The Unwanted Marriage

Chapter 2: The Past

Aimee's POV

I rake my long black hair and frustratingly pull it. "Argh!" I tried to calm myself by taking a deep breath. However, the image of my husband boredly staring back at me and the grin of Pearl made me more irritated. "f*****g assholes!" I murmur while hitting my steering wheel. Good thing I'm in the red light, I still have time to compose myself. I pull out my phone in my pocket and dial my best friend's number. I set it in a loudspeaker and placed it in the phone holder that I bought for my car. After three rings, she answers. 

"Hello, Aimee?" her high-pitched voice answered. 

"Janine, are you free?" I asked. I gulped down the stone-like feeling blocking in my throat and sniffed silently as I felt the tears forming in my eyes. The lights turned green. I pushed down my hand brake and shifted the gear to drive before continuing. 

"Yes, Aimee, I'm free. I canceled my date with Drake early this morning cuz he's annoying as hell." I heard the irritation in her voice. I can even imagine her rolling her eyes while telling me about her new boy that she won't be meeting today.

"C-Can I come o-over?" I bit my lower lip when I failed to not stutter. I hold the stirring wheel tightly. I can already feel the itchiness forming on my palm due to its friction.

Silence embraces the call. I immediately wiped the tear that escaped from my right eye and sniffed quietly for her to not notice it. But knowing her, of course, she knows.

"Aimee, what happened?" she asked in a gentle and caring voice. I bit my lower lip while the tears started falling down my cheeks. I felt my lips quivering and my eyes are starting to get blurry. I don't want to cause an accident nor to get into an accident so I immediately pull over. "Aimee, are you okay? Goodness, I heard the squeaking of your car wheels! Don't hit the gas and maintain a minimum speed!"

The heaviness in my heart was lifted a bit when I heard the panic in her voice and her overreacting tone. I chuckled and wipe off my tears. "I'm fine," I assure her. I make a deep sigh and shifted my gear to drive. "I'm going to tell you later." Knowing that someone cares for you and is afraid to lose you in a stupid car accident makes me smile. 

"Okay, but don't end the call. I want to know you're safe." My smile grew wider even I know she won't see it. Good thing, I have my best friend. I met her in college. We both know almost everything about the two of us. Sometimes, she already knows the news even before I can hear it: just like my marriage with Clyver. Before my parents talk to me regarding the arranged wedding, she already told me about its possibility. 

"The Finnsons needs a partnership company. I bet they will choose your employment agency." Janine said. Her family owns a food and beverage company called SmithGill. They also hired their employees thru our agency. Janine and I are in the same world. It became easy for us to gather news from others since both of our families are in the business industry.

"How can you say so?" I shot a brow up. We are in one of the social gatherings that were supervised by the Levrinne. I bet they are organizing such an extravagant and luxurious party to end the rumors about their company's bankruptcy. They are the top and well-known chain of fast-food restaurants here in the Philippines for decades. No wonder why most in the business world are waiting for their fall. 

"Just-just," Janine answered and slightly chuckled. My eyes landed on the wine in her hand. I shook my head and picked a piece of peanut placed on our table. 

"Seriously Janine, I'm going to be fine. I'll be there before 15," I answered. 

"Just don't end the call!" Fortunately, the phone isn't in my ears. With her high-pitched voice, I bet my ears couldn't handle such volume.  

"Fine, I won't!" I answered just so she will stop. But that didn't happen. Throughout the drive, she didn't stop talking. She kept on asking me from time to time if I'm doing fine and making sure I'm not doing anything stupid. As much as I wanted to roll my eyes, I stopped myself. Why would I hurt myself over a man? I was emotional earlier but it doesn't mean I couldn't handle it well. After all, I'm used to this setup. From the past three months of our marriage, he never really cared for me. The only reason that we are together is because of our families. I wonder why he endures staying with me where in fact, he can afford to leave. 

I got to Janine's condo with the call still on. She didn't let me end it until she saw me right onto her doorstep. 

"Come in." She opened the door wide and pull me by my wrist. Our eyes met and for a second, we do nothing other than stare at each other. "What happened?" she asked after a moment of silence.

I walk straight to her sofa, lean comfortably, and let my head fall back. "He went to have lunch with his girlfriend..." I stated with eyes closed. "... right after we had s*x." I straightened my back, opened my eyes, and look at my best friend's worried face. "Do you think this marriage will work?"

Janine reached for my hand and gently squeezed it. "It's only been three months since your marriage. I think it's too early for you to conclude that it will fail." I nod my head to her answer but deep inside, it's bothering me. Most of the arranged marriage that I know fails, some are lucky to succeed. 

