“You’ve been really quiet, sweetheart, is everything okay?” Theodore asked with concern.
I sighed audibly. “I’m just sad we’re leaving Bali.” I answered truthfully.
“Oh, don’t worry, we can come back here after some time.” Theodore tried to make me feel better.
I smiled softly and closed my eyes. Right now we were sitting in an airplane that was taking us back to New York. It was difficult to leave Bali, as I had grown attached to that place in a short amount of time. The month had flown away and I didn’t even realize it. But still, I was glad that Theodore and I got to spend some time together. This last month had brought us closer together-at least I believed it did. I was beginning to get to know Theodore on a deeper level, and that was all I wanted.
The sky outside was a soft blue with numerous fluffy clouds floating away. The sun was warm and bright, making me smile. I turned my eyes to gaze at my husband who was busy running his eyes over some magazine, and wondered how my feelings had taken a 180 degree turn. How I was afraid of this man whose name was now joined with mine. I never expected that my life would take such a drastic turn. Whenever I looked in the future I never had marriage in my views. Maybe because my parents were no longer with me and I did not want to take such a big step without them. But life went on and sooner or later I would’ve gotten married. However, marriage wasn’t something I dwelled on too much.
“Penny for your thoughts.” Theodore muttered, my eyes snapping to his gray ones.
“Uh, nothing just reflecting back on the past month.” I answered.
“Yeah, it had been pretty unusual.” Theodore said.
“Yeah, it has been.” I agreed.
Landing back on American soil was bittersweet. Even though I was ecstatic to be back, I was already missing Bali; not to mention that I was actually dreading confronting Amanda. I was pretty sure that she would yell her heart out at me, and I would feel terrible for everything that had happened. However, I was eighty percent sure that once I told her exactly how I got married she would forgive me.
There was Dan, Theodore’s driver, waiting for us outside the airport. Theodore ushered me inside the black Range Rover, while Dan wasted no time in climbing in the driver’s seat and speeding out of the tarmac.
The weather in New York was pleasent. It wasn’t too hot, just perfect. The traffic on the other hand was awful. It was almost a half hour drive to my apartment, but with traffic moving at a snail’s pace I was sure we wouldn’t reach even after five hours.
After one millenia later, we escaped the extreme traffic. I was glad to know that soon we’ll reach my apartment, but Dan took a sudden left turn, making me frown in confusion.
“Why did he turn left? My apartment is in the other direction.” I asked Theodore.
“We’re going to go somewhere else first.” Theodore informed me.
“Where?” I inquired curiously.
Theodore gave me a small smile. “It’s a surprise.” Now I couldn’t even ask him anything else. Although, his reply did nothing but take my curiosity to new heights. I turned my head to look out the window, and realized that we were heading out of New York city. Where in the world was he taking me? I had the sudden thought of Theodore kidnapping me, but my sanity soon slapped me with a retort, telling me that my husband wouldn’t just kidnap me.
After sometime of me gazing out the window eager to see our destination, Theodore called me out. I turned to see him looking me nervously.
“What is it?” I queried.
“There is something I want to do, but I need you to trust me.” Theodore responded softly, his gaze not leaving mine.
“Uh, okay.” I said with furrowed eyebrows. What was he planning?
“Do you trust me?” Theodore asked.
“I’m getting there.” I replied honestly. I was not going to lie and tell him I trusted him when I actually didn’t.
“Good, that’s really good, I’m happy to hear that, sweetheart,” he came closer to me, “now close your eyes.” He ordered softly.
“Why?” I demanded. My heart rate rising up a notch.
“I thought you trusted me.” Theodore said with a hint of annoyance in his tone.
My heart was now pounding. I looked at the man sitting in front of, begging me to give him my trust. The man who did nothing but reassure me that I could put my trust in him. However, I wanted to know why he wanted me to close my eyes. But seeing as I wouldn’t get my answer until I did as he asked, I decided to let my heart make the decision.
“Okay, okay.” I closed my eyes with trepidation
“Good girl.” Theodore kissed the corner of my lips softly. After a few seconds I felt something smooth covering my already closed eyes. It felt like silk, warm and utterly soft. The cloth was knotted behind my head, making my stomach twist.
“Why did you blindfold me?” I questioned, afraid to know the answer.
“Ssh, just trust me, darling.” Theodored kissed me.
I kept quiet after that. Theodore wrapped his arm around me securing me next to him. However, my mind was racing at 834 miles per hour, wondering what in the third circle of hell was Theodore planning, and where in the Bermuda triangle were we going.
