WHATEVER SHE WANTS

Same As It Always Was

Erryn's POV

It was almost seven pm. My driver will be here soon. I relished my reflection in the mirror. Whatever gave my husband the idea that I'd look like Marilyn Monroe in this dress, it must be a good thing. I swirled once more in front of the mirror. If I was this fascinated by my own looks, anyone who saw me would be petrified. I couldn't resist the last swirl. My hair stylist had done a tasteful job, and my makeup artist got the edge. I picked up the dainty red purse. My assistant had said something about the central piece being a real red ruby, but did it matter? I looked good, and that was all. Red stilettos with red bottoms really did make a lot of sense. There was a knock on the door.

“Who is it?"

“Ma'am, the car is ready. Your driver has been waiting for two minutes."

“Alright. I'll be down in a moment", I called. I sat on the cushioned stool in front of my dresser. I suddenly felt very nervous. This can't be. I have to be at that dinner party. James will be so mad if I didn't make it there after all the expenses. I took a deep breath, and then another. I can do this. I turned the door knob and stepped out of my bedroom. I stopped by the door of the master bedroom and ran my finger along the rim of the knob. I longed for a few moments in here with James - couldn't he see that?

I sat in, while my assistant helped me pack the flowing parts of my dress into the car. This was going to be a really long evening. In no time, we pulled up at the venue, and my assistant came over to help me out. The moment I was out, I caught sight of my lady friends craning their necks in all directions, obviously on the look out for me. I blushed a bit as I thought about the reactions they might give off the moment they set eyes on me.

“There she is!" Erica yelled, causing lots of attention to be drawn to me. I bowed my head to lower my eyes. I felt the heat rising to my cheeks. Soon I felt hands on my arm, pulling me as if to entice me away from being demure. Erica had on a bodycon gown with black and gold sequins on every inch of it. She had even had her hair cut to get all those wonderful curls that framed her face.

“Come on. Don't stand there like a mannequin. Do you know how stunning you look? I'd have held my nose up in the air if I were in your place.”

I looked around at the people who were still out on the front lawn. It seemed to me like I had out dressed everyone present. As soon as I got into the hall, I heard the triangle ring. I turned my head to find my husband looking at me with pride as he tapped the side of the triangle. Everyone came in and took their seats. My husband assumed his spot at the head of the table. That meant I'll be seated opposite him; very far away. The pattern was to seat opposite one's spouse. Perhaps this was his plan all along; so he could stay away from me.

The dinner began. I didn't even know what to choose. I looked at the variety of foods that were lined up the length of the table. I began to think that the afternoon hangout was a bad idea. The bacon looked so grilled, the reddish brown color calling me to it. Then I heard laughter. Being very conscious of myself at this dinner party, I looked up. Then his voice filtered into my ears.

“She wasn't this outstanding before I found her. A naive little thing born to peasant parents; but look at her now, a queen in her prime."

The laughter hushed and all eyes were soon on me. If they had laughed, I'd have been a little more at ease, and less offended. An elderly female voice spoke up from a corner of the room and I turned with unseeing eyes in the direction of her voice. For most part, I was blinded by embarrassment.

“Why does she speak so little? Is it because she skipped college?" Most people at the table burst into laughter, except my lady friends, and some greedy rich husbands who were a bit too invested in the meal.

My eyes turned from the old lady to James. If he hadn't pulled me out into the spotlight, I probably won't be under the bus by now.

“I…ah…I have something urgent to attend to, if you all will excuse me.”

The silence trailed my exit was pretty loud; so loud that I could hear it. It didn't matter that I was hurting my husband's larger than life ego right now. I needed to nurse mine that was mortally wounded. I struggled to get into the backseat of the black limousine.

"Take me home. Now!”

He started the car hesitantly and began a slow drive. Did he think I was fooling around, or willing to tolerate him fooling around? Not at this point. I beeped him.

"Can't this limo go any faster?”

"I await the boss's orders to take you home. Besides, the party isn't over yet.”

"You do not have the right to tell me what I can or cannot do!”

"You are not my employer, ma'am. No offense.”

I pressed the button on the door panel to bring down the partition. I reached out in anger and pulled his hair. He didn't expect the move, so he took both his hands off the steering wheel. It was at that point I realized that I might have done a pretty bad job. I saw the bright headlights fall on a masculine figure for a short while. I screamed in horror and fell back into the passenger area. What have I done?