I never thought this moment would come. Andrew Collins, the boy who used to ignore me in high school, was now in our bedroom, passionately kissing me. As he continued to explore my body with his lips, I couldn't shake the feeling that this wasn't real. But here we were, his hands running through my hair as he whispered sweet nothings in my ear.
I had always wondered what it would be like to be with someone like Andrew, but I never thought it would actually happen. And now that it was happening, I couldn't bring myself to fully believe it.
But as his kisses became more urgent and his hands wandered down my body, I couldn't deny the intense desire that was building within me. This was real. Andrew Collins is now my husband, showing me a side of him that I had never seen before.
And as he finally made love to me, I couldn't help but wonder what had changed in him. Was it the same Andrew who used to walk past me without a second glance? Or was this a different man, one who had finally seen me for who I truly was?
In that moment, as I lay tangled in his arms, feeling more alive than I ever had before, I knew one thing for certain. This wasn't a dream. This was real. And I hoped that whatever had caused this change in him would last forever.
I woke up to the sound of an alarm, realizing it was five in the morning. Quickly, I turned it off so as not to disturb the person sleeping beside me. As I descended the stairs, I was ready to begin preparing breakfast for my husband. However, to my surprise, someone was already there, busy with the preparations.
"Good morning, young madam," she introduced herself with a stern tone. "I am Rosemary, the butler of this household. I have been serving the young master since his childhood, overseeing all the affairs within these walls. Do not hesitate to seek my assistance whenever you require it."
"Good morning, Aunt Rosemary," I greeted her, extending my hand. "My name is Andrea Hart. Nice to meet you."
Declining the handshake politely, she expressed, "There is no need for formalities. I have been employed by this family for quite some time, so there is no need for you to become too acquainted with me. Simply treat me as you would any other employee."
Observing Aunt Rosemary, I could sense her professionalism. Her manner of speaking, the way she dresses, and the way she explains things showed her dedication to her role. It was evident that she was strict, but I also sensed that she was trustworthy and well-respected. I knew it would be best not to get on her nerves and to treat her with the respect she deserved.
"Did you cook this breakfast?" Andrew asked me, his plate now empty.
"Yes, does it taste bad?" I nervously inquired.
"It was great. Thank you," he complimented, his words bringing a sense of relief.
Still feeling a bit bewildered by all these sudden changes, I nodded, offering a smile.
"Young madam," Aunt Rosemary approached me after my husband had left for work, holding a thick book of house rules. "You have two days to learn all of these."
"Just familiarize myself with the rules, right?" I asked, hoping for a more lenient answer.
"No. You need to memorize every single one of these. There will be a test after two days," she stated sternly.
"What do you mean?" I laughed, finding it hard to believe.
"I mean exactly what I say. As the young madam of the Collins family, it is expected that you know everything by heart. Along with memorizing the house rules, you will also attend etiquette classes, cooking classes, music classes, makeup classes, fashion classes, and more," she added, her tone unwavering.
I rolled my eyes and let out a sigh. This felt like something out of a drama, an entirely new world I had never anticipated.
"Young madam, in three days, you will have dinner with the rest of the family. Make sure you learn everything well. Your actions and demeanor reflect upon the young master. Do not embarrass him," Aunt Rosemary emphasized.
Days flew by in a whirlwind of lessons and self-improvement. I found myself attending numerous classes, eager to absorb knowledge and face any challenges that came my way. I know that I possessed a sharp intellect, a quick learning ability, and a readiness to take on new experiences. There seemed to be no limit to what I could achieve.
Amidst this transformative journey, a memory from high school resurfaced in my mind.
"Drew!" Mika's voice jolted me out of my daydream. Her foot nudged my chair, bringing me back to reality. Suddenly, all eyes were on me, and I felt my face flush with embarrassment. "The teacher wants you to solve the math problem on the board," she whispered.
"It seems that Ms. Hart finds my lesson boring," Mr. Brown, our math teacher, sarcastically remarked. "Why don't you tackle the advanced problem on page 22, number 4?" I could sense his desire to embarrass me.
