Chapter 02 [1/2]

The night was a lot colder than usual. Perhaps it’s because I am sleeping alone in our bed. I did not bother going after Cadmus, even though I was hoping he would return.

I fell asleep with the conversation I had with my brother still stuck in my mind. When morning arrived, I felt as if my body hadn't had a chance to rest. I was still tired and wanted to stay in bed.

I slowly sat up and looked at the large window beside our bed. The sunshine sips through the curtains, giving light to half of the room. My gaze was drawn to the empty side of the bed, which made my chest tighten.

I went to the bathroom to do my usual morning routine. After taking a warm shower, I wore my bathrobe and went to the kitchen for breakfast. I wasn’t in the mood to get dressed yet. I barely ate dinner last night because I kept thinking about Cadmus.

When I got to the kitchen, my husband was already there. He was sipping coffee while busy on his laptop. I’m not sure if he noticed me but his eyes remained on what he is doing.

“Good morning,” I greeted.

He threw a glance at me before nodding.

Something was wrong. I don’t have to be a genius to guess it now that he’s made it too obvious. Is he really turning cold because he’s getting tired of waiting for a child?

I just thought that we should be in this together. We should figure it out as husband and wife because it is not like I’m doing it on purpose. I just don’t understand why he’s being like this towards me when he should be here to support me.

He said that he already checked with his doctor and that nothing's wrong with him. That’s why it seems like I’m at fault here. I am starting to worry about what the results will be when I finally consulted my doctor, and he's making things even more difficult for me

I may love working, but I also want to build a family with him. I want that too. That’s why I’m anxious because there is a possibility that I can’t have it and yet, he doesn’t want to comfort me.

I felt hurt because I didn’t expect this kind of attitude from him. This isn’t supposed to look like it’s my fault but by the way that he’s acting, I'm beginning to think and feel that it is.

There has to be some sort of explanation why I haven't got pregnant yet. If there is a problem, then there should be a solution too.

“I’ll be visiting the Agency’s office today. I won’t be able to join you to the company this morning.”

“Okay,” he said.

“Cadmus, if we have a problem, tell me. Let’s fix it…” I couldn’t stand it anymore. We may not be the sweetest couple but, he isn't like this before, he was not… cold.

He lifted his gaze to look at me.

“Don’t start," he warned. "I have a busy day ahead. I don’t have time for this. If we have anything to discuss, moreover fix together, I’ll let you know.” He stood up, closed his laptop, and brought it with him before walking past me.

I was left frozen on where I stood. All I could do was press my eyes shut and sigh. I don’t like how we are right now, I don’t even know how to fix it because he won’t let me.

That’s why I’ll just have to let it pass. Hoping that in a few days, things will go back to normal. I nodded to myself. That’s right, things will go back to normal.

I had breakfast and went back to our room to get dressed. He wasn’t there though. I think he’s occupying one of the guest rooms. Having separate rooms is just way out of line. If this goes on, we really have something to discuss whether he likes it or not.

Since I’ll be going to the agency to check things out there, I wore a simple maroon bodycon dress and placed a blazer on top of my shoulders. A smile appeared on my face as I look at myself in the mirror.

Since I started high school, I've been taking care of my body. I was almost six feet tall even without heels, I think it’s nice that Cadmus was over six feet and definitely taller than me. My wavy hair, on the other hand, cascades down to my chest.

It’s not hard to guess that I’m a model, one of the best ones too. My mother owns a modeling agency. Which is one of the top agencies in the modeling industry, may it be in our country or outside. The company is found in N.Y.C, but they also recently built a headquarters in our country after Mom married dad and settled here.

My father’s company, on the other hand, will be handled by my brother, Koen. Our parents were both successful even before they got married, each has names of their own, one they worked hard for. That’s why they taught us how to survive in the business world at a young age.

I brought a small handbag with me before leaving the room.

“Has Cadmus left already?” I asked one of the maids.

“Yes, Madam.”

He didn’t even tell me that he was leaving. I took a deep breath before walking. I heard my heels clicking as I made my way out of the house. My driver was already waiting for me outside.

“Let’s go,” I said. He usually has my schedule for the day, all thanks to my personal assistant.

I kept myself busy with my phone. I have to be updated with what’s happening at the Salazar corporation right now and my secretary is keeping me posted. I still have a meeting to attend at the company later.

“Oh, let’s also buy something for Mom and the staff. Find me a café,” I told the driver mid-way through the ride.

The driver pulled over. I asked him to order for me and told him to include himself. But a few minutes after he left the car, I realized that I didn’t make an order for myself. So, I decided to go out and buy it on my own.

