Chapter 37 Role
KIA
Although being Ares' wife was nice, I was oblivious to the true meaning of marriage outside of our shared love and commitment. I had such bad feelings. What were our roles? What exactly does "being a wife" logically mean? Then it hit me: being a wife can be anything I want it to be.
Something about the institution's conventions was giving me trouble, but I knew Ares and I would decide on our marriage as we went through life together. Are we going to open a joint checking account? purchase a home? adopt an infant? But our relationship has only lasted two years. It's too late now; four months have gone by.
This night, over chicken adobo, I paused from eating, put my spoon and fork down, and looked at him across the table.
“You know, this is absolutely lovely, but you don’t have to do this every time,” I said. “It’s not something I’d ever expect. I can always heat up a frozen pizza or cook for us too.”
“What do you mean?” he asked curiously.
“Don’t you see? You are always the one who cooks for us, even though at first you were not really into cooking, but you tried to learn it and now here you are. I really appreciate all of the meals you serve, but I think it is my duty to do that kind of work here...”
“Hon, I did that because I wanted to. I wanted to make meals for you every day and every night. I want to see you happy whenever you taste the food that I cook. You make my heart melt," he explained.
I can see his genuine intention in his eyes. There are many things I look for in a relationship and in a partner since I experienced such traumatic things in life. Loyalty and respect are at the top. A relationship that is based completely on loyalty and respect. I would never want my partner to make me feel like I was a second choice or not good enough for them, just as much as I would not want my partner to feel that way. The good thing is that I have never felt that way since I married Ares. But I want to be a good wife for him. I want to show him that I am capable of doing things that wives do.
“But, you already did a lot for this marriage. You are the provider of this home. I can't just depend on you for everything. I am your wife, your partner. However, I feel like I am not doing much as your wife.”
“Hon, I am happy that I do this for you. But if you want to cook for us, of course you can do it. I will let you be the head of this home. But you know what? You are already a good wife, a perfect wife for me. I have prayed to God to give me a woman like you and fortunately, he gave me you! That is why those things are just small things I can do to make the person that God gave me happy.”
“Really?” I asked. He answered me with a smile and a nod. “From now on, I will do the things that a wife does. It is enough that you are working for us. You are tired from work. I can’t just make you do chores or cook for us. From now on, I will be the one who will prepare our food!”
“Alright! Sounds exciting, hon. I can’t wait to taste the first meal that you will prepare for us!” he said, and he looked so happy with it.
“By the way, how is work? I heard some rumors that the company you are working at has a lot of enemies in the industry. What happened?”
He seemed like he didn’t expect my question as he stared at me. “Everything is fine! Yeah, enemies are things you can’t avoid in business, but the Vueravista Company is handling it very well.”
“How long have you worked for them?”
“Mhm… Almost six years?”
“Six years? So, you mean you were still studying when you entered the Vueravista Company? How is that possible?”
“...Uhm… The— the former CEO of that company gave me a scholarship to study, and he seemed like he saw my potential, so maybe that is the reason why he hired me, but I didn’t start with the secretary role… Yeah!” he answered.
I nodded as I listened to him. He seems to be a really smart person, and the former CEO of their company ended up giving him a scholarship.
“Do you have work tomorrow?” I asked.
He was still chewing his food, so he answered with a nod. He immediately swallowed it and prepared himself to answer my question, “Yes, I have. We are actually busy, so I can’t have lunch with you tomorrow, but I promise that I will make it up to you at dinner—”
“Oh, no. It’s fine! …Mhm… how about I go there tomorrow to bring your lunch?" I suggested.
I composed myself before saying it, but he seemed shocked to hear that from me. His eyes widened and it seemed like he didn’t expect everything that I said.
“Are you okay?” I was so worried that he paused for about a minute.
A sudden cough indicated that he had choked on what he was eating. I immediately got up and gave him a glass of water.
“Okay, slow down… Are you okay?”
“Ye—yes! Everything is fine. Thank you, hon! I just didn’t expect that question from you…”
“Oh, is that so… Just tell me whenever you are ready to introduce me to workmates—”
“Hon, it is not like that. I just… just… Argh!” he bent down while holding his hair.
“Don’t worry, hon. It’s fine! I know it is not easy to adjust those things. So, it is not a big deal—”
“You can come!” he suddenly answered.
“What?”
He stood up and held my hand while having eye to eye contact with me. “I am proud that you are my wife. Of course you can go to the office whenever you like. Just tell me first because sometimes my work is overloaded and I can’t meet anyone whenever that happens.”
“Really? Sure, I will tell you first! Oh, are you busy tomorrow? If you are busy, I can just leave your food at the guard." I suggested.
“Great idea! We will see if I am busy tomorrow or not.”
After we finished eating, I washed the dishes. Since I don't have class tomorrow and he still has to work, I let him rest first. Ares made me realise that an ideal partner would be a combination of many different qualities. And being content is also a key to a healthy relationship. I wish that Ares would never do the thing that my ex does.
-
ARES
I immediately grabbed my phone when I entered our room. Kianna is still busy washing the dishes in the kitchen. I volunteered to do that, but she insisted on doing it herself.
* ringing * ringing * ringing *
[Hello, boss?]
“Why did you answer it so long?!”
[S-sorry, boss! I am in the midst of my dreams when you suddenly call…]
“Fine. Tomorrow I want you to act as the CEO of the company. My wife will be there at lunch, and she didn’t know that I am the CEO of Vueravista Company.”
[What?! H-how?! Why?!]
“Quiet! Just do what I say. Act as the CEO and make sure that she will not see anything that has my name on it. Understand?”
[Got it, boss. I have a question. Can I do it tomorrow, boss—]
“Do it now!”
“Yes, boss!”
