Chapter 2: The price of gratitude. 

The sun’s rays draped my room’s surroundings as it woke me up from my thin sleep. I hadn’t had a very good sleep of assurance and relaxation because of the past incidents. I straightened up and sat on my bed, followed by my alarm ringing. Annoyed, I switched it off. I sighed and looked at the clock. It was 7:30 am right now. First day as a married woman. God.

I got out of that huge bed that I slept on yesterday, which almost looked like a stolen artifact from the Victorian period, and went to my bathroom to get ready for the day that I was least excited for. And let me tell you the obvious, I still can't believe I'm married.

As I washed my face with cold water, I recalled the incidents that took place, helping this marriage to surface. 

Some months ago.

I returned home from work, exhausted as usual, craving for some good food and a refreshing shower. I’m thinking of making some roast chicken, and rice, because it satisfies me a lot. I also plan to relax on my bed, maybe finishing a series. 

 I opened the door to my apartment to see my mom and dad sitting on my couch — and that is what you call; a surprise, a disaster, an unbelievable incident and a very vexing experience. Well, not that I don't want them here or something, it’s just that, why all of a sudden.

 “Mom, dad? I didn't know you were coming!” I said and took my coat and shoes off, with an amused smile plastered on my face. 

This was a surprise, a pleasant one. But questions roamed around my head — Why are they here, all of a sudden? Did I do something? No no, that can't be. I've been sober for the last 4 months, and only drank alcohol because it was Christiana’s birthday before, I didn't do crazy shit, nor get into a fight; then why are they here all of a sudden? 

“Ah.. nothing, just we have something to talk about” My dad said and smiled. And with that sentence and smile, I started overthinking, as usual, upon what on earth happened and what my parents wanted to tell me. They could’ve just called me or something? Why cross a whole state for that?

“I cooked roasted chicken and rice. Your favourite” my mom said as she was getting the plates out. I look at my mom with a frown and an amused expression on my face. Why? Why, my favourites all of a sudden? What is itt? It gave a push for my thoughts and overthinking.

“Go and get changed honey. We’re waiting for you.” Dad said, with a charming smile on his face. I nodded and went up quickly. I stood in front of the mirror, splashed some cold chill water on my face as I washed up. I did my routines, changed into Pjs and went downstairs, with my heart running like a horse, anxious on what my parents had to talk about. I found my parents on the dinner table, waiting patiently for me. I sat on the dinner table and devoured the roasted chicken. 

“Mom, it is heavenly!” I complimented and continued eating. I have been missing her food. It's like heaven when I eat what she cooks. 

My father smiled and said, "It's true. Whatever she cooks, tastes heavenly"

“Oh my god! stop it you two” my mom gushed and giggled as she blushed looking at my father. God, how much I missed eating together with my family. How much I missed these two. 

“Dad is right!” I stated and smiled. Mom blushed again and my Dad continued to tease her with his smirks and compliments. Oh how I want my love life to end up like this. Just pure love that would last, nothing more, nothing less. 

“Bella honey. We have something important to discuss” my father said as soon as I finished eating. I looked up and blinked twice with a curious expression. 

“What is it?” I asked casually, even though I was feeling nervous.

“Let’s help your mom clean up, and do the chores, and after that…” my father breathed out, “we’ll talk.” father said, with his voice deep and serious yet comforting. I nodded my head at his suggestion, and we both helped mom cleaning the plates, dishes and the table and arranging them as well.

After that, we all sat on the couch, the three of us, with me sitting on the sofa in front of them. My father looked serious, and very nervous, with his legs spread wide on the couch and his arms settled right on his knees, while I sat in front of them, my legs folded. 

“Honey. I know, you will be wanting to avoid this subject…but— Do you have a boyfriend?” Dad asked directly, as he looked me in the eyes. 

I shook my head, “well, no. I haven’t really met the right person yet.” I shrugged. 

“Okay…so…do you not think— it’s time for your marriage?” dad asked, and I looked at him with done eyes. 

“Dad, really?” 

“Honey, we were wishing to talk to you regarding this subject, but we didn’t know how to say it to you. You’re already 28, right now. Please consider dating or marrying at the least.” Dad said, his eyes soft. 

“Dad, I do not wish to marry right now.” I frowned as I explained, “It’s just…I’m at the peak of my career in my company at this point, and I don’t want to get busy and entangled in a married life.”

“Honey, you’re 28 right now.” Mom said, “you are old enough. Don’t you have anyone in your mind right now?” 

“No.” I said, “My age really doesn’t matter right now…and…and, I don’t have anyone in my mind right now. I just— don’t wish to marry!” I exclaimed and my parents frowned. 

“Then, do you want us to look for someone? Or will you look for someone?” 

