We finally reach LA after such a long and tiring journey. I walk with David who is carrying our bags.
"What happened to Gabriel?" I ask him out of curiosity.
"He got fired." he replies as he puts our bags on the trolley.
"Right," I say.
"What?"
"Nothing."
"Mr Walsh did the right thing. I don't know what's your equation with him right now but you are and will be his wife after all, April."
"Hmm, I know." I say in a low voice.
"Hey, he is not a bad guy. Don't you worry." David cheers me up, "Alright, I gotta rush." he says and hurriedly put the bags in the trunk of the car.
"Sure," I smile. When we turn I see Nathan standing with a girl approximately our age. She looks happy to see someone behind me.
"You will be slow as a turtle," she says to David.
"Slow and steady wins the race, babe!" he says delightfully and kisses her passionately. Nathan shifts and walks towards me.
"Now, now," Nathan says to David, "Remember she still prefers me."
"Sir, you can't have all of them. At least leave this one for me, please!" he chuckles.
"I'll think about it." Nathan jokes, "You two have fun! And David be easy on her." he smirks.
"I'll try." David smirks back.
"Stop it you two," the lady covers her face with her hands.
"Look at you, blushing!" Nathan kisses her cheek, "Take care, love. You too David. And take the day off tomorrow." he smiles. Aww, they are such a cute couple. They compliment each other perfectly.
"Oh, by the way," she says, "I heard you are now officially with someone! I gotta say I was a little surprised but someday someone had to take the mission to tolerate you." she hits Nathan's arm playfully.
"Yeah," he turns serious again which makes me feel bad. My mood suddenly spoiled.
"She is April," Nathan introduces me, "And April this Andrea, David's girlfriend."
"April!" Andrea exclaims, "So nice to meet you!"
"It's nice to meet you too," I smile.
"Alright, April let's go," Nathan says to me, "David is getting restless!" We all laugh as David turns red. Aww, so sweet. David is one of the sweetest persons. Since David and Andrea took a cab Nathan drives to his home. As soon as the car stops in front of the house, Venessa rushes out and opens the car door. She doesn't even give me a chance to get out of the car properly and hugs me.
"Missed you too, Venessa," I pat her back. She gives me a cheeky smile and run towards the other side to greet Nathan. He grins as soon as he sees her and hugs her.
"How have you been dumbo?" he asks.
"I have been good!! I missed you!!" she hugs him tightly. He hugs her back.
"Unfortunately, I missed you too!" he smiles at her showing his cute dimples. They move inside as a butler moves past them to carry our bags inside.
"Do you need help?" I ask him.
"No, thank you Mrs Walsh," he smiles warmly at me.
As I enter the house, I observe it for the first time. The last time I was here we were discussing about the wedding and all and I was lost in my own thoughts. Anna, Nathan and Venessa were sitting on the sofa of the living room, talking about what happened while we were gone.
Nathan looks happy now that he is with his family. I wonder if I'll ever be able to call it our family. I know we both don't want to get too much involved in each others lives but our families are already so much involved. The ringing of my phone snaps me out of my thoughts. I excuse myself and answer it.
"Hello Love," my mom's sweet voice says and tears emerge in my eyes. Oh my God, I didn't even realise how much I missed that sweet voice of hers.
"Mom," I say and close my eyes, letting her voice sink in me.
"How are you, darling? How was your honeymoon? How are things between you two? Is Nathan treating you alright? You know baby, if he doesn't, you can come back! I mean we didn't trade you, I want you to remember that! We just did what we thought was the best. You know that April, right?" I could suddenly hear guilt in her voice as she spoke the last line.
"Mom, I'm absolutely alright!" I finally interrupt her, "Things between me and him are okay, I guess. I mean I don't know how they actually are. And yes mom I know you did what you felt right and I know you didn't trade me. I love you, mommy!" I say as a tear slip down my cheek.
"Baby, I love you too!" she says, "Will you come to meet me in the office today?"
"I'll try if the jet lag doesn't disturbs the schedule."
"Sure, love. Take rest and take care! Bye!"
"Bye mom. I miss you mom!"
"Darling, I miss you too," her voice cracking in the end. I hang up and walk back to the living room but everyone is now gone.
"Have you been crying?" I hear Venessa's voice from behind.
