1

Five months, it has been that long since I was wed off in this arranged marriage to Lewis, Lewis is my husband more like a stranger. I’m just another body that walks these halls, I knock on the door to his study, letting myself in, holding a piece of toasted banana bread on a plate with a mug of black coffee mixed with two sugars. “Here” I say putting down the coffee and banana bread, he doesn’t even look up to acknowledge me, instead he picks up his mug taking a sip of his coffee. I shook my head walking out of his office, closing the door behind me feeling neglected, we sleep in the same room but he keeps a distance between us. I walked over to the kitchen leaning against the counter as I took the tablet in my hand, swallowing it with the drink of water.

Shaking my head in disappointment as I go to the spare room where I have been sleeping since this marriage became official. I got dressed and did my hair with a braid into a ponytail, I needed to get out of this house and get some air. I left the house slamming the door shut behind me locking it, I took the Aston Martin into town. I arrived in town going to the mall buying some new clothes to wear around the so-called house and three nice dresses. I passed Bernadettes, one of the most luxurious lingerie stores. Walking inside looking at the different styled bras and panties. There will never be a chance I’d get to wear these. “Miss, may I help you?” a middle-aged lady asked, “I’m just looking” I said kindly and she returned a smile.

“Looking for something to help your confidence?” she asked, snapping me out of my thoughts, “how’d you guess?” I asked and she pulled out a bra off the rack. “I know a girl in confidence distress when I see one so try these on” she said handing me a royal blue laced silver diamond chain set. Making my way to the change rooms, closing the curtain and stripping down to put them on, I stood in front of the mirror looking at my appearance in the lingerie set. “Miss do you need assistance?” the lady asked and i peeked my head out, “is it meant to look like this?” I asked and she gave a small smile and walked in. “It looks perfect on you maybe a cup size down but other than that perfect” she complimented. She looked at the tag of the size I currently had on and went out to grab another to give me. After trying on the second one I went to the counter to pay then left. Leaving the store, I walked past the other stores and stopped at the store scandalously seeing the dresses on display, walking inside seeing a few other ladies trying on dresses and the workers walking around carrying garment bags. I walked along the many aisles with dresses placed alongside each other, running my fingers along the fabric.

A light blue cami dress caught my eye, pulling the dress out seeing the straps criss-crossed and the dress backless. The split at the thigh, pulling the dress out and holding it up against me and turning to the mirror to see myself. I could already see the rolls on my body and visualize just how it would look. I took the dress up to the counter paying for it and on my way out spotted two more dresses picking them out and paying for them as well. I left with three garment bags along with my small bag containing lingerie garments.

A little while later I got home, opening the door to see Lewis pacing the foyer on the phone until he looked my way. He hung up his call and marched over to me grabbing me by my shoulders, “what were you thinking I was worried sick!” he yelled making me close my eyes. Slightly flinching as I heard the volume and tone of his voice, “are you even listening to me!” he yells once more causing me to tremble.

“I’ve had my men looking for you all over this goddamn city and you just left without a word!” he yelled. I looked him dead in the eye trying to hide the fact that my body was trembling with fear as I spoke, “ha you had your own men looking but face it Lewis you don’t give a bloody care about me” I said raising my voice. “What is wrong with you and how did you pay for this?” he asked, pointing at the garment bags over my shoulder. “My own money” I snapped and he shook his head grabbing his phone, “Morty transfer $6000 into my wife’s account” he said and that just made my blood boil. “I don’t want your stupid money” I said, dropping the bags and running off to the spare room where I always retreated to when I wanted to be alone.

I locked the door and laid on the bed hugging the pillow letting the tears fall, “why won’t he love me?” I whispered through my sobs. I hugged the pillow tighter for comfort and soon after fell asleep, hours later I woke up to the door creaking open and I sat up rubbing my eye seeing a figure at the door. “Be ready by 7pm we have an event to attend” was all he said before he left the room again. I signed and got off the bed going into the bathroom to wash my face and turn on the bath, “Madam can I assist you?” one of the young maids asked as she peered into the room.

“Have my accessories laid out with the red dress” I said with a small smile on my lips, she nodded and went on to the closet while I closed the bathroom door to take a bath. Tying my hair in a messy bun and stepping into the tub as the bubbles and smell of lavender engulf my senses, sinking beneath the water so only my nose was above water. My skin sure to be red from how hot the water was, looking around at the bathroom surroundings before fully submerging under the water and coming up for air. I wiped my eyes and pinched my nose getting rid of the water before grabbing the shampoo and scrubbing my hair ensuring I cleaned it properly before rinsing to apply my conditioner mask.

Coming out of the bath and wrapping the towel around myself I opened the door to see my dress neatly laid out, walking past my dressing table I saw the jewellery pieces. I put on an oversized shirts and sat at my dresser drying my hair with the towel when the maid came back in, “would you like some help ma’am?” she asked as I turned to look at the door. “Yes please” I answer as I turn back around looking into the mirror as she walks up behind me, she runs her fingers through my hair separating my natural wavy hair pattern and brushing through my hair.

An hour later I was ready with my hair and make up as well as slipped into my dress, my hair was in a half up and down look and braided, my sterling silver cubic zirconia tennis bracelet, freshwater pearl drop earrings and lastly my five pear cz silver necklet. Walking downstairs seeing Lewis at the door talking to the show fur dressed in his usual classic suit, “Madam” the show fur greeted and Lewis looked over at me. No compliments, no gaze he just left out the door expecting me to follow him to the car. The car ride to the event was quiet, Lewis stared out the window with no acknowledgement of my presence. Twiddling my thumbs seeing the traffic on the road and the many head lights making it look like stars. “Who will be at this event?” I asked trying to make a conversation but he didn’t answer me instead he just pulled out his phone and started messaging other people.

Least they got his time of the day but I didn’t get one bit of time nor attention, we arrived at the venue. The palace of Versailles, the were was security and other cars with people gathered around a carpet. The photographers and press, Lewis left the car and I looked behind me seeing his shadow coming around as he opened my door and held out his hand for me to step out. His hand around my waist as we walked a few steps forwards from the vehicle, lowering my head avoiding the many flashing lights from the cameras and walking up the steps into the Versailles.

“Lewis, you made it” a young woman called as she walked towards us holding a glass of red wine in her hand. Her smile showing her pearly whites and her slim figure in a black floor length gown, “Sophia nice to see you again” Lewis greeted kissing the back of her hand. “You must be his wife” she said looking at me and Lewis scoffed, “she’s nobody” Lewis snickered and looked at Sophia with his soft smile.

I watched as they walked away amongst the crowd of people leaving me alone, I looked around seeing all the guests mingling, husbands and boyfriends proudly staying by their partners. The waiters were walking around with cocktails on their drink’s trays, I took one off the tray holding it in my hands as I nervously walked around the room taking small sips. I could no longer see any sign of Lewis anywhere or even Sophia, “what’s a beautiful lady like you doing on your own?” a drunken slur from a male who approached me. I moved away uncomfortably creating some distance but the man kept moving closer, “please leave me alone” I said just above a whisper hoping he wasn’t too drunk that he’d listen.

“No” he said with a deadpan look on his face, “sir if you want to keep that hand, I suggest you remove it from my wife” looking behind the man I saw my husband. Was I relieved no, scared well yes, I was because none of this would’ve happened if he’d just stay with me instead of going off with Sophia.