5. Peace in Feelings

The best way to predict the future is by loving you.

***

Only the sound of the car engine accompanied the newlyweds, who were currently grappling with their problems. Both of them seemed preoccupied with their own thoughts, contemplating the fate of their marriage, which was hanging by a thread, even in this new chapter of their lives that had just begun. It's truly unfortunate because their marriage was not even two days old, yet the word "farewell" already seemed to be trailing their steps.

With earphones comfortably in both of Emily's ears, she appeared relaxed and composed, even though it couldn't be denied that her heart was shattered into pieces. The hope of giving her entire heart and life to her husband was now nothing but a mirage. Since last night, she had decided not to open her heart to the cold man beside her. Emily didn't want to experience heartbreak for the second time.

Meanwhile, Calvin, who had been seemingly focused on driving, was actually bothered by the silence of the girl. Occasionally, he stole a glance to make sure she was okay. Calvin's worries seemed to be in vain because Emily appeared perfectly normal, as if nothing had happened between them. She smiled, displaying the dimples on her cheeks when Calvin was caught stealing a glance at her.

Calvin let out a long sigh and exhaled harshly. His father's advice still echoed in his mind. Everything seemed vividly recorded, forcing him to acknowledge that his behavior toward Emily was indeed excessive. In any case, Emily had become his lawful wife. In the eyes of religion and the law, she was now his responsibility. However, what about the state of his heart, which was also in ruins due to this arranged marriage? Calvin wasn't ready to fall in love again. He was hesitant to open his heart to the girl he had just married.

Not long after, the car they were in entered a luxurious apartment complex. Emily gazed upwards, looking at the towering high-rise building until the car came to a stop right in front of the apartment lobby.

"We've arrived," Calvin said as he unfastened his seat belt. Emily immediately got out of the car without showing any interest in looking at Calvin. She then opened the passenger door to retrieve her suitcase and backpack.

Emily scanned the lobby as Calvin chatted with one of the apartment staff.

"Come on!" Calvin beckoned and took Emily's suitcase from her, giving her a faint smile. Emily was taken aback, her body frozen as Calvin smiled genuinely at her for the first time.

"How long do you plan to stand there?" Calvin asked from inside the open elevator.

"Uh, sorry!" Emily quickly snapped out of it, then took a few quick steps and positioned herself a bit away from Calvin. Emily had decided to keep her mouth shut and not talk too much. She didn't want to provoke Calvin's rough behavior, not because she was afraid but because she wanted to protect her heart from being influenced and hurt again by the harsh words that he always used.

In no time, they arrived in front of the apartment unit's door. Emily, who had been following behind the man the whole time, was stunned when the door opened. Her steps halted as the light revealed the luxury within. The moderately sized apartment unit clearly indicated that its owner was not just anyone. The all-white room with a touch of silver in the furniture exuded elegance. Neatness and cleanliness were clearly the main attributes, signifying that the owner of the apartment was someone who greatly valued tidiness and hygiene.

"You should freshen up first. I'll order some food for the two of us," Calvin said as he headed towards his room.

"I can cook for myself!" Emily replied curtly. Calvin stopped in his tracks and turned to face Emily with an expressionless look.

"After we've taken a shower, we can go shopping for household essentials. I bought this apartment a few months ago and rarely visit, so there's nothing you can use to cook," Calvin continued, then headed back to his room. However, before Calvin could press the doorknob, Emily's words stopped him.

"That's your room," Emily said. She quickly approached Calvin and intended to grab her suitcase. But the man paid no attention. Calvin entered while pulling the suitcase, ignoring Emily's unclear muttering as she followed his steps into the room.

"This apartment has only one main bedroom. Tomorrow morning, I plan to tidy up my workspace," Calvin explained again.

"I can sleep on the sofa; it's fine." Emily reached for her suitcase that Calvin had placed by the bed. She realized that Calvin didn't want to be close to her. Just last night, he told her to sleep on the sofa. So, while waiting for Calvin to tidy up his workspace, she could sleep on the sofa first. That workspace would later become Emily's room during her status as the handsome doctor's wife.

