Ties Of Marriage

AT MY HOUSE?

Chapter 4

I started preparing a cup of coffee while Charles examined my house. I hate this man for ruining my beauty sleep. Like who rings the bell of a single living woman at midnight. Especially for a cup of coffee, as if he couldn’t get it anywhere else. This man just wants to trouble me!

“Well… I remember telling you to shift to my house.” He stated in his baritone voice, making me pause for a moment.

“And why in the hell should I listen to you?” I felt myself explode with fury. I got to know of his existence yesterday, and he already wants us to share a home. I know nothing about him except his family. How can he expect me to move in with him so early!

“Because I am your husband!” There, he finally said it!

“Only in papers.”

“So what?”

“…” I huffed, ignoring him. I just want to go to bed. I quickly made a cup of coffee and handed it to him.

“Drink and leave.” I ordered and, without waiting for his reply, I sprinted to my bedroom.

After a few moments, when I thought that he had left, he entered my bedroom and right away started unbuttoning his shirt. I blinked in astonishment. Wait…what?!

“Hey…what…what are you doing?” I trembled at the sight ahead me.

“Getting ready to sleep.” He smirked. I stared at him dumbfounded. “You are not allowed to sleep here.” I voiced out. Instead of replying, he threw his shirt at me. His unique cologne drifted into my nostrils. Ahh…it smells so good. Shut up jenny!

Just as he was going to unbutton his pants, I shifted forward and immediately stopped him. “Wait! I will give you spare clothes.” I cried out.

“I don’t wear ladies' clothes,” he retorted. Well, with that type of body, I don’t think any of my clothes will actually fit him.

“I am not giving you ladies clothes.” As I was about to get the clothes, he grabbed my arm from behind, making me lunge towards him. I stared at him, shocked. He inched closer to me bit by bit. His breath sprayed on my face as I captivated my eyes with his. Eyes so gray, so tempting!

“How come you have male clothes?” he growled at me in a low voice. Hmm…!

“What does it have to do with you?” I gritted my teeth in annoyance. Who does he think of himself to question me like that?

Suddenly, the atmosphere grew cold.

“Tell me.” he yelled. Terrified, I briefly whispered, “It’s my brother’s.”

Time stopped.

“Oh, get them fast.” He went out as if nothing happened. I realized my hands shaking in fright. What the hell just happened?

“This man is a psychic…!” I groaned while attempting to calm myself down. It’s been so long since anyone has raised their voice to me.

In spite of all the chaos, I quickly fetched one of my brother’s pajamas from my closet and kept them on the dressing chair without bothering to look for that man. I am already regretting this stupid marriage! I went to sleep feeling all emotionally drained.

*****

ROSE APARTMENT.

The next day, I woke to the sound of things clattering. Why can’t people let me sleep peacefully? I turned my gaze towards the source. Ahh…the door of my bedroom was tightly shut. I never close the door. It may be… Charles. Oh, god did he sleep on my bed! I looked around but didn’t find any traces. Maybe he didn’t. That’s good after all…wait, then the voice outside?

I promptly wore a coat and went to open the door, only to be greeted by the sight of dozens of men in black suits, arranging things…AT MY HOUSE?

“Who allowed you all to my house?” I yelled, grabbing everyone’s attention. But then, all of them turned a blind eye on me and continued with their work. Damn it!

“Who appointed you?” I asked the nearby man who was fixing the kitchen shelf.

“Mr Hawking,” he paused, answered, and went back to his work. Charles f*cking hawking… I will kill you!

I was thinking of calling him only to realize that I didn’t have his phone number. I asked that same man for Charles' number, but he ignored me. Hey, I am the owner of this house, okay! Like master like servant!

“Listen everyone, let me talk to your master, and then you can continue with your work,” I pleaded. Again…they ignored me! Not left with any choice, I hurriedly got dressed and hailed a taxi.

*****

HAWKING ENTERPRISES.

I rushed to the front desk, ignoring all the dazzling surroundings around me. This man really leads the life of a king! No wonder he’s got that attitude.

“Hey…I need to meet Mr Hawking urgently. Could you please reach out to him?” I hurriedly asked the woman dressed in gray.

“Do you have an appointment, madam?” the lady inquired further, much to my dismay.

“I don’t have any.” Okay, so now I need to get an appointment to meet my overbearing husband.

“Then, sorry madam.” She continued with her work while I stood there feeling dumb.

“Please, let him know.” I insisted. “Alright…what’s your name?”

“It’s Jennifer Greene.”

After a few moments,

“Sorry madam.” She politely refused. What! I could feel the anger boiling inside me. Am I a joke to him? First into my home, then changed my furniture without my permission, and now he is refusing to see me!

“Jennifer?” someone called out. I turned around to find none other than Rita Hawking, my mother-in-law.

“Aunty…” she cut me, “call me mom.” Okay?!

Embarrassed, I called out, “mom.” I could feel everyone’s eyes on me. Even the staff at the desk stood still with surprise in their eyes. What’s happening?

“Mom, can we please get to Charles?” Noticing my agonizing look, she took me to a private elevator. “You came to meet Charles?” I patiently nodded while keeping my eyes on passing digits on the screen. This is a giant building with magnificent architecture.

She looked at me and smiled. “It’s so good to have you here. You two are connected already. I hope my son isn’t giving you any trouble.” I beamed, trying to cover my piled up irritation. Only if she knew the truth.

From her demeanor, she seems like a kind lady. How good it would be if her son was like that.

The elevator door opened and a man in a suit rushed towards us or, specifically, to my mother-in-law. “You can go in first. I have some matters at hand.”

She said, pointing to the man on the other side. “Robert, lead madam to Charles’ cabin first. I will join you later.”

“Alright.” I briskly walked in the direction mentioned by Mr Robert. “Mam, why don’t you have a refreshment before heading to the master’s office.” He looked quite panic-stricken.

“No, I need to see him first.” Not bothering to knock me directly, and he opened the door. I can’t wait to s*******r that man!

“You…” I stopped, too shocked to utter a word. Well, I should have seen it coming!

Out of everything I expected to be, Charles was also a cheater.

He was about to…kiss a woman?!!

Stunned I looked at him. He unhurriedly pushed the women and seemed as indifferent as always. The woman was tear eyed as she rapidly composed herself. What a pitiful woman! I sympathized her. This man is such a brute!

“Don’t you know how to knock, b*tch?” she snapped at me annoyingly. Huh… was she talking to me?! how dare her. Oh…I am so bad at judging one’s character, she’s completely a b*tch! I gave her a disgusted look and sat on an unoccupied chair, completely ignoring her.

“You.” I pointed at Charles. “How dare you send those people and that stupid furniture at my house?” I glared at him annoyed.

“You came here for that?” He asked slightly surprised.