Chapter 7 YOUR REALITY.
\~~~RAINA.
That night, I swear I slept with one of my eyes open and the other barely closed.
But when I woke up the next morning, somehow, I was on his side of the bed.
I am hugging his pillow like my life depends on it, and my leg is thrown over the other one.
For a moment, I just lie there, blinking in confusion. Then I quickly look around the room, and oh thank God, he is nowhere to be found.
A small breath of relief escapes me because God forbid if I wake up like this, but instead of a pillow, it is him.
My leg over his waist, my face buried in his chest…
Oh my dear Lord, I would dig my own grave right there and then.
Or maybe he would kill me himself… softly, with that stupid smirk of his.
“Oh, thank you, Lord,” I sit upright, kneel on the bed, and then clasp my hands together.
Shaking my head, I push myself up from the bed and toss the pillow away like it is to blame for everything.
“Get a grip, Raina,” I mutter under my breath, running my hands over my messy hair.
My legs still feel weak, maybe from fear or from how soft the bed is, and honestly, I can’t even tell anymore.
I glance around again, expecting him to appear out of thin air, and when he doesn’t, I let out another sigh and hurry toward the bathroom.
Today is going to be a very crazy day. A very active one, in fact, because I am leaving this house today.
I will return to my father’s house, get Talia, and then return her back to this bondage that is supposed to be her matrimonial home.
Because God forbids that I spend the rest of my life here.
God forbids that I stay another day here, and another night in the bed with that man, praying that he doesn’t have a mood swing and just kill me.
I finish my morning business in a rush, and that is literally the fastest I have ever spent in a bathroom.
I glance at the time and it is past nine AM, so yeah, he is probably out for work.
I grab my phone, dial my father’s number again, and there is no response again.
These people had probably decided my fate the moment they sent me to this shit hole.
And oh, my father knows. He knows I am not one to go down without a fight.
I am not Talia who would put up with his shits and he knows that.
———
I settle in the dining room, quietly having my breakfast of toasted bread, avocado, and fried egg when I feel movement in front of me and then raise my head to look at the person who just entered.
“Y… you…” I choke on my food, and I grab a glass of water hurriedly.
Luciano doesn’t say anything, he just settles opposite me and then watches as the butler hurries in and serves his meal.
“Do you not work?” I ask him before I can caution myself.
His face is as hard as stone and I can only wonder why God would bestow such perfect facial features to a man as himself who doesn’t know how to use them.
He didn’t answer, and I see no reason why he should, to be honest, because he is fully dressed in a dark brown suit, so yeah, he is obviously going to work.
“I mean… Do you always go to work this late?” I rephrase my question as I take a bite from my food.
Luciano still didn’t answer me, he just spared me a glance and then picked up his phone with one hand.
He is going to ignore me, good. I am perfect at that too.
My mother can testify that I’m the best at keeping malice, so, good for us both.
I resume eating my food, but when I can’t swallow the contents in my mouth without feeling his piercing eyes on me, I breathe out and drop my bread.
“Jesus, please, what is it?”
Then he looks at me, chewing the content in his mouth so slowly.
“Do you always have such bad sleeping habits, or is it one you’re just picking up?”
“W… what?” I let out a cough.
“I almost thought I was in a boxing ring. Your fists and legs were all over the place. It is a mystery that I didn’t die before dawn.”
Luciano says, and there’s no hint of a joke on his face. It feels like he isn’t being sarcastic, even though he sounds like it.
Well, I wouldn’t mind killing him unconsciously before he finds out about my lie and kills me instead.
“Sorry. We can just… maybe I’ll sleep in a separate bed?”
“No.”
“I am being considerate. Let’s sleep in separate rooms. The last thing I want is to kill my husband in his sleep,” I say, squinting my eyes while I twitch my lips upward.
God, the word ‘husband’ rolls off my lips so bitterly, and I can still feel it seconds after I say it.
“We share a room. No negotiation, no excuses.”
“I don’t want to injure you while yo…”
“Injure me?” His eyes drop to my lips, then my chest.
God, I am fully clothed but this man just makes me feel so bare!
“You should be the one to worry, sunshine.”
He just threatened me, no?
That is a warning, yes?
Whatever, but I don’t like the sound of that.
I clasp my hands together and then drop them on the table.
“I am stepping out today.”
He didn’t answer.
“I am going to see my parents,” I add, watching him closely.
When he still doesn’t say anything, I nod my head and then pick up my bread.
“I am just telling you, not like I seek permission or anything. You wouldn’t confine me here, right?” I go on, blabbing.
“And what exactly are you going to see them for?” he finally asks.
I laugh awkwardly. “Come on, what reason does a child need to see her own parents?”
“Our marriage was yesterday, and you are going to see them today. Anyone would think there is trouble in our marriage already,” he says.
Who cares what anyone thinks? The issue is that I don’t want to remain here!
I didn’t say that loudly, of course, so I said instead, “More reason to see them. I mean, to thank everyone.”
“Listen,” he grabs the serviette paper and then leans forward, dabbing his lower lip gently.
“I could confine you here if I want. I could do so if need be.”
Why would anyone say that to someone who is supposed to be their wife?
‘Why is this man so sick?’ I mutter under my breath, pulling a fistful of my hair.
“But I won’t do that,” he says, like I am supposed to fall at his feet for such a kind gesture.
Then he adds, his voice low and firm, “But listen to me, the last thing I will make you feel is the hallucination that this marriage is not real, or null, just because we didn’t consummate it.”
His gaze darkens, and the words that follow make my breath hitch.
“And trust me, wife, when I decide it is time, you will know, because I will make it your reality.”