Chapter 11 Pretense
1023 Words
Megan's steps grew heavier with each passing minute as they wandered through the lush park. The sun painted the sky with shades of orange and pink, casting a warm glow over the scene.
For the past few weeks, he has been instructing her on how she should dress and behave when they were to meet with his business people.
Not like she was daft to act rashly, she was grateful for the help he did for her family, but he was always rubbing it on her, claiming they were of different caliber, she isn't arguing on that, but now that they are marriage, she wanted him to stop his arrogance so that the marriage would work out.
Just like the other day, Bryan had a business meeting with some of his business partners who came with their wives, both of them really nailed their role in acting like a loving couple, Megan couldn't deny that she was jealous of those wives, they were left alone for their husbands to talk about business.
The wives shared their funny and cute moments with their husbands. Megan lied smoothly to the women and they believed her.
Now, Bryan had insisted on this leisurely stroll, a charade they had grown accustomed to. He walked beside her but refused to meet her gaze.
It was as if they were strangers sharing a forced company, yet the world believed them to be a loving couple. Megan's frustration was simmering beneath the surface. Her mind swirled with exhaustion and irritation.
Why did I ever agree to this ridiculous strolling? she wondered, nearly crying, her eyes scanning the couples around them, truly in love and enjoying their time together.
She couldn't help but feel a pang of envy for those genuine emotions. She longed for a connection that was real, not an orchestrated one by the sacrifice she had to make to save her father's business.
As they walked, a couple they encountered couldn't resist approaching them. The woman admired Megan and Bryan, her eyes shimmering with admiration.
"You two look so good together" she exclaimed, her voice filled with genuine excitement.
Megan plastered on a smile, her weariness hidden behind it. She looped her arm through Bryan's, playing her part.
"Thank you," she replied, her words betraying none of her true emotions. She lied in pretense, skillfully.
Bryan, on the other hand, reveled in the admiration. His charming smile reached his eyes as he squeezed Megan's arm affectionately.
"We are, aren't we?" he responded, his words dripping with feigned affection.
As the couple walked away, Megan couldn't help but feel a deep sense of emptiness. She remembered the days when her heart had raced with real love and passion. Now, it seemed like a distant memory, a part of her life she could only access in secret moments of solitude.
Her exhaustion had reached a breaking point, and she couldn't keep up the pretense any longer. As they strolled along the park's winding paths, she finally spoke up, her voice laced with irritation.
"Bryan, I'm really tired of all this walking. Can't we take a break?" She said, frustratedly.
Bryan's response was calm, but there was an underlying insistence in his tone.
"We've got to keep up appearances. Keep walking," they must be caught by the cameras, he hasn't spotted any reporters yet, so they have to keep walking until they find one.
Megan was exasperated. She shot him a frustrated look, her irritation seeping into her words.
"Appearances, Bryan? Do you ever think about how I feel? Try to be considerate," she said, the last sentence more like a plea, she was really tired of all the walking.
Bryan's gaze remained forward, and he retorted in a hushed voice, meant only for her ears.
"You knew what you signed up for, Megan. This is part of the deal. I have every right over you, careful not to piss me off," his voice was laced with warning.
Megan couldn't contain her frustration, and her words grew sharper.
"I signed up for a lot of things, but I didn't sign up to be tired and miserable all the time," he didn't respond as he only kept walking.
'Grumpy old man' she muttered under her breath, she really felt like crying, her feet were aching badly.
As they continued to walk, their argument was subtle enough that it appeared to onlookers as a playful exchange. To passersby, their bickering seemed like a cute lovers' quarrel, but beneath the surface, the tension was palpable.
Bryan decided to play along, giving Megan a charming smile. "Come on, sweetheart. A little more walking won't hurt. Think of all the compliments we're getting,"
Megan's face flushed with frustration. She retorted, trying to keep her voice light for the sake of the audience.
"Oh, I can't wait for more compliments on how perfect we are together," she said sarcastically.
Bryan chuckled, the sound not reaching his eyes. "See, you've got that sense of humor I love so much,"
Megan rolled her eyes discreetly, muttering under her breath, "If you loved it so much, you would let me rest."
Their argument continued, hidden beneath the facade of a loving couple. On the surface, it seemed like playful banter, but for Megan, it was a reminder of the inauthenticity of their relationship.
Bryan, on the other hand, remained resolute in his commitment to the charade, and he masked his true intentions with an affable demeanor. He spotted some reporters taking their pictures, exactly what he wanted.
Their stroll ended much to Megan's delight, Bryan called one of his men who brought a car and took them back to the hotel.
Inside The Room.
"I can see you've really got some nerves to be talking to me in that manner while we were strolling?" Bryan said interestingly as soon as he entered. He was amused and angry at the way she talked back at him.
'Just ignore him' she told herself, having an argument with him had no meaning but worsened their relationship.
Bryan was looking at her for a reply but she didn't, and then he heard her plea.
- Writer
