The Wrong Bride

The New Life

I was shocked. I didn't really expected him to say that. Getting our marriage registered? I, Eleanor Green, getting married! I never thought that things would turn out this way. Sure, there was always a chance of getting caught but never have I thought that I would get married at twenty two, that to a billionaire!

But why would he want to marry me? I'm not as beautiful as Maria, I'm not even rich! Is he really that bent on teaching me a lesson that he would go as far as marrying me?

I looked at him, he was busy talking on the phone. He was speaking very rapidly in his mother tone. He has a Greek ancestry. That would explain his dashing looks. I could not understand a single word he was saying. But the way his lips were moving, he looked so good, so pleasing.

Though shocking but the prospects of marrying him does not seem so bad.

#*#*#*

We got our marriage registered. And now I was on my way back with his driver. Not to my home but to Damianos's house. He had some work so he left from the registrar's office itself. He didn't care to tell me, where he was going.

Not that I expected him to. But I don't want to go to his home alone. I don't know what to do. What is going to happen there? Is he going to be nice to me or not?

While I was lost in my thoughts, I noticed that our surroundings had changed. There was greenery everywhere so I gathered that we are outside the city.

We have been travelling for over an hour but our destination still didn't seem in sight. Maybe the driver sensed my thoughts because he said, "we'll be reaching shortly madam. It's almost a mile and a half away now. It's out in the middle of nowhere but its the way Mr. Costas prefers. And I can see why, the air here is much better than the city. It's very relaxing. You can even walk a mile or two every morning and you'll feel very fresh. Don't worry you won't feel lonely here at all madam".

"You may call me Elly, and what's your name?", I asked him. It was the first time we have met but I liked him. He must be in his early fifties and he is very talkative. A little of my nervousness was gone now. It's nice to see someone worry about me feeling lonely but it would have been so nice if Damianos could feel this way too.

"My name is Gordon Bent, and look here we are now", he said looking at the front.

I then looked and noticed the big gate opening. There was a path that goes inside. On the both side of the path large canopies of trees were present. It looked so beautiful. On further travelling the trees were replaced by vast gardens on both the side. The gardens both sides were fenced with green perfectly pruned bushes.

Different flowers were arranged at a specific distance in different colors red, yellow, white. Further different plants were arranged Ficus, Opuntia, Aloe and many more. I could see a few trees also but unlike the plants they were not arranged in any particular order and they also looked old. So maybe these trees have been here before the garden was made and the owner decided not to remove it. The garden had a bench next to a tree. And behind the tree there was a small fountain. There were lampposts also at a specific distance. Oh, I wonder how beautiful this garden must look at night time.

We reached the main house. It was not massive. In fact, as compared to the garden it looked like a tiny cabin. But it was breathtaking. It looked like a picture from a postcard. This house, in the middle of nature, looked perfect. The house was a shade of yellow and off white. There were two big glass windows on the upper side of the house overlooking the garden. The main door was in caramel color with windows on both sides.

This house looked very modest compared to the ostentatious exterior of the imposing garden. In fact, this house is way different from Damianos's parents house where I stayed yesterday.

" There's also a lake at the back of the house", said Mr. Bent, "but you can look at it later. You must be tired now. Let's go inside".

We went inside. As we entered, a middle-aged red-haired woman greeted us. "Oh, so this is the new bride", she said with a smile, "you are so beautiful. I have been waiting for you ever since I heard about you, well I must say Mr. Costas is a lucky man".

"Martha we are travelling since morning, she must be tired, go get her something to eat", Mr. Bent gently admonished her. He then turned to me, "this is Martha, my wife and the cook. If you need anything you can ask her".

"Hello Martha, it's nice to meet you", I said as I genuinely liked meeting her. She was talkative just like her husband.

"It's nice to meet you too Mrs. Costas", Martha replied.

"Oh, just Call Me Elly"

"Then Elly it is. Well Elly would you like to eat first since you must be hungry. Then you can change and rest afterwards. I have prepared a nice lunch, hope you like chicken stew".

"I love it", I said suddenly hungry as I have not eaten anything since the morning, let me go wash my hands first then I'll eat".

I washed my hands and went to eat. Mr. Bent had already eaten and went away for some work and it was now only me and Martha. So, we decided to eat in the kitchen itself.

"It's good that Mr. Costas have settled down now. He is going to be twenty-nine soon. It would be good to see his children now", she said. I choked on my chicken while hearing this.

"Are you okay Elly?", she enquired.

"Oh, uh yes I'm fine", I said. I drank a sip of water and continued, "Uh Martha do you know the situation under which me and Mr. Costas got married?"

"I know dear. I know all of it. Gordon said Mr. Costas was very angry. It's one thing to cheat him at business but it's a whole another thing if the cheating is done in his personal life. He didn't take it very well. But", she looked at me and put her hands in mine, her eyes kind and hopeful, "I think it was a very good decision that he married you.

You know my mama used to say that there is always one man made for every woman and no one could change it no matter how compatible anyone else might seem. You will always go to the one who you are destined for.

That's why I think it's the best decision. Like take me and Gordon. We have been married for twenty-seven years but never once I had anything to complain for. He would always take the pains to give me comfort. And I think Mr. Costas will love you the same".

I didn't know what to say to all of this so I just smiled. But it would be lying if I said that I'm not hopeful. It would be so nice to be loved by someone like Gordon loved Martha or my dad loved my mom. With that thought I asked Martha to show me my room as I was very tired.

