Chapter 5 - Rules and silence

Maria woke up very silent; she did not feel like leaving her bed, and she felt so empty inside.

Nothing peaceful, she literally felt like the house was holding her breath.

She just sat there staring at the very unfair texture of the ceiling.  The bedsheet was so soft,  and the bed looked too big for one person.  Everything in the room was reminding her she was not in her apartment anymore, her viewhads changed.

Then she came back from her imagination, and thought to herself, the wedding, the ring, the man, her husband.

Maria was just looking at her left hand, where the ring was. The ring was still there. Simple, expensive, pure gold.

She touched and wished it could disappear, and everything about this was a dream, but it didn’t. She took in a deep breath and sighed. She then came down from the bed. Her legs entered the thick carpet on the floor. She started feeling guilty of how comfortable it was, and she was enjoying it. Comfort or satisfactioinon anything has never come this easily before; she has always had to struggle for anything she wants.

She got into the bathroom and took her bath. The interior of the bathroom was breathtaking. She then removed what she was wearing and changed into something very comfortable that was given to her the previous day.  Someone was sent to unpack the few things she brought, andits was looking very few in the big wardrobe, like theydidn’t belong there.

She was kind of scared about opening the door, but she encouraged herself and did. The house did not feel real in any way; it’s a very exotic and expensive environment for her.

While going downstairs through the hallway,y she overheard a low tone of professional voice from a distance. Maria froze. She did not think about that part; she forgot that living in that house means that a lot of eyes will be on her. Shesummoned and held onto what Walton had told her. Nobody needs to know.

They are not to know.

She just kept walking then, since there was nothing to be afraid of.

A woman dressed in uniform noticed her. “Good morning, ng Mrs. James,” she said.

“Good morning,” Maria replied softly.

Breakfast had already been served on the long dining table; the statement alone made Maria so hungry, but she wasn’t sure if it was hunger or nerves.

She sat down at the end of the table, but was not sure if she was supposed to sit or stand and wait for Walton. Walton walked in.

He looked the same as yesterday, emotionless, composed as if the previous day was not his wedding day.

“Good morning,” he said.

“Good morning,” Maria replied.

He sat at the table facing her. They started eating quietly. The staff moved around them quietly and carefully not to disturb them. Maria felt like she was on display. She picked at her food again.

“Why are you doing that?” Walton said.

She looked at him. “Doing what?”

“Not eating.”

“I will,” she said. “I’m just.”

“Not hungry,” he finished. “You said that last night.”

She looked down. “well that’s not me normally.”

“To food?” he asked.

“To… all of this,” she said honestly.

He looked at her closely to study her and said,dYouou will…soon.”

That word again.

soon.

After breakfast, Walton stood up. “I have work to do today.”

“Okay.”

“so thatyou'ree comfortable at home.”

She gave a little smile. “That’s fine.”

He paused and said. “You’ll be meeting my assistant later. She will enlighten you more about your schedule.”

“Schedule?” Maria asked.

“Yes.”

She looked so confused. “I don’t remember agreeing to that.”

“You agreed to be my wife,” he replied calmly. “This comes with it.”

She folded her hands around her chest. “I’m not an employee.”

“No,” he said. “You’re a representation.”

The word made her heart drop slowly and hurtfully.

He then walked out.

The house felt so big without him.

Maria was moving up and down, looking at the different rooms and amazing structures.

Room after room. Hallway after hallway.

Everything was perfect. Clean. Cold.

She wondered ifWaltonn ever felt lonely in that kind of place.

She stood on a very big window and watched the city from the topmost view.

Somewhere outside, there was her old life.

Small apartment. Noisy streets. Painful experiences.

She missed it more than she expected.In thend afternoon, the assistant was there standing in front of Maria's room. She knocked and said

“Mrs. James?”

Maria turned. “Yes?”

“I’m Claire,” the woman said. “Mr. James’ assistant.”

She smiled politely.

“May I come in?”

Maria came towards the door and ledher in.

They sat in a small sitting room.

Claire opened her tablet. “As Mr. James mentioned, you’ll be attending some events with him.”

“What kind of events?” Maria asked.

“Business dinners. Charity functions. Public appearances.”

Maria sighed and asked. “And if I say no?”

Claire did say a word, but you could tell from her facial expression that something was wrong. “That would complicate things.”

Maria leaned back. “For who?”

“For everyone.”

Maria said slowly. “I’m not trying to make things difficult.”

“I understand, Mrs. James,” Clairsaidai,d “But this arrangement works best when everything runs smoothly.”

Arrangement.

Everyone used that word.

Claire continued, “You will also be needed to be seen in some important places, like Shopping, lunches, and occasional interviews.”

“Interviews?” Maria said a little too loudly.

“Don’t take it too personally,” Claire assured her. “Just appearances.”

Maria agreed with a head gesture, slowly. “Okay.”

Claire said,d pointing her finger. “One more thing.”

“Yes?”

“There will be… attention. People will be curious.”

Maria faced down. “I’m not used to that.”

“You will sure be,” Claire said kindly. “very soon,oon eventually.”

After she left, Maria sat alone again.

soon.

Eventually.

That evening, Walton returned late.

Maria picked up a book to read in the sitting room.

He paused and looked at her.

“You didn’t go out throughout today,” he said.

“No.”

“You should,” he replied. “It helps.”

“I didn’t feel like it.”

He loosened his tie. “You really need to feel like it, you just have to do it”.

She looked up at him. “Have you ever gone out not feeling like it?”

He paused.

“Feel like what?” he asked.

“Doing things you don’t naturally want to do,” she said.

His eyes met hers. “All the time.”

That surprised her.

Silence followed.

She dropped the book. “Why do you live like this?”

He frowned slightly. “Like what?”

“So quiet, composed and emotionless,” she said. “So… empty.”

His countenance changed to a serious one.

“You should be extremely careful,” he said calmly. “Curiosity kills the cat.”

She got up. “I did not say to get you angry in any wway”

“I understand,” he rereplied,“ but this is not what we should be discussing.”

She insisted. “Then what is?”

He then looked up.

“Boundaries,” he said. “Rules. That’s what keeps this working.”

She agreed slowly. “Then let’s talk.”

“I will not make you feel bad,” she said. “nNeither willI disturb you. But I won’t disappear either.”

Something shifted in his gaze.

“Explain.”

“I’m your wife in public,” she continued. “But I’m still a person.”

Silence came between both of them.

Finally, he spoke. “Fine.”

She exhaled.

“But don’t confuse that with freedom,” he added.

She met his eyes. “I’m not.”

That night, Maria did not sleep well again.

But this time, she wasn’t just afraid.

She was angry.