I Did Not Promise

Ana’s P.o.v

“Alex? I’ve never been serious. When are you taking me to see my mom? You promised, did you not?.” I questioned with all seriousness.

“Promise? That sounds new to me. Did I ever promise you? Oh misinterpretations again, sweetheart? I said I might. Hope you know what I mean when I say might?”

“I am truly sorry, sweetheart. You are not going anywhere.” He said, moving towards his bed.

“Alex? This is no joke. We made a deal.” I said, yelling, with fluffy tears falling down my eyes.

“What is your proof? Anyway, can you help me with my shirt? I need to take it off.” He retorted, turning to face me under his lowered gaze.

“Alex? Please…please... with all due respect, please don’t do this to me. I know you are capable of so many things, but please do not do this.” I pleaded, hoping to change his mind, but he’s got a heart of rock.

“Ana? Goodnight, sleep tight.” He simply said followed by a wicked grin.

“I am not going anywhere.” I challenged.

“Don’t worry, you can see my bed has enough space to fill you in. Make yourself comfortable! "He exclaimed.

“How can anyone find satisfaction in making people crash?” I questioned as I glanced at him, beaming viciously.

“Alex? You will regret this if you don’t say what I want to hear.”

"Beloved wife, must I repeat myself? You are not going anywhere, period. And… he paused, as if counting to 10. And you can’t do anything about it, perhaps just sob, because that’s what you are good at."

“Alex?” I endured calling as I bolted out of his room.

“I am short of words. That is the effect Alex can have on you. He is a real annoying bastard. He behaves so, caring for you to believe him and that is it, then he uses your weakness against you. I guess that’s what he does, no wonder he is this rich." I thought about pacing up and down in my bedroom.

I should employ his tactics, but how do I know his weakness? I thought for a while, being so restless, I couldn’t arrive at any decision.

"I promise to kill him today. That’s the only way I can escape this prison. What do I need? Yes, a gun. Who am I even kidding? I can’t hold a gun. Think... What else? Good! A knife." I quickly made it out of bed to the kitchen.

I looked around but couldn’t find the knife. “Where could it be?” I asked myself, being so confused.

“Ma’am? Why are you here? Is there anything you need?” Helena asked from behind.

“Not really... I couldn’t sleep… and... I decided to get a glass of water.

“Okay, but you don’t look fine to me. You seem nervous and you’re stammering as well. Did Sir do anything to not hurt you?"

“Don’t worry about me. I am fine. Thanks for asking, Helena.”

“Why don’t you sit down ma’am, I will make you a chamomile tea.”

“Helena? You worry too much. I will take care of things myself, working hours are over. Please go to sleep.”

“Don’t worry, I’ve got you, ma’am.” She replied persistently. I went to her and held her by the shoulders.

“Helena, don’t worry, I’ve got myself on this one. Honestly, thank you.”

“If you say so, goodnight ma’am.”

“Wait, where are the cutleries?”

“In that drawer on your right.” She replied and left. I removed my heels, tiptoed to watch her disappear, then finally went back to the kitchen.

I searched but couldn’t find a knife. I had no choice but to pull a cutlery knife.

Rapidly, I retired to my room. I" think I can go to him now. No, this should be strategic. He’s smart. I will fail if I make a minor mistake." I thought inwardly.

I need a seductive nightdress, transparent enough. I opened the wardrobe and found black lingerie. Quickly, I changed into it, took the knife in my right hand, and went to him.

When I reached his door, I entered silently. To my surprise, he was working. I hid the knife behind me. “Does he work all the time?” I asked myself.

“Are you not supposed to be sleeping now? What are you doing here, dressed like that?”

He asked, giving me a skeptical look, which made me more nervous and for the first time in a long time, my palm started sweating.

When I plucked up the courage to look at him, he was staring intensely. One hand relaxed in his hair and the other cupped his chin, deliberately biting his sinful-looking lips.

“Could you...you... switch the… light off?” I asked, stammering. The pressure in the room was overbearing.

“Excuse me? You came to meet me working, didn’t you? I can’t turn off the light for your sake. However, I didn’t ask you to be here. Can you speak now? I need to resume work.”

