I pushed the door open and marched straight to his table.

“You did this!” I pointed at him accusingly. He looked alarmed.

“Did what?”

“Don’t pretend. My mother called me up and told me my dad is frozen. I don’t know what voodoo hocus pocus thing you did but I want him back to normal”

I was afraid but I was determined not to show it. Rick got up and walked to his bookshelf, pretending to look for a book.

“I’m not magical, Ashley. I don’t know what you’re talking about”

“I saw you back in Lucky76″ I told him calmly.

Rick turned to me and he knew what I was talking about. I met Rick at a club three weeks ago. He was average looking but he was charming, funny and witty. We talked for a while before I excused myself to the dance floor. Later that night, as I was leaving, I looked for Rick. I found him at the back alley swinging a bat and smashing an ice sculpture. That ice sculpture was the man who was dancing with me. I ran home and threw up, ill for 3 days.

Rick smiled at me. “You saw that huh?” he walked towards me.

“I’m a wizard Ashley and I need your help” I backed off from him with a frown.

“What wizard? Go back to your tower then” I rolled my eyes.

Rick let out a hearty laugh. “Oh Ashley, what bullshit is that? Who lives in the tower? You have to help me, you already accepted my gift”

I was about to call him crazy but he gestured to my purse. I opened it to find a small black box.

“I do not want this” I said firmly as I set it on the table. The box flew into my hand. No matter how far I threw it, it kept appearing in my hand.

“What is this? A button to destruct the world?”

Rick smiled. “You’re funny Ashley. Do you think I’m some cartoon villain? I’m a wizard, a powerful one”

I sighed “Can you just unfreeze my dad?”

“Only if you agree to help me”

“What do you want from me? I’m only 17. Why me? I barely knew you” I screamed.

“I chose you. I saw you and you’re the chosen one. The one I need, you stupid girl. You’re the puzzle in my plan” he shouted back at me as he gripped my shoulders.

I looked away, feeling the pain but not willing to show it.

“What do you want from me?” I asked slowly.

He smiled and leaned forward to sniff my hair. “Baby … I” he mumbled.

I put both my hands on his chest and shoved him.

“Don’t touch me. I’m going to figure this out on my own” I turned to head out.

“What are you going to do? Swing a bat at the old man?”

I turned to glare at him and he ran his fingers through his hair.

“I’m telling you Ashley, if you’re not helping me, daddy goes bye bye”

My heart nearly stopped and looking at Rick’s confident smirk, I knew this was not an empty threat. I have no idea what he wants but anything to keep daddy safe.

“Fine!” I spat out the word.

Rick made a movement with his right hand as if he’s grabbing an invisible bar of slippery soap then blue smoke appeared and he waved it off. I pulled out my phone just as my mom called. She informed me that dad is okay now.

“Wow, wonder what happened. I’ll talk to you guys later” I smiled but quickly wiped off my smile when Rick walked towards me again.

“What do you want me to do? I need to get home soon”

What do wizards want anyway? Dominate the world? Steal from a gallery? He grabbed my wrists and whispered in my ear. It took me 5 seconds to realize what was going on.

********

I only heard mumblings, I only see the little black box in front of me.

I need an heir .. he whispered.

“.. your lawfully wedded husband?” that’s all I heard.

I looked at Rick and he had that stupid smirk. 10 seconds of silence and Rick replaced the smirk with a stern expression as his hand started to move.

“I do .. ” this time I let my tears flowed freely, soaking my black dress.

 

2: Chapter 2

“Smile or else your parents are going to get it again” Rick pulled me close and whispered in my ear.

I shot him an angry glare. How do you smile when you hate everything? I hate this black dress, I hate this house, I hate this man. I don’t even know these people who are here supposingly to congratulate and celebrate my wedding. My wedding to this .. demon.. This monster… this evil being.

“I hate you..” I tried to pull my arm away but he gripped it harder against his and I winced in pain. Rick looked amused. I couldn’t cry even though I wanted to but the tears just wouldn’t fall. He had put a stop to it.

