51

51
Rachel sat on the couch, staring blankly at the fire that crackled in the fireplace. It was another chilly night in the cabin that she and her husband, Leo, had been confined to for what felt like an eternity. They had been married against their will, two strangers forced together by circumstances beyond their control.
Leo entered the room, holding a small package wrapped in shiny silver paper. He approached Rachel, a hint of excitement in his voice, “I have something for you.”
Rachel looked up at him, her expression cautious. “What is it?”
“Just open it,” Leo said, smiling.
Rachel took the package from his hands and tore off the wrapping paper. Inside was a delicate silver necklace with a tiny diamond pendant. She looked at it, then back at Leo, confusion written all over her face. “What’s this for?”
Leo shrugged. “Just a little something to show you that I care.”
Rachel shook her head, “I don’t understand. We were forced into this marriage, why are you being so nice to me?”
Leo sighed, “I know the circumstances of our marriage are far from ideal, but that doesn’t mean we can’t try to make the best of it. And I want to start by trying to be a good husband to you.”
Rachel looked at the necklace, then back at Leo. “I can’t accept this,” she said, handing it back to him.
But Leo wouldn’t take it. “Please, just keep it. It’s a small gesture, but I hope it means something to you.”
Rachel hesitated, then reluctantly took the necklace and slipped it into her pocket. “Thank you,” she said softly.
“You’re welcome,” Leo replied. “And if you want to get me a wedding present, you can. But only if you want to, of course.”
Rachel nodded, a small smile playing at the corners of her lips. “I’ll think about it,” she said.
***
It had been a few weeks since they were married, and she was still struggling to come to terms with the situation. She needed someone to talk to, someone who could offer her some perspective and advice.
She picked up the phone and dialed the number of her best friend, Celine. It rang a few times before Celine answered, her voice cheerful and warm.
“Hey Rach! How are you doing?”
“I’ve been better,” Rachel replied, a hint of sadness in her voice.
“What’s going on?” Celine asked, concern clear in her tone.
“It’s Leo,” Rachel said, “I just don’t know what to make of him. One minute he’s cold and distant, and the next he’s being sweet and thoughtful. I just don’t know what to expect from him.”
“Well, have you tried talking to him about it?” Celine asked.
“I’ve tried, but he just gets defensive. He says he’s trying, but I just don’t know if he’s sincere or not,” Rachel said, frustration evident in her voice.
“Rachel, you have to remember that this is a difficult situation for both of you. You were both forced into this marriage, and it’s going to take time to build a real relationship,” Celine said, her voice gentle and reassuring.
“I know,” Rachel said, “but I just want to know if there’s something I can do to help. I want to make this work, but I don’t know how.”
“Just give it time,” Celine said, “and don’t force anything. Relationships are built slowly, over time. Just keep being kind and understanding, and I’m sure things will start to improve.”
Rachel took a deep breath, feeling a sense of calm wash over her. “You’re right,” she said, “I’ll try to be patient and let things build at their own pace.”
“That’s the spirit,” Celine said, a smile in her voice. “And if you ever need to talk, you know I’m here for you.”
“I was just thinking about you,” Rachel said, “how’s the building design going?”
“It’s going well,” Celine replied, “the organization loved it. They want me to design a few more buildings for them.”
“That’s great news!” Rachel exclaimed, “I’m so happy for you.”
“Thanks,” Celine said, her voice flat.
“Is everything okay?” Rachel asked, sensing that something was wrong.
“Yeah, everything’s fine,” Celine said, but her tone was unconvincing.
“Celine, you can talk to me,” Rachel said, “I’m here for you.”
There was a long pause before Celine spoke, her voice filled with emotion. “I just don’t know if I’m ready for this. I’ve never taken on a project of this size before, and I’m not sure if I’m up to the task.”
“Celine, you’re an incredible architect,” Rachel said, “you have an eye for detail and a talent for design. This is an opportunity of a lifetime.”
“I know,” Celine said, “but what if I fail? What if I let everyone down?”
“Celine, you won’t fail,” Rachel said, her voice firm. “You have the talent and the drive to succeed. All you need is a little bit of confidence and a lot of hard work.”
“Thanks, Rachel,” Celine said, her voice starting to brighten. “You always know just what to say.”
“That’s what friends are for,” Rachel said, smiling. “And remember, I’m here for you every step of the way.”
They talked for a few more minutes, laughing and chatting, before they said their goodbyes.
As soon as she was done calling Celine, she decided to try out the dress. She ambles to her room, bubbling with expectation. She took the dress and carefully unwrapped it before putting it on.
Rachel stood in front of the full-length mirror, admiring the extravagant gown that Leo had bought for her. The soft, silky fabric clung to her curves, the deep neckline plunging down to her waist. She twirled around, feeling like a princess in the luxurious garment.
Just as she was about to change out of the gown, she heard the door to her room creak open. She turned to see Leo standing in the doorway, his eyes wide with surprise and admiration.
“Rachel, you look beautiful,” he said, his voice filled with awe.
Rachel smiled, feeling a flush of pleasure at the compliment. She allowed Leo to take in the sight of her, feeling a thrill of excitement as his gaze traveled down her body.
Suddenly, Leo cleared his throat and muttered a hasty apology. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to intrude. I’ll leave you to change.”
He turned to leave, but Rachel stopped him with a soft laugh. “It’s okay, Leo. I don’t mind.”
Leo turned back to her, his expression awkward. “I don’t want to make things uncomfortable between us.”
“Don’t worry,” Rachel said, “it’s just a dress. We’re married, after all.”
Leo nodded, but she could tell that he was still uncomfortable. She changed out of the dress and went down to the kitchen to prepare dinner, feeling a strange sense of awkwardness between them.
As they sat down to eat, the conversation was stilted and strained. Rachel tried to keep things light and friendly, but she could sense that Leo was still uneasy. She didn’t know how to ease the tension between them, and it wasn’t until they were finishing up their meal that Leo finally spoke up.
“Rachel, I want to apologize for what happened earlier. I shouldn’t have come into your room without knocking.”
“It’s okay,” Rachel said, “we’re married, remember? There’s no need to be so formal.”