CHAPTER TWO

I got up very early in the morning, prepared Sean’s clothes for the day, and even told our chef to take a day off so I could be the one to cook him breakfast and also prepare his work stuff.

I was setting up the table when I heard Sean walk down the stairs.

“Breakfast is prepared. I made a lot of food for you,” I said with a smile, standing straight with my hands tucked in front of my apron.

He stared at me for a few seconds before resuming walking straight to the front door. “I’m okay. I’ll eat at work when I’m ready,” he said, fixing his watch.

I dashed to the door with the food I had packed so he could take it to work. “I already prepared lunch and packed it up for you. Here you go.” I stood in front of him with the packed lunch stretched out to him, hoping he’d love it.

“I don’t want it. Stop trying too hard. It’s irritating.” He walked out and slammed the door so hard I thought the house was going to fall apart. I stood there, stunned for a minute.

I didn’t know what I had done wrong. After everything, why was he treating me this way?

But I was not going to give up. He might just be tired from all the work. It was probably just stress. He would come around when he was more relaxed.

I sighed and looked at all that I had prepared. What I had made with joy now seemed pointless and a waste. I grabbed my phone and texted Jane.

“Want to go out and grab breakfast?” I typed and sent. As I waited for a reply, I cleared the table, threw out the food, and took out the trash.

My phone buzzed with a text and I picked it up to see that Jane had replied.

“Sure, the usual place?”

“You know it.” I smiled as I made sure the kitchen was clean, then went to take a shower, dressed up, grabbed my phone, and car keys.

I got my car when I was in college. I saved up a lot of money for it. It was the one thing that belonged to me and only me.

I drove to JANE diner. It was the name of the place Jane and I ate at when we were in college. We chose here because the place was named Jane. Jane said no one bearing her name would sell trash so we had to check it out and it was really good. They sold food according to the time: breakfast, dinner, and even dessert. They sell it. It’s really really good.

I got out of my car and walked into the diner. I could see Jane already sitting where we would be. I walked to where she was and slid into the chair.

“Already ordered your food, because I’m the best and I know you best,” she smiled brightly at me with those beautiful dimples and perfectly straight teeth.

Jane had brown eyes and hair, pale skin, and was 5’3 feet. We met in our second year in school. She was in my history class. Jane was a social butterfly. She would smile so brightly at someone she didn’t even know. We weren’t friends at first but whenever we met or walked past each other she would smile and wave at me, until one day we were partners for a project and that’s how we got close and never separated ever.

“I’m going to need black coffee with that,” I frowned, thinking about the events of the past few days. “Tough day, huh?” Her smile slipped from her face after seeing that I wasn’t happy. “It’s about to get worse because I’m supposed to go home for some meeting,” I grimaced, remembering the text from my dad telling me to come home.

“Going home is never good news. Can’t you just ignore them? I mean, what can they possibly do to you?”

“You know I can’t disobey my dad,” I said, watching the waiter arrive with our food.

“Claire, you know he never thinks about the best for you.”

“He is still my father. I’m sure he loves me. He just doesn’t know how to show it.”

“A father who loves you won’t marry you off to someone you don’t even love. I mean, I know you love him but your father doesn’t know that when he replaced you while Julie ran away,” she sighed.

Jane couldn’t understand where I’m coming from. She had guys that chased after her all the time but also had a boyfriend that loved her so much and also parents that would do anything for her.

She couldn’t understand that I wanted to be loved too. I want my dad to love me like he loves Julie and I want Sean to love me too. That’s why no matter what dad does I’ll always be here waiting for his love.

“How’s Dominic?” I asked, trying to change the topic, and thanked the waiter as he dropped our food on our table.

“Don’t change the topic. You know I hate it when you do that.”

“But I don’t want to talk about it anymore,” I said and picked up the bread from the plate, and started munching on it.

Jane stared at me for a second then lowered her head and started to munch on her plate too. This means she had let go of the topic. I was relieved that we weren’t going to talk about that anymore.

“You’ll call me if anything is wrong, right?” she asked after a while of silence.

Jane had always been like this, always caring and worrying about me. She was my haven.

“My hair will fall off if I don’t call you,” I joked. “I’ll put glitter on your head then,” she laughed.

Jane and I talked for a while about nothing and everything. After we were done with everything she had something to do so she had to leave.

“Bye, love you, call me,” she yelled, walking out of the diner. Everyone inside the diner turned around to see who she was talking to.

I waved at her then hurriedly turned my head to hide my face from all the curious eyes. Jane was just so loud but I loved her regardless.

I was supposed to meet Dad by 2pm but there was still some time so I went to this little library across the diner to read a little before heading out.

While reading I thought about what I’d make for Sean when I go home after the meeting with dad.

I’d make his favorite food and dessert, get his favorite wine, and advise that we go on a little trip, just the two of us, so we could connect and talk about our plans together.

I smiled, imagining Sean and me just talking about our future together. Even if he didn’t love me now, we are still married and we have to see each other every day, living in the same house, so we still have to talk things out.

I couldn’t even concentrate on what I was reading. I’ve been staring at one page for ages now, so I decided to give up, pulled out my phone, and sent Sean a text.

“Hope you have a nice day at work. Dinner will be ready when you get home,” the text read.

Sean never really replied to my texts but it was probably because he was very busy at work and didn’t have time to check his phone.

The only time he did try replying was when I was pregnant. I’m sure he was very worried about me. I snapped out of that memory because it also brought back some bad memories.

I checked the time to see it was almost time for the meeting so I stood up from my chair, then returned the book from where I took it, then waved goodbye to the worker, got into my car, then set off to see my dad, hoping this time, just this time, there would be good news waiting for me.