Chapter 2 CONFUSION

Ethan turned away from her, about to head to the bathroom when her meek voice stopped him half way.

"I...I don't understand. We're husband and wife, we are supposed to share a room"

Ethan didn't give her a response; he still had his back turned to her. "A maid will be waiting outside to take you to your room. I don't want to see you here when I get back from my shower. Goodnight". Ethan stated firmly and proceeded to the bathroom, leaving no chance for Leila to express her thoughts.

The weight of his words rendered Leila weak as she sat on the bed. She didn't know how long she was on his bed, thinking about their short, confusing conversation. With a dejected sigh, she adhered to his command. She knotted her night robe and pulled few of luggage with her.

Opening the door, she encountered the maid that had brought her to Ethan's room. She almost hung her head in shame at being sent out of her husband's room on her wedding night, but the pleasant smile on the maid's face made her smile too.

"Hi, can you help me with the rest of my luggage?"

"Of course, Mrs Cruise". She entered the room.

Mrs Cruise

The term rang in Leila's head for a while. She still hasn't gotten over the sensation of being Ethan's wife, her first love.

"Are you ready, ma'am?". The maid asked, after she brought the rest of Leila's belongings.

Leila nodded, letting her lead the way to her new room, away from her husband. Leila stole a glance at Ethan's room, a huge part of her wished he'd step out and tell her it was all a jest, but aware of his serious nature, she instead wished he'd stop her and tell her he had a change of heart, and then they would kiss and proceed with their wedding night.

A turn to the left was a finality that he was never coming out. Leila swallowed the lump that had formed in her throat and let the maid guide her.

As they moved forward, Leila gradually noticed the distance between where they were and Ethan's room. The fact that she still hadn't gotten there made her furrow her brow quizzically.

"Where are you taking me?". She asked.

"The East wing, Mrs Cruise". The maid replied, still leading her.

"East wing? That's like the other side of the mansion". Leila stopped, confusion setting in.

Leila knew the mansion of the Cruise like the back of her hand. She had been acquainted with the family since she was just a child. She understood the East wing was more or less an area made for visitors.

"I'm sorry ma'am, but that was the order of Mr Cruise". The maid turned to her, bowing her head apologetically.

Leila felt pain grip her heart. Does he really not want to see me?. She thought to herself.

Leila tilted her head up, trying not to let her tears fall, before she stared down at the short maid with a stern expression. "I will be staying in the same section as him."

"Bu-"

Leila turned, about to take a first step when the maid came around to block her path.

"You have to stay at your designated place, Mrs Cruise. Your bedroom is already prepared for you. I am really sorry, ma'am, I'm just following Mr Cruise's order."

"What's your name?". Leila asked, ignoring her rant.

"Kelsey, ma'am"

"Kelsey, I know you're worried about not carrying out his instructions. I'll explain to him when he questions you. You don't need to worry"

Kelsey was about to plead with her again, but when she noticed her expression, she knew it was of no use. With silence, Kelsey followed her to a bedroom that was in the same section as Ethan's, which was few doors away from his own room.

Upon entering, Leila was amazed at the beautiful bedroom, but what made her love it more was the terrace it offered.

After two hours of Kelsey making the place more suitable to Leila's taste, she left. Leila wasted no time in lying down. She reflected on what had happened today: from the sweet wedding kiss Ethan gave her in the church, which she subconsciously rubbed her lower lip. However, the memory of her wedding night crept into her mind, making the smile slowly fall. Trying to decipher what could have been the reason Ethan acted that way to her, made her finally sleep.

***

The chirping of the birds woke Leila. She took her bath, wore a casual clothe, then proceeded to the kitchen to make his breakfast. She had decided to let go of what had happened last night, brushing it off as a bad mood from him.

Leila set a table of toasted bread, egg and bacon with a cup of coffee, and a glass of water. She looked down at her work, feeling a swell of pride. She sat on a chair beside his, waiting for him to come down.

Seconds turned to minutes, and minutes proceeded to hours. Leila's stomach crumbled in pain from the prolonged hunger.

"Ma'am, Mr Cruise left a while ago". A young maid informed her.

"Gone? He didn't even eat his breakfast". Leila crutched her stomach in pain.

The maid stared at her pathetically. "He doesn't eat breakfast."

"Why didn't you tell me!?". Leila asked angrily. She was pissed at the house helps. They watched her cook for him, and waited for him like a fool.

"We-We thought he'd change his mind if he knew it was you that cooked". She answered apologetically.

Leila sighed, the hunger pain more prominent. "Can you bring me a hot meal?"

"Right away, ma'am."

Leila spent the rest of her day touring the huge estate. The size always left Leila speechless even though she had seen a countless of time before she became Ethan's wife.

She planned to visit Sandra in her room, but she usually travelled to Hawaii for medical check-up by this day of the week.

Leila instead worked on her latest design proposal on her laptop in the living room, stylishly waiting for Ethan. In a couple hours, she heard his car pull over outside before he gracefully entered.

"Welcome back". Leila greeted with a smile. "I made you breakfast, but the maid informed me you don't eat in the morning". Leila walked towards him and then she stood in front of him, gazing up with a warm smile.

Ethan stared down at her with a piercing and intimidating gaze that made Leila staggered back a little.

"Don't you have a job?" He queried in a slight condescending tone.

"I-I do, but I was given two weeks off for the wedding and honeymoon"

"You can resume tomorrow. There won't be a honeymoon". Ethan said drily.

He was about to go up to the room, when Leila stopped him.

"Did I do something wrong?". Leila's eyes blurred with tears at his nonchalance.

Suddenly, Ethan turned to her, his eyes flashing with anger, that made Leila freeze in fear. "If you have questions, ask your mother-in-law"