Chapter 4 The familiar stranger

My heart dropped to my stomach. I had been wanting to meet this mysterious husband of mine since I arrived this house, but right now, I wasn't sure if I was ready to meet him.

I was scared for many reasons.

What if he was ugly?

What if he treats me badly?

What if he was a monster?

So many what if's. I knew I couldn't escape whatever he was. This was a marriage my parents forced me into and there was no escaping it.

I stood from the bed and went to the mirror. I took a good look at myself. I didn't look bad but I was not looking too good. I got my makeup kit and started by applying my foundation. Just a light touch of foundation. I applied a pink lipstick. This was my favourite lipstick and colour.

I put a little blush on my cheeks. I wasn't a professional when it came to makeup, but I could do my own makeup and it would turn out alright.

Wait a minute. Why am I getting all dressed up for someone who I don't even know or sure if he wants for me?

I shook my head and dropped everything I was holding on the desk and quickly turned to leave my room.

I didn't want to keep this mysterious husband of mine waiting. I didn't know his personality or how he reacted to lateness.

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I blinked my eyes three times to know if I was dreaming or not seeing clearly. I stood there just staring at my husband.

Here I was thinking my husband could be one unattractive, ugly man. But now, I was wrong. He was the most handsome and hottest man I had ever encountered all my life.

I'm actually the one not fit for him. I wasn't too pretty.

I had barely stepped into what seems like a library, when my gaze found him-seated at the far end of the long table, back straight, legs crossed, calm like he wasn't the center of a life-changing mess.

My breath hitched.

He was...OH MY GOD!

No one warned me he'd look like that.

He was drop dead gorgeous, if that can be used to describe a man.

The tuxedo he wore hugged his tall, broad frame in all the right places, the black fabric deep and smooth like silk. His skin was lightly tanned, as if the sun had kissed him just enough to make a girl wonder where he'd been-and who he'd been with. His jawline was sharp, dusted with the kind of scruff that made him look older, more dangerous. And his lips-firm and sculpted, like he rarely smiled but when he did, it would ruin you.

But it was his eyes that held me hostage. They were brown. Even from across the room, I could feel their pull. I have felt such pull before and hit lost in them. They flicked to me once. Brief. Sharp. Enough to make my stomach twist.

I swallowed hard. The environment suddenly became hot and stuffy.

That man was supposed to be my husband?

Aria's husband.

I didn't belong in that seat. Not next to him. Not in his world.

And yet, for a fleeting second, I imagined what it would be like to be the real bride-to have those eyes look at me like I mattered.

He was handsome. Dangerously so. The kind of man girls dreamed about and mothers warned their daughters to run from.

But one thing I found strange was that he looked familiar, like someone I had met in the past, but can't place my fingers on exactly.

And I was the wrong bride walking straight into his life.

I just stood there drooling over him, I didn't realize he was talking.

Alina, pull yourself together.

"I'm Darren" He stood and brought his hands for a shake.

Was this a sort of business thing. What's with the formality?

"I'm Alina" I said, responding in the same time tone.

"Alina?" He questioned.

I deadpanned myself. I was supposed to be Aria. Now I've given myself away. I'm so stupid.

"No, excuse me. I'm Aria. I was just feeling homesick and I was on a call with my sister just now so...

I didn't know what to say but I just hope he believes me. I was not a good liar.

"Okay, I suppose" He said and looked at me suspiciously as though he knew I was lying but just played along.

He nodded slowly. We just stayed there doing nothing.The silence between us stretched and it was so awkward, at least for me.

I didn't know what to say or what to do.

"If you have any questions regarding the affairs of this house or anything, ask Bruno" He gestured to someone coming in.

So the stand-in is called Bruno. Interesting!

I nodded and began to worry the silence and awkwardness will continue but Bruno whispered something to him.

"I think that would be all" He said dismissively.

I took the cue and left the library--yes it was a library. There were books on very large shelves hung on the wall.

I thought about what happened. He was strangely nice unlike how I had pictured everything. I didn't want to think about it anyways but it felt nice.

At least, someone else that was not my immediate family treated me well.

No member of my family had called me after the wedding. People that called themselves my family.

But now I have a new family. He, Darren was my family.

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I woke up that evening feeling so down. I was thinking about my family and that completely ruined my mood.

I went to sleep to get rid of the mood but I woke up the same.

Since I got here, I haven't really done much about myself. Before the marriage issue came up, I was learning web development. It was a skill I had passion for and I could see myself excelling in it.

It was a 6-months course. I was 4-months into it before all this and I needed to complete it.

I had always wanted to have my own Company and treat my employees like my family and not the way I see my parents and sister treat them.

This web development was a good start towards achieving my aim.

I took my laptop out of my bag and placed it on my lap. I tried focusing on what I was doing, but I couldn't just concentrate.

I decided to take a cold shower to see if that will help. I went to the already set wardrobe to get a towel.

There was a drawer underneath and I opened it. Inside it was a small MP3. I made to pick it out but it fell off my hand and hit the floor and a sound started playing.

A song.

I froze.

The tune was painfully familiar.

I stood still. It was a song formed by me and was sang to me by someone I gave my heart to.

Someone I loved and still loves without any doubt.

It was a silly, personal tune I had written years ago, humming it under my breath at quiet nights. I never recorded it nor shared it with anyone...anyone except him...wolf

He was the one who made it real. He turned my scattered lyrics into a full song and sang it to me every time we were together.

I just stared at the MP3 as tears streamed down my face. Old memories flashed before me.

It all started at six years ago when I was eighteen.