Stephanie's POV
As I walked out, I saw my phone screen flash with a message: Dinner tonight. Bring your husband.
I stared at the text from my grandfather. I already knew someone was tailing us and informed him the moment we stepped inside the building. He must be in a good mood if he invited us through text.
Cliff came out a few minutes after me. He had the biggest smile on his face, as if he had married the love of his life, not entered into a contractual marriage.
"Are you free tonight?" I asked. It would be ideal if I went alone or skipped it altogether, but I wanted to see how much I could trust the man in front of me.
Cliff wrapped his arm around my waist, pulling me closer to him. "It's our wedding night. Neither of us is free," he whispered in my ear, his hot breath brushing against my skin and sending goosebumps across it. If this continued, I would become another victim of his. Every time he pulled me into his arms, I felt that electric sensation those romance movies talked about. The absurd swirling feeling in my stomach that made my knees weak every time I stared into those intense black eyes.
No, what absurdity was I thinking? How could I have such thoughts? He was the same rich and powerful man I vowed to stay away from. I broke free from his hold and averted my gaze. Suddenly, I felt like a guilty criminal who couldn't meet his eyes.
"My grandfather invited us for dinner," I confessed, trying to calm this stupid heart that raced every time I saw his dimples.
"Invited or ordered you?" Unlike his earlier flirty tone, it shifted. It was cold and sharp, like a danger lurking. Was he angry that he needed to attend?
"That doesn't concern you. If you don't wish to come, I can go alone," I replied. I didn't have the freedom to feel emotions at every instance. It was dreadful; no point lingering on injustice. Emotions drained your will faster. It was better to be a rock and do what was easier for me.
Cliff remained quiet. I was curious about what expression he had. Did he think I was pathetic for accepting this? Or did he look down and realize this marriage was a mistake? I wanted to look up at his face and see, but I didn't have the courage. I told myself multiple times that I should never dwell on what others think. Thinking would drain me before I reached my goal, but once again, I let it affect me.
"Very well. As it's the first time visiting my in-laws, I should shop for gifts for them. Come on, you should help me." Cliff didn't wait for my answer. He grabbed my wrist, dragging me to the parking lot.
His voice sounded calm, far too calm but there was a feeling as if he was angry. No, he was furious. But why? It wasn't like I forced him. I gave him a choice. I told him I could go alone. He could have refused. Why was he so confusing? The unfamiliar guilt, as if I had done something wrong, kicked into my heart.
"Stephanie, why are you so foolish? Don't you see everything that happens is your fault? You shouldn't have existed." The taunting voice from the past kept appearing.
"Aren't you getting in?" I looked up at Cliff, who stared at me with those same jet-black eyes. His thick brows frowned as he looked down at me.
I pulled my hand away. "Please stop making physical contact unless necessary." My voice came out sharper than I intended as I sat down in the passenger seat and closed the door.
I almost let a stranger like him get a hold of my emotions. How could I let him bring back those memories I had blocked away? Cliff stood there for a minute before entering the driver's seat and starting the car. I kept my gaze out the window, trying to calm my heart. If this continued, there would be another drama of explanations and conflict.
"Can you stop by the pharmacy real quick? I need to buy something," I said without glancing at him.
Cliff said nothing, but he parked by the pharmacy. I went in and picked up my medicine and a bottle of water. The pharmacy was mostly empty as I stood at the counter for checkout.
"That will be sixty," the pharmacist remarked.
I took out my phone to pay online when someone extended a black card.
"Here." Cliff stood beside me, holding out his card.
I hurriedly moved the tablet away before he could see further. It wasn't like I wanted to hide but it was better to keep your weakness secret.
"I can pay," I refused, but the pharmacist had already taken the card and completed the transaction.
I hurriedly grabbed the receipt and the card from the pharmacist's hand, shoved the card back at Cliff, and put the receipt in my skirt pocket. It was never good to inform strangers that you are a defective one. I took the pill, discarding the packet in the trash before walking out of the store.
I waited for Cliff to ask, my brain racking for an excuse to tell him. Instead, he kept quiet, getting into the driver's seat without any questions. Did he already know? No, it couldn't be.
"No one wants a defective piece." The same voice echoed in my head again. Maybe he just didn't care.
I sat back into the passenger seat, putting on my seatbelt and taking a quick glance at him. Cliff was silent, fully immersed in driving.
I clenched my fingers, the silence deafening me. "Let me pay you back," I said. I needed to know if he knew.
"No need. I can afford my wife's medicine," Cliff calmly stated. "Also, shouldn't you rest instead of going for dinner? Is dinner that important?"
I let out a nervous smile. "It's just migraine medicine. Nothing serious." There was no way he would know. I wasn't officially diagnosed at a hospital. There were no records of it. Even if he found my identity, finding this would be harder.
"It was heart medicine, though."