The Flashback

The café bustled around me, the clatter of cups and the hum of conversations creating a familiar din that normally brought me comfort. But today, it was just a distraction from the storm  brewing inside me. 

I wiped down the counter for the third time, my mind wandering back to Rowan and the events that had transpired. It had been a few days since the wedding, but the shock still lingered, refusing to wear off like a bad hangover. 

The memory of his betrayal, the feel of Aunt Victoria's grip on my arm, and the weight of my newfound responsibilities all swirled together in a toxic mix that left me feeling nauseous and trapped. I forced myself to focus on the task at hand, but my eyes kept drifting to the door, half-expecting him to walk in and shatter the fragile sense of normalcy I was trying to maintain.

Though he did keep to his promise, money was paid to my aunt's account immediately after the wedding and Jules, she was stable now. 

"Hey, dreamer, you're at it again," Nina’s voice brought me back to reality. She leaned against the counter, a smirk playing on her lips.

I blushed. "I’m not dreaming."

"Sure, you’re not," she teased, rolling her eyes. "So, how’s married life? Is Mr. Tall, Dark, and Handsome everything you imagined?"

I hesitated, forcing a smile. "Yeah, it’s... something."

Nina's eyebrow shot up, her expression a perfect blend of amusement and curiosity. "That doesn't sound convincing at all," she said. "You used to turn into a total swooning mess every time he walked in for coffee."

 I felt a flush rise to my cheeks as I nodded, my mind drifting back to that first time I saw Rowan. I remembered the way my heart skipped a beat, the way my hands trembled as I handed him his coffee, the way his eyes seemed to see right through me. It was as if time had stood still, leaving only the two of us, suspended in a moment of pure connection.

It was like those scenes in Korean movies, I was the perfect romantic and he was the brooding stranger. Perfect, wasn't it?

I shook my head, clearing the cobwebs. "I know," I said quietly, my voice barely above a whisper. "But that was before...everything."

---

Flashback

It was a busy afternoon, and I was rushing between tables, balancing a tray full of coffee cups. The bell above the door jingled, a familiar sound that usually brought a smile to my face. But today, it made my heart skip a beat.

 I glanced up, and my eyes collided with his. Rowan stood in the doorway, his tailored suit accentuating his broad shoulders and chiseled features. His amber eyes, intense and piercing, scanned the room until they found me. For a moment, time froze. He looked like he'd stepped out of a magazine, a perfectly crafted image of power and sophistication. 

I felt my cheeks heat up as he approached the counter. "Hi, what can I get for you?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady even though my heart was beating way too fast. 

Rowan looked at the menu briefly before meeting my eyes. "A black coffee, please."

As I prepared his order, I couldn’t help but steal glances at him. He was even more handsome up close, with sharp features and intense eyes. I handed him the coffee, our fingers brushing slightly.

"Thank you," he said, his voice smooth and deep. He smiled, and for a moment, it felt like the world had stopped.

---

Back in the present, Nina snapped her fingers in front of my face. "Earth to Remi ! You’re blushing like a schoolgirl."

I laughed nervously. "It’s nothing. Just remembering when he first came in."

Nina grinned. "You were head over heels from day one. So, what’s the deal now? Trouble in paradise?"

I sighed, looking around to make sure no one was listening. "It’s complicated, Nina. He’s not who I thought he was."

Her expression turned serious. "What do you mean?"

I glanced down at the counter, tracing the patterns in the wood. Where do I start? That the day my aunt had taken me to the Vaughn estate, he had told me to my face that he had another woman in mind that I was nothing? 

Or when he had looked down on me and made me feel less of myself? 

I held back the tears and picked the most recent, "I... I saw him with other women. On our wedding day."

Nina’s eyes widened. "No way. What did you do?"

"Nothing," I said bitterly. "My aunt and uncle forced me to go through with it. They used my compassion for my twelve years old cousin against me. It was the only way."

"That’s awful," Nina whispered. "But why didn’t you tell him off? Stand up for yourself? Find other means to get money for your cousin? Let your aunt go fuck herself."

I shrugged helplessly. "It’s not that simple. He has control over everything—my life, my finances, and Jules, she was on the brink of death. I couldn’t just walk away."

Nina frowned, crossing her arms. "You deserve better than this, Remi . You always have."

"I know," I whispered, my voice barely audible. "But what choice do I have?"

We fell into silence, the noise of the café continuing around us. I felt trapped, suffocated by the weight of my circumstances. Every time I thought about confronting Rowan, fear and uncertainty held me back.

The bell above the door jingled again, and my heart skipped a beat. Rowan walked in, his presence commanding the attention of everyone in the room. He approached the counter, his eyes locking onto mine.

"Nina, can you take care of table five?" I asked, trying to sound casual.

"Sure," she replied, giving me a reassuring nod before walking away.

Rowan smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. "Remi , can we talk?"

I nodded, stepping out from behind the counter. We moved to a quiet corner of the café, away from prying eyes. He looked fidgety which made me frowned. I didn't want to care, but I wondered if he was okay. 

"What do you want to talk about?" I asked, crossing my arms.

Rowan looked around before leaning in. "About our arrangement. I know things started off rocky, but I need you to do something for me. There is a charity event happening at my grandfather's house next Saturday. I need you there to act like a docile wife and everything is perfect. Can you do that?"

