Domestic Argument

The hotel room was as delightful as I ever could have imagined. It almost felt like I had come back home to the lifestyle I was accustomed to. Not that Jay’s place wasn’t grand, but compared to the full life I had, it was like I had taken ten steps back. How he had so many funds was beyond me. Maybe he lived a more simple life so that he could afford to buy a wife.

The only issue was having to share a bed with the man I held no care for. Though that was a worry for later on. Right now, he was following me around like a little duckling as I shopped. I didn’t have money of my own, so it was only natural I spent his money. I wasn’t going to at first; as I had no intention of being in his debt like my parents were, but when he had clarified that his money was mine and there was no catch, I figured why not make life at his place more comfortable?

I tried to keep to things he could easily carry, but the number of clothes was piling up. Not once did he argue or deny me my spending. I wasn’t sure if it was worse he was letting me act spoiled rather than setting any boundaries. Did he really have no backbone? Glancing back at the pile of bags and boxes he carried, I let out a long sigh and shook my head.

“Let’s go back to the hotel. I’m tired now,” I said as I stormed onwards down the street. I wasn’t sure why I was so annoyed again, but I was. Maybe I had hoped he would be a bad person, so my dislike of him would be justified. However, he was being far too sweet. I couldn’t justify my dislike of him if this kept up. I pursed my lips as I focused on the direction of our hotel. All I could think of was that I refused to fall in love with such a man as Jay.

Back in our room, Jay put away all the new clothes into the suitcase for me while I sat on the bed and watched. He had packed a spare one, knowing full well I had planned to shop, but he hadn’t planned for the sheer numbers.

“These will look lovely on you,” Jay said once he had finally managed to shut the suitcase and lock it. “Though can you really wear all of them?”

I pursed my lips into a pout. “Don’t you want to show off how pretty I am?” I question him with a heartrending tone. “I just wanted to feel special,” I added on. I was being a brat, and I knew it. However, I wanted to see just how far he would let me push before he snapped. He had to have a limit, right? Something that would give me a reason to prove he wasn’t a complete doormat.

Jay stared at me for long enough that I thought maybe I had done it. Found his limit on how far I could push. However, to my disappointment, he muttered, “I don’t need to show you off for people to know you’re beautiful. Our family knows this already, even without seeing you for themselves. As for being special, you’re more than special. You’re mine, so you’re more than something special.”

He was still singing my praises but still treating me like property. I let out a long huff.

“What?” He asked, confused at my disappointment. “What did I say wrong now?” Fine. If Jay would not be a man, then I’d force his hand. I stood up from the bed and folded my arms across my chest and peered at him intently. He didn’t look intimidated at all, just confused.

“I’m not yours. I don’t belong to you like a toy or whatever,” I hissed. “Sure, I am legally a wife to you, but I’ll never belong to you! Your bargain with my parents has nothing to do with me!” I raised my voice a little. The first time in my life I had ever done so. It surprised me how well I could stand up for myself. I would never have dared towards my parents.

Jay looked taken aback for a moment as he heard my words. Then his expression shifted into a frown, then guilt. He didn’t have a rebuttal for what I had said. “You’re destined to be mine,” he uttered quietly. Was that all he could come up with?

“That’s the same thing!” I shot at him and then let out an annoyed grunt. “You act all sweet and innocent, but you just see me as some possession to own and do as you wish! I’m a human being and the only reason I even agreed to this stupid marriage was that I had no other choice!” I quickly shut my mouth. That wasn’t something I had meant to say out loud, and especially not towards the man in question!

Jay was about to say something else, but at this point, I panicked. I quickly left the hotel room before he could chase me down. Luckily for me, I knew my way around far better than he did, so losing him was easy.

I could hear him calling my name, but he was getting further away, rather than closer. I let out a small sigh and stormed off down to a second lot of elevators. Knowing he wouldn’t think to check this side of the hotel, I planned on easily slipping past him should he make it down to the lobby before I did. I’d come back later, after making him worry for a bit, but for now, I needed a moment to think over what I would do if he was mad at me.

Luck was on my side. If he had gotten on the elevator or taken the stairs, he hadn’t made it to the lobby before me. I easily slipped on out and headed towards the beach. It was late in the afternoon, so barely anyone was around right now. I wasn’t sure if I should stay on the beach or head somewhere else. He could spot me here, which wasn’t what I wanted.

Tapping my lip in thought, I remembered a place I could go.

There was an extensive park near here. It was mostly open fields with a few trees and bushes. Joggers often made use of it at this time of the day, so I’d not stand out too much and Jay probably didn’t know about the spot. It was the perfect hideout to mull over my next actions.