The knots in my stomach tightened when the car came to a stop. All I wanted to do-at that moment-was run as fast as possible, as far away as possible. I desperately wanted to remove the blindfold and see where we were.
Theodore opened the door, or maybe the driver did, I wasn’t sure, and got out. The security of his arm leaving me. After a few seconds the door to my side opened and a hand pulled me out. Judging by the carful and affectionate way the hand was gripping mine, I knew it was Theodore.
“Where are we, Theodore?” I asked with a hint of panic.
“You’ll know soon, darling.” Theodore wrapped his arm around me waist and carefully led me all the way to God knows where.
After a couple of minutes of walking, Theodore tightened his hold on my waist and came to a stop. Slowly, he undid the knot of the blindfold and removed it, making me sigh in relief.
“Open your eyes, princess.” I was only too happy to comply. I opened my eyes and the sight in front of me took my breath away.
We were back to the Georgian estate. The same beautiful estate stood in front of me in all its glory that had me envious of the owner. The blue and white color scheme of the building; the huge gables, the lone balcony in the middle, it was all here in front of my eyes. Even though I had seen the place before, it still felt as if I was visiting for the first time.
“What’s this, Theodore? Why are we here?” I asked in a rush.
“Welcome to your new home, my darling.” Theodore answered smiling, clearly enjoying my reaction to this extraordinarily beautiful estate. His eyes held a gleam of happiness, as if he was the happiest man alive.
“My new home?” I questioned like an idiot.
“Our new home.” Theodore corrected.
“But how? When? Why?” I couldn’t stop the questions from falling from my lips.
Theodore chuckled while wrapping his arms around me. “I bought this for us, sweetheart. We are going to live here as a family.” Theodore answered softly.
“Here? But what about the other estates, didn’t you like the other estates? And what about that big apartment you have? Where will that go? Don’t tell me you’re gonna sell it, I don’t want you-” Theodore silenced me by sealing my lips with his. The myraid of questions flew out of my head and were replaced with love and affection for my husband.
We broke apart after a while. Theodore’s arms keeping me in place. I smiled and started playing with a button on Theodore’s shirt.
“Sweetheart, I bought this house for us to live in, and don’t worry about my apartment, we’ll go and live there during the weekends or something. But if you want to live in that apartment, then we’ll live in that apartment. As for why I bought this estate was because, I personally found this the best out of all five, and you didn’t tell me your preference. I had to buy one of these estaes quickly because it was going to be your wedding gift,” Theodore tucked a strand of my hair behind my ear, “however, if you like any other estate we can buy that as well.” He told me, answering all of my questions.
“This is my wedding gift?” I asked, surprised that I would get this amazing estate to live in as my wedding gift.
“Yes it is, baby. You can ask for anything and I’ll buy it for you. There is nothing I’d deny you, my darling.” Theodore told me.
I never expected that I would actually get to live in such a beautiful estate. I always considered the estates to be part of my fantasy. A fantasy that would never come to life. But it had. Theodore had turned my fantasy into reality, and he was willing to do so much more for me. All my life, I never pictured myself with a man like Theodore. The man who not only captured my heart and made it his prisoner for life, but who kept proving time and time again how he was willing to protect its prisoner from any sort of pain.
“I can’t believe you bought this for me.” I stated in awe, looking at the beautiful structure in front of me.
“Well believe it. This is our house; however, you have full control and authority over it.” Theodore told me making my heart soar with happiness.
“Oh?” I raised my eyebrows, “so that means I can do whatever I want with this house, even set it on fire?” I questioned, wanting to know exactly how much control I actually had.
“Yes, you can set it on fire, change whatever you want, it’s up to you.” Theodore answered, making me wonder whether he was the same man who forced me to marry him by threatening my best friend.
“Oh, alright then, thank you, Theodore for this lovely present.” I hugged him tightly, feeling his arms wrap around me.
“You’re welcome, sweetheart,” he kissed the top of my head, “I hope you like it.” He said make me look at him in disbelief.
“Are you kidding?! I love it, I wish I could repay you.” I muttered the last part causing Theodore to frown.
“You can repay me by giving me yourself.” Theodore replied.
“You already have me.” I stated matter of factly.
“I know, but I want all of you. You heart, your mind, your body, your soul, you smile, your tears, your hugs, your kisses, your touch, everything that you have to give I want it.” Theodore told me, making me sigh in relief that he didn’t ask for a Ferrari or something. God knows I wouldn’t be able to afford it.