I swallowed hard before speaking. Well, “I gave it a wild thought and came to the realization that it’s better to accept we are a married couple and well. I can’t ignore you all the time, the earlier the better.”

I shrugged and continued....." I mean, I came here to talk things through. Afterward, we can try to get along little by little. I hope I’m not sounding weird, am I?" I asked, looking into his eyes.

He raises a brow, a distant gleam in his eyes. His gaze became more intense, with all the humor gone. Fear gripped me as a strange muscle in my belly suddenly clenched, I didn’t know whether I could stand for one more minute.

“Beautiful Ana, beautiful speech but I don’t believe you. It’s easy to say because your eyes are betraying you.”

“Invite me, let me show you then,” I replied.

His eyes never left me as I walked closer, with the knife in my other hand behind me. As I sat on his cozy king-size waterbed, I collected his files, later his laptop, and placed them aside. I calmly asked for a glass of water to hide the knife in the right place.

“He got up and turned his back to me. Quickly, I hid it under the pillow. Please God, help me.” I silently prayed.

“Here you go, love.”

"It’s so ironic how he calls me love, annoying." I thought.

“Thank you,” I said after a sip and gave him the glass.

“Are you fine now?” He asked, playing with the tip of my hair. I felt uncomfortable, nevertheless, I couldn’t complain. My heartbeat accelerated above normal as his hand moved to my bare shoulder, I could hardly breathe.

“Ana? Breath.” He said in almost a whisper while giving me a wicked grin. Did he know everything? I hope not.

“Do you want a glass of wine?” He asked again. I had no idea what he was doing, but it was torture on my side.

“No, it’s okay,” I replied between sharp breaths.

“You don’t seem okay to me, but you look beautiful regardless and I am happy it’s for me tonight.”

I didn’t know how to respond to that. I just kept quiet.

“You are not comfortable, are you? “He whispered in my ears.

“Why do you say that?” I managed to ask.

“You are afraid you might get caught.”

"Oh my goodness, how did he find out? I have to behave neutrally." I said to myself.

“Normally, I would have been angry, but I am not, it’s rather funny.”

“I still don’t get you, Alex, please be a little clear.”

“Next time, be a little more strategic, try some other methods like food poisoning, it’s most efficient and clean, no one would notice. How could you have thought of this childish plan, trying to kill me with a cutlery knife? Don’t you know I am much stronger than you are, c’mon wife? The reason with which you came here is very poor. Remember, I made you cry not long ago.

You could have waited for this night to fall, never make the enemy suspicious, do you hear me?” He pauses and pulls a strand of hair behind my ear.

“Do you think you can go scot-free if you murdered me? You’re so naïve you forgot about prison, instead of this beautiful home, you would have been behind bars, not being able to see your family.”

“Are you wondering how I knew? I’d bet you didn’t see that mirror against the wall, it projected everything. Take the knife under the pillow, you might hurt yourself.” He said calmly. And I could only do as told.

Tears started to pour down naturally. I wish I could just clear his mind and vanish from his sight.

“Do you ever laugh?” All I have seen you do is cry every minute. I guess he didn’t expect an answer. He wiped my eyes with a tissue, then traced his index finger across my lips.

“No need to grieve or be afraid. I won’t file a complaint, you are my wife, after all.” He paused, stared for some time, bit his lip and he continued.

“You know something, wife? I have always wanted to have a feel of these beautiful, soft plum lips of yours. Today at my parent's house, you made my dream a reality, I was astonished and happy. Right this moment, I would plead to employ your phrase and act accordingly. Are you ready? Here we go sweetheart, I didn’t beg you to be here, once you are, face the consequences. Lest I forget, you are here to make love, aren't you?”

“You have a great body, flawless skin. I can’t ignore you.” He said, passing his hands on my naked thighs. It was hard for me to stop him, part of me was really curious to explore.

