Bounded by Duty

Babysitting

Nathan's POV

If eyes could fall out of their sockets, then my wife's eyes would have rolled out.

Her eyes were fully widened to their maximum size. If I had no shame I'd have laughed my head off, but instead I bowed my head. Holding back my laughter.

She's cute and I can't deny it. Her eyeball rolls from left to right as she thinks of what to say next. She very much hates the idea of being alone with me, it's written everywhere over her.

I didn't expect much from her, especially when she was forced to marry me against her will..

Who wants a disabled husband?

I'm sure I am very much everything she doesn't want in a man, but she's just everything I want in a female… in a wife.

“You shouldn't be selective when you're stuck to the chair for help for the rest of your life”, my twin brother's words replayed in my head.

“You mean it's just the two of us in his big mansion? Alone?” like she couldn't believe her ears, she tilted the side of her head forward, preparing herself__ her ear for my response.

“Yes, just the two of us. Alone”I responded with a soft smile and her legs buckled.

Nice!

“That's why I'm here to take you with me”, I continued when she could say anything. “I need help with changing and getting some things done.”

I couldn't decipher the look on her face.

At first, she looked like she was about to cry, then the look on her face changed, like she was holding her smile back.

My eyes bored into her, unable to get a reaction.

Strange! I thought.

“I don't think you need help” She voices out after stretched silence. “If you really do need help, you won't send all the servants out of the house for a break.”

Ouch! That's a low blow.

“What were you thinking about letting all of them go? As in All Of Them! You let them go on break knowing you can't take care of yourself or did you marry me to become your slave? Isn't this meant to be our honeymoon? Or is it babysitting?” All in one breath, she was flaring. I could see smoke coming from her head, ears and mouth with her eyes stabbing me.

“Or is this adult sitting?” she mutters under her breath. “ Lord, what have I gotten myself into?” she questioned herself, soothing her forehead with her hand like it's about to go off any minute from now.

I was expecting a reaction but not an outburst. I smiled, trying to cover up the pain in my eyes.

Her words were too much to take in, but I won't deny the truth in them. I really wished the ground would kindly open up, take me in them or better still, just disappear from the room or the world.

I pushed myself back, wheeled myself out of the kitchen. I didn't stop till I got to my room.

What was I thinking? What was I thinking? That she'll want to spend time and get to know me like I want to know her?

I stared out the window, focused on the tree with a few leaves on. It's about to die, and we've done everything to revive it, but nothing works. We're both in a similar situation.

I've got as much treatment as the doctor can mention, visited hospitals and traveled to meet experts but to no avail.

No iota of hope. The chances of success were extremely low, as my doctor told me. It'll need a very special type of miracle for my legs to work. For my legs to completely heal.

I'm very keen on getting my wife to like me, and I'm up for anything that'll make us close, the tiniest bit __ as a friend will do. For now.

“Hello”, I said to the person on the other line after putting a call through.

“I want everybody back to the quarters before evening.” I'm sure he could hear the anger in my voice because Joe didn't ask questions like he does.

“Okay sir” I hung up after his response. I don't know what's more annoying. My high expectations and hope that Amaya and I would get along or the disappointments that followed after.

I wheeled myself to my bedside, pushed myself up and stumbled on the bed. I need Ethan here. He's the only person I can call.

Maybe that's why I wanted acceptance from Amaya.

Maybe I seek out marriage out of boredom and fear of being alone forever.

“You did well, Nathan, you've done absolutely fine and nothing wrong”. I consoled myself and sent my brother a quick text to let him know I'll be glad to have him come around if he's chance.

“Sure, all's good right?” he responded within minutes, putting a smile on my face.

“All's good”

Ethan hates the idea of arranged marriage in the first place.

I'll be watering the little seed of doubt and hatred he has towards Amaya and I don't want that.

A quick scenario of my twin brother hating my wife crosses my head and I shake it away instantly. The thought of it sends shivers down my spine because Ethan will go to any length to get rid of someone he hates.

I mean to the lowest low or highest high if it calls for it.

He gets petty over the tiniest things for the tiniest reasons, but I can't have him either way. He's the only family I have__ the only one I consider family. So I don't keep things from him because he has his way of finding out.

Sometimes I wonder if he has a tail on me but I know deep down he's just too good at reading me so well.