Secrets I've Held in My Heart

Chapter 12 : Ava

The room fell into a deep and unsettling silence after Christian's departure. The darkness seemed to intensify, wrapping itself like a heavy cloak around everything. I was left alone, with only the echo of my thoughts for company, on this particularly solitary night. His absence weighed on me, creating a void that echoed through the room, reminding me of the loneliness I now had to endure.

"Why would he do that? Doesn't he want a fresh start? Doesn't he want to take our marriage to the next level?" I pondered silently, the weight of confusion pressing down on me.

But a harsh inner voice countered my hopeful thoughts, reminding me of an unpleasant truth. "Hey, don't be naive, Ava. He was forced to marry you. Your dad and Uncle Alfred forced him into this marriage. He only sees you as a friend. Nothing more than that."

The night stretched on, empty and desolate as Christian failed to return. In the midst of waiting for his elusive presence, I lost track of time. The room, so vast and eerily quiet, seemed to swallow me whole.

As the hours passed by, fatigue crept in, and I found myself succumbing to exhaustion. I couldn't remember when my eyelids grew heavy, and I drifted into a fitful sleep, alone in that cavernous, dimly lit chamber, haunted by unanswered questions and the uncertain future of a marriage born of obligation rather than love.

THE FOLLOWING MORNING...

Warm sunlight pierced through the curtains, gently rousing me from my slumber. I groggily glanced at the alarm clock resting on the bedside table – 7 AM, my usual waking hour.

In my half-awake state, I slid out of bed and slipped on a pair of slippers before instinctively shuffling towards the bathroom. The steady sound of the shower's water echoed in the background, but in my drowsy haze, I didn't pay it much heed. It hadn't even registered in my foggy mind that this wasn't my room, and Christian and I were now sharing the same space.

I picked up the solitary toothbrush from its holder and began scrubbing my teeth, my reflection in the mirror showing me with half-opened eyes, messy hair, and a mouth filled with foamy toothpaste.

As I wrapped up my morning brushing routine and transitioned to gargling, my ears perked up at the distinct sound of approaching footsteps. Without a second thought, I spat a mouthful of water into the basin, my heart quickening with anticipation.

With a swift turn, I faced the source of those approaching footsteps, and there he was – Christian, right before me, his figure emerged from the misty bathroom, his hair wet, bare upper half & lower half wrapped in a crisp white towel. Every sculpted muscle of his chiseled six-pack abs was accentuated, glistening with the lingering droplets of water that caressed his form. It was a sight that tempted me, igniting a fire within, compelling me to trace each contour with my fingertips and worship his body with an intensity only forbidden temptation could inspire.

"Why don't you snap a picture, moonlight," his smooth, relaxed voice broke the spell, pulling me back from my trance and back to my senses. Suddenly, the realization hit me like a bucket of cold water – this wasn't my bathroom, and the toothbrush in my hand didn't belong to me either. And, oh boy, there was that awkward moment of me totally drooling over Christian's ripped physique.

"Omg!" I blurted out, my face turning a deep shade of red as I quickly shielded my eyes with my hand, as if that would erase my embarrassment. "I'm terribly sorry, Christian," I confessed in a hushed, apologetic tone, my voice still tinged with embarrassment. "I honestly mistook this for my bathroom."

"Oh, s**t!" He exclaimed suddenly, catching me off guard. "I dropped my towel."

Startled, I instinctively uncovered my eyes and glanced in his direction, only to realize a second later that I had been caught red-handed. "Oh, no! I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to peek," I stammered out in embarrassment while covering my eyes again.

My face turned a bright shade of crimson as I tried to make sense of the situation. "But wait a minute," I uncovered my eyes again and observed him closely, feeling a mixture of relief and confusion. "Your towel is right where it should be. It didn't drop."

He smirked mischievously and retorted, "I was just trying to sober you up, moonlight. I think you are just half awake. Because as you can see..." Slowly, he closed the distance between us, causing my heart to race uncontrollably. "This is your bathroom too," he whispered, his fingers gently brushing a strand of hair away from my face, tucking it behind my ear. "Not only this bathroom, but everything that was once mine is now yours, moonlight."

He then furrowed his brow, rested his hands on his hips, and continued with a playful tone, "By the way, I said I dropped my towel, and you uncovered your eyes. Questionable manners, moonlight," he teased, the sound of an amused tsk punctuating his words.

I squinted my eyes, putting on an exaggeratedly offended expression, and warned, "Do you want me to pull that towel for you?"

"Oh my god," he exclaimed, quickly covering his chest with one hand while clutching the towel knot with the other, playfully pretending to shield it from my reach. "Control your desires, moonlight."

"Christian!" I called his name in a slow and earnest tone, attempting to quell his teasing.

"Fine," he raised his hands in surrender, a grin still playing on his lips, and finally exited the bathroom.

As he departed, a small but genuine smile tugged at the corners of my lips, accompanied by the comforting realization that everything between us was indeed just fine.

I cherished this particular aspect of our relationship. Our friendship, laced with these little, playful arguments and teasing, felt like a secret treasure. We were a married couple who, at the end of the day, were simply best friends. Our friendship will be the glue that'll hold us together and make our connection truly special.

HALF AN HOUR LATER...

I took the time to freshen up and carefully chose my outfit. It was a reminder that I had transitioned from being a daughter of my dad to becoming a wife and a daughter-in-law in the Forbes family. My name now bore Christian's surname, signifying my new role as his wife, and I felt the responsibility to reflect that in how I presented myself.

For the morning, I opted for a tasteful knee-length dress in a muted shade of lavender, accentuated by a delicate pearl necklace that had been a last gift by my late father. The attire struck a harmonious balance between elegance and comfort, perfect for the occasion.

With a deep breath, I descended the grand staircase, feeling the weight of my new roles as both a wife and a daughter-in-law. I headed towards the dining hall, ready to join the Forbes family for breakfast, embodying the grace and poise that came with my new identity.

To be continued…