I stood up and walked towards the board, my mind racing. As I looked up at the pages, I could feel the weight of everyone's gaze upon me.
"You can't solve it by just staring, Ms. Hart," he jeered, laughter dripping from his words. "Does anyone in the class have the solution?" He scanned the room for a volunteer. Just as he was about to call on someone else, my hands moved on their own, swiftly writing the solution on the board. The room fell into a hushed silence, the only sound being the faint scratch of chalk against the blackboard. All eyes were filled with anticipation, waiting for the outcome. I solved the problem as quickly as I could, then returned to my seat, heart pounding.
Mr. Brown reviewed my answer, and the class held its breath. "You've got it, Ms. Hart," he said, his voice tinged with an awkward tone. "But this doesn't excuse inattentiveness in class." He offered a warning, though with a touch of humility. I could see smiles forming on the faces of my classmates.
My eyes searched for Andrew's reaction, hoping for a word of praise. But as I looked in his direction, our eyes locked for a brief moment before he quickly averted his gaze. A wave of confusion washed over me. Did he despise me? I couldn't help but wonder, my heart heavy with uncertainty.
"What club will you be joining, Drew?" Rina, our class president, asked with a playful tone. Both Andrew and I turned to her, realizing the coincidence of sharing the same nickname.
Standing in the hallway alongside Mika, I watched as Andrew walked past us with his friends. "I'm sorry, I was talking to Andrea," Rina quickly clarified, trying to ease any confusion.
Chester couldn't help but laugh. "Don't worry, Rina, he'll get used to it!" he teased Andrew. Andrew's expression turned serious as he glanced at me.
Slightly taken aback by his sudden change in demeanor, I shrugged my shoulders. "I'm not sure yet. What club is he in?" I asked Rina, trying to gauge Andrew's interests.
"He's in the soccer club," Rina responded.
Curiosity getting the best of me, I innocently asked, "Are there any female members in the soccer club?"
Rina smiled mischievously. "Not that I've heard of! But you can always give it a try!" She exchanged a knowing look with Mika, indicating that they both understood my intentions.
Mika chimed in, suggesting, "Why don't we join the basketball club, Drew? I think that would be cool too."
"Yeah, I'm positive that you'll capture his attention!" Rina playfully teased me, causing a blush to creep onto my cheeks.
I dedicated myself to learning how to play basketball, determined to show Andrew that I too had an athletic side. I wanted him to see that we were compatible in more ways than one. I practiced tirelessly, putting in extra hours after class to improve my basic skills and shooting abilities.
The day of the sportsfest arrived, and I had the opportunity to showcase my newfound talent. During the women's basketball match, I gave it my all and ended up earning the title of MVP. The crowd cheered, and I could feel a surge of pride and joy.
"Andrew Collins, be my boyfriend!" I declared, my voice booming through the gym, my trophy held high in the air as a symbol of my triumph. He was nestled amongst the spectators in the gym, and at my words, all heads swiveled towards him. The crowd held their breath, their screams of support hanging in the air, waiting for his response. I beamed, my smile as radiant as the sun, hoping that my victory had also won his heart.
Overwhelmed by the sudden spotlight, he pulled his cap down to shield his eyes, stood up, and exited the room. His friend Chester trailed behind him, casting an apologetic glance my way.
A wave of disappointment swept through the crowd, but there were also whispers of delight from the girls who had been waiting for their chance to confess their feelings.
As news of my triumph spread like wildfire through the school, my popularity soared. I found myself on the receiving end of numerous confessions from admirers. However, my heart was a fortress, steadfast in its loyalty to Drew. All those confessions fell on deaf ears, for my heart was reserved for him, and him alone.
A week after my wedding, I returned to work at Harmony Home Interiors. My colleague, Ella, approached me and asked how I was feeling. I had kept the details of my leave a secret, telling them it was due to illness instead.
"Yeah, I'm feeling much better now," I replied, feeling a tinge of embarrassment for not being completely honest with them.
"Ms. Hart, the manager has an urgent meeting today, so she wants you to go to the main branch for the regular inspection," Ella informed me.