“Hey man, caught a hot one” a shorter man walked by and handed Rick a champagne glass.

“Tony, my wife Ashley”

I rolled my eyes. My captor .. forced husband .. evil asshole. Tony whistled and laughed as he walked by us and smacked my behind. I gritted my teeth.

“Fucking asshole” I mumbled under my breath.

That instant I heard glass breaking and I turned to see Rick’s hand was bleeding as the glass dropped. The blood disappeared right away and I watched as he mumbled a few words and pointed ahead. Tony’s arm turned gray and cracks appeared before it fell off. Tony fell on the floor groaning and screaming in pain. Everyone looked at him and the main door flung opened.

“If you’ll excuse us, me and my bride will take our rest now”

Rick tugged my arm and turned towards the stairs. I was practically dragged until he reached a door, pushed me in and closed the door. I ran past him and tried to open the door but it was stuck. Rick sighed and pointed to the bathroom.

“Go freshen up and change”

I ran into the bathroom and noticed a nightie – see through and all. Fear took over me and I climbed up the sink to push the window open but it wouldn’t budge.

“It’s no use Ashley”

I slammed the door and sat in the bathtub.  What am I going to do? I must have been in there for some time before I opened the door and peeped out. Rick was gone. I walked out of the bathroom, dragging my long black dress across the room to the door. Suddenly I was pulled back by a force to the side of the big black queen size bed in the corner of the room. Rick was standing there and he pushed me on the bed. I fought him with my hands and legs.

“Please Rick, I’ll work for you .. anything.. “

He grunted and my wrists were locked above the headboard.

“I need an heir ..” he leaned forward and kissed my neck.

Those words made me struggled even more.

“Rick, you can’t .. I never .. “ I pleaded.

He laughed and forced his lips on mine.

“You are so cute Ashley”

He undressed both of us and my body reacted shamelessly despite my protests. When he was done, he collapsed next to me and finally I’m able to free myself and cried to sleep.

 

 

3: Chapter 3

My husband is an evil wizard, I mumbled under my breath. I woke up as he was putting on his shirt. I pulled the blanket around me and he turned to me with a smile. I looked away and stood up, dragging the blanket with me. Rick walked around the bed and stopped in front of me.

“We made a baby last night” he looked happy.

I wrapped my arm around my stomach and reached out to slap him across the face with my other hand. He just turned to me with a smile.

“Go to hell” I walked past, wondering what to do next.

“Get ready” he walked to the dressing table across the room.

“For what?” I panicked, afraid of being rape again.

“School” he threw my backpack on the bed.

I was pissed. “You took away my everything, why not my education as well?”

“You are going to school until you’re pregnant with my baby” he turned to me.

I shook my head and headed to the bathroom.

Rick assigned a driver for me and I sat at the back seat, crying my eyes out all the way to school. Everything looked the same except me. Overnight, I got married and raped. I tugged an. Brad too d pulled on my ring but it wouldn’t come off. I shoved my whole hand in my pocket and wiped my tears.

“Ash, I’ve been calling you the whole weekend. Where were you?” Natalie came running after me.

“Oh hi Nat. I’ve just been busy” I smiled.

“Your parents were looking for you. Brad too” she stopped walking to look at me.  “You look different somehow..”

Yeah, I might have an evil spawn growing in me. Natalie looked at me for a while and then gasped.

“Ash, is that a hickey!” she pointed to my neck. I covered my neck. Stupid stupid Rick. Another gasp.

“Ash, that ring! What’s going on?”

I put that hand back in my pocket while the other covered my neck.

“My late grandma gave it to me” I said lamely. Heck, even I don’t believe my lie. Natalie shook her head – obviously she don’t believe me.

“Did you and Brad finally did it? Is that a promise ring?” she whispered.

“Nat! I can’t tell you anything. I can’t risk your life. Please stop asking”

“But Ash ..”

