What I Want

Chapter 2

Haden 

I had a pounding headache and my eyes hurt. I hate hangovers but I still drink anyway. The sun was glaring through my window and I realized it was 11:00am. Wow I slept that long.  

Turning around I noticed a glass of water and an aspirin on my nightstand. Aubrey must have put that there. I rolled my eyes but still drank it anyway. 

I made my way downstairs and into the kitchen. To my surprise pancakes lay on the counter while Aubrey stirred some food in a pot. It seemed like she was preparing lunch. Her black hair was tied in a neat ponytail that reached midback. She wore a simple dress that reached above her knees and an apron tied over it.  

She still hadn't noticed my presence. I cleared my throat causing her to yelp. Her hand grabbed unto the pot only to be burnt from the heat. 

"Ow." She yelped as she turned to me. I realized she had a bandage on her forehead. 

"Don't just stand there like the i***t you are. Put your hand under some running water." I shouted. 

She turned away and did as instructed.

"Remember what I said yesterday Aubrey. I don't want anything from you. I'm not gonna eat your food."  

"I-I thought I should at least cook for you Haden." She muttered sadly. 

"I don't want anything from you ." I sneered. 

Her head hung low as she turned off the stove. The lunch she was making had already burnt. I felt a little pity for her. She untied her apron and dashed upstairs.  

Whatever. 

I finished eating the pancakes because I was hungry as hell. It's not like I had to tell her I ate it. No sooner than I did I heard the doorbell ring. I'm not in the mood for guests. 

I opened the door to see my mother and father staring happily at me. 

"I have good news for you Haden." My mother cheered. 

She pushed pass me and strode inside. My dad following suite. Whenever your mom says it's good news it has to be bad for you.  

We sat in the living room and I waited for her to speak.  

"Where is your wife, Aubrey." My mother asked. 

"I'll go call her."  

I walked upstairs and knocked on her door. A few seconds after she opened the door. Her eyes were red it seemed to me like she was crying.  

"My mom and dad are here. They want you to come downstairs to talk to us." I explained and she nodded. 

I held her hand and she gasped. 

"I'm only doing this so my parents don't suspect a thing." I said sharply. 

"I know." She whispered, her small hand entwined with mine. 

We walked downstairs and my mother beamed with joy. We sat on the couch opposite my parents. 

"Good day Mr. and Mrs. Vanderbilt." Aubrey greeted politely.  

"Nonsense dear you may call us Anne and Richard. No need for formalities." My mother smiled and my father agreed. 

"Alright." Aubrey answered. 

"Goodness. What happened to your forehead and hand?" My mother exclaimed. 

"It's nothing really. I'm just clumsy that's all. I fell and bumped my head yesterday and this morning I accidentally burnt my hand while making lunch." Aubrey laughed it off.  

I was the one that caused her to burn her hand. Why is she being so modest? It's because she wanted to act all innocent in front of my parents. 

"You should be more careful dear. And what happened to your wrist." My father questioned and I stiffened. 

"Well, I got burnt while using my flat iron rod. How silly of me." Aubrey said coolly.  

"Haden you need to take care of your wife. Look how many accidents she has had. You should be cooking for her and treating her like a queen." My mother scolded like I was a little kid. 

"Oh where are my manners. Shall I get you both anything to drink." Aubrey questioned. 

"Its quite alright honey. We're good." My mother answered. 

"I have a surprise for the both of you." My mother said as she rummaged through her purse only to reveal two tickets. 

"You are both going to Tahiti for your honeymoon." She exclaimed. 

"What!?" I questioned on disbelief. 

"Are you deaf? I said you are going to Tahiti for your honeymoon and I already booked a private hotel. It is absolutely wonderful." My mother rambled on. 

"I have work mom. There's a lot of stuff I still have to do here." I reasoned and my mom rolled her eyes. 

"I don't care. Your brother will run the company while you're away. But you are going to Tahiti to spend quality time with your wife." My mother said sternly. 

I couldn't argue that so I just settled for it. Aubrey was smiling widely. 

"I always wanted to go to Tahiti." She admitted dreamily and my mother smiled happily. 

"You see Haden your wife wants to go. This is perfect. You will have such a good time." My mother adds. 