“Come on, let’s go inside.” Theodore took my hand and led me towards the giant front doors that guarded the entrance of the estate. Just before I could take another step, Theodore stopped walking making me wonder why he stopped midway. I yelped in surprise when Theodore scooped me in his arms. I immediately wound my arms around his neck so I wouldn’t fall.
“What are you doing?” I queried.
“I’m carrying my bride over the threshold, obviously.” Theodore stated making me chuckle. Dan hurried over to where Theodore was standing with me in his arms, and opened the doors. Theodore thanked him and he promptly left.
Once Theodore entered the grand foyer, he gently set me down on my feet, making sure I was steady before releasing me completely. We then proceeded to take a tour of the estate for the second time. Only this time, this was our estate, where we would live.
After finishing our tour, we decided on the master bedroom on the first floor to be our bedroom, while leaving the second master bedroom on the second floor for the guests. It felt strange that out of seven bedrooms only one or two would be used. When I told this to Theodore he asked me why would we use two bedrooms, and I replied that he would be sleeping in the other room whenever we had a fight. This resulted in Theodore chasing me throughout the house, leaving no place for me to hide.
Theodore had assigned an interior designer to furnish the estate, so we would have a place to sit, eat, and sleep. However, he told me that if I wanted to change anything all I had to do was tell him and he we would have it changed. I swear, today Theodore was behaving like my personal genie, rubbed straight from the golden lamp of Aladdin.
Throughout this time, Amanda wasn’t too far from my mind. I loved my new house, but I couldn’t enjoy it fully knowing my best friend was currently mad at me, and not having her with me. I didn’t want to enjoy my new estate without her. I demanded Theodore to take me to my apartment, to which he replied that I must sleep off the jet lag and we would visit her once we were refreshed. I begged and pleaded to Theodore to let me go now but he didn’t budge, just told me the sooner I slept the sooner he would take me to meet Amanda.
After taking a power nap-more like sleeping like the dead-I woke up and instantly dressed up to go meet my best friend. I opened the suitcases and took out all the gifts I bought for her and put them in a glossy bag. I was surprised at the amount of shopping we did. When we arrived in Bali we only had one suitcases and we returned back with four suitcases that were filled to the brim.
Theodore woke up a little after me so I was glad that I didn’t have to wake him up. I had a feeling that it would be very difficult to wake Theodore, if I was given the task of doing it.
We each had a big bowl of cereal, because it was the only thing available in the kitchen, due to there being no one to stock the pantry in our absence. Theodore informed that the staff would arrive tomorrow and the kitchen pantry would be stocked.
As soon as Theodore locked the front door I dashed to the waiting car and hopped in the back, waiting for Theodore to come so we could leave. My heart was pounding in anticipation of seeing my best friend while my stomach was playing an expert game of twister, making me feel as if it would expel my cereal.
After taking his sweet time and me wishing that he was Flash, Theodore slid inside earning a glare from me. The driver quickly pulled out of our driveway amd I prayed to the higher power to not let there be any traffic.
“Did you inform Amanda that we were coming?” Theodore asked me after a few moments of silence.
I shook my head in negative. “No, I want it to be a surprise.” I told him but there was also another reason why I didn’t inform Amanda about our arrival. I was afraid she would not want to see me. So I chose not to let her know. That way she wouldn’t be able to avoid me and would have to talk to me no matter what.
It was as if I did something bad in my previous life and Karma was biting my a$$, because there was a lot of traffic on the way, which was doing nothing for my mood. The quickly I wanted to reach my apartment the slowly the cars were moving, making me wish I was Hulk so I could rip all those cars out of my way.
“Would you calm down, we’ll get there.” Theodore said.
“I am calm.” I lied making him raise his eyebrow.
“Yeah, I can tell from the constant bouncing of your knee.” Theodore replied sarcastically. I ignored him and went back to staring out the window, silently willing the cars to have mercy on me and move out of the way.
Finally, after 2546 years we finally reached my apartment. I wasted no time in getting out the car and rushing to the elevator. I pressed the button to call the elevator repeatedly, until I was sure that the elevator was coming down. Theodore followed behind me at an agonizingly slow pace.
Just as the elevator doors opened I grabbed Theodore’s arms and pulled him inside the elevator with me. He just shook his head in response but thankfully didn’t say anything. I was afraid that if Theodore had said something we would have ended up fighting.
The elevator doors slid open and I all but ran to my apartment. Theodore on the other hand walked calmly and casually as if he had all the time in the world. My heart was pounding, my stomach felt twisted in an unrecognizable shape. Taking a deep breath, I raised my hand and pressed the door bell.