THIS THING CALLED LOVE

CHAPTER3

Adrian and Edna’s wedding had been a grand affair, one that most couples could only dream of. After the ceremony in the church, they moved directly to the reception, an event that reflected the affluence and status of both families. The dimly lit hall, furnished and decorated with luxurious taste, mirrored the wealth of the people who filled it. Red roses adorned the walls in intricate patterns, and the aroma of various delicacies hung in the air, teasing their senses. Laughter, conversation, and the clink of glasses echoed through the hall, mingling with the joyous air that surrounded the newlyweds. It was a celebration, not just of their union, but also of the merging of two powerful families. Yet, beneath the surface, the emotions between Adrian and Edna were far more complex. Their marriage had not been born out of love, but rather an arrangement by their families for mutual benefit. There had been no courtship, no romantic connection prior to the wedding. Instead, they had simply been placed together like pieces in a game neither of them had a say in. By 7 PM, the reception concluded. As one of their gifts, Adrian's parents had booked a penthouse suite for them at a prestigious five-star hotel in the heart of Eko Atlantic City. A driver, hired by Adrian’s father, was waiting for them at the reception hall to take them to the hotel. As they sat in the back seat of the sleek car, silence stretched between them. The weight of the occasion, the unfamiliarity of the situation, and the uncertainty of what lay ahead lingered in the air. After about thirty minutes, they arrived at the Grand Imperial Hotel. Edna stepped out of the car, her eyes wide and glistening as she took in the sight before her. The hotel was a marvel of modern architecture, its glass exterior gleaming under the soft glow of the lights. Water fountains, positioned strategically around the hotel’s vicinity, oozed crystal-clear water, adding to the serene ambiance. Adrian noticed her dewy-eyed expression and felt a twinge of guilt—Edna had been thrust into this marriage just as much as he had. They walked toward the spinning glass doors of the hotel, their footsteps slow, almost hesitant, as though both were unsure of what came next. Inside, the hotel was a blend of opulence and warmth. The scent of honey and cinnamon welcomed them, wrapping around them like a comforting embrace. Soft classical music played in the background, adding to the tranquil atmosphere. Coffee tables and chairs were scattered around the reception area, and above them, beautiful chandeliers hung from the ceiling, casting a soft, golden light over everything. Adrian approached the receptionist, a young woman dressed elegantly in a black gown. “Mr. Adrian Mickelson,” he introduced himself, flashing a polite smile. The receptionist returned the smile warmly and quickly pulled up their reservation. “Yes, we’ve been expecting you. Your parents made the reservation,” she said, handing him the keycard to their suite. Adrian thanked her, taking the card before turning back to Edna, who stood quietly by his side. They made their way to the elevator, and the ride felt interminable. Neither of them spoke, and the silence between them stretched, thick and tense. When they finally reached their suite, Adrian opened the door and stepped inside, his eyes immediately drawn to the luxurious decor. It was a mini penthouse, no doubt costing a small fortune. The living room window offered a breathtaking view of the beach, the gentle sound of the waves crashing against the shore barely audible through the thick glass. Edna followed him into the room, her demeanor still quiet and reserved. She seemed almost as out of place as he felt. Adrian tried to shake off the awkwardness that hung between them, but the truth was that he still couldn’t quite reconcile the fact that they were now husband and wife. It all felt so sudden, so forced. His mind wandered back to his ex-girlfriend, Lissa, and the ache in his chest returned with a vengeance. Turning to Edna, he forced a smile. “I’ll leave you to change,” he said quietly, making his way toward the sitting room to give her some privacy. It still felt strange to share such an intimate space with someone he barely knew, someone he hadn’t chosen for himself. But before he could leave, Edna reached out and grabbed his hand, stopping him in his tracks. He turned to face her, surprised by the sudden contact. Her eyes, wide and vulnerable, gazed up at him with a mixture of fear and something else he couldn’t quite place. “Please don’t go,” she whispered, her voice soft but urgent. In an unexpected move, she pulled him into a tight embrace, burying her face in his chest. Adrian felt a surge of emotions rise within him, emotions he hadn’t expected. Edna, this quiet and seemingly delicate woman, was opening up to him in a way he hadn’t anticipated. She released him slightly, her eyes searching his face. “I love you, Adrian,” she said, her voice trembling. “I know this might feel weird, uncomfortable even. We hardly know each other, and our marriage was arranged by our parents. It wasn’t something either of us asked for. I hated the idea at first, too. I even thought about running away when my father told me what he had planned.” Adrian watched her, his heart pounding in his chest as she continued. “But then, the day I was going to run, I saw you. You visited with your family, and... I don’t know how to explain it, but I felt something. I’ve never believed in love at first sight, but when I saw you that day, something changed. You took my breath away. You were everything I’d ever wanted in a man, and there you were, sitting right in front of me.” Her words struck Adrian deeply. This was the longest conversation they had ever had, and her honesty left him speechless. He had no idea she had felt this way. She paused, taking a deep breath before continuing. “I know about your past, about Lissa,” she said softly. “Your dad told me, and I’m so sorry. I can’t imagine how hard it must be to lose someone you loved so much.” At the mention of Lissa’s name, Adrian felt a lump form in his throat, and the emotions he had been suppressing for so long came rushing to the surface. Tears welled up in his eyes, and before he could stop them, they spilled down his cheeks. “We were together for five years, Edna,” he said, his voice thick with emotion. “She was my best friend, my soulmate. I thought we were going to spend the rest of our lives together. She was everything to me—so caring, so strong. And then she was gone, just like that. How am I supposed to move on from that?” Edna’s arms tightened around him, her own eyes filled with unshed tears. “I’m not asking you to forget her,” she whispered. “I know it’s hard, and I know you’re hurting. But I’m not here to replace her. I married you because I love you, Adrian. I want to be by your side, to help you through the pain. I want to be the one who makes you smile again, the one you can lean on when things get tough. I’m not trying to take her place—I just want to be your wife, your partner, your soulmate.” Adrian’s heart swelled at her words. No one had spoken to him like that in such a long time, and he hadn’t realized how much he needed to hear it until that moment. He looked into her eyes, seeing not just the woman his parents had chosen for him, but someone who genuinely cared for him, someone who wanted to help him heal. Without thinking, he closed the distance between them and pressed his lips to hers. The kiss was soft at first, tentative, but as their emotions surged, it deepened, and all the tension and uncertainty that had existed between them melted away. Time seemed to stop, and for the first time, Adrian allowed himself to feel something other than grief. When they finally pulled apart, Edna turned away slightly, and Adrian gently unzipped her gown, helping her out of it. She, in turn, helped him remove his shirt, and soon, they were standing bare before each other. He scooped her up in his arms, carrying her to the bed and laying her down gently. The passion that had ignited between them grew stronger, and they made love for the first time, both of them lost in the moment, in each other. It was a night full of tenderness, of passion, and of healing. As they lay together afterward, Edna’s head resting on his chest, Adrian felt something he hadn’t felt in a long time—a sense of peace. He knew, deep down, that he would always carry the memory of Lissa with him, but for the first time, he could see a future with someone else. A future with Edna. As she drifted off to sleep, Adrian watched her, his heart swelling with gratitude. She had come into his life when he least expected it, and though their relationship had begun in the most unconventional of ways, he knew now that she was the one who could help him heal, the one who could help him move forward. In that moment, Adrian realized that Edna wasn’t just his wife in name—she was his future.