Chapter 6

JOANNA. …

“

"Joanna," Asher's soft voice broke through my slumber, accompanied by a gentle tap on my shoulder. I jolted awake, my phone's blaring ringtone piercing the air. Disoriented, I tilted on the couch, my gaze falling upon Asher's blurry figure holding out my phone. "Joanna, your dad's been calling," he said.

As my eyes adjusted to the light, I slowly sat up, the remnants of sleep dissipating with each insistent ring. I took the phone from Asher, "thank you" I murmured as soon he handed it over. Just then, the phone rang again, its shrill tone snapping me fully awake.

Asher stood, watching me as I picked up the phone..

“Hello Dad? Good morning”

“Joanna. I have been calling, you okay??”

“Definitely. I was just asleep” I replied, my voice low.

“Great. How was your anniversary with Asher yesterday?” He inquired and I unintentionally looked up to Asher who was watching me like a detective. Of course, everyone else thinks we were happy and the last thing Asher wanted to do was get on my Dad's bad side .

I hesitated for a while and Asher made a sign asking me what was going on.

I looked away from him. “It was okay, Dad. Didn't you see our posts on social media! We had a lot of sweet moments together.” I lied.

“Oh okay, You could bring Asher some other time for dinner, okay?” Dad requested and I replied..

“Of course”

“About the company? Joanna, haven't you taken enough break? It's been three years already. I want you to come back to the company. Even the inspections you do, you hardly do them these days” Dad complained and I bit my lips, remembering Asher pleaded with me to stop working at the company and stay as his housewife but I couldn't really tell Dad it was Asher's decision and I wanted to fulfill all of Asher's wishes because he hates me. I don't want to say no and make him hate me further.

Since Asher was still in the living room, I didn't want to talk about it there.

“Okay I'm coming over to talk about it.” I answered.

“Okay, my dear”

‘bye for now Dad.”

“Bye, Joanna”

I hung up the call and took my gaze to Asher who wouldn't tear his eyes away..

“What did he say?” He asked instantly.

I heaved a deep sigh and gently stood up from the couch. No greetings or whatsoever. Then I'm hit hard by the fact that he doesn't care.

“He just wanted me to come over,” I replied in a soft voice and started walking further.

“Joanna…” he called my name and I halted my steps..

“Remember your promise to me. Don't mess it up except you want me to hate you forever…” He warned, his tone laced with malice.. I turned to him and he began heading to the kitchen. I was never going to break my promises anyway but I needed to go and see Dad..

“I won't…” I told him and walked off. I strolled over to the room and saw Cassandra lying on the bed while giggling through her phone.

The Moment I stepped into the room, she sat up and stopped giggling.

I sighed without a word and proceeded to the wardrobe to pick an outfit for the appointment with Dad..

“You didn't greet me, Joanna” Cassandra broke the silence while I was on the wardrobe and I rolled my eyes.

“Well, you didn't either,” I retorted.

“Is this because you are annoyed about the fact that I slept here.. Asher always complains about how he hates sleeping with you. I just wanted to save him the stress.” Cassandra spoke in a icy tone as if she was standing on her right.

My heart stopped for a while and I was lost for words, unwittingly pausing whatever I was doing at the wardrobe. Did Asher really tell her that?

“You know, Why don't you just divorce him?” Cassandra suggested and I swallowed hard, struggling to find the right words..

“Did Asher say that ?” I finally blurted..

“That he wants to divorce me?”

Cassandra let out a loud hateful snort.

“He may not say it but he doesn't love you. Why are you forcing yourself on him? Have you ever thought Asher might have a woman outside?” Cassandra insinuated and the thought of that made my heart sink more. I suddenly remembered the previous night a woman named Pookie texted him. Could Asher really have a woman outside and does Cassandra know about it? I bit my lips in anxiety. I feared that he might have one. The thought of it drained me.

“I don't care, he respects me enough to hide it don't you agree?” I replied, my voice a bit cracky. I didn't just want to give in to Cassandra. I wanted to make this marriage work no matter how long it would take.

“You are so hopeless” Cassandra scoffed.

I turned to face her that minute

“What is your problem? You have a problem with our marriage, Cassandra? I mean it's Asher and I that got married.. I think you are doing too much” I spat, standing up to her.

“I just want my brother to be happy! Is that so wrong. You irritate him incase you have no idea!” She barked, clearly annoyed from my words. I returned my gaze to the wardrobe and continued my search for a suitable dress.

“Stop interfering. The least you can do is go to the man that got you pregnant and leave us alone.” I retorted..

“Joanna” Asher's voice came through and I turned to the direction of his voice to see him standing at the door.

“It's okay” he murmured and I sighed deeply, wondering how much of our conversation he heard..

“I don't know why she is so pissed. I'm just apologising for taking her space last night” Cassandra cut in immediately.

“It's fine Cassandra..” Asher murmured.

The air was a bit thick with tension as I frantically searched for a dress. I couldn't shake off all that Cassandra has said. The more I thought about it, the more hurt I felt. I irritate Asher? He has a woman outside? I believe all this was because he hated our marriage. I bit my lips slowly, tears pricking at the corner of my eyes as I sniffed, feeling embarrassed..

I gently closed the wardrobe without finding anything suitable. I literally couldn't concentrate.

I avoided their gazes and walked into the bathroom to shower..

I spent time in the bathroom, lost in thoughts. I didn't want to come out and face Cassandra after that encounter.

But then, I couldn't stay there forever. I stepped out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around my body as I saw Cassandra seated on the bed comfortably, devouring coffee and pancakes with Asher next to her, tucking her hair strands behind her ear.

Asher served her breakfast in bed?