Four: HALSEY'S POV
1089 Words
"So, tell me more about yourself. Consider this a first date." He said with a smile.
We had been eating in silence till that moment. My mind was still relishing the intimate moment I hadwith him.
"I used to have a job before I met my husband. I graduated from college as a historian and learnt a skill in data analysis." I replied, scooping in a spoonful of rice into my mouth.
"You gave it all up for a man." It was a statement.I rolled my eyes, realizing what he meant by those words.
"I loved him. Our marriage was going smoothly. I never thought I wouldn't give birth early. He and his family members were too impatient." I responded.
“Two years isn't a lot though.“ He said and I had to agree with him.
"Do you plan on giving him the baby? Or you keep the child to yourself." He asked yet again.
"I will keep and train my child." I didn't want Lewis near my kid. I didn't want them to have an unfaithful cheat as a father figure.
We resumed our meal in companionable silence until his phone rang, disrupting the peace.
"Yeah? Again? Very well then, I shall be there." He hung up.
"There's an important family event tomorrow which is perfect to introduce my wife to my family members."
I didn't pay attention to what he was saying, the food was an absolute delicacy that needed to be savoured.
"Did you hear what I said?"
"Yes. You're going to introduce me to your family members tomorrow ." I said trying to chew and talk at the same time which I know was very unladylike but I was just too hungry to care.
"You're really hungry." He observed
I could only smile in response.
I finally got filled enough to notice that he wasn't eating but working on his phone. I couldn't help but notice how handsome this man is.
"Take a picture. That would be better" He smirked as he met my stare.
I looked away, shades of pink splattered across my cheeks.
Today was one I would not forget in a hurry. I got a divorce from my husband and I was now having a meal with a stranger who I was going to marry! I didn't allow myself to overthink lest I'd spiral.
He got up and approached me. He grabbed my hands and pulled me up with a smile on his face.
"I want to show you something."
"Where are we going?" I asked, but he only pulled me to follow him.
I followed him through the huge mansion till we stopped at a room. He opened it and flipped on the light. I gasped when I processed what I was seeing.
"You love paintings?" I asked, seeing the collection of beautiful artworks on the wall.
"I love painting, Hal. Can I call you that?“
I nodded, not caring what he chose to call me. I was too enraptured by all the beauty surrounding me.
I spotted an a painting on the floor and I raised a brow at him.
“Why isn't this hung?“
"That work brings so many memories and emotions, I don't want to go through that again."
I looked at him for a moment, and summoned the courage to approach him.
"Well, I told you mine. I want to know yours." I said, while playing with his collar seductively.
"Alright, let me tell you a short story about a gold digger." He said leaning on the wall while I leaned on the table. "This golddigger used to be my girlfriend before I made a whole lot of fortune. She was beautiful and I thought we were going to be together forever..."
"Wow. I'm not the only one delusional enough to think they'd be together forever with someone?" I interrupted him with a forced laugh.
"You are not the only one sweetheart. This gold digger left me for my own brother! Can you imagine that?"
I wanted to relate to his story, but I wasn't cheated on with my sibling. Mine was a despicable friend.
"I have left it all in the past now, I believe it is all part of the lessons we learn in life." I couldn't agree more with him.
I have learnt a lot from the pain that Lewis had caused me and wasn't willing to go down that route anymore.
"It's getting late, you should get some rest. We have a long journey ahead tomorrow." He said and he pushed away from the wall to the door.
"Would you teach me how to paint like this?“
“Teach you?“
“Yeah.“
"Art is a talent and not a skill you learn. Either ways, I will help you."
I squealed happily and grabbed his chin, crashing my lips into his own and savouring the taste. He groaned and kissed me back but I already regained my senses.
"I shouldn't have done that. I am sorry. It was never part of our contract."
“We haven't signed anything yet and I'm sure I can get my lawyer to tweak things.“ He said.
“There's no need. When do I sign?“ I hoped that would remind him that we were just using each other for a while.
"There's something about you that just calls to me." He said in a deep tone."However, I will stick to our plan. You are merely my wife on paper and this would be the only reason you are under my roof." Mood swings, much?
He let go of my hands and smiled.
"Get some rest in the other room. I'll be in my office if you need anything.“ He said and left.
I instinctively followed him out of the art room. He helped me find my way back to the room he had prepared for me.
"Our flight is in the morning. I will come get you when it's time to go."
"Thank you.“ I detained him with a hand on his sleeve. “For everything."
“You're welcome.“ He said. “As for the contract, you will have the chance to read through and sign tomorrow.“
I nodded.
That night as I laid in bed, the only thing I could think about was the kisses I had shared with Gary.
It is not possible that I could be falling in love with a stranger barely a day of breaking up with my husband.
Or is it?
- Writer
