Chad wasn't who I expected him to be, he was much worse. He was selfish, proud, and everything one shouldn't be.
On our wedding night, he was nowhere to be found, which I was okay with, but the condition he came back in was one I could never be okay with.
After the wedding reception, a driver took us to Mr Green's house, my new home. He showed me to my room and forbade me from coming into his unless I was called upon and left the house. He was out till around 2 in the morning; I woke up due to the sound of things being knocked out of their places, which was later followed by a loud knock on my door. I ignored the first two knocks, pretending to be asleep, but the third knock sounded as if it was going to knock the door off its hinges.
I came out of my room rubbing my eyes, "do you want to knock the door down?" I said, "I can do whatever pleases me." he barked at me, "And where have you been? I do not like to be kept waiting", he said with annoyance. Before I could say anything, an awful smell hit my nostrils, and I'm pretty sure that wasn't the smell of alcohol he was reeking of. I couldn't endure the smell any second, with disgust on my face, I questioned him, "What the hell is that smell? It smells like shit." Without a single shame, he responded, "It smells like shit, maybe because it is shit, and I'm here for you to clean me up, my darling wife."
I couldn't stand him, how could a grown man get so drunk to the point that he would mess up himself, who could have possibly raised this animal? "Didn't you hear what I just said? Come and clean me up. Don't stand there staring at me like a fool." I took one glance at him, and told him "You must be mad, dear." With that, I went inside my bedroom and locked the door behind me.
I kept turning and tossing on my bed, trying to sleep, but I couldn't. I couldn't shake off the encounter I had with Chad. I muttered to myself, "Seriously, who is this animal? What have I gotten myself into?"
Later that morning, I saw him coming down the stairs as I was going to grab breakfast from the kitchen, he called my name and I stopped waiting for him to speak. He closed up the distance between us and grabbed my wrist tightly, I tried breaking free but I couldn't and he said to me "My orders are never to be broken, if I ask you to do something I expect it to be done immediately, understood?" When I said nothing he repeated himself "Understood?" I nodded but that didn't satisfy him "Make use of your mouth, understood?" "Yes," I replied to him, he hissed and let go of my hand.
Mary who had been watching the whole drama smiled at me and told me to try my best to ignore his behavior. She made me breakfast and we spoke for a while before retired to my bedroom.
* * *
The next couple of weeks were normal; we attended events together, and we posed as the perfect couple. He never let his hands off me and was so gentle with me in public.
We were invited to a fundraising dinner which was to be held on Saturday. A day before the event, he handed me his card and told me to get something nice for myself. I muttered thanks and told Mary, my help to dress up that she would be going with me.
Mary has been the one holding my sanity together since I wasn't able to see Lena as often as I wished to. Mary, who had been with the beast for the longest time, always came to comfort me whenever Chad blew over the top like he always does. Mary was more of a friend than a help.
* * *
Thomas, my chauffeur, a 6'5ft dark, handsome man drove I and Mary to the clothing store. "Finally, away from that prison," I said with a smile. Mary smiled back and said, "Ma, please do not be angry but why are you still married to him?" I chuckled drily and responded "I have told you numerous times to address me by my name and to answer your question, I am still married to him because if I divorced him now, I would be leaving with nothing. I signed an agreement that I can only have a share of his property if we stayed married for 20 years or in the case of his death which has to be confirmed to have been of natural cause." I paused for a minute, seeing how shocked she looked, "I know you think it is a long time, and maybe it is, but by the time I am out, I will be 38 and will have my life ahead of me, besides, there is nothing left for me at home." Before she could say anything, I said, "we came here to shop, and shopping is what we are going to do." With that being said, I started selecting the dresses I would love to try on.
* * *
Evenings like this are my favorites. Pretty dresses, beautiful pieces of jewelry good music, red wines, and intelligent conversations. I come alive on nights like this, and this night wasn't an exception.
Chad was putting on a convincing show as usual, circling back to me in between conversations to steal a kiss, or to brag about my beauty to any little audience I was engaging.
How he could pretend to be the perfect man and husband was so irritating to me, so I tried my best to avoid him. That night he wasn't easy to shake off, he was everywhere, and it annoyed me so much. After he interrupted my conversation for the umpteenth time, I made an excuse and made my way outside.
As the fresh air of the night hit me I realized how suffocating the hall was, relieved to be away for some time enjoying the beautiful night. I made my way to the orchard and sat at a seat I saw there, as I sat down I heard the voice of a man, startled I asked "Who is there?" I waited for a response and when I got none, I asked again "Who is there? I have a knife with me better show yourself" I heard a chuckle before the person responded, "It is Thomas, ma." "Oh! I thought it was someone creepy for a minute" I said with relief. "What are you doing out here alone?" I asked him, "I usually sneak off to a quiet place at events like this till my service is needed, I hate waiting in the car, and I don't get along with lots of people so that crosses off staying with the other chauffeurs," he replied. "Today must be your lucky day, 'cause I get along with everyone so come join me," I told him with a smile. He hesitated for a minute but after a little persuasion, he caved in.
Talking with Thomas was so easy and he was an interesting person to talk to. Too bad I'm married to a controlling man, he was someone I would have loved to have as a friend. "The stars look so pretty today, they are not scarce, I like it," I said absentmindedly. "Yes, they are beautiful," he said.
I turn around to see him staring at me, "Can I say something?" He asked, I gave him a curious look and nodded. "You look beautiful tonight, your dress compliments you so well." I smiled and whispered, "Thank you." For a moment I have forgotten about how good I looked in the red backless gown, with a low neck, and a slit that stops on my lap, adorned in silver jewelry.
"What is your idea of a perfect night?" I asked him in an attempt to break the awkward silence. "Well, that would be....." a call from Chad interrupted us. As I answered the call, Chad's voice thundered "WHERE ARE YOU? I SWEAR ONCE THOMAS GETS HERE YOU WILL HAVE TO SPEND THE NIGHT WITH WHOEVER YOU ARE WITH, WHORE," with that he ended the call. Almost immediately Thomas' cell rang and he answered, I didn't hear what Chad said all that was said by Thomas was "Yes sir" and "Okay sir." "I guess I have to tell you about my idea of a perfect night some other time," with that, he kissed my hands and said his goodbye.
On getting home, Chad roared "PENELOPE, WHO TF WERE YOU WITH?!" "Why do you care? And if you must know, I was with no one" I answered him, leaving to go to my room. He grabbed me by my hair and pushed me to the wall "Do you really think I'm dumb? You expect me to believe that? You are my property and mine alone and tonight I will show you that," with that being said he lifted me on his shoulder and took me to his room. Up to his room, I kept hitting and bitting him but he disregarded it all like he couldn't care less about my protest.
After 6 months, I had sex with my wonderful husband, Chad the Beast.
Not being able to stay under the same roof with Chad, the next morning I decided to grab a drink and go to a bookstore. Getting to the car I was greeted by a fella who said his name was John, the new chauffeur. I asked Mary, "What happened to Thomas?" "Sir fired him yesterday night," she replied to me. I muttered "Okay, thank you," and with so much anger I left the house.
* * *
Nine months later, I welcomed my son, Drew.