001

Calista's POV 

Today was just like every other day for me. I woke up early, cleaned the house, did the dishes, and now, I was making breakfast so that it'd be ready for when Gerald woke up. 

I knew I couldn't wake him, so I just guessed what he would like to have, and that ended as bacon, toast and eggs and maybe a cup of coffee.

I was about to go brew some coffee when a set of footsteps coming down the stairs drew my attention. I knew it was Gerald because obviously we're the only two living in this massive house, but usually he sleeps in so it was pretty surprising seeing him awake by this time.

“Gerald? Is everything okay? You're up pretty early.” I forced a chuckle. “That's good.”

He just brushed past me like I was invisible, opened the fridge, grabbed a bottle of water and slammed it back shut before turning to go back upstairs, not bothering to say a single word to me.

I didn't even know when I muttered to myself. “Well, what did I expect?” But truly, what did I expect? 

We were in a contract marriage after all. I was in it for the money and the connections, and he was doing it to take over as the CEO of his own company. In a week, the three years contract will be up, and we'd most likely go out separate ways, but I wasn't happy at how the three years had gone. We were basically strangers in the same house. We rarely talked to each other, except the few times when I was sick and he took care of me. We'd never even had sex. Not once. And that's perfectly normal too but I guess a part of me just hoped our contract marriage will be like those fictional ones I read about where they ended up falling deeply in love with each other.

But this is the real world though. And besides, he was good enough. He provided everything I needed and everything that was needed in the house without complaint or even a slight groan. It's perfect as perfect can be in our situation. And no matter what, I won't stop trying.

“Breakfast is ready.” I said again when I heard his footsteps, but when I turned, I was shocked at what I saw. 

Gerald was fully dressed in a perfectly ironed suit, ready to go to work. 

“I don't have the time to eat.” He said, adjusting his wristwatch. “Thanks though. Maybe another time.”

And just like that, he left. Not even a goodbye. Well, at least he had the courtesy to tell me why he couldn't stay to eat after I worked my ass off making the food.

I ate breakfast alone and kept the leftovers in the fridge. I watched a movie, did some work and realized how bored I was.

“Maybe I could take lunch to Gerald.” I thought to myself.

It was not something I'd done before, but a part of me felt like he won't be against me doing that, so I put a call to his office line.

“Mr. Deneuve’s office.” A female voice calls through the line.

“Can I speak to Gerald, please? Tell him it's Calista.”

“I'm sorry, Calista, but he's pretty indisposed right now, and he'd given me clear orders not to bring any calls to him, so unless you want to jeopardize my job, I can't do that. Would you like me to leave a message for him though?” The lady asked.

“No. Don't worry about that. Thank you.” I replied and hung up. 

Maybe this was good. He might have had a bad day at work, and by means of me bringing him lunch, I'll cheer him up.

“Yeah. That's what I'll do.” I packed up the lunch and jumped into my car, blasting music as I happily drove to his company.

After about an hour's drive, I arrived at the monstrous looming glass structure of Deneuve industries.

“Here we are.” I whispered as I drove into the underground parking.

I didn't know why, but something was making me feel super nervous. Maybe it was the fact that I was super anxious about how he was going to react.

I got down into the crisp air. The weather was getting colder, and I wasn't wise enough to bring a sweater. It wasn't so bad though.

I took the bag with the flask and made my way into the building. I had not been there before, so I didn't know where Gerald's office was.

“Hello, there.” I greeted one of the two ladies that seemed entrapped, staring at me. “I'm looking for Mr Deneuve's office?”

The brunette one scoffed and looked me over in a mocking way. “You? Looking for Mr Deneuve's office? Might I ask what you might want to do in there?” Her impeccable British accent made me feel even worse than I did before I even came in here.

Maybe it was because I was dressed in just a casual long sleeved top with a tennis skirt and sneakers while every other person had on dresses and suits and the most expensive louboutins — of which I had more by the way — that they looked at me like I was lost.

“Maybe you don't know this, but I'm Mrs Calista Deneuve. I'm your boss's wife and by way of extension, your boss. I can get you fired if I want to.”

I hoped my voice hadn't cracked when I said Deneuve behind my name. That was not a name I used and Gerald had made it that way, but right now, I was trying to prove it.

“Whoo,” the brunette made ghostly noises. “She's going to get us fired. I'm shaking in my shoes.”

What?! Where did she get this level of audacity from?

The lady beside her seemed to be a little more apprehensive. She looked like my threat had struck a chord to her.

“Well, why should I respect you when your husband doesn't? Anyway, his office is on the toppest floor. Just don't cry when you see it.” She made magic fingers and turned to leave.

“Wait, what did you mean by that? How does my husband not respect me?”

She didn't give me an answer, so I made my way forward by myself.

The further I got, the more whispers I heard. All of them were talking about Gerald being with a woman, others said that it was his first love. Then I heard some that talked about how beautiful and sexy she was and how they were not shocked I got destroyed by that.

Each sentence brought new levels of fear into me, but the heaviest fear sunk in when I stood in front of Gerald's office with the food in hand and got chased back.

“I'm sorry but you can't come in here.” The guards in front of the door said.

“I'm his wi—” 

A feminine giggle from inside the office stopped me in my tracks and the words of the brunette started coming back to me.

“Why would we respect you when your husband doesn't?”

Oh my goodness.