Chapter 5: A Familiar place
A Familiar sense of dread claws deep into my bones when Mum walks into my room to call Renae and I down for dinner. I remember how she'll yell at me for being in my room past dinner time and sometimes I earned a slap but this time she had a calm and collected expression on her face, it was cold nonetheless "Girls come down for dinner " her eyes are on me, ever so unwelcoming. I could tell without a doubt that me being here was a bane to her existence. My Mum was always calm but with me she was willing to break character and scream like a banshee, Only I got that part of Gisele Green.
I understand her cold demeanour at the moment cause she'd always wanted Renae to marry into the Colbert family and she was very open about that desire. She made sure everything was perfect but my silly trick to tease my sister for calling me a pig the night before her wedding ruined it all. I acknowledge my fault in the situation but before the marriage saga I was as obedient as a lap dog but Mum was always so angry at me over everything, even ones I could not control.
"Don't think about it too much Sally, Mum has always been strict" Renae says looping her arm around mine while leading me to the dinning table.
I take my seat at the other end of the table and Renae sits next to me. I look over at Mum and I can tell she's trying really hard to mask her expression but it easily slips off when Sarah enters to inform me that she'll unpack my things while I have dinner. Mum sneers "Madame?, oh please" she says in a mocking tone.
"So Sally, how's it going between you and Stephen?, Is he a great husband or he's still a dictator at home" Renae asks in the middle of dinner. It catches me off guard earning a cough from me. "What?, I just want to know since he's going to be my husband anyways" she continues
"Your sister just wants to know what her husband is like" Mum pushes holding my stunned gaze
"He's fine" I keep my reply short hoping they'll change the topic cause now I'm thinking about my amazing husband and I can't help missing him so much.
Mum nods in approval "I knew he'll make a fine husband, Moreen was right too. Have you been trying to end things with him?"
Of course they were going to bring that up sooner or later.
"I need a little more time to figure how to"
" It's been a month Sally " Renae states flatly
My mum takes a seat at my left side and drapes her hand over my shoulder "That's okay dear, I knew you were not up to the task but I'm here to help you"
The first time my mum was offering help without being coerced by my father to but this time it was to ruin the only source of genuine happiness in my life. Mum is very calculating and very manipulative so of course she is the perfect person to get the job done.
After dinner, I retire to my room exhausted from being around my mum and sister. My mind is all over the place thinking of all the possible ways to keep Stephen despite the guilt I feel. My phone beeps with a message from " My Husband "popping on my screen immediately distracting me from my thoughts.
My Husband: What's my wife doing, I miss you so much already especially your honey and coconut scent.
I giggle, typing a reply really fast
Me: That's my shampoo (with three laughing emoji) and I'm telling you, I miss you even more.
A video call comes in immediately the message is sent, Stephen is on my screen shirtless in bed.
"Now, this is the favorite part of my day" His chest heaves with a happy sigh.
We talk for hours about our day and I tell him everything except the brewing plan to ruin this beautiful thing we have going on. Stephen is the only person in my life that makes me feel loved, beautiful and important. . . For example while mum says my "wild" curly reddish brown hair reminded her of an evil person, Stephen says it reminds him of Autumn. The thought of losing him hurts me more than the thought of disappointing my sister and mother. I end up going to bed very late and waking up to a sweet message from Stephen giving me his schedule and urging me to wake up with a smile so the sun can shine properly today.
It's really sunny outside.
I eat breakfast outside with my mum and Renae before jumping right into the plans for the Welcome home party mum was hosting by the end of the week in my honor. She spends half of the time telling me that this was her way of making up to me for never officially introducing me to the society and that I should use this opportunity to make friends like Renae and maybe pick a potential candidate for my second marriage. The whole planning is a total bore for me but that doesn't stop me from basking in the little avenue mum gives me to make decisions about the party. I give small instructions about sitting areas and table arrangements to Vivian, the head maid and mum doesn't object to any of it.
"And Sally, hold on to your virginity for as long as you can, it could be your only chance at getting remarried" she says eyeing my not so slender figure.
Her comment throws me off balance and I catch the maids moving uncomfortably on their feet, she didn't have to say that out loud in front of our staffs
Renae nods in agreement " Getting intimate might make you feel an unnecessary connection and ugh" she makes an irritated face "I'll hate for you to get pregnant for my husband"
Her husband?, I did promise to give him back but now I don't feel like it anymore
I'll make sure that never happens but how?.