The Substitute Mrs. Craig

Once again he had walked past me like I did not exist. Like I was a piece of furniture that simply stayed put and watched its owner walk by, unable to utter a word.

I opened my mouth to call out to him but the words hung in my throat as I reminisced on what had happened the last few times that I tried to speak to him. I certainly did not want a repeat of that but how long would we continue like this?

I looked up again and saw that he was long gone, leaving me to bask in the scent of his signature cologne that lingered for longer than it was supposed to.

I stared down at the flashy rings on my finger and let out a shaky breath. He never wore his ring, what was the point of wearing mine all over the place when the man I was married to did not even value our union? I was nothing more than a burden to him and he did well to show his thorough dislike for me.

I glanced at the calendar on my phone and grimaced. It was a painful reminder that I had been married for half a year and I had never had a full conversation with my supposed husband because asides ignoring me, he always found ways to totally avoid me by going on long, unending trips to wherever. No calls, texts, emails, nothing. I always found out about these trips from his employees because he found them more appealing to talk to than his lawfully wedded wife.

I hated having to be a complainer but there was nothing else I could do but call his family to call him to order. I didn't want to call ever since but I didn't want to spend the rest of my life stuck with a man that hated me.

"Good morning madam."

I looked up and met with Malia's concerned eyes.

"Malia, I've told you to call me Hannah." I repeated, knowing that she would still not heed to my words.

She gave me a knowing smile. I was right.

"Breakfast is served." She informed me.

"I'm not really hungry." I declined with a slight head shake.

"Lost your appetite again?"

I hummed, "What else is new?"

"I'm heading out to see,"

"His mother." She knew me a little too well. "I hope she can talk sense into him this time." She added with a displeased mutter.

"I hope so too." I said barely above a whisper, glancing up at the large framed photo of him that hung up on the wall in front of me.

"I really want you two to work out."

"I'll have breakfast at Mom's house. See you later Malia." I gave her a soft pat on the shoulder that was more comforting for me than her before sashaying my way to the front door.

My heels echoed in the lobby while I surfed through my bag for my sunglasses. Sunscreen or not, I needed all the protection I could get from the scorching summer sun.

"Louis!" I called out for the driver. I was in no mood to drive myself today. The glum I felt could lead me into something I didn't want, god forbid that I would get into accident coupled with my plight. That would be imminent death.

"Yes ma'am." He scurried over from the garage, to the bottom of the steps I stood on.

"Is the car ready?"

"Yes. I'll bring it right around."

"Thank you." I said, just before he scurried away to get the Lexus RX 350 I had gotten as a wedding gift. It was another painful reminder but I pushed past that and got into the backseat when Louis parked in front of me.

I told him where we were headed and laid back to enjoy the ride.

It took a while due to mild traffic but we arrived at the Hawkins Villa safe and sound.

I paused to ring the bell at the doorstep but eventually changed my mind. I wasn't a stranger to this household. I went into the large living space that was quiet as usual, my heels were probably the only sound as they echoed while they clicked the smooth tiles.

As always I found her seated in the kitchen, staring out into the wide expanse of land that made up the backyard.

"Mom?"

Her sassy blue eyes met my deep brown ones.

"Oh my baby!" She dropped her cup of tea and came over to me. I didn't wait for an invitation before yielding to her warm embrace.

"You look stunning." She twirled me around and I giggled.

"Thank you. You're the real stunner here though." I said, unable to stop myself from examining her classy ensemble that left her looking ageless.

"You flatter me." She coyly said.

"You're here early," she observed, glancing at her watch. I nodded.

"No work today?"

"Nope." I popped the'p'.

"You haven't had breakfast," she knew. "I'll have the cook make you something." She went ahead and called him before taking me with her to the porch.

"There has to be a reason why you're here so early." She said knowingly.

"Zach is back." I announce with a heavy sigh.

"He is? I didn't know that. His father didn't mention it." She seemed surprised. That was the effect he had on us these days. He was never home.

"He got back last night." I said.

"Any progress?"

"He didn't speak to me nor did he respond to my words. But what else is new?" I shrugged.

"This boy," her palm lifted to her forehead as she sighed. "I'll talk to him." She added.

"What difference does it make?" I was tired of that line.

"I'm really beginning to regret agreeing to this. I wish I could have just sold my father's company instead of wanting to keep it. I would be happier if I did." I said in a displeased mutter.

"Maybe a part of you thought this would work out." She said.

I couldn't lie to her, nor to myself. I always believed that though our marriage was arranged, we could work something out. I was a hopeless romantic and if the books I read were anything to go by, we should probably be in the denial stage of the love process with lots of sexual tension. But alas, my reality proved otherwise.

My eyes lingered on her necklace for a while before speaking, "I did. I did think it would work. But now, I don't know anymore."

She laid her palm on my left shoulder, "Try speaking to him when he gets back home tonight."

"You know he won't respond." I turned away from her.

"You just have to keep trying. I promise I'll talk to him again and so will your father in-law. Everything's going to be fine." Her reassurance was alluring and had me building mansions in the air just as always. But I knew everything would fall on deaf ears. I had heard that line one too many times.

"I know you might be considering a divorce,"

I actually was. I couldn't spend the rest of my life in such a gloomy union. One that had been heading for the rocks from the onset.

"But please Hannah, give him some more time. I'm sure this would work out. Can you do that for me?" She caressed my face.

I managed a nod just before the cook came to announce that my meal was ready. At least if I couldn't get Zach to fill me, I could fill myself with food.