You were lucky if you both like each other. In my case, it's obviously not. I closed my eyes again as I reminisce a specific scene in the past.

A hand caught my arm. I flinch a bit as I felt his grip tighten. When I turn to face him, his grim expression welcomed me. 

"What are you doing here?" I asked and freed my arms from him. The night wind blew, making my hair dance with it. I am on the veranda of the Finnson's mansion, taking some fresh air when Clyver showed. 

"Tell them to stop this s**t," he boredly answered and drank the glass of whiskey in his hand. I took the time to stare at him. His angled jaw and subtle beard make him look more mature than a 25-year-old man. 

I knew him since college, but even we are in the business industry, I am not certain if he is aware of my existence. Not until the day our parents announced to us our marriage. 

"Why don't you tell them?" I shrugged and turn my back at him. I looked down at their spacious garden filled with carved bushes and a variety of flowers. I heard Mrs. Finnson is fond of flowers. That is why their house is filled with one. I wonder if Clyver is the same as his father. 

I heard his footsteps approaching and I felt his presence beside me. "They won't listen to me. But I'm pretty sure your parents will." I felt a sudden pang in my chest. Am I this unlikeable? "Persuade your parents to cancel the arrangement. If they won't agree, then suggest to them that you should instead marry my brother. After all, he's older than me." I turned my head to him. His eyes were darted on the garden below us, refusing to look at me. 

At this angle, I have a perfect view of his angled jaw and dark brown eyes. I avoided my gaze when he was about to look back at me."They won't listen to me either," I lied. Before we have this dinner, my parents asked me how I feel about this. They clearly told me I can say no if I don't want to. But of course, as someone who has had an eye on Clyver since college, why would I refuse?

"Look, Aimee..." The sound of my name escaping his lips made my heart race. This is the first time I ever heard him call me. I shifted on my place and made a step away from him, afraid that he might notice how he is affecting me. "I have a girlfriend," he continued. My heartbeat pounded loudly but unlike earlier, it is not because of how good he pronounced my name rather, the beating of my heart gives pain. 

I acted surprised and face him with a fake expression. He is leaning forward on the railing with his elbow resting on it. "I thought you already broke up with Betty?" I said. One side of his lips stretched upward. He turned to face me with a smirk on his lips. 

"So you know what's going on with my life, huh," he teased. My eye blinked uncontrollably which forced me to avoid my line of sight. I did not answer him. I can sense him staring at me but I maintained my straight face. "I am in a relationship with Pearl," he added. 

I was left dumbfounded. Janine and I were talking about his break up with Betty a week ago, and now, he's in a relationship with the girl named Pearl? "What do you want me to do then? The wedding will be held two months after."

"You can stop your parents. You are their only daughter. I don't think they will refuse to hear you." 

I suck my inside cheeks to stop myself from rudely responding. "Why don't you do it? I already told you, my parents won't agree," I lied. "Tell them to make me marry your brother instead."

"Clinton is way better than me, Aimee." I felt my heart getting wild. I furrowed y brows to hide my nervous expression but the cold blow of the wind isn't helping at all. The small strands of my hair at the back of my head started standing up. I crossed my hands over my chest and brushed my hands on my arms to create some heat. I am wearing a sleeveless and backless dress for this dinner. If I knew I would spend more on their veranda, I should have worn long sleeves.

"Your brother is starting a small business in the States, right?" I asked. I heard Clinton refused to handle the Finnson Inc. Unlike Clyver, Clinton is the serious type of guy and a beast in business. Everyone knew their family business will bloom more if Clinton will handle it. He is the exact opposite of Clyver who's goofy and carefree. The only thing that the brothers share is that girls flock both on their feet.

"Yeah," he answered. In my peripheral vision, I saw him putting down his glass and removing his coat. He is wearing a suit, which is for me, very formal for a simple dinner. "Take it," he said while handing me his coat. His hands are up in the air, waiting for me to accept his offer. I took the coat from him and I felt our fingers brush. For him it was nothing, but for me, it's a big deal. That was the first closest intimacy that I have with him. 

I cleared my throat after putting on his coat. I felt the warmth of the luxurious fabric wrapping around my body. "So, why did Clinton want to start his own business? Your family's company is doing great," I asked, trying to sound casual. 

"He wanted to make a name on his own. Such a workaholic i***t," he commented. I pouted my lips to stop myself from smiling. I don't know why I am drawn to him. He is nothing but a manwhore and too carefree for a 25-year-old man. 

"Your brother seems a busy man..." I stared at the vast night blue sky before continuing. "I don't want to marry such a man," I confessed. The air went dead and the silence embraced us. Surprisingly, I didn't feel embarrassed. I felt him fixing his stance and standing straight from leaning. 

