Chapter 13: Chapter 13

“Constance?"

Hearing my husband call out my name, I quickly jolted out of my thoughts. I blink and stare up at my husband who's looking at me.

“I asked you a question," he said, staring straight into my eyes. Those black eyes are so captivating but I couldn't withhold his gaze. I wonder if I will ever be able to maintain long eye contact with my husband.

Wait… did I actually hear him right? He really asked the question. Does he care about me?

I don't think so, maybe he's randomly asking but why?

I wonder if I should tell him how crazy those students in my class were for him. Well, I am sure it is not something new for him to hear… I believe he knows how crazy people are for him, especially girls.

“My.. my.. first day in school was good," I replied with a stutter and bit my lower lips. When will I ever be able to speak eloquently with my husband? I guess that day won't come. With my husband's dominating aura, I'm sure I am not the only one that finds it hard to speak coherently with him.

He just nodded his head at my reply and afterwards, a call came into his phone and he walked out from the room with his phone placed on his right ear.

I smiled and looked back at my laptop feeling delighted. I blush slightly, my husband cares about how my first day in school went. I don't know why I feel so excited about it though I know I shouldn't be because I'm not yet sure if he asked the question because he cares about me.

I studied for almost one hour. My husband hasn't returned to the room.

I closed my laptop and books and yawned as I felt so sleepy. I stretch my arms and keep my books and laptop aside. Grandfather was actually the one that got this laptop for me and I love it, it's such a nice laptop and makes studying easier for me.

I curled myself on the couch and in no time, I drifted to sleep.

When I opened my eyes, I realized it's already morning. I slept so well just like the day I slept on my husband's bed. I wonder when this couch has become so comfortable to sleep on.

I sat up and stretched my arms but then I noticed something… I wasn't sleeping on the couch. This is my husband's bed, I slept on my husband's bed!

Oh no! Did I sleepwalk again? How can I be so stupid to allow myself to sleepwalk again.

My husband forgave me the other time, I don't think he will forgive me this time.

I quickly climbed down the bed and my eyes gallivant in the spacious room but caught no sight of my husband.

Has he left for work already or did he not sleep here last night?

Oh! I hope he didn't. If he had slept here last night I would definitely be in trouble.

But… if he didn't sleep here last night, where else could he have slept?

My heart suddenly sank in pain as an assumption ran into my head. Did he spend the night elsewhere with a woman?

It hurts but I should try to get myself used to this stuff. A man like my husband with his great status can never commit to a single woman and talk more of a woman he didn't even accept as his wife.

Now, I wish he actually slept here rather than sleeping elsewhere… I am ready to accept any punishment from him for sleeping on his bed.

I was sulking in jealousy of imagining another woman in the arms of my husband throughout last night, when I heard a masculine voice.

I literally flinched a bit because the voice came all of a sudden and I quickly recognized it as my husband's voice.

“You are finally awake."

I turned to see him all dressed up, he's dressed in a white polo and baggy black pants, he looks so handsome and casual. It looks like he's not dressed for work.

I learned yesterday from Hannah that apart from being a musician, he's also a great business tycoon. She also said that he has built a great name for himself and he's extremely rich, richer than his cousins. He has many estates and other properties, his cars are numberless and he has more than one private jet.

I guess I don't know much about my husband and how extraordinarily rich he is. Hannah said he's twenty six and I can't believe he has made this much wealth at such a young age.

Hannah also said that he's living in the family mansion because grandfather coaxed him to do so. Grandfather wants his family to live together so they will be on good terms and love each other but looking at how things are going on between them, I don't think grandfather is close to achieving his dream of seeing his family living in peace and with one love.

“I was about waking you up because it seems that you've forgotten that you will go to school today," he added and walked towards the fanciable round table at the center of the room.

It looks like he slept here last night, I felt relieved at that thought but I wonder why he has not scolded or bawled at me for sleeping on his bed again after he has warned me not to do so.

Since he has not scolded me, I think I should quickly apologize and I hope he forgives me again. Though I doubt that he will forgive me again, I still have no choice than to apologize.

“I… I'm sorry…"

I was still stammering trying to find a better word to use when he cut me off.

“You fell off the couch. I saw you on the floor when I walked in so I brought you to the bed."