“Mom, Dad, I’m not very interested in marriage right now, so, please—” I got up, and my Dad looked at me seriously. 

“Bella, you will not get up like this. Sit down. We need to talk.” 

“Dad.” I sighed, “I just….don’t know.” I said as I sat down, “I do not know if I can handle or manage relationships, in addition to that, if anyone could— honestly understand me!” 

“You do not need to worry about anything. Everyone has their flaws, qualities, and weirdness in them, and the person who learns to love them is the one for you.” Dad shrugged, “Try it for once. All your sadness and loneliness will vanish slowly. You will get sadness and happiness both at the same time in love.” 

I sighed, “but the problem is that I don’t even like anyone. Everyone I see, I just— disgust myself from them, or maybe just misunderstand them, or judge them wrongly. I get so suspicious about men. So, how do I love one, tell me?”

“Sweetheart. I know, you are confused and very upset with the name of marriage, but try out our offer for once. We have someone in our eyes who is willing to marry their son to you—”

“Marriage?!” I exclaimed as dad’s words took me by surprise, “dad, seriously, marriage?!” 

“Well,” he sighed, “he is willing to marry you, and um— his parents are very keen for it.” 

“Who is he?” I said, calming myself. 

“so.. you know Arthur uncle, right? my childhood friend” dad said with his eyes locked in mine, “his son…” Arthur? Arthur Richards....Richards corporation? And his son? 

“Arthur? like Arthur Richards? Who is your childhood friend? That uncle?” I asked, remembering that business man. 

“Yes, him. So…we— well.” Dad took a deep breath, “we are…thinking of your engagement with him.” dad said, but his eyes looked apologetic. 

“What? Dad— why am I not aware of all these before? And, what do you mean by ‘you are thinking of’? I don’t even know this guy!” 

“I know child, you are very upset with us, but I,” Dad took a breath, “he’s a nice child. He’s a very nice gentleman. I have talked with him myself. He’s very sophisticated and very well-mannered. He’s very much of your type.” 

“Dad” I face-palmed, “just because I talked with you about my type and choices and likings in men, doesn’t mean you’ll select one for me! Come on!” 

“Darling, I—” Dad looked at me, his eyes still looking apologetic and sad. 

“Dad?” I frowned, “are you…are you perhaps hiding something?”

“I—” Dad stammered, “I agreed…to the marriage.” 

“Dad?! What are you saying? I can’t just marry someone I do not know! Are you out of your mind!” I almost shouted because of the shock I just got. 

“Listen, I know this is literally shocking for you.. but please have patience…please let me complete…please understand me…” my dad said with a consoling tone. I closed my eyes in frustration. I signaled for him to continue, “Arthur came to our house some days ago... and mentioned this. I didn't really agree about this— but you know how powerful he is. Anyway, he made me meet his son, and he was a nice man. I tested everything, if he was up to your standards, and yes, he fitted in. I have partly agreed, but I’ve not fully agreed to this. It’s your choice, but my advice is you agree to it.” 

Mom started off fiercely, “The thing is that— he forced us on to this. It’s not like we want to marry you off somewhere. He has made it clear that he needs his son to marry you—”

“Honey, it’s okay. Let me speak,” my dad spoke calmly with mom. 

“See, my child, the thing is that.” He sighed, “you know we owe a lot to him. Starting with my job in his company, building our house, to your admission in Stanford university. It’s such a prestigious one—” 

“Dad, I got into Stanford with my hard work and good CGPA! It wasn’t for him! He just made sure. He praised my name to the directors when he was getting his son in, that’s it!” I said in an exasperated tone. My dad looked at me with apologetic eyes. 

“I know, darling. But the thing is, he is a nice man. We have matched the zodiac signs as well, and you guys are compatible. Now, please, stop being so negative about everything. Please, think about it. He’s my best friend, and I can’t be ungrateful to him. He just wishes for you to marry his son as he knows you are a good person, and I want you to marry him as he is a good person. I don't even know how I agreed to this... but... please understand..” dad said with his soft tone.

I sighed, “dad...I know friendship matters to you a lot, but, think about me. This is my life! You literally took the biggest decision of my life without even consulting me. Is it fair?” I stated.

“It isn't, I know. But please, can you try? for us? if you don't feel right in the marriage, you can, and you will separate. I swear I wont say a thing” dad said, his voice soft. 

“Mom, dad. Are you serious right now? I don't even know him!” I said getting frustrated.

“I know baby, but please.. for us…” my mom pleaded with a consoling tone.

After some time, I finally said, “fine.. I'll think about it.. do you have his photo?” I asked with an annoyed tone.

