The Fall of a Proud Princess

Chapter 3- Happy Anniversary?

DANIELLAH

(Two years later)

It’s my wedding anniversary today.

Conrad and I have been married for 2 years.

Two freaking years!

Who would have thought we would make it past the first year? Not me.

If you ask me, it’s a miracle we made it past our month long honeymoon.

I spent it ignoring him and drinking a lot of champagne while he hung out with his brother Barron, who was a great buffer.

It was clear after that we needed rules because even though I am good at pretending, there is a reason I haven’t won an Oscar for it.

I have an incurable temper and stubborn nature and though Conrad is patient and calm, I saw it best to set boundaries before we nearly killed each other.

Me more than him.

Which concluded to us having 1.separate bedrooms. 2. Not touching each other’s things i.e rings unless very necessary. 3. We have a linked schedule so I know where to be and when and 4.not talking unless deemed necessary.

Two years later and our marriage is...interesting?

After our honeymoon, I resumed school and graduated from Yale last year with an honors degree in Computer Sciences and Cyber Security. We bought a house in the suburbs of Beverly Hills mainly because he wanted to stay close to his family and I wanted to be far away from mine.

I eventually moved to our New York penthouse after that3 while my husband traveled around the world on business. Which I realize now is the main reason why our marriage is surviving.

We barely see each other.

The last time I actually saw Conrad was 3 months ago at his mother’s birthday party and we bumped into each other in our Beverly Hills house an hour before.

I can’t believe I just said I bumped into my husband in our own home.

But to his credit, he does call me every 2 days.

It used to be everyday but then the time zones got to me and he compromised by checking in every 48 hours and on our first anniversary which we celebrated with a late dinner at McDonald's, he got me an emerald diamond necklace.

He had just flown in from Dubai and all he wanted was a big Mac and I was game.

I got him a car.

Well, my assistant did. I just paid for it and put a bow on top.

This year, his sisters hinted I should get him something more sentimental, something he can move with since he only drove the car once so I am in Cartier looking at watches.

“Do you have any idea what watches my husband already has?” I turn to my assistant Emily and she types on her iPad.

I was against having her at first because I am just a glorified housewife now but this lady has saved my life. I am considered a socialite because of her.

She makes sure I wear the best clothes from the culturally appropriate designers. Attend the right events and reminds me of the important things on Conrad’s schedule so I am the supporting wife everyone thinks I am.

She was his graduation gift to me and I absolutely adore her.

“Here you go,” she hands me her device and continues looking around.

I look at the list of our insured jewelry including his watches and struggle not to gape because I didn't realize my father let me keep the pieces I owned before I was married.

I still have all my crowns. (Yes that's disappointment you're sensing from me)

After skimming through the long list, I get him a vintage Cartier watch with a black leather strap. Black and white gold cufflinks with his initials and a matching bracelet.

After a meeting with Kathy(Conrad's mother )at Marie Claire magazine to talk about the charity event she put me in charge of, I go home around 5pm.

A large display greets me when I open the front door to our Beverly Hills home confusing me.

Its a huge, beautiful field of red roses in the shape of a heart with a 2 in the middle.

I walk to the kitchen to find Conrad...cooking?

“Hello?” I pause.

He is in black slim fit jeans and a navy golft t-shirt, my black ‘kiss the chef’ apron over him.

“Hey Mrs Hilton, happy anniversary.” He's stirring something in a pan.

Whatever it is smells delicious too but I’m in shock, so I look around for cameras.

He is only this husband-y when people are around.

When we are in public or around people, he really lays on the PDA.

He kisses my cheek and neck, hugs me, holds my hand or my lower back when we walk. He sometimes looks for me in a room and has even thanked me in all his speeches at work functions and fancy events where he had to talk.

I read somewhere that a fan spotted a picture of me on the lock screen of his tablet and phone, so imagine my surprise when I was using the computer in his home office and found a wedding picture of us kissing as the screensaver.

It seems my husband was better at pretending than I because once the cameras or eyes were off us, so was he.

“I thought you were landing at 7?” I look at my watch.

“I did, 7am. I have been home since 12pm.”

“Are you seriously cooking? Where did you even get groceries?” I open the fridge I left empty to find it now fully stocked.

“I did a little shopping.” He ushers me to come taste, so I walk towards him and lick the wooden spoon he streches out.

“Delicious,” I wipe my lower lip as he turns off the stove. “Conard?” I whisper, looking around again for someone.

“Yeah?” He pours the vegetable stir fry into a serving dishing that already has pasta.

