CLAUSE SIX

4- EVELYN

I closed the door behind me and when I reached the hallway, I leaned against the wall and let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding. I was still in disbelief that the next day I was going to be married, officially, on paper, to someone who looked like he was repulsed by me.

The silence in the courtroom was louder than anything I had ever heard before. The registrar’s voice echoed off the walls, formal and cold. Nicholas stood beside me, hands in his pockets, jaw tight. He hadn’t said a word to me since we arrived, not like I had expected him to. Although, I didn’t miss the slight look he passed my way, it was almost as if it didn’t happen. We had somewhat developed a language of averted eyes.

I wore a simple white dress, nothing too fancy, just enough to show I tried. He was dressed sharp as usual, in a navy-blue suit, tailored to perfection, almost a little too perfect.

“You may now sign,” she said. I took the pen first and I signed, Nicholas followed. “Congratulations,” she said with a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes “You’re officially married.”

Married.

I looked back at my parents who gave me a small smile, I felt obliged to return it. I looked at Nicholas who remained where he stood with his stoic expression as always, it was almost as if someone had pressed pause on him. It showed that he really hated this arrangement, I almost felt bad for him.

Outside the court building was quiet, there was no single paparazzi in sight just as we wanted. I had said goodbye to my parents before we went outside. I stood beside Nicholas who was on a phone call. I waited patiently for him to finish while our families dispersed in their cars. There was just one car left, obviously, I knew what that meant, we were going to our new house together. Or that was what I thought.

After a few minutes on the phone, he looked at me as if he didn’t know I was still standing there. “You’re still here? Head on home.” He said and started to walk away from me, in the opposite direction of the car, it was obvious that we weren’t leaving together. I rolled my eyes and walked to the last car and got in. The ride to my new house was short-lived.

The house was new, no decorations, minimal furniture, it was basically a blank canvas for an artist. I sighed as I toured the empty house, I had no idea when Nicholas was going to return but I tried settling down. There was one master bedroom and a guest bedroom. I picked the guest bedroom, it was smaller than my old bedroom but if it meant not feeling scrutinised by him, I was content. I facetimed my mother as I was unpacking my wardrobe and she advised and comforted me because I was feeling very out of place.

I made lunch and took a nap which was short lived when I woke up to the sound of the front door being closed. I got out of bed and walked to the living room, “Nicholas? Is that you?” I asked, “Yeah.” His deep voice rang out, relief washed over me. I walked to sit on one of the couches, he remained standing, “Where did you go?” He scanned the room as if he were just seeing it too, his eyes paused on me.

His gaze washed over me, taking in all of me and I felt that same pull as the first time I saw his picture. I felt my breath hitch as I watched his head tilt to the side, “Were you sleeping?” He questioned and started walking towards the rooms, I followed him confusedly. “Yeah,” I replied when he stopped at the master bedroom, he analysed the room. He had obviously figured it out that I didn’t want to share a room with him and I couldn’t tell if he was relieved or pissed at that fact.

“Okay,” That was all I heard followed by the sound of the door closing in my face. I blinked, “What just happened?” It was almost time for dinner so I decided to make something easy. I spent the next hour whipping up some fried rice, I left some covered for him to eat later. I walked to my room with my dinner in hand and passed by his closed door, I paused.

“To tell him or not?” I pondered, I grudgingly turned back and knocked on his door. There was no response, “Was he sleeping?” I asked no one in particular, I decided to go in. I opened the door and poked my head through; the room was empty but the shower was running. “Nicholas,” I called out as I walked in with my food in hand. “I just came to tell you that,” I started but stopped when he walked out with his towel hanging loosely on his waist.

My eyes shamelessly travelled up and down his body but that earned me a frown from him, “Dinner is ready.” I finished and started heading out. I didn’t wait for a reply, not that I was expecting one. I got to my room and sat down to calm my heart, he was really a work of art. His upper body was uncovered which conveniently revealed his rock-solid abs that look like they were chiselled on. I shook my head to push those thought out and proceeded to eat my meal.

I enjoyed my dinner with an episode of the series I was watching on Netflix. I stood up to take my dishes to the kitchen to call it a night, I passed by his closed door and frowned when I saw the food I left for him, untouched. There was something about the sight of the cold plate that made my chest tighten, that was just a glimpse of what was to come.