The Billionaire's Arranged Bride

Chapter 7

The Billionaire's Arranged Bride

Chapter 7

The First Argument

Astrid discovered something important about living with Trey Santillan.

He was annoyingly organized.

Everything had a place.

The keys went in one specific tray.

The mail went in another.

His jackets were arranged according to color.

Even the kitchen looked like nobody was allowed to make a mess.

Astrid, unfortunately, was not that person.

She wasn't messy.

At least, that's what she told herself.

She simply believed that things didn't always have to be perfectly arranged.

So when she came downstairs one morning and found Trey staring at the kitchen counter, she immediately knew something was wrong.

"What?"

He pointed at the counter.

Astrid looked.

Her coffee cup was there.

Her book was beside it.

And a plate with half-eaten toast.

She looked back at him.

"What?"

"You left these here."

"Yes."

"You usually put your things away."

Astrid blinked.

"I do?"

"Yes."

"How would you know?"

"I live here."

"So do I."

Trey looked at her.

She immediately realized how that sounded.

He slowly smiled.

"You do."

Astrid crossed her arms.

"Don't make it weird."

"I wasn't."

"You were."

He picked up her book.

"Where should I put this?"

"On the table."

"There is a table."

"Exactly."

He placed the book there.

Then picked up her cup.

"Kitchen."

He moved it.

Astrid watched him.

"You're doing this on purpose."

"Doing what?"

"Trying to prove your point."

"I don't have a point."

"You definitely have a point."

Trey smiled.

"Maybe."

She rolled her eyes.

"Billionaire."

"Messy woman."

"I am not messy."

He looked at the toast.

She looked at it too.

"That's temporary."

"Of course."

She walked away.

Trey laughed behind her.

---

The teasing continued throughout breakfast.

Astrid was beginning to think Trey enjoyed annoying her.

And unfortunately, she was beginning to enjoy it too.

After breakfast, Trey received a phone call.

His expression changed immediately.

The playful look disappeared.

"What's wrong?" Astrid asked.

"Nothing."

"You just changed."

"It's work."

He stood.

"I need to go to the office."

"Okay."

He grabbed his phone.

Then stopped.

"Astrid."

"Yes?"

"I may be late tonight."

"How late?"

"I don't know."

She nodded.

"Okay."

"I'll message you."

"Fine."

He left.

Astrid watched him walk out.

For some reason, she felt disappointed.

She didn't want to admit it.

She had gotten used to having him around.

Even when he was annoying.

Especially when he was annoying.

---

That evening, Astrid ate dinner alone.

Eight o'clock.

No Trey.

Nine.

Still nothing.

She checked her phone.

No message.

She frowned.

He said he'd message.

At ten, she finally went upstairs.

She told herself she wasn't waiting.

She was just tired.

That was all.

She changed into pajamas and climbed into bed.

Her phone remained beside her.

At 10:47, it finally rang.

Trey: I'm on my way home.

Astrid stared at the message.

She wanted to reply.

Instead, she typed:

Astrid: Okay.

She put the phone down.

Then picked it up again.

Astrid: Be careful.

His response came quickly.

Trey: I will.

She smiled.

Just a little.

---

It was almost midnight when Trey finally arrived.

Astrid was downstairs.

She had fallen asleep on the sofa without realizing it.

The sound of the front door opening woke her.

She sat up.

Trey stopped when he saw her.

"Astrid?"

She rubbed her eyes.

"Hi."

"Why are you still awake?"

"I wasn't."

"You were waiting."

"No."

He looked at her.

She looked away.

"Okay. Maybe."

Trey sighed.

"You didn't have to wait for me."

"I know."

"Then why did you?"

Astrid didn't answer immediately.

"Because you said you'd message."

"I did."

"At ten forty-seven."

"I was busy."

"I know."

He walked closer.

"You're upset."

"No."

"You are."

Astrid stood.

"I just don't like being left wondering."

Trey's expression softened.

"I didn't mean to."

"I know."

"Then what's wrong?"

She looked at him.

"I don't know."

Trey frowned.

"Astrid."

"I just..." She sighed. "You told me we'd be honest with each other."

"We are."

"Then tell me when something is wrong."

"Nothing is wrong."

"You looked worried this morning."

"It's work."

"You keep saying that."

"Because it is."

She crossed her arms.

"Then why can't you tell me?"

Trey's jaw tightened.

"Because it's my problem."

Astrid went quiet.

That hurt more than she expected.

"Right."

"Astrid."

"No. It's fine."

She started walking toward the stairs.

"Astrid, wait."

She stopped.

"What?"

Trey sighed.

"I didn't mean it like that."

"But you said it."

"I know."

She looked at him.

"You don't have to tell me everything. I understand that. But we're getting married, Trey. We're living together. If something affects you, I don't want to be treated like I'm completely outside your life."

He was silent.

Astrid continued.

"I'm not asking you to tell me your business secrets. I'm asking you to let me in a little."

Trey looked at her.

Something shifted in his expression.

"I've spent most of my life handling things alone."

"I know."

"So I'm not used to explaining myself."

"I know that too."

He stepped closer.

"But I'll try."

Astrid looked at him.

"Really?"

"Yes."

She nodded.

"Okay."

He reached for her hand.

She hesitated for only a second before letting him take it.

"I'm sorry," he said.

Astrid looked down at their hands.

"Me too."

"You didn't do anything."

"I still got upset."

"You're allowed to."

She looked up.

"You're not angry?"

"No."

"Not even a little?"

"No."

"Why?"

Trey smiled faintly.

"Because you're important to me."

Astrid's heart skipped.

She didn't know what to say.

So she squeezed his hand.

---

The next morning, Astrid woke up to a message.

Trey: I'm sorry about last night.

She smiled.

Then another message appeared.

Trey: And I owe you breakfast.

She laughed.

Astrid: Pancakes?

Trey: Of course.

Astrid: Then you're forgiven.

Trey: Good morning to you too.

Astrid smiled at her phone.

Maybe arguments weren't always a bad thing.

Maybe what mattered was what happened after.

They had promised each other honesty.

They were learning how to communicate.

And for the first time, Astrid realized something.

Their marriage hadn't even happened yet.

But they were already learning how to be a couple.

Not a perfect one.

Not an easy one.

Just two people figuring each other out, one argument, one apology, and one pancake at a time.