“Please Nat. Please, I beg you, please don’t put me in a rough spot. Please don’t ask” I was so close to tears. I can’t let anything happen to Natalie.

“Are you in trouble?” she whispered, looking around.

I nodded. “Don’t ask, please”

She reluctantly nodded. How am I supposed to tell my best friend? I got married to this evil wizard who expect me to carry his child. For the rest of the morning, I kept looking over my shoulder for Brad.

How am I supposed to explain all this to him? I skipped lunch and hid in the girls bathroom. Realization finally sank in. I’ve been married to a man who wants me just for my womb, There’s no love, no commitment, nothing. I lost my virginity to him last night unwillingly. I can’t even tell anyone about this in case Rick decides to vaporize them. I can’t go home and now I have to leave Brad. What other choice do I have? Reject Rick and let dad die?

I cried for the child that I was, the fate that lead me here now. Broken, afraid, trapped.

Run! As soon as school was over, I took off. Rick’s assigned driver saw me and started chase. I ran across the park, got into a bus and changed cab to the airport. I dug around my purse for the emergency credit card mom gave me.

“Where are you going?” I looked up to see Rick. 

4: Chapter 4

I rolled my eyes and pulled my wrist again. This time Rick let go of me but he shot me a glare before sitting down on his chair.

“Is this how you work?” he questioned.

My driver stood in front of me, the poor man was terrified with sweats dripping down his neck.

“I’m sorry but she took off …” he started to explain.

“That’s no excuse. You are useless” Rick sat up straight.

I have to do something. I can’t let someone else take the blame for something I did.

“Rick, don’t kill him. It’s my fault. Kill me instead” I stood in front of him, obstructing his view of the poor man. Rick turned his attention to me instead.

“Ashley, why would I want to kill you?”

I glanced at the poor man still standing there. Rick followed my gaze and waved his hand as a gesture of dismissal. The man quickly took off before Rick changed his mind.

“Why not? First you froze my dad and forced me into marriage, you refuse to let me leave and you took my virginity” I choked a little on the last part but I took a deep breath and blinked away my tears.

For a moment, he looked shocked. “Did I hurt you?”

I took another deep breath. “Yes, no .. I don’t know. I just didn’t want to do it. I was not ready for that”

“Well, we’re married now Ashley. It’s normal”

I shook my head “ Forced marriage, Rick. I’m not happy being this way”

“What do you want me to do so that you can be happy then?” he stood up.

“Let me go. Grant me a divorce”

Rick smiled. “Absolutely not. Don’t you get it Ashley? I need you here”

“I don’t get it. Thousands of girls in this world and you have to choose me. I’m not even out of school and you already ruined my life”

“You’ll still go to college and move on with your life” he said softly.

“Yeah except no dating right? How is that normal?” I stepped further away from him.

“Absolutely not. Come on Ashley, work with me here” he reached out to touch my arm. I pulled away.

“You’re really unhappy here? “ he sighed.

“I really am”

“How bout this deal? You give me a son and I’ll let you go” Rick ran his fingers through his hair. Finally there’s some hope for freedom.

“You mean after I give you a baby, you’ll let me go forever? Divorce me?”

He nodded. “A lump sum of money as well for you and your parents as compensation”

“I have to add to this bargain thing. I want to go wherever I please without any escort”

I could see Rick wanted to disagree with me on this but he just frowned and nodded.

“Be back by sun down and don’t ever try to run away again”

“I won’t” I agreed reluctantly.

“For the sake of your parents, I hope so”

I watched as Rick walked out of the study. I thought about the deal we made. Just a baby for him and I’ll be free forever. I can go to college and move on with my life. I should be able to do this, for the sake of my future.

I took a quick shower and dragged my backpack into the study, hoping to distract myself with some assignments. The house was quiet but I could hear the maid in the kitchen and the gardener outside mowing the lawn. I pulled my brown hair into a ponytail and opened my book. I wiped my tears away and focused on the positive. Soon.