What! I fell off the couch and I didn't even realize it. How can I realize it when I sleep like a sloth. I bite my lips feeling a bit embarrassed. The other night I sleepwalked and last night I fell off the couch… gosh! is so embarrassing. Well, I shouldn't feel embarrassed, the couch is not vast and it's also uncomfortable.

“You don't need to sleep on the couch from now on, you can start sleeping on the bed," he said and I quickly glanced at him, my eyes trying to bulge out from its sockets due to shock. I was open-mouthed.

Did I hear him right? I was still in shock when he walked out of the room.

I gulped down feeling muddled and astounded.

Is that man who walked out from this door my husband whom I know? Is he not the same man that was cold towards me?

I noticed that my husband changed a little after we returned from our honeymoon.

He didn't scold me for what I did, rather he wanted me to start sleeping on the bed. Has he finally accepted me as his wife?

I smiled as my cheeks turned pale pink but after a second my smile died.

I shouldn't get too excited, he hasn't said so himself.. is just my thought, there's still a possibility that he hasn't accepted me as his wife. My mood changed and I felt a little pique.

I dejectedly went to the bathroom and took my bath before preparing for school.

I went downstairs after I was dressed for school, no one was at the dining table, not even Hannah.

“Where is Hannah?" I asked the maid who served my meal.

“She left the mansion early this morning," the maid politely replied.

I guess she has urgent work to take care of.

Hannah is the only friend I have here. I like having breakfast with her.

I was silently having my breakfast when Melinda walked in. She has a shonky smile on her face. I just ignored her and continued eating my food.

But after a second I heard her galling words.

“I heard that grandfather enrolled you in one of the best colleges in America." She sniggers. “You must be so excited to have gotten married into a rich family like the Williams, now you are enjoying it's benefits."

“Father is such a kind hearted man. Our mansion has become a charity home where beggars dwell."

I heard another snarky comment and that was from Melinda's mother-in-law who just walked in.

Just like I always do, I ignored them. These people aren't worth my time or anger. I already know they don't like me so I won't give any of my attention to them whether negative or positive. I love having my meal just like yesterday's dinner without these people around. They have just ruined my morning.

I picked my bag and was about walking out but Melinda stopped me by drawing me back through my wrist.

“You little brat, you dare not walk out on us!" she spat.

“How rude she is. I don't blame her, I blamed father for giving her such impetus," her mother in-law sneered.

“Let go of her," I heard my husband's husky voice, it was calm but cold, he sounded incensed.

Without wasting a second, Melinda quickly let go of my wrist and tottered backwards.

I glanced at my husband, his face was livid and blank as he glared at Melinda and her mother in-law. They both seem intimidated by my husband's presence, it clearly showed on their cowering eyes.

My husband glowered at them. “Don't you dare lay your filthy fingers on her again and stay off anything that belongs to me," his voice is cold and rigid, somehow laced with authority. He doesn't need to speak a thousand words to make someone tremble, just one word from him is enough.

Melinda and her mother in-law couldn't utter a word and couldn't even maintain eye contact with my husband. The next thing they did was leave the dining room.

“Let's go," my husband said after they left. His glare on them before they left the dining room was so intense.

“Huhh?"

'Go where?' I said in my mind but he replied as if he heard me.

“Grandfather said I should take you to school," he said moving ahead.

Grandfather? I haven't seen him since yesterday. I want to share with him about my experience on my first day in school.

“Grandfather is not feeling well."

He said once again as if he's reading my mind.

What! Grandfather is not feeling well, I wonder how serious it is. I guess my husband went to see him, that's why he hasn't left for work yet. I wonder if those two nuisances had seen him or do they prefer ruining my morning rather than checking up on grandfather who's sick.

“Why are you not moving?" My husband asked.

It seems I haven't moved an inch. I'm worried about grandfather and I really want to meet him.

“You are running late to school, you can see him once you return from school."

It seems like he always knows what's on my mind.

“Come on, let's go," he beckoned, walking ahead and I followed suit.

Wait… a realization quickly hit my mind. My husband actually agreed to take me to school. Isn't he worried that someone might see me with him?

Since he doesn't want anyone to know that I'm his wife, he should reject taking me to school or maybe he accepted because grandfather cajoled him.

Though I'm happy that he's taking me to school, I'm nervous to sit beside him in the same car.