Chapter 41: Chapter 41

Darren was still waiting for my answer. I smile sheepishly. This was the reason that I didn't even want him to take me inside the mansion yesterday. Now, he knows about my marriage with the popular Jace they all know. No need of hiding it from him and no need of hiding it from Jocelyn too. Jocelyn is my best friend, I feel guilty hiding things from her. I will tell her today.

Even if I don't tell others, I should tell my friends. Grandfather has always wanted me to bring Jocelyn over and because of my lies, I can't. So it will be best to tell her my identity so that I can invite her to the mansion whenever I feel like it.

“Actually, no one knows that I'm married to him," I mumbled.

“Why? I mean why did you hide it? You are married to a man who's every girl's dream man, It's something to be proud of."

Yeah, Darren has a point. Marrying the most popular musician is really something to be proud of. But how will I tell him that my relationship with my husband is not that good and I can't tell the world about our marriage. I will just have to make it seem that not telling anyone about my marriage with my husband is a decision I made.

“Well, I don't feel like letting anyone know of my marriage with him. I'd like to keep my marital status private. He's popular and I don't want to feel awkward around the students because I'm marrying the popular Jace. I think I will also have lots of enemies since I'm the lucky one to have what they desire to have."

“I get your point. I guess that's the reason Jace hasn't made your marriage with him public, right?"

I bite my lips. If only he knew that my husband didn't accept this marriage and refused to make it public. I was about speaking up but a voice interrupted me.

“Jace? Which Jace? Constance, are you married?" That was Jocelyn's voice.

Oh! No, this is not the way I want Jocelyn to hear of my marriage with Jace. I want to tell her directly and not her overhearing it.

“Constance," she called me when I didn't reply. Her eyes are shining with curiosity.

I sighed and replied to her. “Yes, I'm married. I'm married to the popular musician Jace."

As expected she freaked out.

“What! You are married and not just married but you are married to Jace! How's that possible? Jace is married and no one knows about it." Her eyes were widened in utmost shock. I'm sure she found my words absurd until I clarified what I said.

“Yes, I actually want to tell you but I was waiting for the right time. I'm sorry," I mumble.

In the end Jocelyn finally believes that I'm really married to the country's idol. She told me that I shouldn't feel sorry for not telling her about my marriage earlier. She said she has always wanted me to open up at the right time since it's not everyone that likes sharing their private lives even with their friends. I'm glad that Jocelyn understood me.

I asked both Jocelyn and Darren not to tell anyone about my marriage. Darren wanted to know more about why I want to keep my marriage a secret and why my husband also kept it a secret but I don't feel comfortable sharing it with him.

Jocelyn was also curious and I explained things to her. I told her how I got married to my husband and how my married life had been. My husband doesn't accept the marriage and that was the reason I didn't tell her or let anyone know about my marriage, also that's the reason he didn't announce our marriage to the public. I also told her many other things that have been happening in my marriage. I don't plan on hiding anything from Jocelyn again. She's a good friend and I should be open to her just as she's open to me.

I'm more comfortable sharing that part of my life with her than with Darren. Though I met Darren first, I've known and spent more time with Jocelyn than I've spent time with him.

Jocelyn still finds it unbelievable that I'm married to Jace but she is happy for me. She told me that I shouldn't worry, that my husband will definitely fall in love with me. “How can he resist a beauty like you, I mean no man can," she said. I couldn't help but laugh.

After lectures were done for the day, Jake drove me home.

I was going to my room when I saw Hannah staggering with someone, the person had his arm crossed over Hannah's neck as he leaned on her. I recognized the man she's dragging along with herself as Ryan, her fiance. I haven't seen him and Kevin for weeks now. They are always rare. He looks drunk and Hannah is finding it difficult to help him walk in his drunken state.

At some point they both fell down. Hannah tried helping him to get up but he pushed her away.

“Don't come close," his voice is cold.

