Filled with extreme anxiety which evoked a sensation of contempt in me. In the midst of high status people who are ready to judge a low girl’s existence.
“This feels like a dream.” I whispered to Tyler.
Me, who was never in the eye of anyone is now the center of their discussion and the only thing they have to talk about is-
‘How can Tyler marry someone like me?’
“You are my dream.” He whispered back. Even though Tyler is a supportive husband, I still feel insecure.
I know I shouldn’t pay attention to the words of people but the shred of stupid dignity inside me is hurt by their words.
“I still cannot believe I am your wife.” I said shyly.
My distressed gaze looked around to see but then I felt a hand over mine. I raised my gaze and saw Tyler, “Me too.”
He said sincerely as we began to eat in silence while he was giving my hand an assuring squeeze.
My racing heartbeat gradually slowed down. A sudden wave of serenity washed over me.
I gained some courage to be myself and not feel intimidated as he is here for me to be my pillar.
“Huh?” I picked a spoon and tried to eat my food but the moment I picked it, all eyes fell upon me as if I had committed a sin.
“Tyler?” My heart began to beat fast again in dread.
I timidly looked at Tyler who leaned in and whispered in my ears, “Wrong spoon.”
Second hand embarrassment.
A blush crept upon my cheeks as I looked away, “Sorry.” I mumbled, biting my cheeks.
The more I try not to humiliate Tyler, the more complicated I make things for him. My heart clenched along with a tear pricked in my eye.
“Anyways, Tyler, Do something about the investigation officer-” Tyler cut the person off.
“Gray, No need to discuss work.” Tyler said, warning him.
Since I don’t want to meddle in his work, I decided to keep quiet.
“Okay then, tell me how you met Candice.” A girl said.
“We met in a club.” Tyler said nonchalantly.
My eyes widened for a second when I heard it.
Why is he lying?
“And it seems like it was love at first sight.”
“It is.” Again, Tyler lied.
I looked at him in disbelief but he didn’t show any expression.
“That’s why you didn’t care who she was.” A scornful voice of his partner Milli came.
“When I didn’t you shouldn’t as well.” Tyler said firmly, sparing a glance at her.
“After all she can’t handle it, as we can see.” She said again.
“Stop Milli, don’t enrage Tyler.” The guy named Gray said hesitantly.
“And I am the one who provides all this for her. Don’t you think you shouldn’t put your nose in my personal matters.” Tyler said with his voice sounding angry by each word.
“Stop it, Milli.” Gray said.
Milli looked at him rather afraid and nodded, “I am sorry.” She whispered, lowering her head.
“Hmm.” Tyler hummed. He then turned to me and continued.
“And Candice, you.”
Everyone shot their heads when he called me sternly. They looked at us intensely, I didn’t understand their demeanor.
It made me feel awkward.
“Don’t.” That’s the only word he said.
I immediately understood the context of his words-
‘Don’t be embarrassed.’
“Sure.” I gave him a faint smile and nodded.
“Nothing else should matter anyways.”
He then picked my spoon and offered me a bite and everyone gasped.
“You are not Tyler.” The first reaction to see Tyler, feeding me.
“You. Of all people you. Are. Being. Affectionate.”
“Can’t I act like a normal human?” Tyler said irritated.
“Human.”
Milli laughed upon hearing it and again Gray sent a glare in her direction which immediately shut her up.
I don’t get it, what’s wrong with these people.
“Aw! They look cute, Kenneth, why aren’t you like this?” A girl which her eye glimmering in admiration squeaked,
“Because I don’t have time for it.” Her partner replied. Rude.
“Candice..” Tyler called me softly as I turned my head to him.
He was still offering me the bite. I bit my lower lips, my heart skipped a beat.
“Thank you.” I tentatively opened my mouth and he fed me, earning strange looks from others and I tried my best to ignore them for the rest of the dinner.
After dinner we went home, I changed my clothes and saw Tyler laying on his side, with his one hand under his head as his eyes were closed.
I turned off the lights and sat on my side of the bed and called him, “Tyler… are you awake?”
After a few seconds he hummed and I lowered my head, turning to him completely.
“Don’t you think you were exaggerating a bit today?” I asked, narrowing my eyes.
“No. I am above all of them and so are you. Don’t think about it. We can do whatever we want.” He yawned, not opening his eyes.
“You are a Queen, love. Paltry subjects mean nothing.” He mumbled.
