I wiped my hands on my apron just as I finished setting table for dinner. I look at my wrist watch and notice its ten minutes past the time Alexander usually comes home. I walk into the kitchen and went to the kitchen counter to check my phone. I notice one of the new notifications is from his assistant, I open the text and it says his boss is not coming for dinner as he has had something come up, as usual.
I look at all the food I've prepared and feel frustrated. I spent hours preparing this food like a 'Good wife' should and my husband won't even eat it. Two months of marriage. Two months of I'm busy. Two months of wasted time and energy, to think I would give up. NO. I keep on setting myself up for more pain and hurt, but I love him. Been in love with him for years. Constantly falling from a distance. However, I understand he didn't want this and grandma always tells me not to give, to just give him time. Grandpa too, never liked her but he grew to love her till the very end and Alex will too. I'm sure of it. I look at the maids and cook in the kitchen who are looking at me with pity in their eyes. I look away from them and walk towards the door.
"Please share the food among yourselves, you can even carry it to your families." The head maid called out asking if I was eating to which I refused. I made myself look all pensive and disheartened.
I climbed the stairs to my room where I lock the door and made aphone call
"Are you ready?" Carlos asked.
Carlos Diaz is my longtime friend and informant. Anything you want to know about anyone, he's your guy. "Almost. But you can come pick me up." I tell him as I rush to the bathroom to take a brief shower. When I finished, I wore a long and colorful bohemian skirt with a white shirt, I tied my black hair back and put on a little lip gloss before grabbing my phone and bag and rushing out. I find his black Camaro outside the gate.
"Looking…. Interesting?" he said with an amused expression. I look him dead in the eye and tell him we should go.
The Diamond Pavilion is a huge infrastructural masterpiece, having a hundred years ago. It's known as one of the country's greatest beauty. Even though its old, all the renovations over years have kept it up to date and is the top and most expensive place to stay or eat. It's attached to the mall and has a main restaurant. This restaurant is expensive and requires days in advance to book a table but for car holders its easy. Lucky enough grandma has one, being the head of the family. I'm meeting her for our monthly dinner after all I have done all my duties for the day as a wife. Carlos has a family dinner with some out-of-town relatives who wanted to show off their ability to host such a lavish dinner.
As we walked in I received a text from both her saying shewon't make it. Knowing her, she's probably trying to set Alex and I up hoping we'll spend the night together.
"I've been stood up. She has decided not to come. "I said with amusement and frustration.
"You can still join me." He offers and I look at him like he's. I haven't met all his family but I do know I'm not dressed or mentally prepared to deal with them. He looks at me with puppy eyes.
"Please, you know I don't like having to deal with them." Carlos' is third generation rich. His grandfather started the Diaz group and his uncle, the first son is the current head. Carlos' dad is a lawyer and the 3rd son but the favorite. Meaning Carlos is the favorite and most privileged grandchild. Both grandparents have spoiled him for years getting whatever he wants.
Carlos is your typical pretty boy, blond hair, cute blue eyes. Tall and muscular. Not gym buff but model slender. This goes with his career choice, the country's top actor and model. Going out with him is just a cry for attention luckily, he has mastered the art of disguise so I'm safe. For now.
Because his dad doesn't have as much money as the older brothers who have chip on their shoulder for how their dad spoils Carlos and his dad.
I vehemently decline, I'm not in the mood for that kind of crazy but somehow, he manages to wear me down.
We walk in to the building. The lobby is designed extravagantly with golden finishes. The colors are vibrant, eye catching and obviously top quality. Well, that's to be expected of such a place. It does after all cater to well to do people. An ordinary house wife such as myself, who's in a secret marriage can't dare to flash my tails like some of these peacocks do.
The waiter escorts us to the box. This room is designed even more luxurious than the lobby. But I guess that's to be expected of the Golden box. His family look up at us as we enter. I can see the contempt on their faces as they look at me. They are dressed lavishly to match their surroundings unlike me who looks like some hobo. Until his mother stands up to address him.
"Carlos, finally. We've been waiting for you and who is this?" I move to stand next to him and bow my head in respect. "Hello Mrs. Diaz, I am Selene Wade. A friend of Carlos." I say as they all look at me. His mother, a person I know to be snobbish, looked at me in disgust. "I'm sorry, I'm not dressed appropriately. Carlos sprung this on me last minute but it's an honor to meet the family that raised such a wonderful man." I say with flattery.
An old woman looked at me and smiled telling us to sit down and join them. The dinner was awkward with most people ignoring mewhilst others made looks of contempt.
"So, Carlos how's the new movie going?" Grandpa Diaz asked Carlos. "Okay, will be starting filming on Monday." He said without looking up from his plate. The dinner dragged on from then on. A few underhanded comments from his cousins and aunts but its all nothing I'm not used to. Being married in the Black family with no proper social background except for the fact that Granda Mary told Alexander that in order for her to pass on her voting rights in the company and officially make the next patriarch he needed to marry me. This had displeased a lot of people. Because of this I'm used to having a mans family hate. The difference is that with Carlos' family I don't have to put up unlike Alexander whom I love and would do any thing to not cause drama or unnecessary confusion.
The dinner soon came to an end and Carlos drove me home. When I walked in to my room, I found it empty. It seems he's not yet back. I'm not even sure he'll be coming back or spending the night at his apartment.
I grab my phone and dial his number. He answers on the fourth ring. "What?"
"I'm just calling to check on you, have you eaten?" I ask sheepishly. Even through the phone I can feel his annoyance. "Is that why you could?" he asked angrily.
"I just…" I couldn't finish my statement as I heard a female voice asking who he is talking to. "Just go to sleep Selene." The phone call cuts and I just feebly stare at my phone. I know that voice, it belongs to Emma Thompson.