Deeply in love

Chapter 5 - The beginning.

The time was 11:40 pm. Mrs Linda had been occupied with putting her two-year-old to sleep. The little one was now cosily sleeping in his blanket with a sweet smile on his face, which could melt the hardest of hearts. Of course, it was a difficult night, she had been alone, trying to calm down the baby for hours. She looked out of her bedroom window, the night was dark and misty, a cold wind blew some moisture on her face and she touched her skin to feel the coolness. The narrow road which was visible from the window was deserted and there was still no sign of her husband. She looked at the trees which were slightly moving to the rhythm of the wind and for a minute she thought she saw a figure moving in between the trees. She concluded it was all in her mind, there could be no one here at this time of the night as their house was isolated from the main road. It was their choice, a quiet private place amongst the gathering of trees. She thought of the day they moved in. It was one of the best days of her life. She had been pregnant with Adam and they have moved in with hopes of complete happiness for their little family.

She had carefully selected each decoration and furniture as she couldn't trust her husband with his lack of such talents. It was exactly how she had imagined but with her husband's promotion, gradually she felt isolated and deprived of love. It didn't mean he didn't care for her but he worked overtime almost every day. "It's for us." He would say.

She locked the window and decided to call her husband's department as his phone was switched off. After a few rings, someone picked up.

"Hello. I'm afraid I can't help you. We are currently closed." The voice said.

"No. It's Liam's wife."

"Hold on."

A few seconds later, she heard the familiar, 'Hi, babe."

"It's midnight." she sighed.

I know. I have to submit a couple of files. I'm almost done. I'll be home very soon. Is Adam asleep?"

"Yes."

"You sound tired. Sleep I'll come as soon as possible. Love you."

She was too tired to say anything. She left the phone on the bedside table and then looked at the little one. It had been a month since they discovered Adam had autism and Liam has been working extra hard to cover the medical costs. Adam was different not strange as some of their relatives interpreted. They did not understand him or his capabilities, it was just his way of living. He wasn't disabled, he was differently-abled. She kissed his forehead and stroked the silky hair and before long she had drifted off into a deep sleep.

Her eyes flipped open to the voice of her child. She could see the frame of her husband on the other side of the bed. He was holding Adam's hand and their son was laughing or crying, she wasn't sure. Anyways, she got up lazily with her half-opened eyes and went downstairs to the kitchen. Her throat was dry and she was in a daze, due to improper sleep. She wanted a glass of water. When she was filling her glass, she noticed someone trying to open their front door. She was frightened and couldn't scream. She stood there speechless with the glass of water in her hand. The door opened and Liam stared at her from the entrance.

"What are you doing here?" She asked.

"What? Are you okay Lin?" Liam questioned.

She was terrified and dropped the glass of water and ran up to their bedroom. Her heart pounding fiercely and her thoughts focused on Adam. Adam should be okay.

"Adam!" She yelled running to the bedroom window as she witnessed her child being pulled through the window. She tried pulling him but the dark figure was too strong but she didn't let go.

"Mommy," Adam called out to her. She had never seen him that scared but he smiled at her even with fear in his little eyes. It was as if he firmly believed mommy would save him. She tried hard, Liam came up behind her and they held their son.

"Who the hell are you?" Liam shouted. They both tried to hold Adam but lost the grip of their child.

"Mommy!" He shouted when he was snatched away completely. That was the first word he spoke and the last she heard before he disappeared into the darkness of the night.

...........................................................................

"Whatever the reason, I really can't help you."

"It's not like we are getting married for real," Eric explained. "You only have to pretend."

"Eric, I came here to join the university. I have to study. My mom sacrificed a lot for me to reach here."

"I can help you with that."

"No, I don't expect you to. You have already done so much for me. I can't thank you enough." Serra said.

"Please help me out this time. I have been struck all my life with the choices they made for me. I can't let them destroy my future too."

"There should be another way." Serra wondered.

"There is no other way. They will come up with something to persuade me. I don't want to be caught up in a marriage I didn't choose."

"Can you try explaining them?" Serra insisted.

"You believe they will listen?" Eric laughed sarcastically.

Serra thought of her dad, she wouldn't be here if he had listened.

"I understand. I want to help you but,"

"Please Serra, I don't think I can trust any other girl with this. This marriage will be fake and I will make sure you will not be affected by this decision in any way."

"You don't know me that well."

"I know you enough to understand that you are not like the girls I know. So please, trust me."

"I can't decide this immediately. I need time."

"I'm getting married tonight."

"Eric," Serra held her head in her hands.

"Okay fine," She said in a while, "but you should explain this to everyone as soon as everything is settled."

"I promise you." He smiled. Then added, "I'll get the necessary documentation done and pick you up. Stay in this hotel tonight. It's safe, don't worry."

"Are you sure you'll be able to get everything done before tonight?"

"I have connections." He smiled. "Okay, I'm leaving."

Serra sighed after Eric left. Her life was a mess from the time she had come here, not that it was perfect before but she couldn't even understand her now. She had come here in hopes of making her life better but she ended up agreeing to a fake marriage with a stranger. It was not like her at all. Moreover, she was puzzled with other things, her eyesight had now returned to normal but her palms were glowing for almost an hour last night. Her heart had been pounding and she had felt restless, after an hour, it had subsided. Serra couldn't comprehend what was happening. She knew she was in trouble, but she couldn't figure out what the trouble was.

She looked around the room. This should be expensive. She wondered how much it would have cost Eric and was embarrassed about her situation. She went into the American style bathroom and got into the massive bathtub to relax and get ready for the tiring night awaiting her.