Chapter 3: Indefinite Hope

Eleanor’s POV

I did not anticipate that my unplanned husband could be as demanding as he could. In the evening, when he deliberately called me, he unquestionably insisted that we meet quickly the following day, which is today, because he is busy enough and has a hectic schedule to handle our particular issue. He did not even worry to ask me if I was available today. Gladly, I have insufficient plans for today. He should be thankful because I favor his selfish suggestions.

“Where are you headed?" I caught dad drinking his coffee here in the living room on my way out.

“Just merely meeting some friends.”

“Do you have enough funds?”

“Yeah, I am fine! It’s a miracle that you seem not to be busy any longer.” “Nah, I am just taking a 20-minute break.”

“Wonderful, I must go now, dad. I am running a bit late.” I was about to leave, but I fell the envelope which contains the certificate in front of dad. He looked at it and decided to pick it up. Gosh! It is in his hands at the moment—the greatest mystery I am hiding from him. I brought that for verification to my meeting with Zayn!

“What is this, Eleanor?” He is acting to open it, but then,

“I am overly clumsy!” I chuckled and snatched it from his hand. He glares at me like he is being suspicious.

“Eleanor Stein, what’s inside the uncertain envelope?”

“The silly file that Mia sent me, I am going to return it to her. Promise, you won’t want to look at it anymore. It is girl stuff.” I resumed the awkward reason I said to him the past day.

“If you say so,”

“Sayonara, dad!”

--

“Where is he? He ordered me to be here at precisely 10 a.m., but he is the one who is late! I keep looking wretched and lonely here in the café for the following minutes.” I lifted my phone and opted to text the phone number he used to call me.

To: *Unknown Number

You have the greatest courage to ask me to be here at exactly 10 a.m., but then you are the one who is late. Where are you? You are wasting someone’s time.

Sent!

We haven't had a chance to get to know each other yet, but I'm already annoyed with him.

“I’m right behind you.” I once again heard the attractive voice from the call last night. He leisurely whispered right into my ear. I even smelled his scent without glaring at him, and it is as appealing as his voice.

I turned my head to see him, and to my surprise, a very tall, good-looking, and well-suited man is standing behind me. His appearance conjoins with the dream man I have imagined since I was a child. A thick eyebrows, gleaming eyes, tall nose, kissable red lips, and a masculine body. He is wearing a dark blue suit which makes him more elegant.

“Hi, my wife.” I am pretty sure my cheeks turned like a fresh red tomato similar to my interaction with Dylan, but I quickly realized what is presently happening. I nearly neglected that I am annoyed at him.

“Would you care to explain the reason for your tardiness? I thought that time was the most precious thing to you. I was sitting here alone for almost 30 minutes.”

“Snap out of it. I had an urgent situation with my business meeting. Please, let’s talk quickly. A lot of massive people are waiting to talk to me, more important than you.” That left me speechless, I only rolled my eyes as a response as he sat in front of me.

“By the way, you look slightly familiar to me.” I continued.

He was the most charming Alpha from Mia’s birthday party that happened 5 months ago! That was the only time I remembered us meeting! That was the evening when it was tough for me to attend because dad almost rejected me from going.

“Do you know someone named Mia Ellison?”

“Yes, we have a common friend together.”

“Did you go to her birthday celebration five months ago?”

“Why are you asking such things—”

“Just answer it!”

“Yes, I went there.”

“Were you drunk?”

“Is this a meeting to abolish our marriage or an interview?”

“Of course, that is our primary and major agenda! But we need to recall first where did all this come from? So, were you drunk?!” I repeatedly questioned.

“Easy, tiger. Yes, I was.” “Me neither!” “So?”

“Ugh, whatever! Hang on, just sit right there and order anything. Let me just contact her. Maybe she has vivid answers.”

“Make it quick.” He says as he grabbed the menu of the café. I glared at him terribly. Gradually, my irritation with him is arising all over again.

I hurriedly dialed Mia’s phone number and began buzzing her phone.

“Yep? Mia on the line!” She enthusiastically answered.

