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Rose
My peaceful morning sitting on my porch, drinking my coffee was disrupted by the shrill ringing of my cell phone. I glanced at the screen and immediately declined the call. I closed my eyes and tried to get back the peace I felt just moments ago. But it was once again disturbed when my phone rang.
My eyes shot open and I scowled down at my phone. If I didn’t answer, she’d just keep calling. “Mother,” I said after unlocking my phone.
“Why didn’t you answer when I called?”
“Because I’m on vacation,” I said angrily.
“You’re not on vacation. You’re—”
“I know exactly what I’m doing. Do you see Alexander fighting to be by my side right now?”
“You aren’t giving him a chance.”
“He never wanted one,” I retorted. “I’m sure when he needs me by his side, he’ll call and demand my return. He has my number.”
“He shouldn’t have to call. You’re his wife.”
“Yes, and he’s doing a wonderful job of making me feel wanted.”
She sighed heavily, telling me how much she disapproved. “Just remember your end of the deal.”
“I’m perfectly aware of what I signed up for. I’ll do what’s expected of me, but then I’m taking my money and leaving.”
“If you could just find a way to be happy with him…”
“And stay together?” I laughed. “Yes, you would want that, wouldn’t you? It would be better for you and Dad if I stayed married to a man I hate just so you could get richer.”
“Do you ever stop being such a brat?” she hissed. “Your father managed to put you in a very lucrative position, and all you can do is whine about it. Now, stop behaving like a child and come home.”
“Not a minute before he calls,” I seethed.
“A man of his power—”
“I don’t give a damn about his power,” I snapped. “I will do what is expected of me, but until he calls me home, I’m staying as far away as possible. Don’t call me again, or the whole deal is off and you’ll get nothing.”
I hung up without another word, even angrier now than the day I got married. It just seemed to build with me the more time passed. Luckily, Clarissa called right then. If there was one thing that could ground me, it was a call from my best friend.
“Please tell me you’re having a better time than me.”
“How can you be miserable in paradise?” she asked.
I stared out at the ocean and wondered if I made a mistake coming here. It was like teasing myself with a future I would never have. “It’s very quiet here.” And there was a man I desperately wanted to spend time with.
“You mean, no one’s yelling at you or telling you what to do?” she teased.
“Something like that.”
“Seriously, you’ve only been there a day. How could you possibly be miserable?”
I thought back to last night, to the walk home with James. “I met someone.”
“Oh…I’m guessing you really liked him.”
I bit my lip, knowing what she was thinking. ”He’s…yeah.”
“Wally…” Her nickname for me just rolled off the tongue despite my new circumstances. “You’re married now. You can’t do anything with this guy, no matter how much you may want to.”
