Fixed Marriage

Episode Five

Days had passed faster, but she only had a glimpse twice of his shadow after their so-called honeymoon happened. One morning she woke up groggy and tired in his bed, alone. The next day, he arrived late but was gone in the morning. Gail was starting to get used to her new daily routine. Somehow she felt better and at ease despite how awkward it was the last time she faced him, sober. She has been planting flowers and plants in the backyard of his house. Until now, it still couldn't sink in that she was already married. She's been practicing in the kitchen to cook foods, then called her mother in the night. Reassuring her that she was fine and being taken care of. Partially, it wasn't really the truth. Her husband didn't even stay longer whenever he went home. She had no idea what kind of person he was, what he did and was capable of. Not even how old he is. All clueless and uninterested in digging for dipper information on him.

The darkness had started to creep outside when she heard the car's engine. Right in time, she was just done cooking the pasta. His heavy footsteps were all she could hear while tasting her food. It goes upstairs. 'Well, good evening to you too. Bon Appétit' she muttered, and drowned herself in eating. She was in the midst of savoring the food when she noticed him leaning towards the wall, gazing at her intently. Fortunately, she had managed to get a grip on herself.

"H-hi..? Did you eat already?" that's all she could mutter after wiping her lips. He didn't flinch any emotion in his eyes and started to walk in her direction. She covertly glimpsed into the folder he was holding.

"I already eaten. Just continue to eat. I need to discuss something with you afterwards. I'll be waiting in my office." His adam's apple moved up and down as he gulped the glass of water. Later on, he walked out of the kitchen without waiting for her response. For a moment, she was unable to move. Her mind was busy guessing what they would be going to talk about. She tried to swallow the pasta and stay focused. Her stomach was still hungry, the least she could do was to fill it with food before facing him.

"What is this all about?" she couldn't guess what he was trying to do. There are three pages of papers placed on the glass table. Her gazes were fixed on him, reading his expression.

"You just need to sign the papers, it's for the divorce process." The last words had her tongue cut off. Fear began to race around her nerves.

"D-divorce? What do you mean? Did I do something wrong?" She burst out of nowhere. Her hands were clasped tightly while she waited for his response. Vander looked at her without a hint of jovial expression. That's when she realized he was serious.

"Look, this won't work. I know you only left without a choice for this marriage. I'm seven years older than you, and you are too naive for that." She wasn't scared of having a divorce with him. What she feared was her parents. They had an agreement, breaking the marriage will definitely affect her parents' business.

" If it's what you wanted, but on one condition. " She swallowed her pride and thickened her face. Part of her was rejoicing at the thought of having a divorce, but she needed to do something for her parents' sake.

"Name it," he spoke calmly, without thinking what it was all about. He seemed very determined to get a divorce.

"We both knew this marriage was all fixed. But please discuss this with your parents afterwards. So they won't blame my parents for this divorce. They had an agreement and it included the benefits of their business." She spoke as softly and calmly as she could. If she ever wanted to get out of the place, she needed to get ready for the consequences of it. In the first place, she was not the one who wanted the divorce.

" Don't worry, I already came up with a valid excuse for them. I'll be meeting with them tonight, so if you don't have any more concerns you can sign the papers already." Her head nodded instinctively and signed the papers quickly. Her hands were still trembling but she had managed to control them.

"Very well, Ms. Brown, thanks for your cooperation. You can stay tonight. If you want to bring the clothes I provided, don't hesitate to do so. I hope this will be our last meeting and final conversation." Just like that, he took the papers and left her dumbfounded. She didn't understand why her whole body started to wither. She should be happy and free again, but deep inside her heart had flinched covertly.

'I guess, marriage won't really work out for me.' Her thoughts muttered, she tried to regain her courage and stood up. She would probably be wandering around the house and seized her last night. Somehow, she felt sad about leaving. It was her first time living with a stranger, but weirdly felt secure and calm.

Gail was in the middle of the staircase when she heard his car's engine start and get away. She wanted to look back and glance one more time at him but chose not to do so. The house was back in silence again, her footsteps were all she could hear. And she had decided to sleep in his room tonight, for the last time. She will leave the place tomorrow at dawn.

Her eyes had caught the tiny picture frame on the table. She was just about to drop herself off on the bed. 'Who is she?' Her curiosity woke up. She was bothered by the blonde woman in the picture frame together with her husband - her ex-husband sooner.