His Trophy Wife (R-18)

Chapter 2

AUDREY’S POV

As soon as I finished my bath, I went back inside the room to change clothes. I dried my hair with a blower and sat in front of the vanity mirror. I sighed as I stared on my reflection. I used to be so confident of myself because everyone said I was beautiful. However, as I look at my face now, I can’t seem to appreciate my own beauty.

I stood up and walked over to the veranda. The dark skies greeted me and reminded me how lonely it was to be alone. Overlooking the veranda is the bluish-green ocean water. The warm salty air blew and touched my skin. The scenic view was indeed fascinating but my mind was elsewhere. I looked at my wristwatch and realized it’s almost dinner time soon.

I excitedly went downstairs and proceeded to the kitchen. I rummaged through the cooking wares and checked the stocks in his enormous fridge. I took out the pork and decided to cook something for Liam. I hummed as I busied myself in preparing the ingredients.

“Señorita! What are you doing here? You shouldn’t be cooking here!” said the maid and shooed me away but I just smiled at her.

“It’s okay, Aunt Mercy. I really want to do this. I want to cook for Liam, I will surprise him,” I said excitedly.

The maid returned my smile and sighed.

“Señorito Liam is lucky to have you as his wife. You are truly kind and lovely,” she smiled at me as she praised me.

I smiled at her, a weak one. If she only knew how Liam hated me, she wouldn’t have said those words.

“I hope he feels the same,” I whispered as I continued cooking.

“By the way, Señorita Audrey, if you need help, please don’t hesitate to call me,” she reminded me.

I just nodded my head. I am feeling excited and nervous at the same time. I know how to cook but I’m not sure if Liam will like it. I’m anticipating his reaction and I couldn’t help but feel jitters.

When I finished cooking, I was sweating. I transferred the food into the platter and let it cool in the table. I also prepared two plates and other utensils. I want our first dinner as husband and wife to be special and memorable.

When I was done, I immediately ran upstairs to clean myself again and change into something decent. I chose a floral dress and did my hair. When I was satisfied with my look, I went downstairs.

As I was heading down, I glanced at the wall clock and realized it’s almost seven in the evening.

I stopped in the dining table and felt anxious as I checked my preparations for the last time. I took a deep breath when I saw that everything was perfect.

I kept glancing at the door hoping to see Liam. Its half past seven and he’s not yet home. I called Aunt Mercy and asked, “What time does Liam usually goes home?”

“At about seven or so, Señorita, I wonder what’s taking him so long. He should be home by now,” there’s a look of dismay and wonder on her face.

That’s when I realized this was the first time he’s late for dinner. I covered the food on the table and decided to wait in the living room. I sat on the couch and turned the huge Television on. I was hungry but I won’t eat unless he came home. I tried to divert my attention into the news and didn’t notice that my eyes started to water.

Does he hate me that much? I asked myself.

Later on, Aunt Mercy approached me again. I immediately switched the TV into drama film to justify why I was crying. I wiped the tears and smiled at her.

“Señorita, you’d better eat first,” she sounded so worried.

I stood up and went into the dining room.

“Come and join me, Aunt Mercy,” I invited her.

“But... We’re not supposed to eat with you, señorita,” she hesitated.

I gave her an encouraging smile and said, “It’s a little lonely to eat by myself. I’d be glad to have your company.”

In the end, she occupied the seat in front of me and we started eating our dinner. We talked about a lot of things, mostly about Liam growing up. I found out that she worked with the family for decades now and she was actually the one who raised Liam. As typical business men, his parents were always away for a business trip or anything related to it. Liam was always left under Aunt Mercy’s care.

She said Liam was a naughty kid. He had been a bully back when he was still in the primary school. I was smiling while listening to her tales. I could imagine Liam being scolded by his teacher. When we were done, I excused myself and went upstairs.

I went into the veranda again and watched the night sky. I could hear the roar of the gigantic waves approaching the shore. The crisp air that hugged my too visible skin brought me goosebumps. The birds were chirping, as if they were singing a melodious song. Everything outside the mansion screamed the word “happiness”, opposite to the desolation that reigns in this place.

Come, on! You’re not Scarlett Audrey McKenzie for nothing. Get a grip of yourself!

I made my way back into the room and change into lingerie. I sat on the soft mattress and held Liam’s pillow in my hands. His masculine smell captured my nostrils. I inhaled his scent, imagining him beside me.

I closed my eyes and tried to sleep. However, I’m finding it hard to succumb into drowsiness. I kept on thinking about Liam and why he’s not here, yet. In the end, I stood up and went downstairs to drink some hot milk. I took the cup with me and settled myself on the couch in his room. The lights are already off but the bright moonlight illuminated the room. I sat there like a ghost waiting for its prey.

It was almost ten in the evening when I heard a roaring sound. The sound came to a halt just outside the mansion. I stood up and looked over the window, my heart leaped when I saw Liam getting out of the car.

I went back to my seat while my heart was still beating frantically. I don’t know how to approach him. I anxiously waited for him to open the bedroom door. As his footsteps were nearing, my heart hammered fast inside my chest. I composed myself and prepared for the worst.

The door swung open and my eyes were fixated to the man who was standing in the doorway. He was removing his tie and moving with ease. His hand found the switch and the warm light filled our room. His ocean-blue eyes stared at me coldly. I swallowed hard but I kept my eyes on him.

“Why are you still awake?” he asked.

“I was waiting for you. You didn’t come home for dinner,” I commented.

“I already ate outside,” he answered and stared at me blankly.

“Where have you been, Liam?” I stood up and slowly walked towards him.

“Wherever I went, that’s none of your business, Audrey,” he said, dismissing my question.

Pain engulfed my heart when I saw a kiss mark on his neck. I looked away to hide the pain that’s showing evidently on my face.

“I see. So, you spent our “HONEYMOON” with your mistress, haven’t you?” I smiled as I asked him but deep inside, my heart was breaking into pieces.

He chose to be with that b***h instead of me.

“I’ll do what I want to do. I’ll go home whenever I want to. You can’t dictate me what to do, Audrey. You’re just my wife, she’s the love of my life,” he snapped at me.

The tears are slowly creeping out of my eyes. My heart is like torn into a million pieces. Each word he said made my heart bleed.

“You said it yourself, Liam. I am your wife. Please have some decency. If you can’t love me, at least show me some respect,” I immediately turned my back on him.

I don’t want him to see the look of defeat on my face. He’s right; I am just his wife but never his love. We’re only married by paper, not by heart.

I locked myself inside the bathroom for quite a few minutes. I let my tears fall freely down my face. I told myself I was ready to accept everything just to be with him but I never thought it would hurt this bad.

Damn him! Damn him for making me feel like I was the most worthless being in this goddamned world!

I wiped my tears away and washed my face, as if it would also wash away all the traces of tears. I looked at my reflection in the mirror. My eyes are slightly red. I practiced a fake smile before opening the door again.

I saw Liam sitting in front of his small study table while doing something in his laptop, probably a report or anything about business. I went straight into our bed and lie down. I closed my eyes and tried to sleep but failed. I couldn’t help but be aware of the surroundings. A few minutes later, Liam turned off the light. I felt his weight on the bed and I almost stiffened when I smelled him. He turned his back on me and drifted to sleep. My heart was racing as I felt our skin barely touching. I closed my eyes once again, this time with a small smile on my lips.

I may not be your life, Liam, but I will always be your home.