The Husband

Fuck.

My head is spinning the moment I opened my eyes, but what confused me is that I’m not familiar with all the details I’m seeing.

“I didn’t even drink last night,” I muttered, I tried to sit, “Where the hell am I?”

“You’re in my condo,”

“Fuck!” I exclaimed and held my chest, “Why—“ I halt when everything sink to my mind, and to add up, the man in front of me.

“Long time no see, dear wife. How have you been?” his voice is low and calm, “You’re good at hiding, I even had a hard time looking for you even if I had Anastasia around,”

“Well, isn’t that obvious? That I’m hiding from you, and why would you go and look for me? It’s not as if I’m your first fuck,” I tried to be as civil and unbothered as possible.

“But I’m your first,” I think I got my tongue cut, “Am I wrong?”

“That thing is for me to think about, not you,” I try to stand up, I sigh in relief when I saw my clothes still intact to my body like I remember it was supposed to be.

“Eat breakfast first, then drink this,” he said and handed me a small bottle, I suspiciously looked at him, then back to the drink, “You were drugged last night, this will help you to detoxicate,”

“Oh,” I said, and added nothing after, he was right, I was drugged—unaware, my breath hitched, remembering what happened to me last night, it was a nightmare, never in my mind that I imagine it will happen to me. I silently drink, I winched, it was bitter but the aftertaste was sweet.

“Let’s go and eat. Then I’ll drop you off, you still have an hour to prepare yourself,” He said as if it was the most usual thing to say.

I did not talk back and just obliged, for now, I have to prepare, or I’ll be late. I’ll thank him after He dropped me off, that will be the nicest thing that I could ever do, or maybe treat him to a meal? Nah; that would put me in an awkward position.

Warm water calm my throbbing head and aching body, however; after remembering that I have work to go to, I finish and wear my extra clothes, listening to my instinct is a life savior, or I’ll smell like yesterday.

His room is definitely clean, like a lady-used room. It’s too tidy for a man. His room’s theme is white and wood, it was relaxing. His walls are painted with maple color, his interior were mostly white with a touch of black and gray. He had one sofa, and a rounded glass table, on its left near the window, I can see his four-door wardrobe, but what caught my attention is the bookshelves containing familiar books I must have read before.

“Eli!” I was surprised when Grayson said my name, I sighed and get my things before exiting the room. Something delicious filled my nostril. It was easy to know where the kitchen was, I can hear the utensils. Grayson was wearing a black apron, a sweatshirt, and jogging pants behind it, Let’s eat,”

I sat and looked at him, it’s been a while since I got served, so it was a bit awkward, nonetheless, I starts to scoop some rice, bacon, and egg, I sip from a coffee beside me, “Thank you,” I muttered, he nodded and put some am on his toast.

I silently started to devour the food in front of me, my stomach is growling and I have no time to make any unnecessary thoughts. We are eating in silence until I finished mine. I was about to stand up to wash it when he stopped me.

“I’ll handle that,” He was looking—no, he was staring at me, like he wanted to say something, but decided not to.

“Let me at least do this as my way of expressing my gratitude,” I saw in a low voice.

“If you want to express your gratitude.” He stands up and puts on some plastic wrappers on the leftover foods, and put the dishes on the dishwasher, including the plate that I was holding, while I, just look following his movements, and wash his hands before looking back at me, “Have dinner with me tonight,”

I didn’t have the chance to think of anything to refuse his demand, I silently came with him inside his car, I even heard some personnel greeting their good mornings to him, to which he responded with a simple nod. He opened the passenger door, and motion me to get inside, which I did.

“Won’t you ask me why I was looking for you?” he said to break the silence.

“No, I don’t intend to know anything about you,” I said, still looking outside to occupy myself and stop from thinking of anything I don’t accept.

“Then why did you leave that day? I knew you checked the legitimacy of our marriage,” he took a brief glance at him, and I saw how he effortlessly maneuvered the car.

“Yes, about that. Can’t we file papers for divorce? I mean, it was a pure mistake, I heard that can be a ground for divorce, intoxication? Wasn’t it?”

He did not answer, confusion filled my mind; what would be the reason why he agreed on having a divorce? Won’t that be beneficial to both of us?

We arrived at my workplace twenty minutes before nine o’clock, I get off his car, but what surprised me is that he got off too.

“What?” I said, “Don’t tell me, you’re going to walk me up to my table?” I jokingly said and waved my hand.

“That’s a good idea, let’s go, Wife.” His voice is unbothered.

“What?! No! Why would you do that? Go home, Grayson!” I panicked a bit, but still remain my composure, some eyes were looking at us.

“Let’s go, I just wanted to know what you’re up to,” he was smirking, what the fuck is his problem? One second he’s dead-ass serious, then suddenly becomes an asshole-smirky-joky guy.

“No, go home—“

“Ms. Marquez,” I heard a familiar voice behind Grayson, I stopped myself from rolling my eyes, “It’s too early for a love squirrel, don’t you think?” Marco took a glance at Grayson, “And this man must be your sibling—“

“You must be the new director?”

Marco’s expression is fucking annoying, he looked so impressed and proud that someone knew him without even telling him who he is. He must have made himself known that I didn’t know he was this famous—

“Yes, and you must be who?” Marco looked at him from head to foot, looking at his white shirt and black ragged, paired with sneakers, “Oh, Ms. Marquez’s driver?” Then looked at me with a mocking smile on his face, “Oh, your lover? You haven’t changed, you still know how to pick some garbage,” He chuckled, “I see,”

I saw how Grayson’s jaw gritted, his eyes were dark and emotionless, “I’m the owner of this company, haven’t you heard?” My jaw—no, even Marco’s jaw dropped, “And oh, I’m not her driver, even I’m willing to be, and yes a lover, but to be specific,” he held my hand and smirked, “I’m the husband,”