Mr. Salvatore's cryptic message kept me awake till midnight as I rolled and groaned watching the clock tick by.
Dinner has come and gone with another tray this time brought by Ally with her stern look as if I might steal something from the room. Like, seriously?
My mind conjured weird theories trying to dissect his odd statements.
Wasn't tonight supposed to be our wedding night? Isn't it what he hinted riling me up all day? Then, where is he at the witching hour?
At midnight, I gave up my struggle and succumbed to the lulling that crept upon me slowly.
The ruffled bed sheet and rumpled pillow let me know that Mr. Salvatore came at some time in the night but he is MIA at present.
He slept beside me. We slept in the same bed. And... I had no idea.
Thank you, dear sixth sense, for always being so alert!
How could I have not known that a man slept beside me?? What if I snored? I slapped my forehead for that stupid question.
Instead of worrying about my future, my brain decided to think about snoring of all things!!
Shaking my head, I did my morning routine and instead of waiting for a tray, I decided to grace the dining room with my presence.
I changed into a conservative jeans and t-shirt to keep my husband's sanity. After last night's fiasco, it's better I don't rile him too much.
Who knows when he could get the urge to point his gun to my temple?
Snickering to myself, I entered the dining area where I met the staff yesterday. Most of them are busy doing their respective work, leaving Mrs. Palmer and Gaby in the kitchen.
Seeing some toast and juice at the table I decided to plate it up when Mrs. Palmer said in a form voice, "family eats at the main dining area Mrs. Salvatore. This is only for staff."
"Okaayyy," I dragged the word as my lips stretched into a thin smile.
She really doesn't like me.
Taking my plate in my hands I was just turning towards the door when she continued, "Gaby will serve you Mrs. Salvatore. You may leave the plate here."
"There is no need for that. I can take this," I tried to move but her next words are cutting as she stressed, "you may leave the plate here Mrs. Salvatore. I will make something fresh for you."
Deciding not to clash with her on my second day itself, I placed the plate on the table and turned my heel ready to leave the dragon lair.
It was while I was having my very hot breakfast, something happened that soured my mood.
The ring of the landline can be heard through the rooms. Deciding that everyone would be busy doing their work, I stood and went to lift the call.
"Hello."
"Connect me to Vitali's line," said a bored voice. It was one of those who presume to be obeyed instantly.
Something about the voice rose my hackles. My mind send signals to be on-guard.
"Vitali?"
"Gosh! Are you new? Don't you know for whom you are working? I will let him know how dimwit you are!!" Her high-pitched tone, irritated the hell out of me, my ears ringing from her wheezing.
"Umm... Mr. Salvatore is not at home right now. May I take the message?" I said as formally as I could, channeling my inner maid job.
It was difficult but I think I pulled it through when she huffed from the other side. I smirked mentally. Even though, I didn't check and Mr. Salvatore may as well be home, I didn't bother to look. It was worth to irritate the hell out of this diva.
"You better inform him. I will be checking."
"Of course."
"Tell Vitali he left his tie at my place last night," she drawled flippantly.
With just few words, she shattered my morning mood.
"Is that all?" I gripped the receiver painfully, my nails digging into my palm.
"I don't think you can handle more than this. Take extra care to relay my message. I will check. And if I find out you didn't inform him, I will personally fire you."
"From whom shall I say the message is from?"
"You really are new. It's Karina Rivera."
With that she cut the call. Karina- the girl Mr. Salvatore was supposed to marry. The girl he spent his wedding night with. Each thought is like a bullet to my body.
My outer shell of careless insouciance is just that- a shell. With just few careless actions, Mr. Salvatore was able to smash my serenity.
I don't love him. Neither do I care about him. How could I? We were married for just one day. One whole day. I thought at least there would be some mutual respect until everything gets sorted out. But he went and stayed the night with his ex.
That leech!!!
His cryptic message now became clear. He stood on his words of 'him doing whatever the hell he wants' but I couldn't even walk in my pajamas in the house.
My blood began to boil. I could literally feel steam coming out of my ears. Rage and hurt duelled for a seesaw inside me as each of Karina's words stabbed directly to my heart. If he appears before me now, I will cut him with the butter knife at hand.
As it happens, Mr. Salvatore didn't approach me till late afternoon, by which I was ready to blow a gasket. Is this how this marriage is going to be?
"How was your day dear husband? Killed anyone?" My voice halted him in his tracks.
My question surprised him as his eyebrows touched his hairline. I was sitting on the bed, mentally planning my husband's murder when he entered the room casually as if he hasn't done anything wrong.
"Not yet. The day is not over. May be during night. What about you Mrs. Salvatore?"
"Me, killing anyone? As a matter of fact, I have one victim in my vicinity whom I very much like to kill."
"Is that so? Who is it? Perhaps, I could help," he folded his arms, his coat unbuttoned as he stood with his feet aligned with his shoulders.
"Oh, I don't think it would be wise to say," I stood and slowly advanced on him, shrugging one shoulder as I said.
"Why not?" Striking ebony brows accentuated the line between his eyebrows.
"Did you meet Karina Rivera yesterday?" I changed the subject, ready to plunge into the incendiary mood that was simmering just below the surface since the phone call.
A muscle ticked in his jaw.
"You don't get to question me Mrs. Salvatore"
"Too bad I'm doing it. Now, answer my question. Did you meet with her last night?" I questioned, my chin coming up at a pugnacious angle.
"What does that got to do with anything?"
"Because let me tell you something Mr. Vitali Salvatore," I spat his first name angrily before continuing, "if you want me to stay in this marriage then there will be no infidelity. You are the one who wanted this marriage to continue. So, give me the courtesy of not cheating on our wedding night."
"So, it's completely alright to cheat any other day?"
"Why you!!! That's not the point and you know it"
"No, I don't. Why don't you explain?"
That's when I really did something incredibly stupid or brave (depending on the perspective) by fisting my hand hard and punching him directly on his face.
"Merda!!!"
A crunching sound could be heard in the ensuing silence of our loud voices. We both stilled; him not believing I just did that to him and neither do I. That's it! I have finally done one stupid thing that will land me into an early grave. But it was sooo worth it.