Chapter 42: Chapter 42

What’s your toxic trait and why?

<Azaria>

"Don't turn your back on me, Azaria," Nick said firmly, as if he was running out of patience.

He extended his patience to 888.

"Just because something happened between us last night doesn't mean we're okay now."

"Your coldness isn't funny anymore," he added. He was really irritated with my behavior.

I don't know how to express my feelings. I am too affected by my emotions.

He faced me.

"What the hell is your problem? I thought we were okay? You're distancing yourself, and I couldn't take it anymore," he tightly held my shoulders, and he softly cursed. I could see the annoyance in his innocent eyes. His eyes were also furrowed, showing that he was truly getting irritated.

Can I still hide my feelings? Can I still pretend? I'm good at acting.

"Azaria! Damn it, speak!" He burst out.

What if I confess my feelings and he hurts me? Or he avoids me? I'd lose, because I was the one who fell for him first. Why is he so stubborn?

"I just don't feel well," I lied. I was afraid to confess, because I couldn't bear to know his reaction when he finds out that I love him.

"I don't believe you. When something hurts you, you complain about it all day," he said seriously, as if he knew me too well.

"Will you tell me the truth, or do I have to force it out of you? Your silence is not helping. Why can't you trust me, huh? We're married! I'm your husband! Tell me what's bothering you!" he said angrily.

I decided to tell him the truth to end all of this. Whatever happens, happens. I shouldn't prolong it, or the wound might deepen.

"I think, I'm in love with you," I said softly, unable to look at him.

"W-what?"

I removed his hands from my shoulders and was about to leave when a smile appeared on his lips, and his eyes lit up with happiness.

"Really? Did I hear it right... Can you repeat what you've said, baby?" He said, licking his lower lip.

"I love you, Nick."

"Fuck! I know this day will fucking come!" he happily said, and he kissed me on the lips.

"Oh! They're kissing - sorry ma'am, sir!"

"Baby, can you say that you love me?" Nick pleaded for the tenth time.

We were at the company, and he brought me with him. He didn't want me to be away from him, and he was so happy.

"You love me, hmm. I love you so damn much, wife," he said, and he kissed me again. He didn't want me to be away from him.

It's either take the risk, or you'll regret, that's what I did earlier.

"I'm so in love with you," he murmured in between our kisses. I just hugged him. My husband smelled so good; he wore a masculine perfume, hihi.

"Nick, I'm hungry," I said sleepily to him, still embracing him from his waist.

Nick was wearing dark trousers and an earth-toned top.

"Say that you love me too. C'mon, baby," he kept insisting. He's getting corny.

"I love you, my over clingy and irritating husband," I lazily replied.

He tightened his hold on me, and he had a broad smile on his face.

"I love you damn much!" he said happily. He kept repeating it.

"I'm hungry," I repeated, but he didn't pay attention to what I said.

"We're having a lovely dovey moment here. Let's just eat at home, okay?"

He pulled me to his table, and I sat on his lap.

Someone knocked on the door, and it was his secretary.

"Sir, the meeting is about to start," she politely said and left.

I stood up from sitting on Nick's lap.

"I'm going to see Florence, okay? Just a friend here," I said to him so he wouldn't worry about looking for me later. I didn't want him to get concerned.

"Who's Florence?" he asked with a frown.

"She works here. I met her at a coffee shop. We became friends," I replied. I didn't share all the details since he didn't seem interested.

I asked for Florence's name. It's hard to find her face. Maybe he already blocked me.

*

<Keith>

I played with the pen in my hand. I was in a meeting but not really paying attention.

My cousin Nick's wedding is on my mind. Something seems off. He's changed.

Nick is acting differently, like he's crazy, suddenly smiling; he's declining our invitations too. It's strange that we haven't even met Azaria, and he hasn't told us anything about her. Instead, we just received an invitation.

I looked at Nikolai, who was smiling while focused on his cellphone. I knew what he was looking at.

He is sick in love.

