CHAPTER 6: Damn those obligations

CHAPTER 6: Damn those obligations 

Madelyn walked over to the dress on the ground and picked it up. She walked over to Julia and held it out to her.

“I won't be attending the funeral. You can send my regards or apologies. Whatever you deem fit to the Bomers. But I won't be attending.”

My jaw clenched. 

If I could help it, I would rather not deal with all the drama.

Julia opened her mouth but no words came. She turned to me with confusion on her face. “What is—”

My eyes never left Madelyn’s face.

“Go tell the pilot to be ready. I'll handle this.”

Julia nodded once before stepping out. 

“Don't be difficult. Get ready. We're leaving soon.”

Madelyn laughed. “What happened to ‘stop being childish’?. Stop acting immature’? You need me to keep up appearances for you now, and suddenly you don't use the regular vocabulary.”

She was still bitter over my methods of admonishment. Well, I was not about to apologise.

“You’re my wife and you have—”

“Obligations to fulfill,” she cut in. 

She flung the dress on the couch, defiance burning in her eyes.

“Well, damn those obligations. You can find someone else to fulfill them,” she declared. “You ignored me for years. Now you suddenly remembered that I am your wife, and throw it in my face all the time to keep me in line. All because you need something from me. Well, I refuse to be your puppet. You can attend the funeral without me. Besides, Julia will be more than willing to play my part,” she added.

My brow knitted. “What are you talking about?”

Her jaw tightened. “She's your assistant. And she seems very eager at her job. Surely protecting your image also falls within her job description.” she spat.

“You don't like her.” 

It was more of a statement than a question.

“I think the feeling is mutual.”

When I decided to bring Madelyn back, I knew that I would have to deal with her stubbornness amongst other traits that she had. But right now, my patience was wearing short. 

“Julia is my assistant, and she is very efficient and good at her job. But you're my wife. I suggest you stop this drama and get dressed.”

She wanted to argue once more. 

“You have five minutes,” I said after a quick glance at my watch.

A few minutes later, we boarded the jet and set off for the Bomer’s residence. The journey was made in silence. Madelyn never said another word. But I could feel the defiance and anger still rolling off her in waves.

Back when my father had informed me that he had ensued me as the guardian to his friend's young daughter, I kicked against it. I was too busy and on the move. I barely had time for myself, and the idea of babysitting a child was unthinkable. 

As a young child, Madelyn was always following me about when I was home. But now, she would do anything to get away from me. I didn't care. I had an obligation and responsibility to protect her. Then as her guardian, and now as her husband.

My methods may seem cruel to her. But they were a necessary evil.

“Zach we have to get moving now,” Julia informed me.

We were already at the destination.

I nodded once. I looked over at Madelyn, and she was smoothening down her dress, about to walk out of the jet.

“Wait.”

She turned to me. 

I took her left hand. The confusion in her eyes gave way to surprise when I slipped a ring on her ring finger. For a second, there was a flash of an unreadable emotion in her eyes. 

However, the scowl on her face was back just as quickly. 

“Did Julia pick this too?”

“My wife will not be seen in public without a ring on her finger.”

Her voice tightened. “I guess that rule applies only to me?”

I knew she was expecting to see my finger bare. Truth was I had been wearing a wedding ring since the day we got married at the courthouse. Despite the circumstances surrounding our marriage. I still respected the tenets of marriage.

“Behave. We have an appearance to make in a minute. You can lash out later.”

I picked up my coat, and she visibly softened when she saw the ring on my finger. 

I walked out of the jet and she followed behind me.

I was never one to attend funerals. They were always a waste of time if you asked me. Channelling the time spent at funerals, offering condolences, and trying to appear sombre and respectful to the fragile emotions of the bereaved into more productive engagements, trumps an uncomfortable appearance.

The Bomer estate was crawling with too much media attention for a funeral that was supposed to be private. 

When I placed my hand on Madelyn’s lower back to guide her towards the entrance, she tensed. 

“Relax. There's cameras.”

A little bit of the tension ebbed away. 

As soon as the reporters saw us, we were swarmed, as flashes from cameras started to go off.

“Mr Blackwood. Will this development affect your business partnership with the Bomers?”

“This is the first time you're seen with your wife in five years…”

“Is your wife a friend of the Bomer family too?”

“Mrs Blackwood, are we going to be seeing more of you?”

“... what do you think about the tragic crash of Nicole Bomer?”

Julia quickly stepped in front of the cameras. 

“That's enough for now. This is neither the place nor the time for these questions. There will be no comment from Mr Blackwood.”

Julia was brilliant at her job. 

I guided Madelyn into the house with Julia trailing close behind. The funeral was irritatingly pristine. Every guest was draped in black, their grief artfully painted on. The air buzzed with whispers dressed as condolences while champagne glasses were passed around by staff.

It didn't take long for the son and mother to make an appearance. Madelyn stiffened as Patricia and Vance began to make their way over to us.