“Here.” Dad smiled and sent me his photo. “Take your time, think about it, okay?”

“I will..” I said and went to my room. “Good night” As soon as I entered my room, I took out my phone to see his picture, and my eyes were stuck at it. 

Dad actually knows my taste. Wow. 

.......

And that's how it happened. I rolled my eyes as I stared at myself in the mirror. My parents took a whole week to convince me of this. Of course, I was impressed by his face and stalked his instagram for an entire night, but I can’t just marry someone based off of that. And yes, they stayed here for an entire week just because they wanted to convince me; because of it, I heard their conversation when they were talking about how dangerous Arthur Richards can be. The fear of anything happening to my parents had scared me to death, and based upon that, I had to make my decision. 

But, honestly, how and why did they even agree to all this? Even though that guy is hella attractive, that doesn't give me reasons to love him! I don't know how he is. He literally seems like the most ice cold atlantic piece of ice. His eyes literally give me chills.  How do his employees even manage to face this guy? I wanted to meet him before marriage as well, but he was abroad and his father didn’t really agree on making me meet him as it was breaking some sort of ‘tradition.’ Apparently, we both couldn’t meet each other after we had our marriage dates confirmed and also after engagement. What is this kind of tradition where I’m not able to meet my future husband, who I do not know of, just to know what kind of a person he is? And the audacity this man has to land in the country just one day before our marriage! Anyway, trusting my parents’ choice, I agreed; or else I would’ve never married a random ass guy. It still doesn’t make any sense, but I hope it will slowly, and I hope I will somehow, magically, fall in love with him, and he, somehow, magically, falls in love with me. 

I grunted as I washed my face, as I had finished showering. I chose a black pencil skirt, and a button-up silk shirt which I tugged in before going. I paired them with some gold jewellery, as in my necklace with one strand and one heart in the middle, and some studs. I went downstairs and saw him having breakfast at the dinner table. 

“Good morning Young mistress!” A lady around my mom's age greeted me. I kind of flinched at that. I'm not really practiced to that much respect from a lady so much older than me. 

“Good morning. and please don't call me that, it's too much respect and you're older than me. Just call me Bella.” I said that and smiled

“yes, ma'am. I mean Bella” she smiled and served me breakfast. It was 8:30 am right now. My office was at 10 am. I had a lotta time, and I wished to spend time with my newly-wed husband. 

“Good morning” I wished that cold ice guy sitting down beside me eating his breakfast, with his eyes glued on the phone.

He turned to look at me and gave me a ‘what?’ look. He continued to work on his phone. I rolled my eyes and ate my breakfast. He could’ve me but, sure. Guess I should just mind my business.

After finishing, I made sure to compliment Mrs Lia, the maid, about her food. It was delicious! I went to the couch and pulled out my laptop. I started to do my unfinished work. Nope, I didn't take any days off because of marriage. Work is really important to me. It’s not like it’s a real one, even though my mom insisted that I should take some leaves, I didn’t. I have taken a lot of leaves before for functions and other events, I can’t afford to take leaves. Calvin as well was going to work today. He sat across from me on the couch and was talking to his, I assume, employee or secretary.

I finally completed it and closed my laptop. I called Christie, my secretary and asked her to look over those files I just sent her. Her response seemed quite lazy, which means she is eating her breakfast. 

“Christie” I said and chuckled. After talking to her a bit, I cut the call.

I got up and took my bag as well as my laptop bag. “Miss lia, please don't cook for me tonight. I'm gonna work overtime today. I might eat outside” I said and smiled at her.

“Okay Bella. Take care, Have a good day.” she said and smiled.

I bid her a good bye, while my gaze averted at that ice-cold heart made by an Atlantic guy, my husband. It didn't seem like he cared as his eyes were glued on his tablet. I sighed and left, having almost no hope that he would talk to me today.

I started my car. I connected my car with my phone. I called up Christie and just chatted with her. Even though she is my secretary, she is my best friend. We have known each other since middle school. Nobody knows me better than her. I just feel so relieved talking to her. We arrived at the company building at the same time.

“Good morning, hunny.” Christiana said with a mischievous smile, and I frowned at the sight of it, 

“I’m suprised your legs are working.” I blushed and made a disgusted face at her comment. 

“Eat shit, bitch!” I whisper-yelled, and she laughed. 

“What! I mean, it was your wedding night.” she giggled. 

“Whatever.” I rolled my eyes as we entered the lift after verifying our identity cards, “Anyway, when will the sample for the upcoming drink come?" I asked her casually. 

“It will, soon. By this month” she said, and I hummed. 

I got out of the lift as we reached our floor. “make it quick. It's really important to have it ready by the end of this month. You know how much this means for us.” I stated. As the research and marketing team, it was crucial for us to make sure we get our shot in this. 

