Chapter 2

“Don’t drink too much; I am not going to babysit you…” Lorenzo was smiling ear to ear and was enjoying looking at Aubrey. At least, this is how I can see it.

“Oh, then who are you going to babysit…”

I didn’t know why my feet were taking me anywhere they were walking to. As if I was their shadow.

It was better that I had already told the guests that I went to the same school as them or else they would have thought that I am some crazy woman.

“Finally our boss is happy today. This is how a man looks when he is happy…” I heard Nicky say. She works in our kitchen. Of course, she made sure that I could hear her.

“Uhh…what do you think? She jumped on his bed to trap the poor soul.” Ken replied her and of course, he wasn’t whispering too.

The servants knew I am the wife. But they also knew Lorenzo doesn’t favor me one bit. Even when I ask Lorenzo to buy something or give him hints he replies that he is busy and I should just order it.

I am just someone who is only different from the helping staff for how I sleep in the same bedroom as their boss.

Three years ago, when Lorenzo walked in drunk after his break up with Aubrey, I caught him in my arms to save him from falling. And, everything that followed afterward I couldn’t say no to him.

How could I say no to the boy I had grown up admiring. My mother used to work for Ricci family in the Italy. They sent me to the same school as Lorenzo.

But I was never the part of the rich kids’ group. I was always alone and did whole projects myself.

I was sixteen when my mother died but Lorenzo’s grandmother, Ellis decided to keep me until I finish my high school.

After the high school, I intend to nurse Ellis to health. She was very sick at that time because of a fever. So, I overstayed my welcome.

But one night, when Lorenzo broke off things with Aubrey for the tenth time in his life, he was very disturbed. And, I thought he genuinely cared for me.

It was only after I was under him I realized he was calling me with Aubrey’s name.

The very next morning, Ellis gets to know about us because she was walking out on her own to show me her progress. She got us married instantly and wanted me to birth little Ricci’s for her to play with.

I was taking care of Lorenzo since. He did oppose the wedding but only two days later he looked indifferent and even happy too.

As if nothing had really changed in his life except for a woman living in his room now who was always ready to serve him any way he wanted.

He hardly remembers our anniversary, doesn’t wish me time of the day or only buys me something when I mention it at least five to six times.

And, that too had happened only twice, at first there was a book I wanted, and the second time I wanted some rare seeds from south Africa to have those flowers in our garden.

After that I never bothered him. Even I mention it I only do it once. And, it hardly gets through him.

“How are you doing, Hazel?” I only got out of my thoughts when Aubrey approached me. “You didn’t congratulate me,”

“Congratulations, Aubrey, but you intended to stay in Germany, you were learning automation mechanics. You never intended to…” Realizing I was becoming so obvious I trailed off. And, she smiled with clear mischief.

“What are you doing nowadays? You used to top our class every year…” I noticed she didn’t reply to my question.

“I run a youtube channel on cooking. I have three students too who come on weekends to learn from me…”

“Oh, I wish I could get some stay at home interest. This would be so fulfilling to serve Lorenzo all the time. You are so lucky…” It was obvious she was making fun of the ambitions and dreams I once had.

But Lorenzo was close by and interrupted. “She makes great pasta. You must taste it.”

I did have a dream to attend a university. I sometimes apply for universities just out of interest and even have an active admission letter right now.

But I know Lorenzo needed me here. His grandmother was waiting for our baby.

And, I couldn’t wait for the day Lorenzo and I both will be playing our little gem.

“Good, but she used to be so ambitious…”

“Oh, she is ambitious for our kitchen garden now. This is all she is good at now…”

And, I felt like someone has punched me in the guts. This is what Lorenzo thought about me. I wish I could show him my admission letter to Princeton.

But I didn’t want to embarrass him. Also, it didn’t mean anything when I wasn’t going to accept it. But I had to show Aubrey he is my husband.

“Lorenzo, a minute…” I gave him a tight smile and when he didn’t budge and was about to say something to Aubrey again I pull on his wrist.

I took him out to the balcony and asked. “What is going on here? When did she return? Why are we throwing her a graduation party,…”

I was breaking inside. I wanted him to assure me with something concrete.

“She is my friend…” Lorenzo tried to reply but I quickly corrected him. “You two used to date and everyone in this room knows that. You two still have your pictures on your socials…”

“That’s so old, I am sure nobody goes down on my social to look who I was dating except you…”

“Don’t do this to me, Lorenzo, do you even remember what day it is today…” I tried to remind him but he was quick to raise his finger at me.

“Don’t act like you are my wife, did you hear me? Don’t over think this innocent party and stop bothering me. Go into the kitchen and prepare my meal for me. You know I can’t eat this.”

I looked at him going away and wonder what I have done in these three years.

Only the fact that he was the drunken one that night had overshadowed my whole life. He disrespects me any time of the day.

I recalled how he was chatting with someone all the time nowadays. I was so stupid to think it would be his work. They were surely already seeing each other behind my back.

But I am pregnant. We are three now. I turned around and looked at the vast Ricci estate. It is supposed to be our marital home but I am nothing more than a maid.

Don’t stress, Hazel. Don’t take any stress. I told myself. I couldn’t afford any kind of stress but everything was slipping out of my hands.

Lorenzo is a smart man, Hazel. He will never favor Aubrey over his own blood if he has any working cell left in his brain.

I recalled all the times when Lorenzo was sad listening to my miscarriage. It meant I was something for him, right?

And, no matter who he was throwing the party for, I am his legal wife. I am the one giving him hot breakfast every morning and warm bed every night.

I left the venue and walked to my bedroom. I decided to wait for Lorenzo here.

He needed to know about my pregnancy. And, I knew everything will change once he realizes we are expecting a baby again.

But the moment I stepped in my room I was shocked looking at a pink suitcase on my bed. The suitcase was open and a few international skincare brands were lying there, too. Did it mean she has come here to…live here?