Chapter Four
Days passed into a week with Lilian still trying to navigate her way around her marriage. She really couldn't tell why she married Floyd.
Lilian woke up to the sound of Floyd's alarm blaring in her ear. She had been having a lengthy sleep. She sluggishly opened her eyes to find him already up and getting dressed. He was heading for work, he never really took a break off for his honeymoon like every random man would have.
"Good morning," he said, smiling at her. "I'm running a bit late for work. Would you like to join me for breakfast before I head out?"
Lilian nodded, still feeling a bit drowsy. She immediately changed her night wear and freshened up a bit. She got out of bed and went to meet Floyd already at the dining area with lots of varieties of food on the table to pick from.
"Ever had all the combinations of the meals always on the table at once?" Lilian jokingly asked.
Floyd laughed out loud, "You are bluffing right?"
That was the first time Lilian would see Floyd laugh so hard, finding what she said funny and she loved it.
They began to delve into a series of conversations to brighten up their morning until Floyd got entangled with his phone while Lilian was across the table just shuffling the food into her stomach.
But despite the silence that eventually eroded the dining room, Lilian felt a sense of comfort and joy wash all over her. Her marriage didn't seem normal but it was obviously peaceful.
As Floyd finished up his breakfast, he leaned over and kissed Lilian on the cheek. "I will see you tonight, do not leave the mansion. Outside isn't friendly at the moment."
Lilian rolled her eyes good-naturedly. "I'll try."
If Floyd was talking about Cindy, she knew that and was already threading with caution ever since their wedding day.
Floyd gave a bright smile as he headed out the door, leaving Lilian alone in the mansion with the workers.
As the silence closed in around her, Lilian felt a pang of restlessness. She didn't know what to do with herself, or how to fill the long hours until Floyd came home. So she decided to call her mother.
Lilian dialed her mom's number, feeling a mix of emotions as she waited for her mother to pick up. It had been weeks since they last spoke. In fact her mother wasn't present at her wedding because Lilian was just a guest who eventually became a bride, and Lilian knew her mom was worried about her.
"Hello?" her mom answered on the first ring.
"Mom," Lilian said, feeling a lump form in her throat. She felt a sense of unease wash over her for the first time in years.
"Lilian, oh my goodness, it's so good to hear from you, my darling! You finally reached out to me." her mom exclaimed. "How are you, sweetie? How's married life treating you?"
Lilian hesitated, unsure of how to answer. She didn't want to worry her mom, but she couldn't pretend as though she understood all that was happening.
"It's...complicated," Lilian said finally. "I'm still trying to figure things out."
Her mom's tone turned serious. "What's going on, Lilian? You can tell me."
Lilian took a deep breath and told her mom all about her situation, leaving out some of the more personal details that involved her one night stand with Floyd and her situation with Cindy. Her mom listened attentively, asking occasional questions.
When Lilian finished, her mom was silent for a moment. "Lilian, I think you should come home to rest your head for a while."
She felt like her mom was right, after all Floyd won't notice but something held her back. Maybe it was the memory of Floyd that lingered in her mind or the way he made her feel when they were together.
"I don't know, Mom," Lilian said slowly. "I need some time to think things through."
Her mom sighed. "Okay, sweetie. But promise me you'll take care of yourself, okay?"
Lilian nodded, even though her mom couldn't see her. "I will, Mom. I promise. I love you."
"I love you too."
As they wrapped up their conversation and Lilian hung up the call. She felt a sense of relief wash over her. It was good to talk to her mom, to have someone to confide in even though not completely. Now that her best friend, Melody is on training and would only be accessible in a few months time.
Lilian couldn't shake the feeling that she was just delaying the inevitable. She still had no idea why she was really married to Floyd, or what the future held for them.
And then, just as she was starting to worry again, Lilian started feeling exhausted. She started yawning and feeling her eyes drop. She was amazed because she just woke up not long ago for breakfast, how come she was sleepy again?
But as she wandered aimlessly through the mansion trying as much as possible not to sleep, Lilian began to feel a strange sensation in her stomach. At first, she thought she had probably overfed but as the feeling persisted, she realized it was something more than just overfeeding. It was a different sense of pain.
A wave of nausea washed over her, and all of a sudden she started feeling so tired. Lilian stumbled over to the couch, collapsing onto the soft cushions to get herself.
And then, immediately she recalled that her date had passed and she hadn't seen her period. It was already too late and it only meant one thing.
Lilian's heart began to pound in her chest as she realized the truth. She was pregnant.
But how? They had only been together that one night...and then the wedding night, of course. But still, it seemed impossible.
As the reality of her situation sank in, Lilian felt like her whole world was just turned upside down. She was married to a stranger she barely knew yet, and now she was pregnant with his child.
What was she going to do?