I stared at him, disbelief washing over me. "Oh my God, you are actually asking me that right now? You were with other women on our wedding day, Rowan. You didn't even apologize for that. You called me a useless gold digger and now you need me to act as if I am happy?"

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I know, and I’m sorry. But this marriage... it’s complicated. My grandfather—"

"Don’t," I cut him off. "Don’t blame your grandfather. You made those choices."

Rowan’s expression hardened. "You don’t understand the pressure I’m under."

"And you don’t understand what it’s like to be forced into a marriage with someone who doesn’t respect you," I shot back.

He opened his mouth to speak, but I raised a hand, stopping him. "I don’t want your excuses. Why are you here? You haven't come to the house for the last few days. And yet here you are, at my workplace. Are you here to tell me that  you’re willing to change? Are you willing to treat me with respect? That's the only way I can agree to this suck request of yours."

I bit my lips waiting for an answer, but the normal cold Rowan hesitated, and in that moment, I knew his answer. My heart sank. "I see."

He reached out to touch my arm, but I stepped back. "Remi, please—"

"No," I said firmly. "You left the house two days ago and told me to do with myself as I see fit. You don't dare to come in here, asking for favors.”

He silently growled, hit the table angrily, and it seemed I had read his emotions wrongly again. “I am trying my best right now to sort things out with you but you…” he took a deep breath, closing his eyes. 

I was still shaken by his attitude as I clutched my hand against my chest. 

“Remi,  don't make me upset. You married for money right? You should thank your gods I even suggested we should go to that charity event…but instead you are acting like a fucking child, like who do you think you are?”

My lips were already shaking as I tried my best to hold the tears back. 

“Then you shouldn't have agreed to this marriage.”

“You think I wanted this?” He scoffed, those amber eyes staring at me with little to no emotion. “I didn't. But yet I agreed.”

“For your own selfish reasons.” I didn't wait for more insult, I turned and walked away, the weight of his gaze heavy on my back. As I returned to the counter, Nina gave me a questioning look. I shook my head, not ready to talk about it.

I went silently to the bathroom and cried my eyes out. Again, the third time in a week. 

*****

The rest of my shift passed in a blur. When it was finally time to leave, I felt exhausted, both physically and emotionally. I grabbed my coat and headed for the door, but a hand on my arm stopped me.

It was Uncle Jacob, his grip firm and unyielding. "We need to talk," he said, his voice low.

I pulled my arm free. "Not now, Uncle Jacob. I’m tired."

His eyes darkened. "You don’t have a choice, Remi. You’re coming with me."

Nina stepped forward, but I shook my head. "It’s fine, Nina. I’ll see you tomorrow."

Reluctantly, she nodded, and I followed Uncle Jacob outside. The cold night air bit into my skin, but it did nothing to numb the dread growing inside me.

In the car, Uncle Jacob’s anger simmered just beneath the surface. "You think you can just walk away from this marriage? You have responsibilities. Rowan called your aunt today, angry that you aren't trying to work things out.”

"Oh really? I guess you believe him right? He is the man, he is always right.”

He sneered. "You have no idea what’s at stake, do you? Jules’s cancer treatment, our reputation—everything depends on you staying with Rowan. You signed that contract, remember?”

Tears welled in my eyes, but I blinked them away. "I never asked for this. I never wanted any of this."

"Too bad," he said coldly. "You’ll do as you’re told, or you’ll regret it. We do not have twenty million dollars to pay for breach of contract. So swallow it. Ever since your parents died, you have been nothing but a nuisance. Can't you be responsible and less selfish?"

Selfish? He just called me selfish when I left school just for Jules. I worked day and night just for Jules. Ever since the twelve year old boy was born, my life went from worse to detrimental. Yet, I was still called selfish. 

I sniffed, “Don't call my parents into this as for Jules, I would try…I will work a lot of jobs to pay for her chemo.”

Uncle Jacob rolled his eyes, “Oh really? That's what you said two weeks ago. If Rowan grandfather haven't approached your aunt due to their long standing friendship, Jules would have been dead.”

I didn't say anything anymore. It felt like I was talking to a rock anyways. 

Eventually, we arrived at Rowan's estate. Uncle Jacob looked at me, “Better behave.”

“Whatever,” I replied, stepping out.

I walked into the grand estate that any woman would be lucky to live in, but felt like my own personal gilded prison. 

I reached the living room and the first person I saw was Rowan. 

 His eyes were glazed, and I could smell the alcohol in the sitting room. 

“You come here,” he slurred.

“What do you want?” I asked, my voice shaking.

“Come here now,” he repeated, more forcefully this time.

I frowned but stepped closer. Even though he cheated, my heart still beat faster. That was how deep my crush used to be for him.

Rowan’s eyes softened as he looked at me. “Did you know you are beautiful, Remi? Your blonde hair... that look... so lovely.”

“What’s gotten into you?” I asked, confused by the fact that he was being nice.

He grinned before crashing his lips onto mine. The kiss was rough, filled with a desperation that took me by surprise. I pushed him away, my mind reeling. “Rowan, stop!”

But he didn't. He continued. 

“I am sorry Gigi, I miss you, please…come to me.”

I froze, but he didn't stop. Gigi…who was Gigi?

He continued kissing me, until eventually that night, for the first time. He consummated the marriage.