Alone in Marriage

Chapter Six

"Don't you dare use that tone on me, young man! Just because a greedy girl succeed in manipulating you doesn't mean you have to be so cold toward people, especially your own family." she paused, just realized what she just said. "God, Arnold! I am sorry! It was just a slip on the tongue."

It was a wrong move from his mother to mention that awful past of him. Though it still affected him, but he tried to ignored it and focused on dodging her demand. "It's okay, Mum! It was long time ago. Beside, it taught me the lesson of life, and I am very grateful for that. Look, I will try to talk to Erica and ask her to attend on our behalf. At least one of us could be there. I will call you after we discuss it."

"But, but..." Martha lost her words.

Arnold knew he had won the battle, time for a final blow, "I will inform you later!" he said sternly.

"Fine." she huffed, admitted her lose she said, "Just inform me after you have discussed it. Bye then."

"Yes, I will. Bye, Mum!" with that he hung up with smile on his face. It was an amusement when his mother tried to argue with her children but failed in the end.

He decided to talk to Erica today, better got it done as soon as possible, especially about her expense. With that in mind, he tried to finished his work earlier, which was a delight to his employees, cause he finally acting like a newlywed.

By six at evening, he already in his car on the way home. When he got home, he immediately knew she wasn't home yet. Because the house was still dark. He still couldn't believe she didn't hire a housekeeper or maids. Making his way toward the door, he couldn't help himself from wondering why she was this complicated, he was pretty sure she was a gold digger when they were dating but she changed completely after they got married. After opened the door, he stood there for a good two minutes, the house felt so empty that he was surprised because he never felt this way when he came home everyday. What made the different.

Erica was the one who made that different, cause she used to be home when he came back, but he would never realized it if he kept telling himself that he felt nothing except hate toward her.

It was nine, when Erica finally home. The way she clenched her fist and leaned in her car, clearly showed she was in pain. Walking toward the house, she didn't aware of Arnold's car or the fact the lights in the house were on. Her face was so pale, and her body felt cold but hot on the same time. The moment she entered the house, she immediately realized the lights was on. In confusion, she turned to lock the door.

"You are finally home, what the hell were you doing till this late?" Arnold's voice came from behind her. If wasn't because her body was so tired now, her reaction would probably more than widened eyes. But since she was exhausted from all the pain she felt all day long, that's the only reaction she was able to have right now. Arnold sat down on the couch holding a glass of wine in his hand, while his eyes glued to his phone in his other hand.

He hadn't looked at her face yet and she would like to keep it that way. Clenching her fist to fight the pain, she asked, "What happened? You never got home early before." she ignored his question. Not that it was anything big, she just got caught up with work, a lot of things had to be done if she wanted to take day off for a couple day till the pain eased away. But she didn't think he should know it.

"I have something to ask you." he turned his gaze to her and she immediately turned her head away. "Why don't you sit down first?" he offered.

Erica confused, he never this polite since they got married. Refused to looked at him, she sat on the nearest chair which furthest from him with her head turned to side. This behavior, of course confused Arnold.