10
Kathleen woke up the next morning, Derek hadn't come back the previous night, she wondered where he had spent the night leaving her all alone, she knew that their marriage was impulsive but he had promised to treat her as a wife, in the eyes of everyone, they were a new couple and so supposed to be spending time with each other but on their wedding night, her husband had gone missing, a knock sounded on the door, finally, he must be here but why was he knocking, she hollered that he was free to come in, the door creaked opened and a maid walked it, Kathleen frowned where was her husband? He had no obligation to her anyway but it would have felt better if he was at least with her on their marriage night, " breakfast is ready ma'am" the maid informed her, head bowed and Kathleen grimaced, she wasn't used to this kind of treatment, "please raise your head" she quickly instruct the maid who nervously raised her head but still refused to look at Kathleen in the eyes, "what's your name?" Kathleen asked to make her feel at ease with her, she wasn't a god to be worshipped neither was she a scarecrow to cause fear.
"Mary ma'am" Kathleen nodded, "you've got such a nice name" Mary met her gaze for a moment before her gaze flickered away but she said nothing in response to the compliment.
"Look, Mary, you don't have to be too formal with me, okay, you see, I'm new here and could use a friend, do you mind being my friend?"
"Oh yes ma'am, I'll love that" Mary was enthusiastic, she glanced at her boss new wife and wondered what kind of a lady she was, she wanted friendship with a mere maid, Mary felt honored and promised herself to keep that friendship with her life, she smiled nervously and Kathleen smiled back, relieved to have been able to disperse the stiff formality between them, she could really need a friend in this house where she knew nobody and her mother in law was hostile towards her.
"So, what's for breakfast?"
"Beacon, eggs and some veggies" Mary answered quickly, eager to please and Kathleen nodded her approval, "sounds great, I'll be downstairs shortly".
"Do you need any help?"
"No Mary, I am okay, you can go".
Kathleen quickly dressed up in one of the gowns she had selected the previous day and went downstairs, her breakfast was served, she looked around the house, hoping to see Derek, " don't bother looking for him" Mrs. Deloux came into view and all the maids scurried away, Kathleen stared at her as she approached the breakfast table, "seems like somebody's husband didn't spend the night with her"
Kathleen blushed at her insinuation, "it doesn't matter, we are fine"
Mrs. Deloux laughter was that of contempt, "are you certain you are both fine? If you guys are okay, he would spend the night and even the whole day with his new bride and not out there, probably in another woman's arms".
For some reason, this woman's words got to her, even if they hadn't had any after marriage agreement, even if he had married her just for the purpose of giving her his name, he should have at least informed her of where he would be and not to just desert her in a house where she knew nobody.
"What I mean to say is that you just came here right, everything and everyone is new to you, shouldn't he be around to make sure you settled in before doing any other business he has?"
"I believe whatever he has to do is important, hence, he won't leave me alone, he'll come back soon" Kathleen turned to her heels and went back to her room, the sound of Mrs. Deloux smirk following her all the way.
Derek had called up his father's personal assistant the previous night, setting up a meeting with him, they were to meet in a coffee shop the next day. he knew the assistant had been loyal to his father and would help him with anything he wished to know concerning the Deloux Enterprise, he had spent the night in his father's study trying to go through Deloux business catalog, if he was to be responsible for his father's company until he wakes up from his coma, he would do everything to keep the company running until his father gets better and he would hand it over to him, he still had no interest in the business, his eyes aches from going through numbers and letters and he rubbed his eyes glancing at his watch, it was 3 am already, he knew he was supposed to be in his room with his new bride, but he thought of giving her time, after all, he was just a stranger to her, she might need time alone to adjust to this new life so he decided to sleep in the study. He woke up before anyone, got dressed, and set out to meet his father's personal assistant, Jake, he was shown his father's schedule before he had fallen sick, he had a lot of meetings to attend which has been canceled. Jake pointed out the meetings that if missed, would affect the business to him and he immediately set up an appointment with those, he would be very busy, he set a meeting for later in the day and others would start from the next day.
"I'm glad you're back home Sir, the boss would be very pleased with how you planned to handle the business".
"I am not back yet, but I'm glad your boss will be pleased" Derek nodded for Jake to leave, "I'll call you when I need your help" Jake left and Derek sat for a while contemplating on the task ahead, he had to go home and change for the appointment he has that day, Derek stood up to go out and bumped into someone, "oh my God! I'm sorry" the voice quickly apologized, the voice was oddly familiar making his blood run cold
"Derek?" His ex-lover Christine called, sounding surprised and embarrassed, " you're back" she stated and Derek nodded, not wanting to start a conversation with her, he made to leave but she grabbed his sleeves, "Derek please, talk to me" she begged
"I have nothing to say to you, goodbye"
"I heard you got married" Derek raised a mocking brow, " the news surely spread so quickly" his voice was sarcastic, "yes I got married" he turned to leave but she suddenly hugged him tightly, "I'm sorry Derek, I really did love you, I didn't mean those words you heard back then, I realized my mistake, please forgive me" she suddenly raised on her tiptoe and kissed him, Derek held her firmly in her arms and set her away from him, "don't you ever try that again, whether you meant it or not is of no use, you're out of my life, so go and be with him, after all, you acquired a house, at least you didn't lose everything when with me" Derek turned to leave but paused, "and you should never forget that I am married" with that he walked out. He didn't notice the camera that was flashed when she was in his embrace neither did he noticed another was flashed when she kissed him.