Marrying A Snapping Turtle

Just Rewards

Ida browsed through her social media account and skimmed through the daily barrage of messages.

“Sophia, when is your next work coming out?”

“I love you, Sophia! Please marry me!”

“Will you ever hold an exhibit in X-city?”

Ida sighed until a little bell chimed, alerting her of a private message. Ida clicked on the icon and found one from her online friend, Ariel.

Ariel: Hey! You finally logged on! I have a post-filming dinner party tonight; do you want to be my plus one? I would love to finally meet you.

Ida smiled warmly, Ariel had been one of her earliest followers. It was around six years ago when Ida held a free art exhibit: Ariel said she stumbled in, saw the painting titled “Pain”, and broke down crying. Ariel joined her fanbase and sent a private message that night. She said it felt like the whole world had betrayed her and she contemplated suicide.

Ida, feeling sorry for her, gifted her the painting and told her to hang on, forge a new path, and never give up. Since then, they would occasionally message each other, sharing small trivialities of life. Over time, Ida learned that Ariel was an actress. Although Ida was curious about her online friend she drew clear boundaries when it came to actually meeting up: the internet couldn’t be trusted after all.

Sophia: I’m sorry. I have a prior engagement.

Ida watched the screen and an ellipsis immediately appeared as Ariel typed.

Ariel: That’s too bad. I really want to meet you.

Sophia: Isn’t it better this way? I don’t want to disappoint you.

Ariel: What are you talking about!? You’re gorgeous, inside and out!

Sophia: Makeup does wonders.

Ariel: Wait! No one has ever heard you talk… are you … perhaps transgender?

Sophia:…

Ariel: … no way for real!? I mean, no judgment but… wow!!!

Sophia: No! I’m not!

Ariel: (doubtful emoji)

Sophia: Seriously I am a girl.

Ariel: Well okay but I would still love to meet you in person someday. I want to thank you. If it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t be here today.

Sophia: You give me too much credit. It was all you. Your hard work has finally paid off. I am proud of you.

Ariel: Thanks, girl. I’ll chat with you later.

Ida smiled and logged out of her account. Just then, her phone buzzed and Ida looked down to see Kensley sent her a text.

Kensley: I’m on my way home. Do you want anything?

Ida pursed her lips and grumbled, “Yeah, don’t come home.”

But then she immediately regretted it; her heart clenched painfully. She imagined her husband having an affair during their marriage and that gutted her. Ida thought for another second before typing a response: Drive safely.

Kensley: Ok

Ida stared long and hard at the texts with Kensley. It looked like they were a sweet old couple but she knew it was a front and she had to keep up appearances for the family. A century of friendship between two wealthy families dangled on the precipice of their marriage.

No pressure at all.

As Ida idled in the bedroom, Kensley returned home in record time.

“IDA?” He called up the stairwell.

Ida’s eyelids fluttered as she rolled her eyes. Hoisting herself out of bed she stumbled out of the room and peered down the railing.

“WHAT?!”

Kensley grinned up at her goofily, opening his arms wide. “I’M HOME!!!”

If her legs weren’t already jelly, she would have raced down the stairs and given him a flying kick. Then she noticed a couple of maid uniforms flutter in the hallway behind Kensley. Swallowing her anger she forced out a menacing smile.

“Welcome home…”

Kensley bounded up the steps and leaned down to peck her on the cheek. His large arms wrapped around her lower back, pulling her into his chest.

His chest rumbled against her cheek as he spoke, “Did you miss me?”

Ida hissed softly, “You wish!”

There was an awkward silence and Ida looked up to catch Kensley’s hurt look. She felt a twinge of guilt.

“Well, maybe a little bit…”

Kensley brightened up immediately and gave her another peck on the head.

Pulling away from her, he walked briskly to their bedroom. “Do you have anything going on this week?”

Ida shook her head and followed after him curiously. “No, why?”

“Good. Pack your bags. We’re going on a mini-vacation.”

“What for?”

Kensley turned to smirk at her. “Our honeymoon of course, silly.”

***

Ida didn’t know what possessed her but after a simple dinner and a quick car ride, she found herself aboard Kensley’s private jet, sipping on a cocktail. It’s not like she wasn’t used to luxury, rather it was startling that she just followed him blindly.

Ida gave Kensley a piercing look. She had to take greater precautions against his dazzling features. The way things are going, she wouldn’t even realize it if he chose to sell her.

‘Think, Ida. You have to use your brains! Don’t just go with everything he says.’

Meanwhile, one seat over, Kensley was on his phone checking all the details for their excursion for the tenth time. He wanted it to be perfect. John had mentioned that Ida had been everywhere except Asia. Going to multiple countries in five days would be too rushed so he decided to go to somewhere small but full of culture: Singapore. If he played his cards right, a couple of those days would be spent inside the hotel…

He blushed, a smile creeping onto his face. With a quick hand, he rubbed his nose to hide his expression.

Ida sighed and announced, “I’m going to go watch a movie.”

Kensley looked up and saw Ida walking over to the middle of the plane which had a large lounge sofa in front of a large flatscreen. He waited a couple of minutes for her to settle in before he walked over to inquire, “What are you watching?”

Ida pointed to the screen excitedly. “Oh my gosh! I’ve always wanted to watch this but no one will watch it with me. It’s kind of scary.”

In her excitement, she forgot herself and gave Kensley a shy look. “Would you…watch it with me?”

“Of course.”

With a soft smile, Kensley slid down on the seat next to her and they started the movie.

Kensley picked up the remote and dimmed the lights as the movie started. Soon the cabin was filled with eerie violin screeching. Ida grimaced and braced herself for the story. Kensley, on the other hand, leaned into the sofa and waited patiently.

Ida felt a chill and scooted closer to Kensley to draw warmth but as soon as the demon appeared, Ida lept into Kensley’s waiting arms. Kensley glanced down at Ida’s wide bright eyes illuminated by the screen, his large hand gently rubbed her tense shoulders.

“Don’t worry. I’ll protect you,” he murmured.

Ida, still glued to the screen, didn’t retort but hummed absently. Kensley smiled broadly, holding his wife through all the jump scares, allowing her to burrow into his chest when it got too much. He was every ounce the dutiful husband knowing his just rewards would soon come due.