Encounter

“What did you say?” Aleia asked. She could not contain her feelings. She could feel her blood boiling deep within after hearing what he said.

Matthew cleared his throat and smiled. He opened her drawer ang grabbed something from there. #

“I have a present for you, wife, since today is our wedding. Hope you’ll like it,” he said while giving it to her.

Aleia’s heart was beating erratically the moment that she recognized what Matthew was talking about. It was her diary. She was holding it so tight in his chest.

“I’ve read everything that you have written there. And discovered that you were fantasizing about me since the first day you met me.” Matthew stood and was walking back and forth until he was right behind her, massaging her shoulders, combing her hair with his hands with a little force.

” Stop it,” she said while throwing his hands away but she just heard him laugh. What happened to the man she loved?

“Why? This is what you want, right? Tss. I forgot, I already gave you more than this. I kind of miss that wife,” he chuckled.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

“Is this the reason why you decided to marry me? Because you have read everything and you knew that… I have feelings for.. you,” she stammered.

“Sort of. I wanted to be your fairy godfather and made your wish come true, wife,” he said and sat back to his chair again. Leaning like a tired man, raking his hair back and forth.

Her defenses were getting weaker. How could she play with his game when he already knew her feelings for him.

“Why are you doing this to me, Zach? I did nothing wrong. I just did not tell you, cause it was not the right time,” she said with her eyes on the floor. Unaware that tears were starting to fall. She did not try to wipe them. It was useless, because her tears were unstoppable.

“Do what? Listen, wife. The Aleia, that I met on the island was the perfect girl for me. Cool, independent, plain and sweet. However, she turned out to be fake.”

“I’m not, Zach. I was not faking myself. I am still that woman you met there. The only difference is the world that I live in,” she said, sobbing while looking at her emotionless husband.

“Then, why did you not tell me? Instead, you pretended to be a stranger when you knew me all along. You could just tell me. Hey, bud. I knew you. You re my sister’s fiance right?”

“I thought you wouldn’t believe it if I tell you. I’m sorry. Excuse me.” Aleia stood and walked away. She almost caught her breath when Zach hugged her from behind.

“Was I too harsh? I’m sorry. I should not have done that. We are supposed to be on our honeymoon and yet here we are, arguing.” He even kissed her nape and lobe.” Don’t leave. We’ll. continue to discuss the rules.” He guided him back to her chair.

She sat back and remained silent. She had no strength to argue or fight back anymore. What she wanted to do was rest and get lost for a while.

“Shall we proceed?” he asked and she just gave him a light nod. He was reading all the rules but she absorbed nothing. She was drained to the point that she almost went blank. She was crying for a couple of times of today.

“I’m sorry, mom. This is not the lovestory that you wanted for me. I ended up as a crying bride,” she smiled sadly with that thought while playing with her nails.

“Are you okay? Don’t you want to add something?”Matthew asked.

“Why don’t we simplify the rules into one general rule. You can still do whatever you want and so am I. I will not interfere with whatever decisions you will have and you will do the same thing.” Matthew was dumbfounded and speechless.” If it’s clear to you then excuse me. I really want to rest.” She signed the papers and gave it to him.” She walked closer to him and kissed him on his cheek. “Good night.”

Aleia left him there but before she leave, she heard him curse and hit the table that it even created a noise. She immediately went to their room and covered herself with the comforter, leaving a space for her mighty husband. It was just so sad that they have to share the same bed under this kind of circumstances.

Few minutes after, she heard the door opened, she closed her eyes and pretended asleep. She heard footsteps coming near their bed. The other side of the bounced a little. Maybe, Matthew laid there already beside her.

Sh tried not move even her breathing was being controlled.

“Are you asleep alrady?” he asked. And when he got no response, he sighed.” Well, then, at least I can voice out how I really feel. All I know is that I hate you, Ale. My ego can’t just accept what you did. I don’t belive in love, but you almost made me believe it. I’ve read your diary, everything on it. But I could not find the courage to be moved after everything.” She started to feel heavy as her tears also started to fall. She bit her finger in order to supress her cry.” But, damn, wife. You are confusing me. No! You are driving me crazy. I want to punish you but your tears are tearing me apart. I want to ignore you but you are so irresistible that I want to claim you mine every now and then.”

Silence followed after that long monologue that Mathew had. She gasped for breath when she felt his hand on her belly. Hugging her from behind. She still did not move. All her efforts would be wasted if she dares to.

“Do you really love me, wife?” he asked and chuckled afer. “Of course! How can you answer, you are sleeping already. But if you really do, thank you. I’ve never felt that I was loved since my mom was gone.” He pressed his face to her nape and hugged her tightly.

He was steady in that position until Aleia felt his heavy and slow breathing. He dozed off to sleep. She moved slowly in order not to disturb him. She wanted to see his face. The face of the man she loved ever since.

She wanted to say she loves him right to his face. That she could wait for him to forgive her and that she’s willing to do everything for him. But she chose to keep it hidden somewhere because she believes that action speaks louder than words.

She touched his face, from his hair that fell on his face and traced every corner of his handsome face. She stopped when she reached his lips. How much she wanted to kiss him, too?

“I love you so much. Even if it hurts, I will still choose you over and over again,” she said finally. She thought she would explode if thise words remain to be hidden. She planted a kiss on his lips after.

“Mmm!” she heard him moan softly and pulled her closer to him. She could even feel his heartbeat but he was too tired to recognize what she did.

She hugged him back and closed her eyes to sleep. His arms were the best and the safest place she had known.