"What?" I quickly rub my cheeks to get rid of the tears, "No!"
"Yes, you were crying!" she exclaims, "What happened, April? Everything alright?" concern lacing in her voice.
"Yes, everything is okay, don't worry. It's just that I missed my mom."
"Oh! You can go meet her right now. My brother is not going to imprison you."
"I know. But I think for now I'll rest for a while."
"A great idea! Sleep makes everything better." she smiles at me, "Lemme show you to Nathan's room."
"Nathan's room?" I ask, "Why?"
"This is why," she switch on the TV and I see the news.
The newly wedded love birds Nathan Walsh and his wife April Grey finally back from their honeymoon.
My eyes widen as I see his and my photographs walking out of the airport.
"You see April, like it or not you are now part of the Walsh family and every move you make is seen by the whole word. Being famous comes with a lot of responsibilities you know. You flinch they watch, you cough they watch. Everything you do is a breaking damn news. This tabloid culture as ruined everything." she says almost disgusted by it, "So if anyone comes to know that this marriage was against your will, it won't be good. Like it or not you two have to behave like a happily married couple."
"Oh no," I say.
"Yes, I know. But I'm sorry you have no choice. My mom gave Nate the same lecture right now. He said he'll try but I know he won't be able to hide his emotions. So, that's why you have to understand." I nod my head. My head was spinning from the mess my life has suddenly become.
"Right now you can go and rest."
I walk upstairs and turn right. I reach Nathan's room and hesitantly knock. He was quick to open the door. I get inside the room to find the he was watching the same news that Venessa showed me. They were repeatedly showing our photo of getting out of the airport and into the car.
"We need to talk!" Harry turns the TV off.
"Okay," I say and gulp.
"As you saw the news and now that you know that we have to pretend almost everything, I think we should set some ground rules."
"I'm listening,"
"First, you and I may live in the same room but you will sleep on the couch."
"Why will I sleep on the couch, why not you?"
"Because it's my room!" he says sternly.
"Second, I want you out of my personal life. You cannot ask me any question on what I do or where I go, understand? Third, you have no share on what's mine!" I knew exactly what he meant through that. And those words hurt me. He hurt me. Like always.
"Are you even listening?" he grits his teeth.
"Yes I am. But we'll continue it afterwards. I'm tired and I need sleep." He nods his head and I lean on the soft mattress.
"So you really didn't listen," He folds his arms across his chest, "I said you can't sleep on the bed. Get up!"
Without saying anything I get up and throw myself on the couch. I turned my back to him so that he doesn't see the tears falling from my eyes. I feel so suffocated right now. This is going to be hell if I don't pull myself together...
I am in a house which I don't know. Where am I? Why is it so dark here? I try to get up and move around but something restricts me. I turn back to see that one of my hands is tied up to a metal chain. What is going on?
"Hello?" I scream, "Anyone here? Help me!!"
I twist to get out of the chain but fail. What is this? Then I hear heavy footsteps approaching me. I try to see his or her face but it's too dark. Then I see dark and mysterious green eyes.
"Nathan," I gasp.
"Hello," he says calmly and approaches me.
"Nathan, get me out of here." He stood there thinking for a moment.
"No!" he said bitterly, "I will not let you ruin me! I will not let you ruin my family! You are freaking gold digger, April!! I won't let your plans succeed!!" he raised his voice and grabbed me by my shoulders.
"N-Nathan, I'm not a gold digger," I managed to say. I was terrified of how dark his eyes were. I was terrified of him.
"Please, l-leave me." I stammer. He leaves me and my legs fail to tolerate my weight and I fall on the ground. I look up to see him who was angry and disgusted by me. But, all I could notice was his eyes that were filled with hatred. Hatred for me.
I wake up with a start. I look around to see that I was alone in the room. I take a deep breath and continue to tell myself to calm down. Nathan's eyes still haunted me. Even when I blink my eyes I could see them.
"Aaahhh!!" a frustrated scream comes out of my mouth, "I hate you Nathan Walsh!!" I yell and throw the pillow on the floor.
I get up from the couch and look at my in the mirror. Beads of sweat were on my forehead and my eyes were puffy. I was crying in my sleep. I can't do this. No, no, I can't! I rush out the room and then out of the house. I could hear someone calling my name but I didn't care. I want some air. I want to be away. Away from him.