I entered my office, so did christie. She kept my stuff and informed me about files and documents regarding the product.

 “I'll fetch you some coffee” she said and smiled as she had seen my exhaustion and irritation that had been on top notch these days. 

 “I’d like that.” I smiled, relaxing a bit. 

I looked at my name plate. “Head of the department of research and management. Bella Evans Richards- wait what?!” I was reading my nameplate and I noticed the ‘richards’. I still haven't gotten used to that surname. And when did they change this? Quick with these... wow.

.......

It was the board meeting. All the heads of different departments were there, the CEO was there as well. It was my turn now to present my products and the ideas of our department. I inhaled and exhaled a deep breath. Christie smiled at me wishing me good luck.

“Good morning, everyone. This is Bella Eva- I mean Richards” shit. Did I just say my name wrong, again?

“Bella Richards..” The CEO, Theodore Clifton, said in a low tone and his face seemed a little sad.

“uh.. I'm sorry for that.. I'll start with my presentation.” I said and smiled. He looked at me again, staring deeply into my soul, as if he was trying to convey me some message. Illuminati, eh? 

As I finished my presentation, I heard claps from the room. “Impressive. Your Idea is good, we can work on that.” the CEO said and smiled. 

“It was exhausting!” I told Christie as we reached our office. 

“I know right!” She agreed on my statement and laughed. “By the way.. why did you stutter with your name?” she asked, sitting down. That question caught me off guard. It is actually true that I did mistake my name a ton of times. I let out a heavy sigh as I crashed on my comfy chair.

“I don’t know. I’m not practiced with the name, so yeah” I answered her question and shrugged. With that she nodded and shrugged.

“and how’s your marriage life going?” she said and smirked. My eyes widened at that, my cheeks heating up. Then reality hits, I closed my eyes and let out a heavy sigh. 

“You know how it is chris! He is cold as ice and isn’t willing to talk to me" I said, rubbing my temples. “If this continues, I'm gonna leave him after a year. I can't ruin my life because of my parents' decision.” I continued as I crossed my legs and stared at the ceiling. Why does it have to be me? Why?

Christie seemed to notice my condition. She sighed as she leaned on her desk. “You're right. Good luck girl.." she gave me a sympathetic look as she sat down on her chair. I nodded in response and let out a sigh. Soon the room was filled with typing and mouse clicking sounds.

......

It was 9 pm when I left the building with Christiana, or Christie, that’s her real name. She waved and bid me a good bye. I smiled and did the same. I got into my car and started driving. I was really exhausted today and just wanted to crash in my bed. I truly did not have the patience to cook myself something because I had already told Miss Lia that I won’t be eating, and besides she must have left by now. Anyways, I did have some cravings for street food so I went to a noodle shop and ate some ramen.

After paying the bill, I left the place and drove straight to his, my, our ‘house’. But, not a home, even though I wish it will be in the future. 

I entered the house. Miss Lia had left, so did the other maids as it was already nearly 10. He was in his study, working, I assume, as the lights were on. I heaved a tired sigh and went towards the kitchen to drink some water. I heard footsteps and I turned around to see who it was, to find him approaching the kitchen. I turned back around as I felt a little, tiny bit, weird. I fixed my hair and ran the tip of my tongue over my lips, moistening them. He came to the kitchen, fetched some water, and as he did, he took a glance at me, and our eyes met. His hazel eyes that stared into mine reflected nervousness yet dominance. I felt a little weird again, so I looked away. 

I cleared my throat, “Hi.” 

“Bye.” He said as he left the kitchen, heading towards his study downstairs. I watched his retreating  figure with a shocked expression — my features contorted with disgust. He could’ve greeted me, part 2. 

I shrugged it off and went upstairs. I freshened up. I wore a t-shirt and sweatpants and went downstairs. I opened the fridge and poured myself a glass of orange juice, as I always craved something sweet after lunch and dinner. I opened the fridge and got some almonds and cashew nuts out, took them out in a bowl and kept it on the slab. Right then, I glanced outside the kitchen as I heard footsteps. My brows furrowed a bit as it was him, eyes glued on his phone. He glanced at me once with an expressionless face and leaned on the kitchen slab, typing something on his phone, while he munched on some nuts that I had taken out and kept on the slab. I narrowed my eyes and looked at him suspiciously. I shrugged it off as I got myself a handful of cashew nuts and almonds. I walked past him, feeling his strong and cold gaze on me. I gulped and made my way to the stairs. Why are you even here if you don’t wanna talk to me??

I was going upstairs, but.

“Hey.” he said.

....

here you go! Chapter 2.

let me know if you liked this. Enjoy<3