Chapter 3.

Zia

I sat next to Mateo in the car; my hands clasped on my lap as I looked down at them. Mateo was glued to his phone, and I couldn't ignore how nervous I felt. Honestly, I was scared, too; I didn't know a single thing about him, only that he liked to buy out bakeries. And who knows, what if he was in a cult that believed in sacrificing people, and I just married him!?

In the front seat was the driver, and the iced latte guy who would almost pass as Mateo. Even though both of them had smiled at me, it didn't help my uneasy feeling.

The car we were in? Was a black SUV with tinted windows, all the people with Theo were dressed in black suits, and I was pretty sure I saw a gun when the iced latte guy pushed his hands into his pockets.

What's the gun for!?

The mood in the car was quiet and uncomfortable. I'm not saying I'm one for getting into conversations with just about anyone, but I was pretty sure they could hear my heart violently beat against my chest. I had stopped crying the minute I got into the car, but I was having difficulty breathing properly. I did try to take deep breaths in.

"We're here," the iced latte guy said as he got out and opened the door for me, as the driver opened Mateo's door.

"Thanks," I whispered as I exited the car with his help. He smiled brightly at me, and I still found him weird, like the day he came to the cafe... was he doing research on his boss's arranged wife?

So they all knew except for me, and I served them with a smile, looking like an idiot? The wind was a bit nasty today, and I held my veil in my arms to prevent it from flying away. Mateo nodded to the jet, and I gasped as I pressed the veil against my chest.

NO.

"Are you okay?" Mateo asked with a concerned expression, and I shook my head as I eyed the jet. "What's the matter?" How I missed the accent was beyond my knowledge, but how his voice deepened as he talked to me was very attractive. 

Am I actually easy?

"Are we leaving in that?" I asked him as I took small steps backwards, clutching my veil.

"Yes, is there a problem with that?" He asked, and I shook my head. Yes, I had to be obedient! "Are you afraid of flying?" He asked softly, and I nodded.

"Mhhh," I bit my bottom lip and closed my eyes, trying to get my heartbeat back to normal. I felt him touch my arms, and I looked at him. His eyes hold a distant warmth to them, but simultaneously, they give off a dark vibe. I don't know how to explain it.

"That's alright, we'll drive there," he said, and I shook my head.

"No, won't it be easier to fly there?" I asked him as I caught my breath.

"It would-" He nodded as he took off his jacket and wrapped it around my shoulders. Uhm, I feel so blank. Why would such a simple, innocent act make me feel this way? Was I crazy? "-but if you're afraid, I'd rather you go in something you're comfortable with," he rubbed my arms soothingly. 

Ahhh.

"Or you could just give me sleeping pills?" I suggested, and he nodded. I felt a needle pierce my skin. "I said pills," I squeaked out, holding my arm. The world suddenly got dark, and I fell asleep.

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When I came to, an unbearable amount of light pouring in through the window blinded me. I groaned as I massaged my head, feeling a slight ache. I sat up groggily on the bed and rubbed my eyes as I yawned. I looked around the foreign room and it was bland.

The sheets that covered me were cream white, the walls matched the sheets, and the furry carpet on the floor was at least dark blue. It had a fair-sized table by the corner, but it was bare. The curtains were white; this room was so modern and boring.

I was still wearing my wedding dress, and the veil was draped over the small couch in this room. Did he take his jacket back? I decided to get up and look for somebody, the only person I knew-Mateo.

I opened the door, and the hallway was as quiet as the room I woke up in. I walked until I found a common area, the living room, but there wasn't anyone there. Feeling my scratchy throat, I tried to find the kitchen, but it seemed impossible. It was confusing because the living room was normally the closest to the kitchen, or at least that was how it seemed in my tiny home.

I wondered what they were up to at this moment. Zach had probably found something to distract him, and Mom was probably cleaning and doing the laundry. That fool might be out somewhere, drinking his life away. 

I wonder how much they made from abandoning me. 

Thinking about them made me weak, and I sat on the floor. I leaned against the wall, trying to keep my tears at bay, but when I thought about them again, they streamed down my cheeks. 

Why couldn't I cry when I needed to the most?

Thinking of them out in the open, vulnerable in a stranger's home, was probably a bad idea, but it felt like it was all coming down on me. I rushed into a decision without even thinking about it. All I could think of was how Zach deserved a better life and the opportunity to study what he wanted. My mom deserved a bigger house, and the other guy could just-I don't know. Disappear?

"Oh, this is where you went?" I heard Mateo's voice behind me, cool, calm and collected while I wept like a toddler. I quickly wiped my tears and got up, smoothing down the dress folds. "Why were you on the floor?"

"Uhm, I was looking for the kitchen?" I asked as I sniffed. He stared at me a while before nodding, and I kept my head cast down per advice. His gaze seemed to be scrutinizing me; it felt that way. 

He must hate being married to a stranger. 

"Follow me," he said, and I hurried behind him. "Are you hungry? I could fix you something?" Fear crept into my stomach, and I shook my head.

"No!" I said abruptly, and he looked at me, shocked. "The kitchen duties are mine to deal with. I could cook for you," I said, and he flashed me the same smile he did at the church and the bakery. Is that the only smile he knows? A tiny tug?

"Don't worry about it, Zia," he said, removing his hand from his pocket and scratching his eyebrow. "You just got here and don't know where everything is yet. So I'll cook."

I bit my lip, and he tilted his head to the side. "You don't seem comfortable with that idea?"

"As your wife, I should deal with such duties," I said with my hands pressed against my belly. "I will clean your house, wash your laundry, cook for you and more," I whispered, embarrassed. If I had met him under different circumstances, I wouldn't be saying these things.

"Zia, I don't expect you to do such stuff, and just be nor-"

"I insist!" I interrupted him, and he sighed, scratching the back of his head.

"Fine, come on. I'll show you where everything is," he said, and I followed. He ended up giving me a whole tour of the house. He showed me where the laundry room was, his home office, his bedroom and my bedroom, although I was confused about why we were sleeping in separate rooms. Not that I didn't mind, but I was told that after the ceremony, I would have to end up in his bed by the night's end. I don't think I'm ready for that, but it's not like I have much choice.

As beautiful as my culture was, it was also crippling and so toxic. There was nothing more I hated than being a man's lapdog and not having opinions. However, my mother was very vocal in her home, and the fool sometimes listened to her. 

"Are you okay?" Mateo asked again as we returned to the kitchen after he showed me the garden and the pool area. He really lived in this big house alone? I could at least fit three families here and still have space. 

I guess?

"Yes, but may I ask you a question?"

"Sure," he said as he stood before me, and I prayed to God that he wouldn't get angry over the question I was about to ask.

"In your culture, after a wedding...is it a tradition for the married couple to sleep in separate rooms?"