Chapter 2 The work

EDWARD

I have no idea how I got myself into this mess.

half a year. I still didn't know what to do with this marriage after six months.

I had no desire for this union. I truly thought it absurd that my parents would make me marry a stranger to carry out their absurd plan with their closest friends, and I never wanted to do that.

Myself and Evelyn's parents have been great friends for ages. Despite their assertion that Evelyn and I "used" to be friends, I had no memory of her other than the fact that her name seemed familiar in the back of my mind. But that was all there was to it.

Her parents tragically lost their lives in a terrible accident two years ago when a drunk driver struck their car as they were returning home. MaEvelyn and Alfred were nice individuals with a lot of compassion. Even though my parents knew them more than I did, it was still quite terrible to lose them.

I was able to vividly recall the day of their funeral. Evelyn had no one else to help her plan the funeral, so my parents did it for her. I discovered that she was raised in a tiny family, which explained in part why my parents cherished her like a daughter.

I recalled Evelyn's expression during the funeral. I could still clearly recall it. She was not emotional at their funeral. She said nothing as she simply stood there, staring at their graves. However, I knew that she was struggling to contain her tears for the benefit of everyone present. And that's when I realized she was a difficult girl.

Even though she and I were both astonished to discover that our parents had arranged our marriages, she didn't object. Her first error was to give her approval for our marriage. That's what infuriated me about her. So that we wouldn't be stuck in this marriage, she ought to have fought. We both knew we didn't want this, so she ought to have spoken with her parents to get the agreement canceled.

She didn't, though. Her goal was to trap me in her arms. And that's what turned me off to her.

She never appealed to me. Whether I liked it or not, though, I would have to live with her. I thought that the best way to avoid her and her betrayal for ruining my life would be to leave the house early in the morning and return very late. I didn't like having to see her in my home daily.

"Good morning, Mr. Breakfast is ready for you." When I entered the house, Jane welcomed me.

After going out for drinks with my best friend last night, I ended up staying in the penthouse. I didn't want Evelyn to ask me why I was so inebriated when I got home. I didn't require that much drama.

"I'll go shower first." I started to go upstairs to my room but stopped in the middle. "I didn't see the car outside, is Felix taking it?"

"Yes, sir. Evelyn is being driven to town by Felix."

Did she go out? It's never happened before. As much as I wanted the girl to go outside, she never did.

"Do you know where she went?"

She gave a headshake. "I'm afraid no, Sir."

"All right. Give Felix a call and find out where he brought her. Tell me when I return."

Felix had to drive me to the workplace, so I needed to know when he would be returning-not that I cared. I had a meeting in two hours, and I was already one hour late.

An hour later, I heard someone open the front door. Evelyn grinned broadly as she entered. I found the sight annoying. She didn't grin much in the house, therefore who gave me her wide smile? Although I wasn't envious in any way, I refused to put up with infidelity in this marriage.

We never discussed relationships outside of marriage, and even while we decided not to have any close relationships outside of public appearances, that didn't imply I supported her having a partner. Not for as long as this marriage of ours.

I asked her as she passed me, "Where were you?"

I became even more annoyed when she gave me a glance and her smile vanished. "Wandering."

"Where?"

She obstinately replied, "Somewhere."

"To where exactly?"

Her eyebrows shot up. "Why do you want to know?"

"Answer me." I lost my temper. She irritated me, goddamn it.

She dared to ask incredulously, "Why do you care?" "I went to town to get a job, if you must know. And I did, I received it, surprise!"

She walked upstairs to her room, refusing to answer any more questions I may have asked. My feet went right after her.

"A position? Where? How come you even require a job?"

She pivoted around. "You asked a lot, huh?"

With a sigh, I ascended the steps till I came to her. Evelyn, please don't toy with me. Just respond to my inquiries."

Let me ask you why you believe I need a job. then I can escape this dull life," she muttered angrily. "I want to work, not just stay in this house doing nothing."

And that's it. I could take no more of her annoyance; I'd had enough of it today.

"You are not working, quit your job right now." Saying that, I walked her upstairs.

She grabbed my arm to halt me as soon as I heard her footsteps behind me. "Will you please pardon me? I didn't solicit your viewpoint. It has nothing to do with you if I get hired. You don't control me!"

I made an effort to maintain my composure, but all I wanted to do was grab her and give her a kiss for speaking to me in such a rude way. Her error was believing that I had no influence whatsoever over her.

"You don't seem to remember that I'm your spouse. Anything you do, I can take over. You are not taking that position, as I mentioned earlier because I care about your employment too."

She became more irate. Alright. She has been treating me like that for the last six months.

"My partner? How long ago is that? Just on paper, as you don't even value our union as a tribute to my late parents!"

She yelled. toward me. I remained silent even though I didn't enjoy it when people yelled at me. To be honest, I was a little shocked when she lost her temper with me. I had never seen her exhibit any other emotion before.

She knew that she had just lost control, and her eyes widened. For a brief moment, I noticed terror in her eyes.

"I apologize, I didn't mean to yell at you," she said, glancing away from me. "But please, I need this job badly. This time, her voice was soft. "I want to work."

Then I caught sight of it. The exhaustion and defeat in her gaze. This marriage had worn her out just as much as it had me. Likely, I wasn't treating her fairly.

Screw it.

"Alright, you can work." Her eyes immediately jerked back at me as soon as I said it. "But, I need to know where you work, what kind of job you do, and who your boss is."

She was desperate for a job, but I was not willing to let her work in a risky position.

She went to unwind. "Wilson Media hired me, have you heard? the TV commercial editor? "And my employer, Matthew Wilson is his name."

Wilson Productions. I was familiar with the business. large business. Plenty of competitors, but nothing to worry about.

"Why TV commercials?"

Because that is the only business that has agreed to hire me! For heaven's sake, I'm not even qualified for a high school diploma. I was turned down eight times before Wilson graciously accepted me."

My parents had said that Evelyn had never attended college, maybe due to unspecified circumstances. It made sense that she would take a job offer from any organization. Applying for jobs without a college degree can be challenging. She was fortunate to be admitted.

"Okay, you can work."

Her eyes gleamed. "Really?"

"Just for the first six months. I would give it a try and see what transpired. I'll see what occurs after that. "Now go before I change my mind."

She smiled broadly at me. "Thank you!"

I swear I caught a glimpse of her dancing joyfully as I watched her head to her bed.

*****