Hannah scoffs and howls at him“You got yourself wasted, at least I'm trying to help you. Did you know the difficulties I went through when I left the house in the morning just to find your wasted self! If I wasn't there, something bad might have happened to you!"

“I never asked for your help! Just leave me alone!" Ryan snapped.

“When will you stop treating me this way Ryan! Haven't you hurt me enough!" Hannah squeaked but Ryan ignored her and tottered away.

“Ryan!" Hannah shrieked in tears but Ryan didn't spare a glance at her as he walked away.

She fell on the floor as she started weeping.

It looks like Hannah doesn't have a good relationship with Ryan. Is that why Melinda said that she's a pitiful girlfriend? Why is she with Ryan if he doesn't love her? But why can't Ryan love a beautiful woman like Hannah who has a good heart.

Look at me speaking as if I have a good relationship with my husband, my husband doesn't love me. Though I feel he does or maybe he doesn't. I just don't know. Sometimes he will act all sweet to me and sometimes he will not. I just don't understand him. He doesn't even trust me. He didn't come home last night and I don't know about this night.

Seeing Hannah crying this way, my heart couldn't handle it, I felt like crying with her, I don't know why it hurts me to see her this way. Maybe it's because she's good to me. She and grandfather are the only people good to me in this house and I've even taken her as my big sister. I already love her because she's the best.

I felt like consoling her and I gave in. My feet moved on their own towards her.

“Hannah," I gently called when I'm closed to her.

She slowly looks up to me with red and swollen eyes… She looks hurt. I have never seen Hannah this way. I always see her smile and never see her tears. Because of the way she always smiles, it didn't occur to me that she can also feel pain.

She only stared at me for a few seconds before she stood up and hastily walked away.

“Hannah!" I called and tried running after her but I stopped.

I think she wants to be alone and I will give her that space. Hannah doesn't deserve any pain, she's such a sweet soul. It hurt me so much to see her cry.

I went to my room. Took a bath and retired to bed. I waited for my husband but he didn't return. I felt sad, I tried waiting more minutes for him but I dozed off.

In the morning, I didn't see him in the room. That means he didn't come home last night. I got ready for school and went downstairs for breakfast.

Grandfather announced his upcoming birthday party. I was happy to hear that. Everyone was happy and they immediately started preparations. We wish grandfather happy birthday in advance. Grandfather will celebrate his 77th birthday and he still looks handsome and younger than his age. He's aging like fine wine.

Hannah later apologized to me about how she ignored me and walked away last night. She met me at the parking lot before I could enter the car.

“I just don't feel like talking to anyone at that moment. I hope you understand," she said.

“Of course Hannah. And you don't need to apologize. You have the right to tell me about your problems and you also have the right not to tell me," I chip in.

“I'm glad you understood me," she added.

She then went ahead to tell me that we will go shopping tomorrow which is Saturday against grandfather's birthday party which will take place on Sunday evening.

I'm really happy about the shopping.

“Can I invite my friend to go shopping with us?" I asked.

“Of course you can," Hannah replied.

I will invite Jocelyn to go shopping with us and also invite her to the birthday party. I know she will love it, she loves shopping and going to birthday parties.

When I arrived at the school, as expected, Jocelyn was happy when I told her about going shopping with me and Hannah and coming to grandfather's birthday party. Darren overheard us and said that he also wants to come to the birthday party. I didn't want to say no to Darren but I had to. My husband misunderstood my relationship without Darren and coming to the birthday party won't be good.

I tried saying no to Darren but he refused. He insisted on coming to the party. Jocelyn said I should allow him, there's nothing wrong with him coming to the birthday party. If only they know my reason. Well, whether Darren comes to the party or not, it won't change the fact that my husband has no trust in me.

I returned home and told Grandfather about inviting Darren and Jocelyn to his party and he had no problem with it. Darren saved me the other time and since he's my friend, I should invite him to the party if I want.