**

“What are you doing?” Rick stood at the doorway.

I glanced at him and continued unpacking my clothes.

“I’m sleeping here. This is a nice room” I said casually without looking at him.

“This is the guest bedroom. You’re my wife. Your room is at the end of the hall” he stepped in the room.

I ignored him and continued unpacking my necessities and putting them on the dressing table. Suddenly my clothes flew back into the luggage and closed by itself. I frowned at Rick who walked over and picked me up over his shoulder while he dragged my luggage along.

“Why can’t you just leave me alone?” I growled as I hit his back repeatedly with my fist but it hurt me more. It’s like hitting a brick wall.

“Like I said, you’re my wife. You are required to sleep beside me”

“Oh how did you sleep before this?” I resorted to kicking his body.

He dropped me down on the big black bed and I nearly fell off.

“I didn’t have a wife then”

“Well, who’s fault is it then?” I rolled my eyes and tried to get out of bed but it seemed to be swallowing me in.

“You just got me in the mood” he removed his t shirt.

“No no, Rick, please. I don’t want to do this” I tried to climb off the bed.

“We had a deal remember?” he climbed into bed.

My wrists were locked above me once again but this time I looked at Rick in the eyes as he proceed to undress us. I’m not going to let him think I’m afraid of him anymore. He glanced at me and chuckled.

“If only looks can kill”

“If only looks can kill” I repeated, injecting a hint of arrogance into my voice.

Rick kissed me slowly at first and I smiled against his lips before I bit down hard on his bottom lip. He shouted in pain and pulled away. His lip was red and he wiped it several times before looking at me. For a moment, there was a wild look in his eyes and I thought he was going to slap me.

“That was adorable, Ashley” he grinned.

**

I waited for a second to catch my breath as Rick got off me before I rushed to the bathroom. I tried to wash away his marks, his scent and any traces of him off me. When I got out of the bathroom, Rick was asleep. I pulled on my t-shirt and pants before I tiptoed to the door. Tonight I’m sleeping in the guest bedroom. The door wouldn’t open. I sighed and walked to the couch instead.

Just as I was falling asleep, I felt Rick’s arm picked me up again and put me back on the bed.

“This is your bed” he mumbled before falling asleep again.

I moved myself to the edge of the bed and tried to get some sleep. When I woke up in the morning, Rick’s arm was across my body, his face pressed against the pillow. I pushed his arm but it wouldn’t budge.

What’s wrong with this man! Is he made of lead or something?

“Hey, get off me” I pushed repeatedly but nothing happened. I’m going to be late for school. Finally I leaned forward and bit his arm as hard as I can.

Rick woke up cursing. “What the hell?”

I gathered my toiletries and headed straight to the bathroom.

“Ashley, I forbid you to bite me” Rick followed me to the bathroom.

“Or what? You’re going to threaten me with my parents?” I looked up at the mirror to see him standing behind me.

I sighed. “Can you please put some clothes on? I’m going to puke” I turned on the tap to silence him off.

He was rubbing his arm again and walked out. I gave him a second before I walked out. He had his pants on and he was looking for his shirt. As he bent down, I noticed he had a tattoo on his lower back. The letter Z.

“Have you seen my t shirt?”

I eyed his t-shirt under the bed on my side and kicked it further in. I shook my head.

“Rick, I need to see my parents. I’ve been missing for two days, the police are going to come looking for me”

“You don’t exist to them” he said nonchalantly.

“What?” suddenly my hands turned cold. I wanted to scream, to hit him and to just .. argh..

“I put a spell on them. They don’t remember who you are” he decided to pick another shirt from his wardrobe, totally oblivious to my reaction.

“You erased me from my parents life? What am I supposed to do? How can you do this to me?” I started crying.

Rick sighed like he’s tired of my constant crying. “Once our deal is done, the spell is over”

“You promise?” I sounded like a pathetic little child but I’ve been keeping a brave face since last night.

