Need to Talk

"Thank you for your patronage."

Christen nodded at the cashier’s gratitude, as she walked out of the supermarket, a bag of groceries in hand. Once she was out of the store, she pulled her phone out and checked to see if she had received any new messages, only to sigh upon seeing none.

‘Still no response,’ she thought in gloom, as she put her phone away.

Christen was hoping to get a response from her husband about dinner tonight. Specifically, if he was going to be home tonight. Sadly, she didn’t get any response from him, as was the apparent norms between them.

They had been married for three years now. Rather than a couple of any kind, the two may as well be strangers, with how little they interact. It was not as though she liked this lack of interaction- if anything, she wanted to get close to him- but so as to not be a bother to him, Christen decided to respect his privacy. Besides, given his occupation as owner of Riverdale Corp- one of the largest and top corporations in the world- it would be a given that he would be extremely busy. If she were to call Forrest- her husband- while he was in the middle of an important meeting, that would not fare well for him or whoever he was meeting with.

And it wasn’t as though they never did anything a married couple would do, for there were times when Forrest took her out on dates. Though they were usually business related, with other people around, rather than an honest date between lovebirds. Happy as she was that Forrest still took her out every once in a while, for those times to all be related to his work instead of out of love, it did sting a bit.

‘I guess it can't be helped, given how busy he is. Still, it would be nice if he could give a response on this day. At the very least, on our anniversary…’ she thought, feeling even more saddened by this fact.

That’s right. Today also happens to be the day of their third anniversary. And yet, on a supposed happy occasion, Christen was anything but. What with her husband so busy with work, and not even bothering to send a text or a voicemail to wish her a happy anniversary. Sure, there were times when she did see him around in public while she was grocery shopping, but she did not dare call out to him. Not when he was usually with other people. She feared that he may still be doing something business-related and did not want to be a bother to him during those times. Although, lately, there had been times when he was with just one other individual and...

Christen shook her head, ridding her mind of any negative thoughts that was beginning to form.

“I should at least make his favorite for tonight,” she decided. “There’s always a chance that he remembers and returns early.”

***

As soon as she arrived in their little home, Christen got to work in making roast beef for dinner. Unlike what one would expect from a rich family, their house was like any other normal home. It wasn’t small, but it wasn’t all that big, either; just an average two-story house with very little neighbors.

Christen didn’t mind it, though. If anything, she liked this house better than her family’s house, where it was so big, it made her feel so distant from her relatives. In fact, that was exactly what her family was like towards her; distant. All because she was a failure and useless daughter.

Growing up, Christen had no talent in anything. She sucks at sports, and when it came to academics? She was always below average. Because of this, she was always treated poorly by her own family, and seen as an outcast to others, to the point that it led to her being bullied. At one point, she even wondered if there was a point in her living, if she had to live her life in misery.

It was when she met Forrest at a company party that everything changed. She was more or less forced to attend by her parents, who hoped to sell her off to a famous executive to save their declining company.

“You’re never good at anything else. You can at least make yourself look appealing to others, can’t you?” she remembered her mother say.

It hurts how little her own family thought of her, but she couldn’t say or do anything to prove them wrong. Not when it was the truth.

After meeting plenty of ‘suitors’ at the party, Christen wanted to get some air, and thus left to the balcony, where she met Forrest, who just happened to be making his way there as well. Though more to get some space away from the many ladies hounding over him. At first, Christen wanted to leave, not wanting to be a burden to him, when he asked her keep him company instead. From there, the two talked a bit about the party- rather, Forrest was the one who did the talking, while Christen merely listened to his problems- and after a while, Forrest said something Christen didn’t think anyone would say to her.

“You’re not like the other girls. I like that.”

It was only a simple statement that held no hidden meaning behind it. To her, though, it meant everything. Even though she was just a mediocre girl, she genuinely caught the eye of someone else. Moreover, someone who already made a name of himself in the world of business. And when Forrest publicly announced her to be his fiancé right after, it was nothing short of a miracle for her.

Wanting to keep that miracle, from that point onwards, Christen studied on being a fitting housewife to Forrest, as a way to thank him for seeing her for who she was. Accepting her as a person, instead of only seeing the many faults she had. While it may be pointless to learn these things when they would have servants taking care of the housework, Christen couldn’t think of anything else she could support him with. She’d be of no help in business, and it would be pointless for her to find a job anywhere else. At the very least, if she could make their home more welcoming to him with each return…

After they wed, when she moved out of her family’s house to her new home with her husband, she wondered if someone told him about her wanting to be a good housewife to him, for she was surprised to find themselves in front of a small house in which Forrest dubbed ‘home’. Most girls in her position would be disappointed to not live in a lavishing house, but her? She absolutely loved it. And since it was small enough to not need to hire a housekeeper, much less a servant, Christen felt closer to Forrest.

That is… She thought they had gotten closer to one another. Even though they had just gotten married back then, Forrest had instantly gone back to work, instead of being with his wife. They never even went on a honeymoon together. Sad as Christen was, she understood how busy Forrest must be, and decided to just support him, as any good wife would to their husband. Besides, it wasn’t as though they never see each other after their marriage. Still…

“I hope he comes back tonight…” Christen prayed, watching the roast beef cook in the oven with a saddened expression.

She may be telling herself she was content with the way things are, deep down, she truly wished she could do more with him.

The sound of the front door opening reached her ears, followed by a familiar voice calling out. “I’m back.”

Christen instantly perked up at the call in disbelief. Was that truly who she thought it was? Could it truly be?

She wasted no time heading to the front door, where she was overcome in joy to see a certain handsome face walking in. “Forrest!” She was tempted to just rush to her husband for a hug, but held back upon seeing his usual stern expression on his face, assuming him to be tired from working for so long. “You’re home,” she simply said instead.

“Yeah, yeah,” Forrest simply waved off. An action that made Christen feel a bit conflicted. “Look. I want to talk to you about something important.”

“Is it to attend another business party?” Christen guessed, as it was usually the only important matter Forrest would speak to her about. Particularly since it is the only time when she would have to be with him.

“It’s something else.” Christen was taken aback by the correction. Something other than the party? What could he possible want to talk about then?

A thought came to her mind as she had reminded herself of what today was, and a small smile forced on her face. “Then, how about we talk over dinner? You must be hungry. I’m making roast beef. It'll be ready in a few.”

“This will be quick,” Forrest indirectly denied, confusing Christen even more. “We’ll talk in the living room. The sooner we get this over with, the better.”

The confusion she felt turned into concern at that part. What does her husband want to talk to her about that could be so urgent?