Chapter one: Wedding Anniversary

Maya’s pov

"Isn't my husband back from work?" I asked as I paused halfway down the stairs. My hand clutched the rich red fabric of my long gown, pulling it up slightly so I could move without tripping. My eyes swept the large, quiet living room.

"Not yet, Ma'am," the head maid replied. She had stopped to ask if she could do anything for me.

I looked at the clock. It was already half past seven in the evening. What could be the problem? I had called his assistant, who said he left around five p.m. By now, he should have been home. His parents were back from the office. Everyone was waiting for him.

I lifted my hand to my face and lightly nibbled my lower lip as I walked back and forth across the large living room. Each second felt like a minute. Sighing, I glanced at the wall clock every second.

"Excuse me, Ma'am," a soft voice spoke from behind me. I turned quickly, my red gown swaying with the motion, to see who it was.

It was Sussy, the head maid, again. She stood a little awkwardly, her head slightly bowed, her hands nervously fiddling with her fingers. Her face held a worried look.

"Yes, any problem, Sussy?" I asked, trying to keep my voice even, though my insides were a whirlwind of concern.

"Should I start serving the food? You know that Big Madam doesn't eat once it's eight o'clock PM," she said, and my heart sank as I quickly thought things over.

Could Ethan truly be absent from our wedding anniversary? It was our second one. I had poured my effort into this day, preparing a variety of dishes that I knew he loved. Every dish was a silent message of my care and love.

His parents knew today was our second marriage anniversary, and both had come back from the office earlier to celebrate with us.

"My mother-in-law doesn't eat once it's eight PM, and now it's already 7:45 PM," I muttered to myself, though no one was close enough to hear. My mind raced. "What could be keeping Ethan from 5 PM till now? If he had an important appointment, he would have mentioned it earlier." The logic felt sound, but it offered no comfort.

"Ma'am Maya," Sussy's voice cut through my thoughts.

"Ye...yes, what are you saying?" I asked, feeling flustered, pulling myself back to the present moment.

"I asked if I should bring the food to the dining table," she said. "It's almost 8 PM, and Big Madam won't take it lightly."

I shook my head slightly. "Don't worry, Sussy, just wait a bit. My husband will come soon, and his mother will understand." I tried to sound confident, but my heart was pounding a frantic rhythm against my ribs.

Yes, my husband will come back, especially since we're eating with his parents. He knows how strict his parents are and won't want to get on their bad side. Just then, my mother-in-law's voice came in, carrying from the doorway of the dining room.

"Why is the table not yet set?"

"Ehh-mm, Mother," I tried to speak, but I didn't know what to tell her.

"Where is Ethan?" she asked without waiting for me to finish. "Don't tell me he isn't back yet because I checked his office to remind him of his anniversary dinner, and they said he left earlier," she added, her words adding to my growing panic.

I stood there, dumbfounded, my mind scrambling to figure out how to defend Ethan, how to explain his absence.

Just then, the front door opened, and he stepped inside. A wave of immense relief washed over me, and a small, genuine smile touched my lips.

“He is here, mother,” I said immediately

"Good evening, Mum," he said, his voice calm, as he moved toward her. He leaned in quickly and gave me a brief, light kiss on my cheek.

"What's good about an evening when you almost missed your wedding anniversary meal?" my mother-in-law replied sharply, her words firm as she walked to her seat at the head of the table. Ethan followed her, his arms wrapping around her from behind as she reached her chair. He kissed her cheek.

"My mother, my woman," he said playfully, kissing her once more.

"Please, leave me alone and face your wife," she said, her voice softening slightly at his affection.

"I have my own handsome and sweet husband," she added, her hand reaching up to gently touch the jaw of my father-in-law, who was standing nearby.

He smiled warmly at her and then tenderly kissed her hand. Their long marriage was a beautiful thing to witness, 27 years, and they still acted like newlyweds

My father-in-law was always a calm and quiet person. But his wife? She was like a force of nature, a rugged woman ready to face any challenge head-on. She was strong and opinionated. Yet, I loved them both so much, and I admired the strong bond they shared.

I knew Ethan was trying to avoid the question of where he was coming from, but I didn't want to stir up trouble.

"Honey, please go upstairs, change, and come downstairs to join us," I said, trying to steer the conversation away from his late arrival.

"Oh, yes, do it quickly, son," my mother-in-law added, her voice back to its firm tone. "It's getting late already, and I can't go against my rule of not leaving this table before 8:30 PM."

Ethan smiled. "I'll join you guys shortly," he said, jumping up the stairs toward our room.

Not too long after, he joined us at the dining table. His father led us in prayer, blessing our marriage with more fruitful years.

"Amen," we all said together after his prayer, and we started eating.

"Maya and Ethan, my children, what's the actual problem?" my mother-in-law, Mrs. Theo asked, clearing her throat in the middle of our meal, and her face was filled with worry.