"When are you going to introduce your wife to us? I mean, when will we see her again?" I asked him after the meeting.

We've only met the woman once. Nick doesn't want to show her to us, as if we're going to steal her away.

He looked at me and raised an eyebrow.

"You saw her in our wedding, and I showed you her picture," he said coldly.

I just shrugged and followed him into his office.

"Do you love her?" I asked abruptly.

"Of course! Why would I marry her if I don't love her!"

"Do you think she loves you?"

He gave me a stern look.

"My wife loves me!" he defended himself. Why was he getting so defensive? I didn't say anything about him not being loved.

"Oh, okay then," I said with a smile.

"Congratulations if you both love each other. I just hope she can handle your ugly attitude," I added as I pulled out the visitor chair.

"Tsk. Why are you asking? Do you like my wife?"

I raised both my hands in a defensive gesture, "Woah! Just asking. I'm still not convinced that you love her. It's not purely a business marriage, right? Nikolai, I know you. You won't marry without any benefit," I said, shaking my head.

"Asshole," he muttered under his breath, showing me his middle finger, so I retorted in the same manner.

"Fuck you too. Totally."

*

<Azaria>

I was outside the company, staring blankly. I couldn't believe the pictures I saw and what Florence told me.

I had pictures of me working in this company before. But why can't I remember anything?

I have a husband. I am married.

There's another man in the pictures with me.

According to Florence, I met Russel at work, and we got married. But why can't I remember anything?

I am the person in the pictures, I know that. I recognize myself.

And where is my husband if I am married to him?

If I am married to another man, then my marriage to Nikolai isn't true? But why?

Why would Nikolai do this to me? I can't understand. It's so confusing.

Someone is telling me to believe Florence. I need to find out where Russel - my supposed husband - is. But where do I start if I have no memories?

I stopped walking when I remembered someone gave me a letter. Maybe that man knows Russel. But how do I find him?

First, I need to check if my marriage with Nick is valid.

I don't know what to do or how I'll feel if I find out that Nick is just deceiving me. It might haunt me forever.

I don't want to believe the pictures I saw because I have no memories. Maybe they're just photoshopped.

Maybe that Russel is just a secret admirer.

I looked around, hoping he might be nearby.

Perhaps Florence was just making up a story, or maybe she was paid to create this tale. Maybe our meeting was intentional.

My head was pounding from overthinking. I stopped again when I remembered the one locked room in our house. Maybe I could find some answers there. I clenched my fist tightly and hurriedly searched for a taxi.

I needed to go home. I wouldn't find peace until I opened that room.

~

<Third Person>

A man with bangs, wearing a black jacket, a white shirt inside, and black trousers was in a room, and behind him were tall buildings.

"I want you to look after this woman," a cold voice said from a man who was looking at a wallet-sized picture of Azaria.

"You're living in Nikolai's house. Watch over that woman closely," he instructed, handing the picture to the man standing before him, dressed in a black tuxedo.

"Monitor all her movements. Let me know where she goes and the people around her."

The bodyguard slash driver took the wallet-sized picture of Azaria and examined it.

"Sir, Nikolai might get angry if he finds out about this. He might fire me from my job."

He raised his gaze and gave a menacing look to the bodyguard in front of him.

"Are you turning your back on me?" He asked sharply and coldly.

The bodyguard smiled awkwardly.

"I won't, sir. I will report everything to you."

"Sir, I always see Ma'am with her friend Heidi. Her friend is a psychiatrist," the bodyguard informed him.

"Send me the details and address of her work."

“Copy sir.”

"You may now leave."

Once the bodyguard had left, he stood up and slid the painting, revealing the pictures of Nikolai and other people. He moved Azaria's picture to the center, alongside her parents' pictures.

"There's something about you. I found out that you're doing dirty tricks to my cousin, your dead woman," he said dangerously, glaring at Azaria's picture, and he clenched his fist.

From the very first moment he saw her, he couldn't trust her.

How come his cousin couldn't notice or sense anything?

"You and your friend Heidi are planning against my cousin."