My parents spoke to us asking how we are adjusting to our marriage life. In about two hours they left leaving Aubrey and I alone. 

"What the f**k, you could have said you didn't wanna go." I yelled at Aubrey. 

"Haden I always wanted to go Tahiti." She responded. 

"I don't give a f**k about what you want." I barked. 

"Haden please calm- 

"Shut up. Just shut the f**k up you whore." I yelled and she flinched. She wore a look of hurt on her face and tears pooled in her eyes threatening to fall any second. But I didn't care about her feelings. 

"You ruined my life. You could have said no to this stupid marriage proposal but still you agreed. What are you after, money? Is that what you want? You gold-digging slut." I knew I was pushing it too far but I just wanted to hurt her. 

A gut wrenching sob was heard and tears flowed down her cheeks.  

"I'm not after your money." She hiccupped and I laughed. 

"As if. I know that's what you're after and I promise I will find a way to get out of this marriage and leave you without a damn cent. I will never love you Aubrey. You are nothing to me. You're just a worthless little w***e and I can't stand your presence. You disgust me." I seethed. I was so angry with her. 

I looked up at her and saw a broken look on her face. I felt a little guilty for what I said maybe I overdid it. 

"I-I..." She was lost for words as tears fell from her eyes. She wrapped her arms around herself like if she was cold. I felt bad for what I said. 

She darted to her room without sparing a second glance and shut the door.  

Whatever. I could care less about her. And some part of me was glad I hurt her feelings. She deserved it. 

~ 

The next few weeks passed by in a blur. Aubrey managed to keep her distance from me. I hadn't really seen her since but she still prepared meals for me which I just gave to my best friend, Vincent, at work. 

"This lunch tastes amazing. Your wife can really cook." Vincent admitted while he greedily ate my lunch. 

I simply rolled my eyes at him. 

"Hey why don't you try some." He suggested. 

"Because I- 

My phone rang, cutting me off in the process. It was my mother. The next two days I would be going to Tahiti with Aubrey. 

"Hello mom." I answered."  

"Hello Haden. I just called Aubrey and she informed me that she wasn't feeling so well. She also said that you and her would go on vacation whenever she gets better. So I might just give away these two tickets." My mother explained. 

"Oh yes sure mom." I answered with pure glee. Was Aubrey really sick? I hadn't really seen her. 

We chatted for a couple minutes then she hung up. 

"So you're not going on your honeymoon gain?" Vincent questioned. 

"Nope and I'm glad."  

"I never got to meet Aubrey. Remember I was in Italy during your wedding." He added. 

Vincent was supposed to be my best man but his grandmother was on her deathbed and she asked specifically for him. So he had to go. He still felt bad about not being there for me but I told him not to worry. 

"You don't have to meet her she's not important."  

"What. Why do you say that? I'm sure she's cool."  

"No I can't stand her Vincent. She is just a gold digger and I'm tryna get rid of her as soon as possible." 

"Wow. She's that bad?" He asked. 

"Yup." I answered. 

My phone rang again. It must be my mom. I answered without checking the caller ID. 

"Yeah Mom."  

A soft giggle was heard over the phone and my heart melted. 

"Its Ivory silly." She chuckled warmly and I laughed with her. 

"Sorry I thought it was my mom." I smiled foolishly as I spoke over the phone. 

"Haha. Well how have you been?" She asked.  

"I've been well. How are you?"  

"Well I've been okay." Her voice sounded strained. Something was bothering her. 

"Are you sure?" I pressed.  

There was a short pause then she answered. 

"Yes I'm fine." She said. 

"I heard you got married." She stated. 

"It was all my dad's doing Ivory. I still love you and I will be with you. I promise you that." I breathed. 

"I know Haden, I'm not mad at you. I understand don't beat up yourself about it. And I love you too Hay Hay." She said sweetly and I smiled at the nickname. 

"I need to see you Ivory." I blurted. 

"Yeah . I haven't seen you in so long." She whispered and my heart clenched. 

"Gosh, I miss you soo much." I sighed. 

"I miss you too. But there's something I have to tell you Haden." She said as she took a deep breath.  

"What is it ? You can tell me anything baby." I coaxed her gently.  

"Haden I'm... I'm pregnant."