The Unexpected Husband

Chapter 2

"Are you going back to your job next week?" he inquired.

"Yes, I'd rather do that than wallow here in the mansion. I also want to take a break from the heartache Richard inflicted on me. His act of leaving me at the altar was a tough pill to swallow. However, despite everything, I found myself surprisingly concerned about him," I confessed, my voice filled with sadness. In reality, I was avoiding Charles' eyes; they were too penetrating and maintaining eye contact was too much for me.

"You're free to do what you want, I won't stand in your way," he responded.

"Thank you," I said, finding it hard to meet his eyes. My attention was on a few guests as we stayed at our table.

"Have you not noticed the men captivated by your beauty, Edna?"

My cheeks instantly turned pink at his words, despite being accustomed to such praises. After all, wasn't my beauty what made Richard fall for me?

But the reminder of him not appearing at our wedding was like a million sharp daggers stabbing my heart.

"I'm not interested in other men, Charles. We're wedded and it's our duty to safeguard each other, isn't it?"

"Absolutely, but you don't object to the fact that there are many women I need to be with?" he asked with a serious tone. "Meet my gaze, Edna. Why do you always avoid eye contact?"

"Do we really need to stare into each other's eyes whenever we converse?" I countered. My eyes fell on the wine glass before me and I picked it up, taking a sip from it.

Charles' gentle chuckle at my words reached my ears. "It's just something I've observed. Do you find me unsettling?"

"Why on earth would I feel that way around you?" I shot back, my tone sharp yet my voice soft.

In the midst of our conversation, a melodious tune began to play throughout the hall.

"The music is enchanting, would you like to dance?" he proposed.

"Absolutely," I replied swiftly, rising from my seat.

"Excellent!" he responded with a lively tone.

I can't pinpoint why, but Charles' presence always leaves me feeling a bit on edge and slightly irritated. Perhaps it's because our first meeting left a sour taste. He was excessively stern with Richard. He even wrongfully labeled me a golddigger, which irked me to no end, hence my annoyance with him.

Who would have imagined that he'd be the one to rescue me from humiliation when Richard failed to appear at our wedding.

However, that's not enough to dissipate my annoyance with him. His manner of conversation, even his intense stares that seem to pierce my very being, all contribute to my irritation.

As we moved to the dance floor, Charles took my hand in his and placed his other hand on my waist. The music swirled around us, a beautiful melody that seemed to echo the rhythm of our hearts.

"Relax, Edna," Charles whispered, his warm breath tickling my ear. "I'm not going to bite."

I stiffened at his words. "I'm perfectly fine, Charles," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady.

He chuckled softly, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "If you say so, Edna."

We danced in silence for a few minutes, the music guiding our movements. I couldn't deny the fact that Charles was a good dancer, his movements fluid and graceful. But every time his eyes met mine, I felt a strange discomfort, a mix of irritation and unease.

As the song ended, I pulled away from Charles, a polite smile on my face. "Thank you for the dance, Charles," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

He bowed slightly, a teasing smile on his lips. "The pleasure was all mine, Edna."

As I walked away, I couldn't shake off the feeling of Charles' gaze on me. But one thing was for sure, despite the irritation, there was something about Charles that intrigued me.

Upon my return to our table, I instantly saw Charles engrossed in conversation with a stunning woman. The peculiar smile on the woman's lips was hard to miss. She was clearly trying to charm him, and it wouldn't shock me if they ended up together. After all, their affairs were none of my business.

I drew a deep breath, my fingers tracing the necklace Richard had given me.

"Where are you, my love? I miss you terribly," I murmured to the breeze, fighting back the tears threatening to spill from my eyes. The pain was just too overwhelming.

Without uttering a word, I downed the wine in my cup. Consecutive gulps followed, seeking a temporary escape from the unbearable pain, despite the knowledge that alcohol could never truly wash away the heartache Richard inflicted.

Was he also sparing a thought for me? I mentally unleashed a string of curses.

As I was about to empty the final cup, I was taken aback when it was abruptly snatched from my grasp.

"Enough, Edna. You've had too much," Charles' stern voice snapped me back to my senses.

I blinked at Charles, his words slowly sinking in. "I'm not drunk, Charles," I protested weakly, reaching out for the cup he had taken from me. But he held it just out of my reach, his expression stern.

"Edna, you've had enough," he repeated, his tone leaving no room for argument.

I sighed, slumping back in my chair. "Fine," I muttered, crossing my arms over my chest.

Charles watched me for a moment, his expression softening. "I know you're hurting, Edna," he said quietly. "But drowning your sorrows in alcohol isn't the solution."

I looked away, feeling a sting in my eyes. I knew he was right, but it didn't make the pain any less. "I just... I miss him, Charles," I confessed, my voice barely whispering.

"We should head home, you've had too much to drink." Annoyance laced Charles' tone.

He assisted me in standing up. Seeing that I was unsteady, he wordlessly lifted me into his sturdy arms. The surprise inhales from several women didn't go unnoticed. I quickly caught sight of camera flashes. It was to be expected that this spectacle would make its way to the paparazzi's headlines.

As Charles carried me out of the hall, I could feel eyes on us, but I was too exhausted to care. The flashes from the cameras were blinding but Charles' steady presence was oddly comforting.

Once we were outside, the cool night air hit me, helping clear my head a little. Charles gently set me down in the backseat of the car, buckling my seatbelt for me.

"Thank you, Charles," I mumbled, my words slightly slurred.

He simply nodded, a soft smile on his face. "Just get some rest, Edna."

As we drove off, leaving the flashing lights and the loud music behind, I found myself leaning against the car window, my eyes slowly closing. Despite everything, one thought was clear in my mind - tonight was a disaster, but at least I wasn't alone. Charles was there, and for now, that was enough.

Tears started to fall before I even realized it. Damn it! Could anything be more painful than what Richard had put me through? But why was my concern for him so overpowering?

Frustrated, I brushed away the tears from my eyes, attempting to divert my attention to the fleeting landscapes outside the car window.

The city lights blurred past, their glow a stark contrast to the darkness in my heart. I could feel the sting of tears drying on my cheeks, the silent testament of the pain I was trying to hide.

Charles glanced at me through the rearview mirror, concern etching his features. "Edna, do you want to talk about it?" he asked gently.

I shook my head, forcing a small smile. "No, Charles. I think I've talked enough for tonight," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper.

He nodded, turning his attention back to the road. The silence that followed was comforting, a welcome respite from the chaos of my thoughts.

As I watched the city pass by, I couldn't help but wonder what the future had in store for me. Richard had left a void in my life, a void that seemed impossible to fill. But as I sat there, in the quiet comfort of Charles' company, I couldn't help but feel a glimmer of hope. Maybe, just maybe, things would start to look up. After all, life has a way of surprising us when we least expect it.

A few minutes later, we reached the mansion. I was the first to step out of Charles' car. Despite a wave of dizziness, I managed to make my way inside.

The butler's cheerful face welcomed me. "Good evening, ma'am." I offered him a brief smile and headed directly towards the mansion's grand staircase.

As I ascended to the fifth step, a wave of dizziness washed over me again.

"I'll escort you to your room." Charles' deep voice startled me, and without a second thought, he lifted me into his sturdy arms once more. An involuntary gasp escaped my lips and my hold on him tightened.

My gaze was drawn to his stern features. I could see his jaw set firmly. I had an unobstructed view of his strikingly handsome face.