Chapter 21 Have Mercy
After a monotonous day at work, my mind was stuck on what Perry said and that fact Vince did it for me made my heart race.
Smiling to myself, I returned home and waited for him to return as well. A strange, lull-providing sensation surged in me.
“Welcome home,” I greeted him sweetly.
He couldn’t help but to smile, “Hey. You are in a good mood today, seems like your day was amazing,”
“Who knows?” I shrugged, not wiping the smile.
“Good for you,” Giving my head a pat, he walked away, going back to his room, evoking an unfathomable feeling.
Touching my head, I watched his leave as he came back after freshening up and we were having dinner together.
“Vince…”
“Hmm?”
“I didn’t think you would actually do this,” I trailed off, twirling my fork around the food, an unknown twinkle brimming.
“Obviously. You complained. I had to do something about it,” He hummed nonchalantly as if it meant nothing to him.
But, the fact when I was left all alone with no support yet he stayed, meant a lot to me. Noticing my daze, he asked hesitantly.
“Did you not like it?”
Clearing my throat, I chuckled faintly, “No, in fact, I like it,”
“Really?” He leaned forward, narrowing his eyes in suspicion.
“Mhm. I don't remember when was the last time someone did something so sweet for me without me having to beg them,” I whispered sincerely.
He was taken back, backing away quickly.
“Thank you,”
“It's my duty after all,” He mumbled and continued eating but I couldn’t help but glance at him from time to time.
He may haven't realised but all my life, my wishes were completed- yes- but I had to plead, shed tears for it.
From my first kiss to getting married to Ken- I had to beg with pathetic tears rolling down my cheeks.
Yes, I literally requested like a wimp to my first love to kiss me before leaving.
After dinner, I was about to leave for my room but I couldn’t help but to notice how all the helpers were glaring at me like I was some homewrecker.
It unsettled me each time I could feel them whispering about me and disturbed immensely, I decided to complain to Vince.
He was in the lounge, laying on the couch, watching some series on his phone while munching on some snacks, indulging in his alone time.
“Ahem,” I called, getting his attention.
“Oh, Alyssa,” He smiled, sitting up, giving me space to sit with his eyes still on the screen.
“Um, Vince, listen,”
“Yes, what is it?”
“I don’t like the way your helpers glare at me. They talk about me behind my back, and I don’t want to create more rumors,”
“I will shut them up, don’t worry about it,” He replied nonchalantly, gesturing to me to relax.
“I think I should go back to Uncle. I don’t want to bother you by staying at your home,”
The second I said it, he switched off the screen, returning me an austere look that got me worried I might not have said something wrong
“Alyssa,”
My shoulder tense when he turned to me with hardened features, enunciating what I couldn’t fathom.
“This mansion became ‘our’ home the moment you stepped into it,”
Curling my toes in vexation, I lowered my head but he placed his hand over mine, giving it a firm squeeze.
“This is your home too, you are not going anywhere.”
Staggered, for a moment, I didn’t know how to react, staring at the sincere man before me.
Those humble words engraved a calmness I abandoned hopes of receiving. But, I was too afraid to sway in someone’s words.
Subsequently, not letting his kindness evoke fake hopes, I tried to shift the topic.
“What about Astrid? What if she came? Where will I hide?”
He frowned, not liking how I placed the situation.
“Why do you have to hide? What are you? My mistress? You are my legally wedded bride,”
Forming my lips in a thin line, I mumbled, “But I don't want to cause you troubles,”
Rolling his eyes, he leaned back, resting his one leg over the other dominantly while extending his one hand over the headrest.
“I married you on my free will. Nobody forced me so this trouble is equally ours. We will deal with it,”
“But-”
“Stop worrying too much, Alyssa.” He sighed.
“How can I not? What will people say?”
He scoffed, “You never cared about this before,”
“I never did that is why look at me, what terrible point I have reached. Who do I have left?” I scoffed back.
Refusing to make stupid mistakes this time that could ruin me. My choices had done nothing but to damage me.
He opened his mouth to retort back but decided not to and took a deep breath as if he was controlling himself.
Staring at my distressed features for a few seconds, he softened, leaning forward, whispering compassionately.
“Look at yourself, what has Ken done to you? What have you become?"
Fading my anger as well as I looked down in shame, gripping my dress with tears filling.
“My one wrong decision of marrying the wrong guy and deserting everything for it had begun to suffocate me, Vince,”
“In that case, the only piece of advice I have for you is…”
My voice broke but before it could liberate sob, he exhaled and rose from the seat, patting my shoulder for… assurance? I guess.
“Have mercy on yourself at least,”
I knew he was not wrong but the question was- How should I do that?