Chapter 2

ANNIVERSARY FIGHT

Silence enveloped the car when we started driving. Only the noise from the stereo was heard in the whole car.

“So…where do you want to eat?” Kristoff asked as he turned the car.

I looked straight at the road. “Wherever you want,” I replied safely.

I can tell that he is looking at me. I can tell at my peripheral view. And hell, I am distracted and over the roof uneasy.

“Is there something bothering you?” He should’ve noticed my uneasiness.

But yes, you are bothering me. I looked at him, against my will because looking at him will only distract me more, and shook my head. “No. Nothing. Just office stuff,” I replied as calm as I could.

He nodded and seemed to believe. I do hope so. “What is up for your fashion show?” he asked.

“We are still planning it. Hopefully, everything will be final by the end of the week.”

Kristoff nodded and focused on driving. Well, that’s better than looking at the conscious me right now, right?

“Actually, we are planning on getting idols and actors as models,” I started. “Can we coordinate with your company?” I asked politely.

Kristoff chuckled. “Of course. You could,” he replied.

I smiled. “Really? Thanks,” I replied in gratitude.

He gave me a quick glance. “Do you want me to model as well?” he asked in a serious tone.

I froze. Was he kidding? There is no way I am letting him model in that fashion show! A lot of girls will drool on his hotness! That, I can’t contain.

But in the end, “Do you want to?” I asked him.

He chuckled and cocked his head. “Do you want to?” This time there was humor to his voice.

I thought for a moment. “Sure. If you like,” okay, I lied. Like I said, there is no way that I am going to let him model for that fashion show. Kill me first before he does.

He laughed at me. Maybe, he had seen my inappropriate expression. I am not a good liar, that’s why.

“I guess I have to kill you first before that happens,” he said what exactly is in my head. He really knows me that well.

I faked a laugh. “What are you talking about? Go ahead and model if you want. I am all for it.” I am the worst, biggest and fattest liar in the world.

He stopped at the red light and then looked at me with a meaningful stare. “I know you are lying. You don’t have to make yourself look like an idiot,” he told me. “I won’t model if you don’t want me to.”

I looked at him and gave him a pout. How dare he call me idiot? This guy!

He chuckled. “No, you don’t look cute either,” he told me as my pout turned into a glare. Damn, he’s really pushing it.

I rolled my eyes on him and faced the other side of the road—the one away from him.

There was a complete and absolute silence in the car. I mean it. I am not talking to him. Who said I was acting cute anyway? I wasn’t even trying to act cute. I wasn’t even trying to get his attention!

Just as when I was trying to suppress my protective and possessive self, he tells me I look like an idiot and I don’t look cute? Huh! One brave move, Kristoff Marx!

He must’ve sensed my coldness because he was calling me for a couple of times now. And I am not looking at him.

1. Am. Not. Looking. At. Him.

“Hey, Shan,” he cooed me while his eyes are shifting from me to the road. “Hey,” he called again when I didn’t react.

Sorry, I won’t look at you.

“Hey, wifey,” he called again.

Sorry, I still won’t look at you.

“Hey, baby,” he said in a husky voice.

I froze. What did he just call me?! I couldn’t help myself so I looked at him with my eyes narrowed and my eyebrows almost meeting at the center.

“What?!” I asked him in my mad tone.

He blinked at me. “I said…hey?” He replied unsure. I guess he is shocked at how I am reacting now.

I raised my brow. “There was a word after hey, mister.” I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms.

He grinned. “That’s because you aren’t looking at me! Why? Am I not handsome enough to look at?” he asked.

No, Kristoff. You’re hot. But your jokes are overrated. I wanted to tell him that but I decided against it. I just kept my mouth mum.

Minutes later, he pulled the car over a buffet, I guess. “Here. Let me cool your head down,” he told me as he went out and opened the door for me. “Come out, my queen?” he asked as he laid his hand for me to hold to.

It was a sweet gesture but no, I am not taking it. I can stand on my own. I ignored him and just went out on my own.

He blinked at me and I just headed towards the restaurant. He ran after me after giving the key to the valet. “Hey! Hey, Ashanti!” He called me. “What are you upset about?” he asked me as he caught up with me towards the entrance of the restaurant.

I looked at him and shrugged, trying to keep my cool. “Is there something to be upset about?” I asked him back.

He sighed and rolled his eyes. I caught that. “Rolling your eyes won’t do you any good either,” I said as I sat on a table for two beside the window.

He sat across me. “Wait. Whatever I did, I’m sorry okay?” He said. “If it’s me telling you that you are not cute. I am really sorry,” he said. “You are not cute, you are beautiful, okay?” He tried to make an escape for his sin.

I looked at him. “Whatever, Kristoff. You are not that hot either,” I said as I stood up to get food.

He scoffed and followed me. “Okay, I am sorry. I just thought that maybe you are trying to be cute,” he whispered to me as I lined up to the buffet area.

I ignored him and took the foods I like. Memories of the burned egg this morning flashed back to me again.

He sighed and followed me as I saw him take food for himself as well. “I’m really sorry,” he whispered again.

Sorry, too, but I am not forgiving you easily this time, Kristoff.

“Wait, she doesn’t eat that!” Kristoff called the attention of the person in charge of distributing the food. “Are you trying to kill my wife?” he asked as I looked at the seafood on my plate. The girl blinked at him and bowed in apology.

Kristoff took my plate and gave me his plate instead. How? I didn’t even notice that girl putting lobsters on my plate.

I bit my lip before walking ahead towards our seat. Kristoff followed.

“Are you still not talking to me?” he asked me as I silently ate my food.

I looked at him. “I am talking to you,” I replied, looking away.

He sighed. “Are you still not forgiving me?” He changed the question.

Now, I turned to him again. “What are you sorry about?” I asked.

He looked at me. “I made you upset. I’m sorry,” he said as he ate his food, too.

I nodded. “Okay,” I replied, lying that it is fine. It’s not. It’s really not okay with me.

He gave me a look. “I know it’s not okay,” he said as he took something inside his pocket.

I narrowed my eyes at him but I anticipated for whatever he got inside his pocket.

“Here…” he passed me a card. A greeting card, I guess.

I looked at him with a raised brow. “What is this?”

He smiled confidently. “Look at it,” he replied as he nodded at the small card that’s already in my hands.

Hello, Ashanti Marx! Happy Anniversary? I know you forgot. But sorry, I remembered. Take care always.

–From:  Handsome Kristoff, your hot husband

I looked at him after reading the greeting card. I swear I would’ve cried if I saw the magic sentence I have been waiting to hear there. I admit, I was a bit disappointed. But hey, who was I kidding? He probably won’t tell me those words anytime soon.

He smiled at me. “So? Forgiven?” he asked.

I looked at him and smiled weakly. Still, it is an effort, right? “Thanks. You remembered,” I replied.

He smiled widely. “Of course! It is one special date! Of course I would remember.” He beamed with pride.

I nodded. “Yes.” It would’ve been more special if you say that you love me, too.

He smiled at me and fed me his food.

But at least, he tried to make it for me. Then that explains why he is different today.