“Mia! Get here at the café across the street from your house! I am with somebody named Zayn, and you have a lot of concerns to simplify to us.”

“You mean the handsome Zayn? What are you doing there with him? Is he your boyfriend? Why didn’t you say a word to me?!”

“What?! No!”

“Then why?”

“He is my husband.” I made an effort to lower my voice. She did not respond back, but I happen to hear someone muttering at her on the line.

“Sorry, it was Emma. Anyway, I’m coming right away! You need to explain certain things to me!” She then replied. The call ended.

Actually, she is the one who should explain things to us. 

“What now? Could she help?” He boringly asked after taking some orders from the waiter.

“Yes. We’ll just wait for her to come.”

“I just want this issue to be resolved as fast as we can. Important things are catching up not just in my life but also in yours. We can’t be tied together, forever.” He justified. Wow, he bothered to consider my point of view.

“We have mutual feelings.” He is as cold as ice. Now I met an Alpha who is sweet, which is Dylan, and an Alpha who is harsh which is Zayn. Well, I could not criticize him. What happened to us was precisely wrong.

--

“Can you explain this to us?” I dropped the certificate on the table for Mia to see.

“So, it is accurate. My older sister was the one who validated your marriage, which reminds me, both of you were heavily drunk because of excessive drinking throughout my birthday.” Right, we have a liquor business, but my alcohol tolerance is not as decent as it is.

“The peer teased the both of you because you two were sweetly dancing on the dance floor.”

“What?!” We both reacted with a hesitant tone of voice.

“Furthermore, my sister is a member of the council that is authorized to conceal a marriage. Everyone asked both of you if you were willing to marry each other, and you agreed without hesitation.”

“We were totally drunk!” Zayn and I spoke in chorus once again.

“Everyone was tipsy that night. Besides, you both signed the marriage certificate and agreement after exchanging drunk and silly vows without refusing.” Mia remained giving details.

“Why didn’t you tell me any of this earlier?”

“I didn’t also remember! I was completely drunk as the both of you are.”

“Did we kiss?” My eyes widened from his question.

“What a ridiculous question, Zayn!” There are other questions to ask, but still he bothers to ask that. I do not want to even know about it. 

“Is it horrendous to know who stole my first kiss?”

“Really Zayn? That was your first kiss?! Eleanor too!” Mia reacted.

“So, we did.”

“Yes, you sealed your marriage with a kiss under the white full moon.”

“Stop right there, Mia. "I have no intention of obtaining such information." I spoke.

“What plans are you two considering? Marriage life is tough and tricky.” Mia concerned.

“Divorce.” Zayn and I both murmured.

“But why? I suppose you have a cute relationship together.” She slurs.

“Marriage is not for me. Relationships are inevitably outside of my interests. I need to focus more with my business and that pack that I am taking care of.” Zayn coldly explained. Why am I getting attracted to how cold he is? It makes him more mysterious.

“Me too. I have other important things to do.” I followed.

“Like what? You were just grumbling about how nothing is arising in your life yesterday.” Mia murmured which made me speak...

“My dad set me up for an arranged marriage, and I need to be quite committed to it.”

“Really?! To whom?!” Mia's eyes almost fell open in surprise.

“Let’s just talk about this at another time, Mia. Everything is stressing me out.” I hissed at her.

“Well, if you both want a divorce, then you will have a huge crisis. Corresponding to what my older sister informed me, getting a divorce is the toughest task. Long duration and patience are also needed. You must demonstrate to the council that your relationship failed through a variety of concepts."

“But your older sister is a part of the council, and she knew what transpired, why wouldn’t we just talk to her?” Zayn has a point.

“We can’t. The council has eight members. One versus seven is not enough. In addition, both of you would also suffer the loss of the memory you had from the first day you met each other, and it would be sanctioned by a White Witch. In my opinion, it is better if both of you persist in your marriage. Everything is just too much hassle. After all your arduous work, it still depends on the council if your relationship is worthy of being unbound.”

Of all people, why did this happen to me? My primary goal now is to simply comply with my father's wishes without considering my feelings anymore, but why all of a sudden is it all becoming too heavy?