Chapter 4: What feeling
The feeling of dread washes over me
"I'm sorry" I sob into my palm afraid of what might happen next. I feel so ashamed, I should've known and prepared for it.
"What are you saying Sally?, You don't have to be sorry" He takes my hand away from my face, wiping my tears away with his thumb. I look up at him to find him looking at me with worry instead of anger or irritation "Go wash up, I'll have someone change the sheets and get you the essentials you'll need"
"You don’t have to" I say looking at my feet, the polish I applied earlier this week is fading already.
"Sally I'm your husband, it's my duty to take care of you and make sure you're comfortable" He rubs my back and I find that oddly soothing. I don't want him to stop, I internally wish he'll take it a step further by hugging me but I don't dare wish for too much.
Ruthless, calculating and expressionless, Stephen never struck me as someone that'll care about his wife or smile or even, I don’t know, be nice to anyone because He's an absolute villain to the outside world. His family has had control of the Political affairs of Northenham for as long as I can remember, he got away with stripping the former Mayor of his power which pushed him into committing an homicide. That happened ten years ago but I remember it like yesterday cause of the chaos It brought.
There's a funny speculation that he ate his mother's womb because he is the only child, although people hate him for his rigidity, there's no denying that the town is doing a lot better under his control.
I don't know if it's how soft his voice is when he speaks to me or how he randomly puts his hand on my waist while we're talking from time to time but my heart's always pounding so hard around him, sometimes I fear it might just rip out of my chest. I know it's wrong, he's not mine to keep but deep down I don't want this moments to end anytime soon. For the first time in my life, I've gotten a taste of comfort and i must say, it's addicting. Oh by the end of that week, I'd gotten so comfortable that I'd stopped stammering around him. I fear I might start desiring my what belonged to my sister.
On a random Monday night while we're having dinner, Stephen informs me that he'll be away for a while with my father on a business trip and my face falls immediately. After a month together, I'm finally experiencing that trip that takes your husband away from you for a long time.
"What, you don't want me to go?" He chuckles
"No" I say immediately, "I understand business is important"
" You're important too "
He hums
"You could come along if that's fine by you" He says dropping his fork and dapping his mouth clean with the back of his hand.
I shake my head in disagreement "I'll be fine, don't worry"
I try to put on the most comfortable expression I can muster but deep down, I was already missing the late night conversation, pats on the back, compliments and the random kisses on my forehead that felt like the most soothing balm.
"You see your Father has been working so hard to improve the productivity of the lands and seeds in Northenham" He says trying to change the topic to lighten the mood.
I nod in agreement "My Father's a good man"
He laughs, not in agreement or like he always does before saying "that's cute", he laughed like I said something silly"Your Father?, a good man?"
"Yes?" I shrug, "He's been working on that seed for years, trying and failing without giving up cause he wants what is best for the people "
"Come sit here" He gestures for me to sit on his lap and I obey immediately
"Those seeds if developed well will not only benefit the people in Northenham but also her neighbours like Soilhyll, Pressia and Greenwood. Having power over agricultural productivity means having a bit or even more power over the towns Economy. Your father doesn't have that power yet but he will if his development succeeds" He explains calmly while rubbing circles on my back
"Hence his dedication " he doesn't say that but I internally complete the sentence. I might seem naive, but I understood some things.
"You're so different outside. It's almost like I married a different person"
His stops rubbing my back, lifts me like i weigh nothing and position me so I'm straddling him.
"Stephen" I gasp, the swift action catching me by suprise. This position feels so intimate plus his arm snaking around my lower back fuel the reddening of my treacherous cheeks.
"You're my wife, they're my subjects" He says pulling me closer
I try to pull away but his grip behind my back is firm
"Okay, let's go to bed" I whisper hiding my face in the column of his neck.
He chuckles "I like seeing you go red"
It goes straight to my tummy and my private part literally purrs. He lifts me without breaking contact he takes me up to our bedroom.
We spend that night chatting away about random things, it felt like we were a normal couple. In the morning, I wake up early to make him some snacks with the help of Sarah and send him off with a kiss on the cheek and an "I'll be waiting for you" like any other wife will say.
" Jason will drop you off at home later. I figured you could use some family company while I'm away. You can take Sarah with you" He drops the bomb like any normal news with a kiss on my forehead before boarding his rover.
Two weeks with my mother and sister?, my stomach churns at the thought of going back home after getting used to care here.