ISABELLA'S POV
We sat side by side, yet our worlds were apart, Colin and I scribbled our signatures on the cold unforgiving documents.
The scratch of pen on paper echoed through the still silent office-room, sealing the fate of our marriage, our marriage which was only on papers and this same papers are putting an end to it. We never wanted this matrimony, but the pressure from own parents had paved the way for it.
With a heavy sigh, Colin handed Barrister Dominic the documents. His eyes met with mine for a fleeting moment before I turned my gaze elsewhere. My eyes fell on the photo on the lawyer's desk.
The couple in the photo are looking gay and excited, it was their wedding day!
It wasn't so for me, although everyone around me were beaming with joy whereas I the bride wasn't. At times, I really do wonder what I ever did to deserve his hostility towards me? I never asked to be born a female, neither did I asked to be born at all. Thank God the merger deal is over with, I'm free now to do whatever pleases me , finally I'm done with this fellow! I narrowed my eyes.'
"Amelia is looking so pretty in this photograph, " Colin admired the bride in the
photo.
"Yes, as usual, she's a pretty girl," Barrister Dominic beamed with a smile.
"It's so sad she is off the market even before I'm ready to settle down," Colin sighed.
"Really...?," Barrister Dominic laughed-eyes glinting ,"You aren't ready? I bet if you will ever be ready son, even a contract marriage didn't work out for you".
"Come on Mr.Dominic, you know I was never in this gibberish arrangement, I only wanted to honor my father's last wish, the old man did this to me," he rubbed his forehead," I think a headache is coming on, I need to start heading home now."
"Mrs. Graham...sorry please..Miss Isabella, it's been a pleasure knowing you." Barrister Dominic stretched his hands towards me for a handshake.
"Yes it has." I smiled warmly stretching forth my hands.
"Sometimes Colin, I wonder why you didn't make it work, she's such a sweet girl ," he whispered into Colin's ear. But I could clearly hear him.
"I never planned on getting married at the age of twenty three, perhaps I might never be ready for it's bullshit, marriage is like a man eating sour grapes just because he loves fruits." He hissed.
"Here you go again with your parables, an evidence you grew in an old man's arms," Barrister Dominic bust into laughter."Anyways..I wish you a good life".
"Thanks a lot Mr.Dominic ." he took his phone from the lawyer's desk heading outside.
"Colin..," Barrister Dominic called for a last time," She wouldn't have said yes even if you were ready, do have a nice day." He lain back on his chair with relief. 'I needed to tell him that.' He muttered.
"Huh..," Colin made a face and walked away without paying any response to him.
*****
Hours later…
We arrived the Graham's mansion, it was one of Mr.Graham's numerous mansions in London, this was specially built as a wedding gift for Colin whenever he decides to settle down, but as fate would have it, it came sooner than expected.
"Welcome sir." Jay welcomed him as he stepped down from the car.
"Jay..."
"Yes sir."
"I will be needing my tea now," he rubbed
his forehead.
"Okay sir..., you're alright sir?," Jay asked on noticing his sickly movement.
"I just need my tea and a little bit of rest," he ran up the stairs I guessed in a hurry to get on his bed. " And also help her with her packing."
*****
FEW MINUTES LATER
"I guess this is it! This is what freedom tastes like." I smiled wearily. I stared at the black wall clock for a while. A sudden memory flashed into my head. I stood up briskly and headed to my drawer. There it was. A black card which reads "Tick tick says the clock,what you have to do,do now!" This card still sends shivers down my spine.I had received it from an anonymous source just two days after the wedding. Up till now I still don't know who the sender is.
'What do I do now ?' I asked myself going back to my gloomy thoughts. I heard a gentle knock on the door and quickly rushed to answer whoever it was.
"Hi…" he greeted with a warm smile.
"Hi….." I responded with a curious look.
"I want to know if you will be needing any help with the packing.
"No, thanks Jay. I can handle my stuff myself." I returned his smile.
"Alright then,I'm just a call away if you need me." He smirked and walked away.
"Yeah…," I muttered.
Few minutes later I was done packing and headed out. Although I had no where in mind,but I knew I had to leave.
"Ma'am…!" I heard someone shout from behind me as I headed towards the gigantic golden mansion gate.
"Yes…" I turned around to see who it was. "Jay…what's the matter?"
Just then I heard a loud scream." What was that?!" We quickly rushed in to find out.
"I think it must be Mr.Colin,he's not feeling too well," Jay said heading to his room.
"Colin !" He rushed to his side as Colin laid on the ground holding his head and screaming in pains.
"Are you okay…" I asked in more of a whisper. What was wrong with him I wondered. I have never seen him in such position before.
"My head…my head…" he kept saying in agony.
"Don't you think we should take him to the hospital?" I asked with panic.
"Yeah…we should," Jay carried him up on his feet heading out.
*****
Later in the hospital…
I laid my head on the wall trying to get some sleep. The doctor walked into the room and I quickly jumped back on my feet. "Is he okay ?" I asked with panic.
"Yes…dear,he's stable for now." She smiled.
"Can I know what's wrong with him?"
"And you're his…?" She stared curiously at me.
"I..am..I am.." I haven't finished my statement when I heard a voice from behind say.
"His ex-wife."
She stood with folded arms staring daggers at me. "May I know who you're?" The doctor asked facing her.
"I'm Tina Davis, his girlfriend," she declared with boldness.
"Alright Miss, I would like to speak to you in private." The doctor said addressing Tina.
"Hmm," I sighed. Well I guess that's my cue to leave.