She showed me the room. It was pretty room with off white colored walls. There was a double bed in the middle. A wardrobe on the right side next to which was the bathroom door. On the left side was a dressing mirror with some cabinets. On the left corner was a glass door which opens to a balcony. I went out to the balcony.

From the balcony I could see a small lake. There were trees at the edge of the lake. The lake was so clean, the water so clear. "This lake comes inside Mr. Costas's property", said Martha from behind.

"The water is so clear", I said to which she replied, "yes Mr. Costas gets it cleaned once a year".

After Martha left, I changed and took a quick shower. I wore my baby pink cotton bra and red cotton panties and a skin colored cotton camisole. Over it I wore an oversized t shirt and lay down on the bed.

Thinking, now that I'm married, do I need to buy new lingerie? Perhaps something more suitable for a new bride. Or maybe something lacy. And more importantly something matching.

I laughed at myself thinking about my ridiculous inner garments and fell asleep.

#*#*#*

I woke up at 8:00 in the evening. Damianos had still not returned. I took a light dinner and went outside to the garden. Darkness had fallen and all the lampposts of the garden were turned on. Even the fountains were on. It looked breathtaking. So beautiful. It would be so nice to walk here every night. I wonder who maintains the garden surely Mr. Bent couldn't take care of this on his own.

After the walk I felt refreshed and started going inside. I wondered when will Damianos come back. As I had nothing to do so I went back to my room and started reading a book that I have packed along with my items. I wanted to tour the house but I thought it would be better if Damianos himself will give me the tour. So, I stayed put.

I don't know how long I was reading. I looked at the wall clock. It was 11:30. Still Damianos was not back. I went downstairs to check if there's any news but there was no one downstairs. So, I just took a glass of water and came upstairs. I don't know how long I waited until I fell asleep.

#*#*#*

Next morning, I woke up at seven. The sun rays were coming directly to my face. I got up, did my daily routine, changed and went downstairs.

Martha was making breakfast. On seeing me she said, "oh here you are, good morning. Come have breakfast".

"Good morning Martha. Uh listen Martha, did Damia..uh I mean Mr. Costas came last night?", I asked.

"Yes, he came very late and went again early morning", she said with an apologetic face. But didn't say anything more. To which I was thankful.

It was a little hurtful that Damianos didn't came to see me even once. Even to yell at me, I can take that but I don't like total ignorance.

The next three days had the same pattern. He would come after I had slept and leave before I wake up. I wondered how much he sleeps? I understand that he has a big empire to run but sleeping is essential. I definitely cannot function without at least eight hours of sleep. But I guess different people have different needs.

Meanwhile I tried to work on my book. I liked writing. I have also written a book that is published, it was a teen adventure book. But this time I was writing a historical romance. I started writing it when I first saw Damianos's photo. So, I would take my notebook and pen and go sit in the garden or near the lake and write for hours. It makes me forget my loneliness. My friends are also busy. Maria has her new job, also when I talk to her she doesn't seem so enthusiastic to talk to me. As if she is angry at me. Although I have asked her several times about this but she would deny it every time. While Eddy talks to me but even, he is busy with his studies. So writing was the only thing that occupies me.

One thing that bothers me is that what if Damianos is not coming because of me? Although he doesn't seem like someone who would hide away. No, he is one of those who makes others hide. But still this thought keeps on coming in my mind.

My doubts were cleared when he came that evening. I was on the grass in the garden with my notebook and the pen in my mouth when I saw the car. He came out of the car and instead of looking at the front towards the house, he turned back towards the garden where I was sitting. I was also looking at him. But his face was expressionless, his eyebrows were squinted. He stood there for several moments. I thought he would say something but he just turned around and walked away.

All these last four days I had a very different image of him in my mind. I have not realized that when I'm writing, while shaping the character of the man in the book I have also shaped Damianos's character in my mind. I had totally forgotten what he is capable of and the fact that he hates me. And this marriage is not normal. And he will never love me.

Suddenly I felt that I cannot face him. I felt conscious, scared, embarrassed and so much more. So, I picked up my notebook and ran inside to the kitchen.

I saw Martha there. She was preparing the dinner. So, I asked her to bring my dinner upstairs when it's ready. She didn't like my suggestion but she finally concurred because of my persistence.

I then quickly ran upstairs to my room so that I don't come face to face with Damianos.

I waited for some time for the food, reluctant to go downstairs in case Damianos is there. But I was very hungry. I have a bad habit that whenever I get hungry, I cannot control myself for even a minute.

And right now, I was famished. My tummy was doing tortures to me, making ugly sounds. My head has also started aching.

So, I thought that I will go out of the room and just peek down to see if Martha was bringing the food. I came out of the room slowly and started looking down. Although from this position I can barely see anything.

Just when I was looking down, I heard a voice, " Where are you going with that tray?", it was Damianos's dark, deep and authoritative voice.

"It's dinner for Mrs. Costas", came a female voice of Martha.

"Why are you taking it upstairs?"

"Well she asked to bring her food in her room".

"Take it back. If anyone in this house wants to eat then that person will have to come to the dinner table. There will be no food going to anyone's room".

"But...", Martha started.

"I don't wish to have an argument"

After some time, I saw Martha ascending the stairs. When she saw me, she gave me an expression which said that I have to go downstairs. And then she shrugged as if she had already warned me about it.

So, looks like I have to have a dinner with my husband after all.

#*#*#"