Chapter 15: Met Ex-Husband
1070 Words
EVE
I closed my eyes as Darren kissed my forehead.
He's going to work. And ever since we got married a month ago, the ritual before leaving was to walk him to the door and... not forgetting the kiss.
"Be careful. No need to rush. Ask the driver to drive carefully," I said.
He smiled as he nuzzled my cheek. He once told me that my cheeks were like chewy mochi.
"I want to bring you to the office. I want you to sit next to me while I work. It'll put me in a good mood."
"Ummm nope. Stop the nonsense."
I pushed him to get out of the door.
"Are you letting me work? You said I don't need to work because you fulfill all my needs."
"No need to work. Just come and keep me company."
I rolled my eyes.
"Wake up Darren. It looks like you're still semi-conscious."
"I'm fully awake baby."
He pecked my cheek before leaving completely.
I actually felt lonely here too. Even though there's Alice, it doesn't really help alleviate my boredom because she's also busy with her own tasks.
Darren does facilitate me a lot. After makeup class, he also enrolled me to study law.
He said I should be able to protect myself. Even though he can do it, just in case one day he can no longer be there for me, I can stand on my own feet, defending myself.
I was sad at first because I thought he meant something else, but after thinking about it for days, I finally understood what he meant.
Darren's intentions were good. He not only loves me but also supports me to grow. He's empowering me and I'm grateful for that.
"Ma’am, what would you like for breakfast today?"
Gosh, Alice always surprises me. She is standing in front of me with an apron and spatula.
Oh anyways, it turns out that apart from being the caretaker of this penthouse, she also does some things like cooking. There are no regular maids because they go home after work.
Darren says he can't let many people stay in his house because it makes him uncomfortable. So the one worker who lives here is none other than Alice.
"Um, I kind of want to eat European food," I replied.
"Oh too bad, the peanuts are gone. But don't worry, I'll buy some at the supermarket across the building. Please wait a moment."
I held her hand to keep her from leaving.
"I'll buy them. How's that?"
"No ma'am. You are my boss and the wife of Mr. Darren. It is my job to provide anything for you. I am paid for it."
"I know Alice. It's just that I'd like to take a walk too. Maybe going to the supermarket across the street would be a good first step before I actually appear too often in public."
I put on puppy eyes.
"Darren's not hiding me anyway. He wants me to have freedom. So let me start with that little thing, okay?"
Alice was silent at first. But a few seconds later she sighed and looked under her apron for something.
It turned out that she took out a card.
"This is a credit card for penthouse use. You can use it to buy whatever you want at the supermarket. You don't have to only buy beans, ma'am. It's yours too."
I looked at the black credit card in my hand.
Honestly, until this moment I had never seen such a thing. Let alone hold it like this.
So when it was in my hand, I felt like I was carrying a heavy burden.
"No cash?"
Alice giggled amusedly. "No ma'am, sorry. Mr. Darren uses cards for any transactions."
"So I can use it?"
"Of course. It belongs to your husband and to you too."
But it wasn't like that. What was Ethan's wasn't necessarily mine either.
So this feeling was new to me. I felt... included, seen, and recognized.
"Thank you Alice. I'll be back soon."
"No need to thank me, ma'am."
Alice took my coat. She also walked me to the door.
There were two bodyguards standing. I don't even know when they came.
"Take Mrs. Eve to the supermarket across the street."
"No need," I said quickly.
I mean, I'll just go buy some beans, it won't take long. It's also only a few meters away from this building anyway.
"That's the boss's order, ma'am."
"Come on Alice, please. I'll be fine. If they follow me, I'll definitely be the center of attention. I don't want that."
Alice sighed. "Yes, ma'am."
Yeay! I can finally travel alone without an escort.
I'm going to enjoy it so much!
I can't wait to see the vehicles passing by down there. I want to smell the bread that's just been taken out of the oven at the bakery next to this building. I also want to see that blue sky with the hot sun.
My heart is really full today.
I have the perfect husband. I'm starting to love myself again. And things are starting to get better.
It seems like the wheels of my life are starting to turn again.
I took another step when the light turned green for pedestrians.
The supermarket was in front of me. I was going to such a big place for the first time alone.
I was a little nervous but I could handle it.
I recalled Darren's words that I should be confident wherever I am. Because no one will know what I'm thinking, even if I'm not confident, other people can't read it. That's what Darren always told me.
I went to the vegetable section.
All those green vegetables are so refreshing to my eyes. But I have to find some beans first and then look around.
I wanted to buy some fruit too.
I was about to pick up the red grocery basket when a hand landed on the same spot. As a result, our hands touched.
I wanted to pull my hand away, but I couldn't because the person was holding it.
I finally turned my head to see who it was.
My body instantly froze when I saw him.
"Eve? Oh my God, I finally met you again. Where have you been all this time? Have you been hiding from me? Are you afraid of me, Eve?"
He was Ethan, my ex-husband.
- Writer
