2 Honeymoon week

Chapter 2

I groan and try to open my eyes only to be blinded by the light shining through the curtains, glass and empty bottles are discarded on the floor. I Iet out a bitter laugh recalling why my head feels like a truck just ran over it. I blame it on that asshole husband of mine whom I’m madly, strangely, oddly in love with. 

Good Riddance,Tessa

My phone lies on the nightstand which I don't bother to switch it on,my head couldn't wrap around with the fact that I’m married. ….. marriage…wedding....With Callum!!!

Should I be thankful I finally got married to the love of my life? 

I don't feel blessed enough. He left me…. 

I’m still processing in my head with the fact that he left me!  

“Morning,Mrs Anderson” a petite woman greeted me when I walked down from my room. She looked to be in her mid-forties and resembled a motherly figure with the kind of smile she gave me. 

“Please call me Tessa...Mrs-” I drew out not exactly knowing her name. 

“Cooper, but Call me Lily ” she introduces with a broad smile. I gave her one back( my mom teach me how to respect elders)  

“Lily” I say, liking her instantly. 

“I'll make some breakfast for you” she went towards the fridge and started to rummage with her back facing towards me. 

“Lily, Is it okay if I cook for myself, You don't really need to do it for me, I am a big girl” I explain kindly not wanting to sound rude. 

“Are you sure? I don't think Mr Anderson will like that” she says hesitantly. 

“Callum is not here, don't worry” I reassure her, Giving me a bright smile, she stalks towards me and wraps the apron on my waist much to my displeasure. Although I grew up in a decent family, my mom taught me how to do things alone, a maid was never needed to do things for me. 

“Thank you” I gave her a smile.

“You are such a sweet girl, Mr Anderson is lucky to have you as his wife” She says suddenly, although her words warm my heart, I couldn't exactly find it in me to be happy. 

My husband.. Who would rather cut his thumb then stay in the same room with me. 

Mental image,shoo 

“I'll be in the garden, call me if you need anything, honey” Lily says and walks away from the kitchen. Once again I was left alone in the huge house. 

The marble kitchen counter staring right back at me like it is mocking me.

 I was new to everything in this place and the maids seemed to think that the new Mrs. Anderson is a monkey because nobody greets or talks to me except for Lily( not that I want any attention) but Monkeys are luckier than me at this rate, they got free food in the Zoo.

Whereas, I received…… none

That's right, nothing,not even a text like 'I hate you,get out of my House' from Callum.  

 The need to feel the burnt in my throat empowers me, I rummaged for some alcohol drinks in the cabinet,cupboard and fridge but got…...nothing…. Nothing!   

Sighing, I brace myself and start peeling the potato to take my mind off from my supposed husband. 

I feel a little better carving a nose on the potato imagining it as my husband's face. 

I love you, potatoes. 

The first day as a married woman in my new home is supposed to be filled with laughter and love… Love!!!! while all I receive is stillness, Quietness,Eerines...all the synonyms that match with the word - quietude!!! 

The maids and Lily had left after their morning shift and I’m miserable, miserably sad. 

I scrolled through my Instagram feeds and came across a post about Callum and his ex-girlfriend who was an A-star actress. It circles around their long term relationship and their break-up recently and finally about Callum's marriage with (yours lovingly) Tessa aka Mr Anderson Lovingly- strikingly beautifully- mysteriously lucky lady. 

 Celine's fans were ruthless, that's the first thing I learned about as I continued scrolling through the post and comments. 

Nobody knows the Identity of the Great Anderson’s Wife( which Callum Claims for safety purposes) If I didn't know him any better, I would have thought he cares for me, but I knows he's ashamed of his supposed wife who's been chasing him since she was a kid. 

Chase - as in Running after him, like two of my feet involving, a lot of huffling and breathing, sweat trickling down your body. 

“Is that my best friend's little wife?” I gasped and stood up from my seat, my head whipping towards the voice. 

“Aiden!” I breathe out staring at the model looking intruder who stares back at me in amusement. 

“Tess” he said and strutted towards me, he cradled my head in his chest gently. I breathed in his citrus scent and instantly felt my heart lighter at the familiarity of his presence. 

“Congratulations on your marriage” he breathes out, still cradling my head. I ignore his words and close my eyes. The mention of marriage makes me recall the mini hate I built up for my husband. 

He doesn't deserve my love. (although I can't say I would think the same in the morning)  

“What are you doing here?” I pull away from the hug peering up at him, Aiden looks so good in his navy polo shirt and his brown hair falling over his forehead. 

“I came to check up on you, Callum mentioned you are alone”

Atlas! At Least he remembered me. 

“Oh” I left at that, honestly, I have nothing to say. 

“What do you mean by Oh? That asshole deserves a kick in his balls” he spat harshly, I bark out a laugh finding it refreshing to have him beside me. 

“Although this is an arranged marriage, he should have the decency to stay with you.What kind of jerk leaves his wife on their wedding week?” 

Ahh,Callum?

His face remains cold and hard muttering under his breath. To everyone, my boss and my marriage is an arranged marriage but Callum and I had signed an agreement which is only one year. 

I hope our parents don't find out,Nope ....never….No way(not Norway), Impossible. 

“I am glad you are here,” I say genuinely. Aiden gave me his breathtaking smile which I’m 99.802% sure many girls would drop their panties for but not me, I’m immune to his looks. 

Talk about adaptation

I have known Callum and Aiden since I was a kid because of our family circle. Callum mom and my mom were close best friends since they were toddlers but Aiden mom passed away when we were only a kid but Uncle Drew never remarried for the sake of his kids. 

“Where did your mind go?” Aiden snapping his finger brought me back to reality. I blink back from my train of thoughts and turn towards the Disney movie Aiden has picked. 

“Aiden?!! The little mermaid??” I barked out a laugh at his choice, I knew he did that just to make me laugh and that doesn't stop me from watching it. 

Under the sea…...

“Should I go get the snacks?” I nodded, he left his seat and got up from the couch Scurrying away towards the kitchen. He came back with different Crips and banana chips which is my favourite. 

“This is fun!” he says, grinning towards me.

“I know right” We smile at each other feeling incredibly comfortable around each other's presence. When his eyes start showing something I couldn't dare call out, I look away from his gaze and focus my attention on the part where Sebastian is running away from the chef. Aiden clears his throat and later tugs me towards him as I snuggle closer to his chest. 

I feel protected in his arms. 

I woke up the next morning feeling extremely satisfied with the long hours of sleep. I am not surprised to find myself in bed because Aiden usually does that. He's my brother from a different mother. 

My morning and afternoon goes by like yesterday, I couldn't shake off the sadness lingering in every part of my bone. Deciding to do something productive, I started working on the project I was supposed to hand in after my supposed honeymoon. Callum neither calls me nor texts me, it is like he completely forgets about my existence and disappears into the thin air. 

His best friend was kind enough to stay with me when he's somewhere around Europe or New York. 

It's close to 7 pm in the evening when Aiden strutts in the living room with bags of food in hand. I almost cried at his kind heart, his best friend left me but he's the one who keeps me company. 

“You know you are amazing right?” He only replies with a wide grin and motion for me to unpack the food while he arranges the table. 

My one week of 'honeymoon' is mostly the same routine, I worked till evening and Aiden would come back for dinner and watch a movie with me till late night. He sure acts like my brother and best friend. I see the maids whispering among themselves which is definitely about Callum’s absence, I don't blame their nosy ways of finding out the truth. 

If only Callum loved me as much as I did, I wonder what it would feel like?