“I promise” Rick came to me and kissed my forehead. “Quit being a baby and get ready for school” he frowned and walked out.

**

“How sexually active are you?”

“Oh quite active” I put on a smile as flashes of the past two nights played through my mind like a bad movie. The doctor nodded and scribbled something, then she paused and looked at me before glancing at my details on top of the card.

“Aren’t you a little young to be sexually active?”

Oh no, she’s not going to give me the pills. She’s going to ask for my parents. She’s going to report me to .. er .. I rubbed my hands together, thinking of a good answer.

“I’m married. Newlywed” I flashed my ring and faked a huge giddy smile. Here I am doc, happily married where the husband and I can’t keep our hands off each other. She nodded again but seemed satisfied with my simple explanation.

I walked out of her office with the pills tucked away safely underneath my books. I took my time to walk slowly down the corridors, thinking about my next move. Where do I go from here? I can’t go home, my parents will freak. I can’t risk going to Natalie’s. I only have one place to go for now and I didn’t want to be there.

“She’s beautiful. Congratulations Dr Wesley”

“Thank you very much. She’s pretty awesome”

I turned towards the chatters coming from the counter. Two nurses were talking excitedly to a doctor. He had a statoscopes around his neck, a tag and glasses on. He also worn the same clothes when he left home this morning.

I guessed he felt me staring because he turned around and there I was, looking at my husband. This should be interesting.  

 

5: Chapter 5

He looked just as surprised to see me but he put on a big smile.

“Honey!” he walked towards me and grabbed my arm gently. The nurses were looking at us and Rick gave me the look. The look which says play along and don’t screw this up for me.

“Hi honey, I brought you lunch” I held up a chocolate bar and put on an innocent look.

Rick let out a chuckle. “You are so cute. Let’s go to my office”

He walked ahead and I followed behind him.

“Congratulations Mrs Wesley” one of the nurses called out.

I turned and smiled with a nod before I tried to catch up with Rick. He lead me into an office and closed the door. There was a desk with some documents and some other doctor stuff that I don’t even know. In the middle of his desk was his name. Dr Rick Wesley.

“Who did you kill so that you can replace him?” I gestured to the name on the table.

“What?” Rick looked offended.

“Dr Wesley. You killed him to take over his job”

“Has it never occurred to you I have a job? I’m Dr Wesley, I work here”

“Dr Wesley, the evil wizard” I scoffed.

“What is that supposed to mean?” he was annoyed with me.

“How ironic is that you’re a doctor but you kill people with your hands”

“I don’t kill people”

“I saw you kill that man back in Lucky76. What about Tony’s arm and you nearly blowing up Artie yesterday? You’re a doctor, really? ” I reminded him of our driver.

“I’m still saving lives daily”

I shook my head “It’s not the same. Rick, can you promise me not to kill anymore?” I pleaded with him.

He looked at me with his arms folded across his chest for a while before he shook his head. “I can’t promise you that, hon” and before I could ask him why he continued “one day you’ll understand. I hope you will”

I nodded and picked up my backpack. There’s nothing left to say. He’s going to continue killing and I can’t do anything about it.

“Why do you have to tell people you’re married?” I frowned.

“Cause it’s the truth” he smirked.

“You and I know once the baby’s here, we’ll be going our separate ways” I pointed to both of us.

“By then, I’ll tell them we’re divorced and it was all my fault. I screwed up with another hot thing in the club”

I felt a little irritated with his response. “In that case, shouldn’t the mother get the custody of the kid?”

“I’ll make some shit up about your drinking problem”

“Hey, that’s my reputation you’re talking about”

Rick smiled. “Why, Ashley. Do you want the baby?”

“No, I want my life back”

“Speaking of that, why are you here and not in school?”

I took a while to figure out an answer and Rick looked at me like a disapproving father.

