Chapter 2 Ruined his mood

The next morning, Aiyana got up, took a shower, and went straight to the kitchen to start making breakfast. After the party last night, she pitched in to tidy up and only caught three hours of shut-eye. Since neither Abigail and Genevieve were staying, she'd only be making breakfast for Matthew and Poppy. Six months into her marriage, Aiyana realised one thing: he was as picky as a cat when it came to food. Even more picky than his daughter, Penelope.

"What kept you from making an appearance last night? You also didn't welcome our guests, did you?"

She was scrambling eggs on the stainless steel pan when she heard the familiar, deep voice that made her turn around momentarily. She hadn't heard his steps entering the kitchen at all.

Matthew slung his black suit casually over the chair's back. He wore a crisp white shirt and a black tie. She had an embarrassingly overwhelming urge to snuggle with him the moment she caught a whiff of his masculine perfume.

However, she held back as much as she could. He was already so clean that it would make him sick if Aiyana just hugged him in her sloppy dress and apron.

"Good morning." She beamed.

Matthew poured water into a glass, waiting for her response. There's no smile on his handsome but stiff face. No 'good morning' kisses or surprise hugs from behind like in cheesy romance films or sappy novels, which is what Aiyana had always expected to have once she was married.

But what can she expect now? She's marrying Mr. Iceheart.

"I tidied up the back there. There's too much work to do, so I helped them."

They already had enough people handling any preparations, and Aiyana did not need to help at all. It's just that yesterday, as soon as she saw Ecclesia cheerfully strolling towards him with a smile on her beautiful face, Aiyana withdrew herself and stayed away.

She had no idea why; she didn't even know why she felt this emotion. Was she afraid of seeing the intimacy between the two of them? He wore his heart on his sleeves with Ecclesia while cold as ice when he was with her. Was she insecure? Aiyana wasn't sure.

Matthew only mumbled in response. Aiyana smiled wryly. She kind of expected that he would mention his ex-girlfriend and that she only came because she was invited and nothing more.

Aiyana was daydreaming again, with her attention on him. Then he raised his gaze, and their eyes met. And he frowned. His attention was caught by something behind her, and he scowled. "What is this smell?"

Aiyana turned around at lightning speed, and she gasped. Fuck. Her scrambled egg was burned! "Oh my!"

Panicking, she turned off the stove and lifted the pan abruptly, but she did it carelessly and made her hand nudge the hot part of the pan. With a metallic clatter, it tumbled down, and the egg fell apart on the countertop. Matthew rose from his chair.

"Sorry!" She gathered everything abruptly and cleaned up the stupid mess she made on such a calm morning.

For God's sake Aiyana! How could you be so careless! You're going to ruin his mood!

She was about to carry it to the sink when the firm's hand stopped her; he took the pan from her. Matthew didn't say anything as he grabbed her hand to check her reddened palm. Aiyana bit her lip.

His perfect brows frowned in displeasure. She could hear her heartbeat and was worried that Matthew might as well because of how close they were.

"It's early in the morning, and you can't seem to get anything straight." The intensity of his stare rendered her speechless. "Does what you're thinking matter more than what you're doing?"

She didn't say a word while he washed and dried her hands under running water and tapped them gently with a soft towel. Aiyana wanted to cry over her carelessness.

"I'm sorry. I was just thinking about..."

"About what?"

Aiyana cleared her throat and then shook her head. There was no way she would say that she was thinking about Ecclesia. That would only make her look even more immature in his eyes. "Nothing. I think I'm still a bit sleepy."

"You're always thinking of something insignificant to the point where it's distracting your focus. Do your best to cut back on that."

She nodded without replying.

Matthew glanced at his watch and made a tsk sound. Letting go of her hand, he downed his drink and reached for his suit. She swallowed, realising he was going to be late. He always had to leave early because their current house was farther from his office.

He valued time, and now she was also ruining his schedule with her carelessness. He had to rush to the office when he hadn't even eaten breakfast or had his morning coffee.

"I'll make a new one! Ten minutes only. Please wait, you should have at least a little breakfast."

"I'll eat at the office. I'm already late right now." He rushed out of the kitchen.

Aiyana jumped to stop him. "Wait! I'll bring you some lunch, okay?"

He stopped, turning to her. Aiyana hoped he wouldn't refuse; it was an apology because she'd burned his breakfast.

"No need; I have lunch with a client today. Just treat your hand; the ointment is in the nightstand drawer." And then he left.

She was still standing, unmoving, until she faintly heard the sound of a car engine, leaving the courtyard. Aiyana plopped into the chair, feeling so useless.

'Good job, Aiyana. What a great way to start a day; you ruined his mood' She was so pissed at herself. All of this was her fault.

Once again, she just proved how incompetent she was.