joaquin was already in the breakfast counter of the dining room. Food was already served in front of him and he was casually drinking his coffee. There was another plate on the counter, with the same set of food he had on his plate. I realized that it was probably mine.

“Good morning…” he greeted but I was too embarrassed because of what happened last night that I just couldn’t greet him back. So, I just nodded at him.

He noticed it. I was sure he noticed it. And I wasn’t sure if it was a good thing that he didn’t ask anything about it. For some reason, I wanted him to care. But at the same time, I didn’t want to think about what happened. As much as possible, I wanted to forget about it.

I could feel Joaquin watching me, but he didn’t say anything. Until we both finished eating, he didn’t say anything.

“I’ll be home early tonight. Wait for me, okay? We’ll talk…” he said and I couldn’t help but feel nervous.

I pursed my lips and nodded slowly. Joaquin sighed and went inside his car. I watched him drive away from me, passing the front gate. I sighed in relief. I wasn’t sure if we’re going to talk about last night. I was sure he knew I cried before falling asleep.

I was so nervous the whole day that I tried to ease my nervousness by cleaning his penthouse. As I watched my reflection in the mirror, cleaning the glass, I realized that I didn’t look like Joaquin’s wife. I looked like a maid. I chuckled bitterly, shaking my head a little to erase such thoughts.

When Joaquin finally arrived, I was in the dining room. Our dinner was all ready and I was sitting on my seat while he made his way to where I was. He looked tired, though. His complexion was heavy but he still looked so handsome with his all-black suit.

“Hi,” he greeted when neared me. He was about to kiss my lips but my face moved on its own, turning to the side to avoid his kiss.

My eyes widened at my sudden movement. I looked at him and his lips were pursed now. The little smile he wore a while ago was gone. He sighed and loosened his tie as he sat down on his seat.

“We should eat. Thank you for the dinner,” he quietly said before he ate a spoonful of his food.

I watched him for a while before I start eating mine.

“What is it that you want—”

He cut me off easily. “We should eat first,” he coldly said and I felt like I’ve been thrown into an ice-filled lake. He suddenly turned cold and indifferent and I knew that it was my fault.

Is he finally going to end our setup? Will he tell me he’s terminating our contract? So many questions filled my head that I felt like my head was going to burst. I tried to remain calm until we finished eating.

I drank my water while Joaquin was drinking his wine that I prepared for him. He gulped the liquid and moved the glass away from his wet lips before his eyes rested on me. I was a bit startled when he finally looked at me. But his eyes were still cold and dark and domineering.

“Is there something that you want to tell me, Mira?” Joaquin started. I wanted to look away but his stares were too intense that I felt like my eyes were locked with his, unable to move.

“There isn’t…” I said.

Joaquin sighed. “I promised to give you everything you want, Mira. And so far, you have only requested one thing from me…”

Oh. That’s what he meant? I thought. I remained quiet, thinking.

“So tell me. What do you want? And I will give it to you…” His eyes were dark and I felt as though I was drowning just by looking at them. He was dangerous.

I took a quick sigh and he was watching me still. His indifference was making me anxious and scared. And I knew that it was my fault that it came to this but still…

“I… want to work…” My lips trembled.

I saw Joaquin’s lips twist into a small smile. He smirked.

“I’m glad you want that. I need a new secretary. You should work for me…” he suggested and my eyes widened. I didn’t expect him to want me to work under him!

“Wait…”

“I’ll process your documents and application. You’re hired…”

I was shocked and I felt like I was pasted on my seat I couldn’t move.

“I didn’t expect that—”

“It’ll be easier if you work under me as my secretary.”

“But is that even allowed? I’m your wife; I don’t think I should work as your secretary—”

“Of course it is. It’s my company. I make the rules. And if I want my wife to be my secretary… no one can and should dispute that. So you don’t need to worry about that.”

“Are you sure you want me to be your secretary?”

I still couldn’t believe this was actually happening. I wanted to work, yes, but I don’t think I’m good enough to be employed as his secretary and to be hired immediately; without the proper process of job application?

“I want to see you, always. I can’t help but lose focus every time I’m at my company and you’re here… alone. I want you beside me. So yes, if being my secretary means I get to keep you beside me… I want you to be my secretary, Mira…”

I blinked as I looked at Joaquin. For a split second, I thought I saw his eyes softened a little. But I was probably just imagining things. His words, though. I could feel my heart hammering inside my chest. I felt like it would burst anytime upon hearing him say his reason.

“Is that enough reason, my sweet Mira?” My cheeks heated hearing him call me that again.

I nodded; my voice wouldn’t come out of my mouth. My lips trembled and I felt his thumb brushed my lower lip. I didn’t even notice that he was already this close to me.

“Now… no more pushing me away…” he whispered as he leaned down to kiss my trembling lips.