“Is someone here?” He actually pauses, “s**t. Are your parents here?”

I adore the Hiltons, but our house is not ready for guests yet. Especially not my in-laws that will no doubt judge my lack of housekeeping skills.

There are still boxes in the ballroom and furniture that needs to me unpacked in the living room and some of the rooms around the house and I've had 2years to do it.

“Not that I know of.”

He puts the pan in the sink as I lean on the island between us and stare at him.

“I think it’s only us and the staff.” He wipes his hands with a dish rag.

“Then why are there flowers in the entrance and why are you cooking?” I open the other serving plate to find a roasted lamb rack.

I'm suddenly very hungry.

“My new assistant got you those. He is not in the loop about our marriage and thinks we’re a real couple.” I don’t miss the snippiness in his tone, “and I have been sleeping in a hotel for a month and have been eating out, so I decided to cook myself a meal.”

I guess that explains it.

“Well, happy anniversary.” I place the Cartier paper bag on the counter. “It’s a watch.” I steal a roasted asparagus.

Me spoiling the surprise makes him laugh a litttle, “you wouldn’t be my wife if you didn’t say that.”

I nearly smile.

“Thank you for the watch,” he replaces it with the Rolex on his wrist which surprises me. “A new addition to my growing collection, nice.”

“You’re welcome and I get this," he looks at me. "I actually picked this gift so be proud me.”

He's clapping his hands sarcastically as I walk to the sink to soak the pots.

I realized in New York that I enjoy doing small house chores like washing dishes and doing laundry. Growing up in the palace didn’t really allow me to do anything myself and moving to Oxford I had Aiden continuing the tradition but living alone opened me up to many experiences.

“You don’t have to do that, Stacy can toss them in the dish washer later.” Conrad wipes the counter.

Stacy is our housekeeper, who only comes in while we are here. She is part of the 4 people staff we have because Conrad hates a house full of people.

“It’s okay, I don't mind.” I pull the sleeves of my blouse up and begin washing the dishes.

Conrad cleans the kitchen as I do but I’m surprised to turn around and find it completely empty. All the food prepared now in our dining area, one of the few rooms in the house that’s actually ready for use.

The master bedroom and the kitchen are the other ones.

“This is fancy.” I watch Conrad set the table for two.

“It’s my anniversary gift." He lights a candle, "a dinner with me and just like the gift I got you last year I’m pretty sure you won’t like it but I don’t care because I already bought it or in this case, already made it.”

I actually smile at that.

“You wouldn’t be my husband if you didn’t say that.” He agrees with a nod.

“Now go get ready because dinner is and I will eat with or without you.” His light banter surprises me but I do follow his instruction and let him be.

I decide to join in on Conrad’s good mood and dress up.

After my shower I wear a floor length, off the shoulder burgundy dress with a thigh slit that opens when I walk. I pin my hair up in a messy bun, do a simple fox eyewing and I wear red lipsstick to match the dress.

I'm putting on my diamond studs when Conrad walks into our room that we have never slept in at the same time. Even though we sleep in separate beds both our things are in the masters since the walk-in closet is huge.

“Can you help me?” I turn so he can zip me up.

I was going to ask Stacy or Emily but since he’s here, I might as well.

“You look fancy for a dinner at home,” he runs the zip up. “Don’t tell me it’s for me because I’ll actually cry.”

“It’s a fancy dinner at home, so I have to look the part.” I iron my dress down and slip into Ugg slippers. “So how do I look?” I turn around so he can see.

"Beautiful," He takes his time sizing me up, “but something is missing.”

He disappears into our closet for a long time before returning holding a black velvet box that he probably got from our hidden jewelry vault. I just put one in our penthouse too.

He opens the box to reveal my never been worn emerald, diamond necklace that he got me last year.

"Turn around Mrs Hilton," and I do as he lays the masterpiece over my chest and clips it around my neck.

“With these many diamonds, you should wear sunglasses or you'll turn blind.” I beam when see my reflection on the mirrior.

I'm literally sparkling and the piece goes perfectly with my dress.

“It’ll be worth it because you look perfect,” he grabs a towel in the drawer under the mounted tv. “Give me twenty and I’ll be right down.”

And true to his word, Conrad joins me downstairs 20minutes later in a shirt, waist coat and a bowtie hanging undone around his neck. His wet hair is slicked back as he adjusts the watch I got him.

I nearly laugh when I look at his feet to find him wearing slippers similar to mine with his dress pants instead of dress shoes.

Happy Anniversary to us?