"No, we're a married couple, so we should sleep in the same room," Calvin said, without paying attention to Emily's surprise. Calvin walked towards the large curtain. Sreeek... The silver curtains with striped patterns slid to the corner of the large glass window, displaying a beautiful view of Jakarta in the evening.

Emily remained motionless, trying to process Calvin's recent statement. "Are you okay with it?" Calvin continued, successfully bringing Emily back from her surprise. She followed Calvin's position, leaning against the railing. Emily briefly glanced at the handsome bespectacled man next to her before she also became captivated by the charm of the sunset spread out before them.

"Seriously! This guy confuses me. Just this morning, he was being harsh, and now he's suddenly gentle! Does he have a split personality?" Emily grumbled to herself. To be honest, Emily's heart had warmed a little after the wounds that the man had inflicted on her since last night.

"I apologize for my harsh behavior," Calvin whispered, still not shifting his gaze from the golden-orange sky beginning to descend on the western horizon. Calvin himself was confused by his sudden change in behavior. He had never been rough with anyone, especially a woman. But for some reason, every time he argued with Emily, his emotions flared up instantly. His harsh words and actions, which he couldn't seem to control, always aimed to deflate her ego.

"Apology?" Emily mumbled sarcastically, repeating the word "apology" that had slipped from the lips of the cold man next to her. Her eyebrows furrowed, trying to believe in the sacred word that seemed impossible to flow freely from the lips of the rough man, who, unfortunately, she admitted was very handsome.

"Let's be friends!" Calvin changed his position and looked at Emily, who still seemed hesitant. He extended his right hand to Emily, which immediately caused her to shift her gaze to Calvin.

"Friends!" Emily replied as she raised her hand to shake Calvin's hand. Her beautiful eyes with dark, deep irises looked into Calvin's sharp gaze, seeking sincerity there.

"Don't doubt my character!" Calvin protested when he received an incredulous look from the rosy-cheeked girl.

"Okay, I'll consider it a deal!" Emily responded, and with a slow, her lips curled up into a broad smile. Calvin was momentarily stunned when Emily's sweet smile appeared different. It was sincere, without coercion or temptation, unlike the smiles she had always given him since they first met.

"In that case, you go ahead and take a shower!" Calvin ordered while absentmindedly tousling Emily's hair, much like he did with Adelia, his younger sister. Blush... Emily's cheeks turned red, and her face felt warm. Not to be outdone, Emily's heart was also euphoric in response to Calvin's sweet gesture.

"Stay aware, wow! Stay aware! Calvin is just offering friendship, not promising the marriage you dream of!" Emily's heart's alarm rang loudly, warning her. She had to stay conscious and keep her sanity. She lived in the real world, not in the idealized matchmaking stories she had read in novels. Reality was not as beautiful as that. Life was not as easy as turning the palm of her hand.

"Of course," Emily replied shortly and hurried into the room.

Calvin once again savored the beauty of the sunset, which seemed to be a balm for his current troubled heart. The course of his love life felt so complicated. Repeated breakups with his past partners due to his demanding job at the hospital. Then, experiencing heartbreak when he found his true love. And now, fate seemed to be playing with him in a loveless, arranged marriage.

"Oh God, I'm not complaining, but please, strengthen my heart so that there is no doubt left in my heart to accept the destiny You have ordained. What is bad in my eyes may not be bad in Your eyes. Perhaps this is the best for me. So, establish the seeds of love between us as a reason for us to approach Your love," Calvin took a deep breath, inhaling as much oxygen as he could to fill his suddenly constricted lungs. He realized that no living being could doubt the lines of destiny that God had written. So why should he doubt, just because of a love issue? Wasn't he aware of who the true owner of true love was?

He promised to try to build a good relationship with Emily. He would treat her as a husband should treat his wife. Except for one thing, he would not offer his love until the seeds of love had sprouted between them.