Chapter 9: Our 108 Days Begins
1204 Words
Vivienne's POV
“Life comes at us in waves; we can’t predict or control those waves, but we can learn how to surf.”
It was all done; I was now legally married to him. It was all fast and quick. I sat down in the car with my head bent. I couldn't stop feeling bad for myself. How did I get here? I never had getting married like this in my plans. For me, marriage has always been a serious and big thing. I've heard how my mum talked about her wedding and how that day was one of the most beautiful days of her life.
Fighting back tears, I managed to keep my composure. I glanced around, hoping to distract myself from the reality of my situation. It's all done, I thought. The journey to 108 days begins today.
As I looked around, I saw Alexander speaking with his mom and some other people I didn't recognize. His expression when he had opened the door earlier haunted me. I had feared I had disappointed him with my appearance, but then he said, “You look beautiful.” Those words echoed in my mind, making me blush even now.
“Hey, come back here,” a lady shouted, pulling me back to reality. I checked the side mirror and saw my face flushed.
“How? Stop it, wake up, Vivi,” I said, tapping my face. I can't be getting all red and flushed because of what he said.
But it was so difficult to believe he didn't mean it. Looking at myself in the mirror, I knew I was looking beautiful in it.
The wedding dress was so pretty, It was made of shiny silk with a lace top covered in tiny pearls. It hugged my body nicely with a sweetheart neckline. It was one of the prettiest I've seen…
“We are going now,” the driver said in a loud but calm voice, interrupting my thoughts. I looked toward the direction where I had seen Alexander earlier, and he was nowhere to be found.
“Alone?” I didn't know when it slipped out of my tongue.
“Yes, the boss will join us at home,” the driver replied, starting the car.
“He said that?” I asked again.
“Yes,” he answered.
“Wow…” My voice trailed off. Back to reality, I thought.
The drive home was quicker than expected. Arriving alone gave me a moment to think, to contemplate my next move, and to prepare for whatever was to come.
*******
Some minutes later, I heard a loud sound which made me jump up from the bed in fear. It sounded again, but this time I was calm, as I had figured it was just a car horn. The others had returned.
I had many questions to ask Alexander. Aside from the fact that I had to be the only one who came home directly, I still don't know what I just got myself into, and I'm hoping it isn't too late.
“You fool, you just married him legally,” I muttered, tapping my forehead. “It's too late.” I sank back into the bed, trying to sleep, only to be startled again by a noise beside me.
A beautiful yet unfamiliar face stood a few steps away. I sat up to get a clearer look.
“Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you. I just wanted to pick this up for my brother,” she said, heading to the door.
“Brother? Oh, he has a sister? She looks my age,” I thought, watching her leave.
“Are you okay?” she asked, snapping me from my thoughts.
“Yes,” I replied, but before I could say anything, she was already gone.
I could hear distant voices, but none that sounded like Alexander's. After waiting for hours, I decided to sneak out. If I could make it to the gate unseen, escaping would be easy.
“Finally,” I breathed out after successfully sneaking out of the building. I would have asked the driver, but I didn't want any of them to know where I went to.
Luckily for me, I got a bus easily from there, and before the one-hour time I calculated, I was in front of my door. I reached inside my bag for my keys, but I couldn't find them. I thought of banging on the door, but looking at the time; it was now some minutes past eight. My sister would be fast asleep because of her night medicine.
I had to pour everything inside the bag on the floor. “I don't want to believe I left that key in that house. I don't….” I thought. I was beginning to get mad at myself when I saw the key inside a small purse. I heaved a sigh of relief. I don't have to go back to that place.
The sitting room was unexpectedly tidy. My sister, given her health, would never have done this. “Someone was here,” I thought, closing the door.
“You are back,” said a familiar voice. I turned to see Jack.
“What are you doing here, and how did you get in?” I asked, still confused.
“I can't come here? You gave me your extra keys, remember?” he said, winking.
I totally forgot I did that. I always had the intention to collect it back, but it would sound rude to ask for it now, especially not in this situation, so I had to wait until later.
“How do you know I was coming home?” I asked, sitting on a couch opposite him.
“I was leaving already, but I heard the door opening. I decided to sit back. Where have you been? I have been calling you all day.”
“I had things to do. Today was a really busy day,” I replied.
“Busy enough not to pick my calls or reply to my messages? Is this how you treat your fiancé? You should—”
“We are not engaged, Jack,” I interrupted him.
“Oh, this is what we are doing now?” he replied impatiently.
“I don't know what you are doing or what to do. How do I want to answer your calls or texts when I lost my phone? Right now is not the time for this. Like I said earlier, I had a long day.”
“You just said—” He was cut off by a loud knock on the door. I quickly stood up to open the door. I wasn't ready for an argument tonight, and I hoped that whoever was behind that door could save me.
I opened the door widely, I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw who was standing before me. But before I could say anything, it was too late.
“Which married woman sleeps outside her matrimonial bed on her wedding night?” Alex asked loudly.
I stood there, speechless. “I…” I began, but Jack interrupted.
“Who is married?” he asked from behind me.
- Writer