"No problem," I agreed. "Would you like to come with me and gain some experience?" I offered.
"I'd love to!" Ella replied enthusiastically.
Together, we headed to The Diamond Mall, where the main shop of Harmony Home Interiors was located. As we entered, we were warmly greeted by the staff.
The shop exuded an air of sophistication and elegance as we stepped inside. The interior was tastefully designed, with a modern yet welcoming ambiance. The walls were adorned with beautiful displays of home decor, showcasing a variety of styles and themes. From sleek and contemporary designs to rustic and cozy arrangements, the shop offered a wide range of options to suit every customer's taste.
The staff members moved with an air of grace and confidence, effortlessly attending to customers' needs. Their interactions were not just transactions, but rather conversations filled with genuine enthusiasm and a shared love for interior design. It was as if they possessed a sixth sense, intuitively understanding the desires and preferences of each individual who walked through the door.
As the day came to a close, I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride and fulfillment. Being a part of Harmony Home Interiors meant being a part of a world where dreams and visions came to life, where spaces were transformed and stories were woven into every corner.
As I snapped back to reality, my heart skipped a beat when I caught sight of a silhouette amidst the sea of people. It bore a striking resemblance to my husband, walking alongside a girl. It felt surreal, as if I had entered a dream-like state. Could it be that I missed him so much that I was now hallucinating?
Ella, noticing my distraction, handed me a cold drink, concern etched on her face. "What's wrong, Ms. Hart?" she asked gently.
I took a deep breath, trying to compose myself. "Nothing," I whispered. "I thought I saw someone familiar."
"Is it your boyfriend?" she inquired, her curiosity getting the best of her.
I couldn't help but laugh bitterly. "No," I replied. "I don't have a boyfriend." The truth was, Andrew was never my boyfriend. Despite my constant pursuit of him, he had always rejected me. He seemed perpetually irritated by my presence, never sparing me a second glance. No matter how much I excelled or how hard I tried, he remained indifferent.
"You don't have to force yourself to prepare breakfast every day," Andrew gently said, taking a sip of his coffee.
I looked at him, a mixture of curiosity and confusion in my eyes.
"Aunt Rosemary can handle the breakfast preparations for us, allowing you to have some extra hours of sleep. You've been working so hard, and I don't want you to exhaust yourself and risk getting sick," he expressed his concern.
I held his gaze firmly, my determination evident. "It is my duty to take care of my husband," I said resolutely. "Making breakfast is a small task that I am more than capable of handling."
Andrew's worry continued as he added, "What about ironing my clothes? Preparing my bath? Cleaning our bedroom? You can leave those tasks to the servants. I'm concerned that my grandfather might think we are mistreating you."
His words struck a chord within me. Was he treating me well solely because of his grandfather's perception? Was his worry about me getting sick rooted in the fear of his grandfather finding out? While I cared deeply for Andrew and took pride in fulfilling my duties as a wife, I also recognized the importance of contributing to our household. My family now relied on the support of the Collins, and I wanted to do my part in earning my share.
With a determined resolve, I responded, "I appreciate your concern, Andrew, but I want to contribute to our home in every way possible. It's not just about fulfilling my duties as a wife, but also about supporting our family. I will find a balance and ensure that I take care of myself while fulfilling my responsibilities."
Two months had flown by, and I could confidently say that our marriage had been a peaceful one. We shared breakfast together, and I continued to take care of his needs, ensuring that our home was a place of comfort and warmth. Despite his busy schedule, Andrew always made it a priority to come home before nine in the evening, showing his commitment to our relationship.
Intimacy was a beautiful part of our marriage, and we made love whenever our hearts desired.
We also attended family gatherings, and to my pleasant surprise, I was never mistreated by his family despite my humble background. They welcomed me with open arms, accepting me as a part of their lives. It was heartwarming to witness the love and support that surrounded us.
As I reflected on our married life, I couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment. This marriage was everything I had hoped for and more. There was no room for complaints or grievances. Every day was a reminder of the love, respect, and happiness that filled our lives. In my eyes, this marriage was nothing short of perfect.