He started to kiss me softly on the lips, then paused, he turned his head and started all over. Moving up to my ears and finally my lips. His lips were soft, gentle, the kind every woman would want. At this point, I only closed my eyes in anticipation of what was to come. His manly scent was way too intoxicating, I had to remind myself to breathe when he moved his hands all over me, my moans became louder, my breath coming in heavy pants.

He trailed kisses down my neck again, then licked my jaw. He pulled my lingerie above my head and a cold breeze from nowhere swept over me, causing goosebumps over my body. I came back to my senses and stopped him.

His facial expressions were different tonight. I could hardly read. He had this unquestionable look at the same time, something else, regret? I couldn’t tell. He spoke while I collected the sheet for a coverup.

“I am truly sorry, Ana. I didn’t mean to take advantage, don’t take this the wrong way. He was about to touch me when I warned him.

“Don’t you dare touch me? I want a divorce.”

“What? Ana, did you hear yourself well?”

“Stop making me feel like I am a child who doesn’t know what she says or does. It shouldn’t be about you all the time, I said I want a divorce.” I courageously defended.

“Fine! In exchange for the cash my father paid your dad. I will grant you a divorce, but only when you are done paying in a month.”

“Is that your final decision? Huh? I don’t have anything to tell you as of now.

I agree to your terms, even if I have to trade myself to pay off that debt, I will. Make the papers ready.”

“Do you hate this marriage so much that you could trade yourself to pay me? Come on wife, who would not report his wife of attempted murder?

“Because you don’t have evidence_” I cut in

“Is that what you assume? I may not, but it’s your word against mine. Who’s going to believe you? Welcome to the world of power, don’t underestimate my abilities.”

“No Alex, I’m not underestimating you. I know very well what you are capable of because you’re powerful. It happens all the time, around the world. Power always dominates that which is in its favor or not.”

“It’s normal wife. Life itself favors the powerful, not the vulnerable. That’s why against all prospects, you should maneuver a way of making it.” I commented, clever and simple.

Honestly, the one thing I really like about him is his intelligence. I really admire that. Aside from that, everything else is annoying. I always ask myself why he married me.

“Wife, I’m here. Feel unrestricted to tell me everything, and don’t overthink.” He said, passing his hands through my hair.

“Why did you marry me? Did you know me?”

He replied, “I don’t think that’s important. You are filing for a divorce, after all. There’s no need to know. “

He tugged a strand of hair behind my ear as he whispered,” I would love to have a feel of this great body. Don’t tell me you still have that useless ex-boyfriend in mind. You don’t, right?"

“I don’t!” I replied honestly. He was about to touch me when I furiously got out of bed.

“Excuse me,” I said as I reached for the door.

Wait!" He commanded. “I have one more condition, you will remain in this house as my wife, Mrs. Johnson, and execute your duties accordingly, including obeying my orders.”

“Will you also perform your duties as a husband?”I inquired.

“That depends on me, I think I do them already, don’t I?” He asked

I didn’t reply, flouncing dramatically, I reached for the door handle.

“I didn’t permit you to leave, did I, Mrs. Johnson?”

“Don’t call me that!” I retorted, turning to look him in the eyes.

“Shush..... Have you forgotten the conditions already? Oh, even without the conditions, you remain, Mrs. Johnson. You are spending the night here, with me, in that lingerie. You know? I would have preferred it red, it’s more provocative for a plan like yours.”

His teasing was too much for me. I turned to leave. I stopped eventually at his words.

"Stop." Hw commanded.

“What makes you think you can order me around like some servant? You don’t tell me what to do, alright?”

“I do, wife, and you obey. It’s as simple as that.” He replied calmly.

I turned my gaze from him and instantly, my eyes got fixed on something. My eyes widened and tears started pouring down again.

“Look at it very well, my lovely wife, and tell me if you still want a divorce.”

I stare more intently, hoping it would change my mind, but no, I can’t trust the man before me. I dried my tears and inquired.

“Why do you not want to grant me a divorce? Don’t tell me it’s because of that.”

“It’s not something you should know. It’s not your business, sweetheart.” He replied, getting out of bed to pour himself a glass of red wine.

“I have a condition,” I said, and he turned his gaze to meet mine, eager to hear it.