“I decided to skip school today” I still don’t know how am I supposed to face Brad, Nat and the rest of the everybody else. I can’t even imagine breaking up with Brad. What am I supposed to say? How can I do that to him?

“Really Ashley? After all the shit you gave me last night about leading a normal life, you skipped school” he leaned against the table.

“I’ll go to school okay? I don’t know how to face my friends yet. This is all your fault” I started to get angry again.

Rick got a text and he slipped his phone into coat.

“I’m going for my rounds now Ashley. Go home”

***

“Artie, can you help me with the bags?” I pushed open the door and addressed the driver.

“Okay madam” he went out to the garage and brought in about a dozen bags on both arms.

“Artie, can you please send them to the room please?”

I went to the kitchen to make myself a sandwich. If I have to stay here, I might as well enjoy myself. I brought my sandwich upstairs to the room and emptied the contents of my shopping bags on the bed. I began sorting them according to items. Shoes on one side, dresses on the other, earrings to my left and sort on. After an hour of mixing matching my new clothes, I heard the car pulled up outside.

I brought my plate downstairs and turned to the hall. Rick usually comes in through the back door and headed upstairs but I didn’t want to be in the room with him in case he decided to get down to business again. I’ll stay downstairs and catch up with my magazines first.

Instead a man was in the hall, flipping through my magazines. I stopped right at the doorway and he looked up at me.

“Where’s all the sports magazine?” he asked.

Well, I threw them under the table but who ..

“Ashley! I got a call..” I heard Rick walking towards me.

“Rick! Dude!” the man shifted his eyes from me to Rick.

“Hey, you’re back! David, Ashley Wesley. Honey, my brother David”

David stood up and looked at me with a smirk. That same smirk.

“Bro, I got out of town for two weeks and you got married. That’s some quick work. Welcome to the family, sis”

I nodded and gave him a small smile. Now I have two evil wizards in the house. Awesome.

“Bro, is she the one ..” David made a dancing gesture and Rick nodded.

“Am I what?” I interrupted.

“Nothing” Rick cleared his throat, clearly uncomfortable with the conversation.

“The pretty one from the club. That’s how Rick described you and walah, few weeks later you’re here” he gestured to my ring.

“I didn’t have a choice” I mumbled under my breath. Both men looked at me. Rick with a disapproving look and David just looked curious.

“I’m going to get in the shower. Good to have you back, bro”

Rick left the room and headed upstairs.

“So sis, how do you like living here?” David gestured around the house.

I shrugged. Am I supposed to tell the truth or play the happy bride?

“It’s okay though. I do miss my own home” safe answer.

“My brother was embarrassed earlier but to tell you the truth, he had his eyes on you since a few weeks ago. He come home and described you as the pretty little one on the dance floor”

I don’t know whether to be flattered or crept out. The fact that Rick was eying and aiming me for weeks sounded so creepy. It’s like a snake hiding in the shadows watching its prey and I was the rat he caught.

“I never knew that” is all I can say.

“Welcome to the family sis. I’m sure my parents would love you”

There’s more of them? I thought I just have an evil husband, I didn’t know I’m getting the evil in laws package.

“ASHLEY!” Rick shouted from the room.

“My cue” I dismissed myself. Rick was sitting on the edge of the bed rummaging through my new items.

“What is all this?”

“I went shopping today” I stuffed the things back randomly into the bags.

“On whose expense?”

“Yours” I placed his credit card on the dressing table. I stole it from his wallet this morning and I expected him to get pissed at me so that he wouldn’t want to touch me tonight. He just nodded.

“Is David staying for dinner?” I asked.

“David lives here” Rick stood up. I glanced at the bed. Rick followed my gaze.

“You’re my wife”

I looked at him with confusion. “Do you have to remind me everyday?”

“We don’t share”

“Share what?” I was even more confused.

“Isn’t that why you looked at the bed?” it took a moment to realize what he was indicating.

“Rick, I’m your wife. Not his” I was angry again.