"You won't be happy to me either. I am not the man who settles," he casually answered. I wanted to chuckle but I halted by biting my bottom lip. He answered me so fast that made me think he didn't understand what I'd said. I just confessed to him that I want to marry him. It's either he didn't get it or he chose to not understand or maybe he did understand but he doesn't want to entertain my feelings. 

"You don't need to. We only need your company and your name." Another lie. Although the last sentence is partly true, of course, if ever we got married, I want him to settle. I want to be his wife and I want him to be a husband. 

He didn't answer me but instead, he turn his back at me and walk inside their house. At that moment, I knew... I knew that this won't be easy for me yet here I am, still hoping that one day, it will be different.

I was snapped back in the present when I heard my best friend's voice. "He was already with Pearl before you got married," Janine stated. "Maybe he was thinking that you're only marrying him for his name?" 

I shrugged. "I don't know." I opened my eyes and faced her. "But he should break up with her, right? We were in a f*****g marriage! He's so immature," I ranted.

"You agreed to his terms, Aimee." Janine stand in her seat and went to the kitchen. I watch her while absorbing what she said. As she grabbed a bag of chips, I sighed when I realized she's right. He agreed to marry me if I will agree to not tie him down. We were married for three months and he's been in a relationship with Pearl for five months now. To be honest, as someone who watches him since college, this is the longest relationship he's in. Most of the time, he will only last a month. This made me think that he's serious with Pearl and I am the villain who stands as the barrier towards their happy ending. 

Janine was right. It is my fault that I am in this situation. I married him this way and I should not hope he will change immediately. After all, marrying a man won't make him your man. A man will only be your man if he wanted to.

"Want some chips?" Janine handed me the freshly opened bag of junk food. I inserted my hand and mindlessly grab one. 

"What will I do now... How long should I wait for him to man up?" I weakly murmured while chewing. The thought of him with Pearl annoys me. But what frustrates me is the fact that even I am the wife, I can't force my way into his life. I couldn't tell him to leave her girlfriend and be a husband to me since I agreed to this kind of set-up. I don't know if I should regret this. It may sound ironic and martyr but no matter how painful this marriage is, I am still happy. 

"I honestly don't get why you like him. Clyver is my friend. I knew him since we were a kid. he was a trouble maker and a rebel to his family. I don't understand why a woman like you wanted him." I stared at my best friend who shoved a handful of chips into her mouth. Her fingers glittered due to the oil of the chips she's eating. "Is it because of the looks? The money? His name and fame?" I only gave her a sigh since even I don't know how and what to answer her. "Come on, Aimee. We aren't teen to be drawn to such things."

I almost bawl in laughter at what she said. "Coming from someone who changes man almost every week."

"Correction: every three weeks," she said. 

Janine is beautiful. She has a slender body and long wavy blonde hair which complemented her high cheekbones and fair skin. No wonder why boys agree to be with her without second thoughts. 

"See?" I hissed.

She rolled her eyes. "Mine is different, Aimee. I and my guys agreed to be in a no-strings-attached type of relationship. It is only proper for me to choose someone who is good looking and can afford to buy me my vices."

"I and Clyver are not in a relationship..." even we're married, I don't think I can consider it as one. "We agreed to not tie each other down."

"You only agreed because you like him but not because you do REALLY agree," she emphasized. "You don't deserve to wait for him to man up. If he doesn't like to, he won't. You should know that. Aimee, stop being a slave of that man."

I grabbed the bag of chips from her hand and started shoving the chips into my mouth. This way, she can't force me to speak. She only shook her head when she realize I won't listen.

I like Clyver. I got into a relationship before but none of them make me feel the way I feel to my husband. He's the only man who can make my heart flutter. He's the only one who can make me feel warmth amidst the cold. I am aware I'm playing with fire. But just like I've said, it's too early for me to give up. No matter how many girls he's been and he will be with, the important thing is at the end of the day, he will go home to me. 

This is a f**k up mindset but this is where I am happy. Eventually, he will realize I am the one for him. He's already 25. Time will come and he will choose to settle. I just need to wait. I think I can wait. 

My phone vibrated. I pulled it out of my sweatpants. I pouted my lips and chew the chips in my mouth to hide the excitement of my heart when I read the message. 

"Ugh! Seriously?" Janine commented, aware of what I am probably reading. 

'Go home, I'm already here.'

I quickly typed my reply to him. 'Coming.'

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Unedited. Expect typo, spelling, and grammatical errors.

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The Unwanted Marriage

by: Joanne Cristel

©2021

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