“Oh you. I am so grateful to have you in my life.”
I put my head over his chest and wrapped my arms around him, emitting gloom.
“You okay, Candice?” He asked, opening his eyes slowly.
“Yea..” I replied faintly.
He wrapped his free hand around me and held my hand.
“Tell me.” He said, rubbing my knuckles with his thumb.
“It’s just… I don’t think I fit in this world of luxury. I am not made for this life… I have accepted everything but I cannot accept this..” Pausing, I collected my next words carefully.
“I think I am an embarrassment to you.” He was taken aback, disappointed that his words cannot annihilate my fear.
“Whenever we go, people question our relationship. How someone like you and someone like me can be together. You are in the skies but I am not.” Tears brimmed in my eyes.
“Even if I show I don’t care but deep inside I do… Tyler, I am afraid of the day when you will think of me with disdain. I am so afraid that I might not end up disgracing you.”
I said in a voice louder than a whisper, closing my eyes, letting out the things eating me up from inside.
A tear fell from my eye when I told him about my insecurity.
Tyler listened carefully, he didn’t say anything but then he brought my hand close to him and kissed it.
He opened his eyes finally and looked at me, cupping my cheek, wiping the tear on my cheek.
He took a deep breath and began to say in low voice,
“Candice, no matter what the world says about you. To me, you are the person who made me feel alive,” He paused.
“I feel so lucky to have you as my wife. You made everything beautiful, my life, my breaths, my existence.” His smile grew wider.
“You don’t know how much of a blessing you are to me, how I have died for you. That’s why please, don’t think of yourself like this.” His soft murmur put me at ease.
“I have told you before; don’t pay attention to them. Nothing in this world can change what I think of you. You are perfect. I am here and always will be, I love you the way you are.”
And At this point, I am astonished at my perfect fate. How lucky I am.
“Don’t let this bother you. I just need you in my life, You are the one I can hold onto and never let go. I want you to be with me, nothing else matters now and afterwards. All… you.”
His every word held in-depth emotions of love in it. The way he assured me gave me immense solace.
My heart flutters as the benediction to have him in my life fills me.
“I didn’t know you loved me that much. I will always be with you Tyler… and will try my best to not pay attention to their words..” I said, holding his close.
“I am so happy to have you in my life.”
Tyler shifted and moved close to me, placing a soft kiss upon my lips. I smiled and cupped his cheeks.
“You don’t know how much you mean to me.” He whispered, wrapping his arms around me.
My smile grew wider in his embrace. I exhaled and said.
“But we have to do something about my manners.” I said, pulling away a little and looking at him.
“I’ll look for a mentor. Don’t worry about it.” He shrugged. I hummed.
***
“That’s it.” Mr Martin; my mentor said in his thick French accent.
I sighed in relief when he finally considered my effort. I passed him a smile and then he pointed at the desert,
“Now try this.” He said.
I nodded and picked the small spoon but he made a sour face and walked behind me,
“Tsk, Tsk, Not like this dear.” He said, bending and putting his hands on either side of me.
He leaned in and nuzzled to my neck, moving his hands to my hands slowly. His actions made me feel very uncomfortable.
I didn’t like his touch at all.
He held my hands, brushing his lips against my neck, his breath lingered on my neck.
I made a disgusted face and whispered, moving my head away, “Please get away.”
“Hmm? What?” He murmured.
Not being able to bear the repugnance of his touch anymore.
I pushed him away and snarled at him, “If you want to teach me do it without touching me.”
“Why? Didn’t you like it?” He asked, taking a step closer.
“Don’t you dare.” I said threateningly, pointing my index finger at him in contempt.
“No woman has resisted me… a few moments and you’ll-”
Before he could touch me again, I slapped him hard and turned to leave. He is such a bastard.
“You…” He hissed.
“I will tell Tyler about your action!” I yelled at him.
“Get out!”
“Who are you to him anyways?” He laughed off.
“I am his wife.” I growled.
Upon hearing it, his face turned pale. His eyes widened in horror as he took a step back.
A sudden terror swept across his face “No…” He whispered.
“Please don’t. I didn’t know you were his wife. I am so sorry. I will not even raise my gaze ever again but please don’t tell Mr Moretti.” He begged with his voice and aura drowning in fright.
“Leave.” I said, turning my head away and closing my arms at my chest. Barely holding the anger inside me along with a question;
‘Is Tyler that scary?’