“I’m not hinting anything. I’m just reassuring you” he looked alarmed.

I shook my head. “The fact that you have to reassure me is disgusting”

***

I sat in silence during dinner while the two brothers talked about David’s real estate business or Rick’s hospital dramas. My phone rang again and I saw Brad’s name on the screen. This would be the ninth miscall of the day followed by text messages. I wondered what Natalie told Brad.

I excused myself from the table and went upstairs to the guest bedroom. I stuck my hand under the bed and felt around for my pills. I knew the deal was to have the baby and leave but I decided to take precaution and after a month or so with no luck, perhaps I’ll convince Rick to let me go. I just have to make sure he doesn’t find out about the pills.

I spent the night flipping through the channels and trying to complete my science work. My phone rang again and I threw it across the bed in frustration.

There was a knock on the door and Rick walked in.

“Come to bed now”

I shook my head. “Not tonight, Rick. I’m tired and I’m sore all over. Just leave me alone”

Maybe it’s written on my face or the tone of my voice but Rick nodded and left me alone. I fell asleep on the bed for a while before waking up. It was near 11 pm by then and I headed back to the room. Rick was sitting on the couch reading.

“Uh Rick?” he looked up. “Can I ask for a favour?”

“Considering you’re going to give me a baby, what can I help you with?” he asked.

“Can you put the same spell you have on my parents on my friend? Erase his memory until our deal is done?”

“You want me to erase your boyfriend, Brad’s memories?”

I nodded and he nodded back.

***

“Hi” I looked up to see Brad standing by my locker. I smiled back at him.

“Hi, I’ve seen you around with Natalie. I don’t believe we met”

“Hi, I’m Ashley. I think we have history class together”

“Yeah we do. Just wondering why I never talked to you before. It’s weird”

I wanted to cry. Brad, my boyfriend until last two weeks. We were friends first for a year then we started dating about a month ago. The same Brad standing in front of me and I looked at him. That blonde hair I used to touch and his eyes that used to look at me with such affection. Now he looked at me like I’m a stranger, just another random face in school.

Soon, Ashley. Another month or so and you’ll be back with Brad. The bell went off and I excused myself. I usually went home straight after school and spent my time with books and homework. Sometimes I went shopping and Rick doesn’t seem to mind getting the bills. In the evening, I’ll be having dinner with the brothers, playing the happy wife.

David always strike up conversations and made sure I’m in the loop. I find myself smiling and politely laughing at his jokes. Rick and I still keep our deal but there were nights where I rejected his advances. I wouldn’t mind being left alone every night but I need to put up a show that I’m keeping up my half of the deal before giving up and throwing in the ‘I’m probably infertile’ card.

By now, I’m used to Rick’s body and his moves. It was always the same and I just wait for him to finish up before he rolled off and we slept off. He never put his arms around me anymore ever since that morning I bit him.

“Wow, he really didn’t recognize you” Natalie caught up with me.

“I told you so” I pulled out my car keys.

“How did you do that?” I opened my mouth to send her a warning but she stopped me.

“Ash, please tell me something. It’s been two weeks and I’m worried about you. You don’t go home and you’re not telling me anything”

“I’m doing this to protect you. Please stop asking” I got in the car and with another glance at Natalie, I drove off.

I knew Nat was just being concerned but her knowing too much about the whole thing will endanger her. Rick may be my husband, he may put Brad and my parents on hold but I don’t want to test his patience. I need Natalie to be my friend, I thought selfishly. Rick has never hurt me but that’s because I’m his baby factory.

“Hi Lisa, can you get me some potato chips?”

The cook smiled at me. “I’ll bring it up”

I nodded and went upstairs with my books. I changed and walked across the hall to the guest bedroom when I heard Artie running across the hall downstairs.

“Artie, what’s wrong?” I called out from the stairs.

“Madam, we have an intruder. I’m going to call sir”

“Ashley!”

I froze. “Nat?”