“Katalina?” A familiar voice that called my name made my head turn.

My eyes landed on the very last person I would want to see today. My eyebrows automatically raised.

“Minty.” I stared at her with eyebrows still raised as I wait for her to tell me why she had to capture my attention.

She smiled and shook her head, “how are you?”

“Still busy as always but I’m great, always have been,” I smirked. “And you?”

He nods her head as she replies, “never better.”

That smile of hers hide her wicked agendas well. It fooled me before, I thought she really was happy for me and Cadmus, turns out, she was dating him behind my back.

“How about your marriage? How’s that going?” she added while slightly tilting her head.

The side of my lips twitched as I try to keep a grin plastered on my face, “we’re doing just fine.”

“Hmm? Is that so? I just thought that it’ll give you a hard time since he was just forced to marry you.”

“You thought?” I let out a laugh, “You know what I thought before? That you can be trusted. But it seems that we’re both wrong, aren’t we?”

“You make me seem like I’ve been a bad friend when you weren’t willing to give him up for your best friend too,” she was looking at me intently and with a smirk making its way to her face.

“I had him first, I loved him first and you knew.”

“But I was the one he loved.”

“And I am his wife,” I had to emphasize every word.

“Because he didn’t have a choice, he wasn’t allowed to choose.”

“Oh, he had a choice. I never made that decision. I wasn’t even there when he decided to continue with our marriage and let you go. You weren’t as important to him as you thought you were,” I smiled at her. “That was a long time ago, all of us were young. Both my husband and I have moved on, you should too.”

The expressions on her face turned blank for a moment before she laughed and said, “don’t be silly, it was just for the sake of conversation. Of course, that’s all in the past.”

“Well, if you’ll excuse me.” I badly want to get away from her. I can’t stand her anymore, what I hate the most is being fooled. Only the ones I trust have the chance to do that to me, that’s why I hate it more.

I did not wait for her reply and walked inside the café. I won’t ask her if she’s seeing my husband, I don’t need such information from her. I plan to talk to my husband about it anyway.

After the stop-over at the café, we went straight to the agency. The employees as well as the Models that are present all greeted me as I walk by them. Before I entered Mom’s office, I had someone distribute the food and drinks that I bought for them.

“Darling,” Mom greeted me as soon as I walked in.

“Mom, I’m so happy to see you,” I smiled. Because of my busy schedule, I seldom see my parents.

Mom waltzed gracefully towards me. She immediately gave both my cheeks a kiss.

I spent the whole morning at the agency, discussing the agency and familiarizing myself with the customs. In the afternoon, I decided to head to Cadmus’ company.

While I was inside my car, my phone suddenly rang. I fished it out of my bag, read the caller's name. It was my secretary so, I answered the call.

"Miss Katalina, Sir Cadmus requested to move the time of the meeting. It will start in ten minutes. Will you be able to make it in time? Should I talk to sir Cadmus?" She was obviously panicking.

I straightened my back as my brows began to furrow. Why would he move it so suddenly? Moreover, at this time?

He's well aware that I'm yet to arrive at the company and that I have to be there when the meeting is happening.

"Why? What happened?"

"Ma'am, he said that he has to deal with something important later,” she said, sounding a bit hesitant.

"Important? What is it?" I felt like a fool for not knowing the important matters in my husband’s life, plus I even have to ask someone else for me to find out.

"He said it was a personal matter."

"Text me when the meeting begins," I said before ending the call.

I immediately went to my contacts and clicked on Cadmus' number. I placed my phone on my ear as I wait for him to pick up.

"Cadmus, why did you move the meeting?" I calmly asked.

"God, you've been asking too many questions lately. I'm preparing for the meeting, Katalina. Why don't you just hurry up?" he sounded more frustrated than I was.

"I just don't understand why you have to move it and at the last minute. I don't think I'll make it in time, you know how far the agency is from the company."

"Because I still have important matters to deal with after the meeting. If you won't be able to make it in time, then I'll handle it on my own. You don't have to be here."

"I need to see the presentation. I need to hear what's going to be discussed." The project is important to the company, so, I want to be a part of it. I trust that my involvement will help us make the most of the project.

"You think I can't come up with a proper decision on my own?"

"It's not that, Cadmus. Do you not value my opinion anymore?" I asked.

"Is your opinion more valuable than mine?"

"What? Are you seriously putting us against each other? I'm your wi–"

"I'm ending the call, I won't be able to change the time again just for you,” he said, cutting me off.