CHAPTER 1 MASKED FEELING

Anne's POV

My breath caught when my husband’s message flashed across my screen.

"I don’t know what I feel anymore. But I do know I need to be away from you for a while."

My heart skipped a beat. The phone nearly slipped from my trembling hand. The words blurred as tears stung my eyes. I shoved the phone into my bag, my mind spinning, and stood abruptly from my desk.

It was almost closing time anyway, but this time I didn’t wait for anyone. I rushed through the reception, ignoring the curious stares, and fled to my car. My hands gripped the steering wheel tightly as I drove, every red light feeling unbearable. I reached home faster than ever.

I stepped out of the car and walked into the mansion. I slammed the door of the car shut, so loud that I felt the sound of the hitting echoed in my ears. My body was visibly shaking and my hand was trembling.

I bolted toward the door, steadily making a fast step approaching the main door. I just received a message from Micheal that I have to give her space for some months.

“Micheal,” I called him, as I opened the door of the living room, making a quick peek into the room to check if he was there. The room was empty. I looked around but no traces of him were detected.

I was curious and my mind was even far away. The message doesn't make any sense to me. I tried to digest it and grasp the meaning but it seems like it was a separation from him. I became worried and anxious to see him and confirm.

I slammed the door shut, to make my way upstairs. My heels clicked softly against the polished floor. The sound of my heels is even matching my fastest heart beat.

Before I could reach the foot of the stairs, Micheal had already been in front of me. I staggered back, and took a deep breath to craft my words.

“I don't understand your message!” I began, trying to compose myself to express my feelings without sounding weak.

“Which one you didn't understand?” He replied coldly, a flicker of contempt shown in his eyes. He stood, dipped his hands inside his pocket.

I shook my head. I knew he was pretending exactly what I meant. He surely understands what I am trying to say. His face is devoid of emotions.

“You said I should give you space from today henceforth. What is that supposed to mean?” I asked him, raising my voice. I dropped my bag to the floor.

A soft smile escaped out of his lips, He sauntered from me, toward the armchair. My eyes followed him as he did. He quietly sat down, took the remote control from the table in front of him, flipping through multiple channels.

I felt embarrassed. What was Micheal taking me for? He just walked out of me to watch a television program while I stood asking important questions.

I yelled at him in annoyance. “How dare you walk out from me?” I asked, barking at him. “What form of space you requested for? We have been married for three years, remember. I love you the way I am supposed to do but..”

He interrupted me sharply. His eyes are blazing with fury. “Anne, I am the one that married you three years ago. But the main thing is that I was blinded by love. You're not the one that I should marry. I make the most mistakes of my life.”

His words hit me like a target arrow. The marriage I sacrificed myself for three years but only for it to be ending before my eyes.

I looked down, it felt like a dream, the one I haven't woken up from. “You mean you never love me at all?” I asked him, voice barely audible.

I took a few steps forward, looking for his eyes to see if he was truly serious.

He glanced at me briefly before turning it to the screen “Yes,” He replied confidentially. “I just married you for some time.” His voice was cold and emotionally distant from me.

Tears began to welled down my cheeks.

He has said it, he doesn't love me.

“But you're going to pay for this.” I said purposely to challenge him.

He darted his eyes to me. “See”, he said, his voice booming with anger. “You can't threaten me in my house. Just get out of my fucking sight!” He snapped, as he raised his hand, pointing to the exit of the room.

I couldn't believe my eyes. Micheal that used to caress my hair when we are in bed, ready to sleep. He used to tease me when we are alone or eating together for the past three years has now become cold and distant toward me.

I stood motionless, staring at him whose face was showing empathy. My mind snapped back to our most precious moment of our marriage.

We will sit down having dinner together. This was usually how we started. Exchanging jokes and reassuring ourselves of love that exist between us.

“This is the most delicious food I have ever eaten.” Micheal complimented my cooking, an alluring smile curved his parted lips as he lifted up the spoon to his mouth.

I would blushed and chuckled. “I'm such a great chef. I'm even very proud of myself, honey.” We laughed hard together the moment I finished my word.

“Each morning I wake up, I usually thank God for giving me my precious Anne.” He said, I glanced at him, before turning it to my food in front of me. “There is nothing I am looking for in a woman I have never seen in her. Nothing!”

I was pleased and grabbed his hand, I looked up, my eyes met his. “I am telling you at this moment that you're the best choice I have ever made in my life. My husband. I love you very much.” I said, raising his hand to my mouth. I kissed his hand.

He raised his hand and briefly brushed it on my long hair that cascaded on my shoulder. I was feeling it and loved the way he dressed it.

“Nothing can separate us, my love.” He said. I looked into his eyeballs, and I found assurance. I saw that affection in his eyes. “ Therefore, what God has joined together, let no man put asunder.” He said with a firm tone. His eyes were desperately for mine the moment I looked up to face him.

A flicker of affection and hope stirred up in my heart. A re-affirmation of love that I have gotten. I thought I was literally living my dream life. I thought I had gotten a genuine love that I had cherished since childhood but I didn't know that the words of his were a mere word of promise that will eventually fade off with time.

“Do you actually mean it?” I asked him after the lovable moment of love affirmation flashed through my mind. I still couldn't believe it. “Or did I do something wrong? Please, tell me, I will apologize.”

He stood up abruptly, his expression devoid of concern. He stared at me, his eyes furrowing.

“I’m sorry, Anne.” He pleaded without any form of remorse. His words are laced with pride and arrogance. “I fucking hate you! I didn't love you. You've already finished your work and tenure here. You'll soon be out.”

.

I barked back, screaming at him. “I'm not going anywhere. I'm not!”

He looked at me with surprising eyes. There is a flicker of contempt in his eyes burning with fury. He stood as if he should throw punches at me.

“Anne!” He called me, his voice form and unyielding. “Like I said earlier, you wouldn't be sleeping in the same room again. Maintain that for a few weeks from now.” He reminded me in case I forget, sounded cold as he walked away climbing the stairs oozing with pride.

My eyes followed him as he was ascending the stairs. Is it the same Micheal I knew before or another one? I thought to myself as I turned away from him, walking to and fro in the room until a sharp knock interrupted my train of thought.

“Hello!” I heard a soft voice behind the door as the knock sounded. I snapped back to full consciousness. I made my way to the door. I opened the door only to see a beautiful woman draped herself in an expensive designer gown. Her hair cascaded over her shoulder like mine. His blue eyes seem alluring.

Before I could utter any word, her words shattered my mind. It left me speechless or to say that it doesn't make any sense at all.

“What are you doing in my house?” She asked me, often in a calm and composed demeanour. She took a look at me from head to toe.

“Which house?” I asked in utmost amazement.