The mute's forbidden love

Chapter six

I sit on one of the pool chairs and look down at the sparkling lights of the city. Pulling over the blanket closer to me I think over yesterday night. After I was done crying, I picked myself up and cleaned up. I went to bed after that and it took me almost four hours to sleep. I got up in the morning, made breakfast and served Matthew like nothing happened. Like always.

I curse myself every time this happens. Why am I not stronger? If only I was fierce like so many other women out there, this wouldn’t have happened to me. I should have fought since it began. I would’ve able to reach all those city lights whenever I can. But I can’t, they are unreachable just because I couldn’t stand up for myself.

“Celia!” I flinch on hearing Matthew call out to me. I get up hastily and rush to the living room.

I don’t see him anywhere and move to the kitchen. He is probably getting fresh. I hurry and set the table, take out the food, heat it and bring it to the table just when he comes back. He sits down in his chair and waits for me to serve him. He starts eating right after and due to the lack of any visible anger I get the sign to eat.

I am in the middle of my second bite when he speaks, “Did you go out today?”

I fiddle with my food and contemplate my answer. I know he is asking that to ensure I did not meet with Rachael again. I did go out but only to buy myself some sanitary pads. I won’t risk getting his suspicion on though, so I just shake my head in a no.

He nods and continues eating. Some might think he trusts me blindly, that’s not true. He trusts himself. He trusts his ability to put so much fear in me that I wouldn’t dare lie to his face. I don’t usually but sometimes for both of our sakes I have to. That doesn’t mean I don’t fear him, every time I lie, I hold my breath until I see his reaction.

It surely surprises me sometimes that he doesn’t doubt me at all. He has faith in himself, he thinks I would never deceive him. I’ve nothing to do, nowhere to go. I only visit Jeremy on weekends and that to with his permission. Of course, he believes me, why won’t he? I have nothing to do in the outside world.

His spoon clanks on the plate as he cleans his mouth with the napkin. He gets up and kisses me on the forehead, “Good night.”

He doesn’t wait for a response and walks up to his room. I keep eating and think over Rachael’s offer. She said she will pay me. I have a chance to earn money. To save it and maybe, just maybe escape this terror. I’ve always blamed myself for not fighting or standing up for myself. This is my chance, if I let this pass, I’ll be letting myself down.

He wouldn’t know as long as I’m being careful. I have to reach home on time and avoid any sort of change in my behavior. Thankfully I don’t have to deal with any bodyguards or drivers. They are only present when Matthew is with me. He doesn’t allow any other male to be close to me. He says he doesn’t trust them, but honestly, he is suspicions of me.

I blow out a breath and get up with my finished plate. Picking up his I make my way over to the sink. As I’m loading up the dishwasher, I make my decision. I’m going to do it. I’m putting my whole existence at stake but I’m going to do it. I can’t let this chance go away. I have to take this decision for myself. And I’m going to.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I bite my lip and watch Matthew as he puts on his suit jacket and picks up his phone, “Bye baby.”

I smile and wave, “Bye.”

I follow him to the elevators and watch him leave. After a couple of minutes, I take my phone and text Rachael on her number.

Celia: Hey, this is Celia. We met in the coffee shop a day ago. I’m interested in the job.

I don’t know what else to send. I just sit on the couch and wait for a reply. I fiddle with my fingers nervously with my knee bouncing. My phone starts ringing and look at the caller id. It’s Rachael face timing me. I slide the answer button.

“Hey, I’m so glad you accepted.” She smiles brightly.

I smile back and shrug, “Me too.”

She walks around and I hear rustling in the background, “So I’m leaving for work. Can we meet at the NGO around 11? I could show you around. I’ll text you the address.”

I nod, “Sure.”

She hangs up and sends the address in the next minutes. I spend the next two hours finishing up the chores. I get ready till 10:30 and make my way down. It’s a 20-minute drive to the NGO and I’m keeping the extra time just in case I get lost. I haven’t drove through the city in months. The most away I’ve been is probably 4 miles.

I sit inside the black SUV Matthew bought me after we got married. He sold my old car without telling me and gifted me this. I was enraged, that car was from my savings which took years to earn. But he charmed me, I was dumb enough to be. I’ve used this car for like five times, I’ve nowhere to go anyway.

I start the ignition and pull out of the parking. Throughout the drive I prepare myself to face people. I’m sure there are going to be a load of people at the NGO I’ve to remain calm and collected. Everyone’s going to mind their own business so I shouldn’t overthink. I’ve even chosen a simple white dress to blend in.

I pull up in the parking of the building. I get out of the car with my purse. The building is probably of four floors and the outside is adorned with plants. That’s rare in this part of the city. There aren’t much people outside of the building or in the lobby. I contemplate between calling Rachael or going to the receptionist. I decide on texting Rachael instead.

Celia: I’m in the lobby.

I wait for her in a corner. I notice her coming out from the left of the receptionist. She smiles when she sees me. She rushes towards me and pulls me in a swift hug.

“Hey! We should talk in the office. Come on.” She doesn’t waste any time and guides me to where she came from.

We get inside a room at the end of the hallway. She sits down on her chair and gestures for me to take the opposite one.

“I’m so glad you decided to join. I promise it’s going to fun.” I smile and nod in agreement. “So, we talked about the working hours that day. It’s 11 to 5, Saturday’s and Sunday’s off. About the salary, what do you expect?”

I purse my lip and shrug, “It’s my first job. I wouldn’t expect a standard one.”

She nods and chuckles, “Yeah. So, I think of $2000 a month. What do you think?”

I control myself from gaping at her.

I haven’t earned a penny in the last year, starting with $2000 is a jackpot. Even if it was any less, I wouldn’t have had a problem. It’s not like I’m earning to spend, I’m earning to save.

I nod eagerly, wearing a grin, “Perfect! Let’s finish up the formalities.”

We spend the next 10 minutes doing all the formal work. Later we leave her office and move to the lobby.

She looks at me and suggests, “If you have nothing to do. I can show you around the school, so you’ll be able to start straight away tomorrow.”

I look at the time on my phone and see that it’s only 11:45, so I agree, “Yeah. That would be great.”

She urges me to follow her to the other hallway, which is on the right. I follow her and the hallway opens up in another lobby. But this one is livelier than the outside one. There are adults and a fewer number of kids.

“This part is the school. This is the waiting area and that room is my other office.” She points to the room at the corner with glass walls.

“Rachael!” We both turn to the blonde, petite girl who comes rushing from around the corner. “Mr. Raymond is going to be on conference at 12:15.”

Rachael frowns, “What! It was scheduled at 6!”

The girl winces, “I know I’m sorry. He said he had something in the evening so I agreed to reschedule. You said you weren’t busy.”

Rachael sighs, “Okay, go get the things ready I’ll be there in five.”

The girl apologizes once again and rushes out. Rachael looks at me apologetically, “I’m so sorry. This is urgent.” I shake my head and smile at her assuringly, “I can find- oh.” She smiles at someone behind me and waves, “Kai! Hey.”