Chapter 1
RHEA’S POV
9 years ago…
“Number 9!” The house manager called out and I quickly raised my hand from the back of the long queue where I stood. “I can’t see you!” Mr Mark barked irritably as I immediately ran forward.
“Here, Mr Mark…” I muttered breathlessly, finding it impossible to stand straight after running a long mile to get back to the shelter on time. Mr Mark was merciless, he heard no pleas no matter how touchy and I couldn’t afford losing my spot in the homeless shelter when there are numerous homeless people seeking a spot.
Mr Mark adjusted his thick framed medicated glasses as he stared at me from toe to head and then turned back to his registry book.
I swallowed awkwardly as I lowered my head. I knew exactly what was on his mind, it was the question almost every resident of the shelter just couldn’t mind their business and shut up about.
“No one has seen your mother for… If I’m not mistaken, a month now?” He said as he ticked off my name on the registry, earning me a breath of relief.
“A month and five days to be exact!” Mr ‘ask for more’ as we famously call him around here for never being satisfied by the quantity and quality of food they serve us, pointed nosily as murmur erupted from the long queue. I hated him, I hated everyone here.
“Well… Number 9, I hope your mother doesn’t think we run an orphanage here. Tell her, whenever you see or speak to her that she has only two weeks to physically come back and claim her spot, if not you will be sent to a group home… Or maybe the streets.” He warned strictly, his face devoid of emotion as my heart sank to my belly, I blinked anxiously, unable to articulate my thoughts.
I nodded once. “Thank you, Mr Mark.” I said, barely above a whisper as I hurried inside… Holding in the emotions trying to come out as liquid from my eyes.
I hadn’t seen or heard from my mother for over a month now, and for the first time, I was genuinely worried. I wasn’t sure what I was worried about at this point… The fact that I wasn’t sure about her safety or that she might have finally left me in this hell of a shelter to live her young American dreams.
I hadn’t thought deeply about my mother’s absence until Mr Mark mentioned the possibility of me going from a homeless shelter to a group home or the streets… My mother never let me worry about her little escapades, she always came back for me as promised, but this time felt different, she had missed my birthday for the first time, my 17th birthday.
She had told me, before she left that she was going to get us a better life and I shouldn’t tell anyone her whereabout, that she would be back before the residents of the homeless shelter rubs off their pessimism on me.
“Number 9, would you like some bread? I work at a bakery now.” A young girl about my age offered from the other end of the room and I subtly shook my head.
“No, Kate, thanks for offering.” I said appreciatively with a small smile. “And congratulations on the new job.”
“We have a spot, if you’re interested.” She added as I shook my head and lay on my flat foam, turning my head away from the possibility of being asked why I would reject a job offer that gives free bread at the end of the day too.
Present day…
Sound of glasses clicking blended with the soft jazz music playing as I stood by a large flower vase, I held a gentle smile as I exchanged greetings with fellow guests. I was tired of the night, I couldn’t take it anymore.
I watched him… My husband, discuss with his cliques, while I stood far away from him in the same room, hoping that he turns to me at least acknowledging that he remembers he came to this event with me.
As a waiter passed, I quickly grabbed a glass of white wine from his tray and made my way towards my husband.
“Congratulations on your anniversary, Mr and Mrs York.” I uttered as I slid my arm around my husband’s. If eyes were guns, I would be dead by the way he stared between my face and the intertwined arms.
“Mrs Klein! Nice to see you, it’s been a while! You stopped showing up for social events, we thought Mr Klein came alone!” Mrs York greeted smilingly as we air kissed.
“Leo, you didn’t even bother to tell us you came with Rhea. If you both weren’t married, I would have assumed you’re hiding her from the single men in Malibu.” Mr York teased as we all laughed it off, I and Leonard having the loudest but insincere laughter.
“Why would I ever hide this gorgeousness? Staying indoors was her choice.” Leonard defended with a tight lipped grin as we turned to each other, rubbing our noses playfully.
“Aw… You both, so perfect.” Mrs York pouted, faking a sad frown as I slowly withdrew from Leonard, still holding onto that painful smile.
She wasn’t wrong. I and Leo were perfect, the magazine couple, but somehow, things were starting to feel different.
“Maybe staying indoors is the new hack for looking flawless, because Rhea, your skin!” Mrs York commented making my cheeks bleed from blushing.
“You look as perfect as a new bride, yourself, Mrs York. Five years of marriage looks good on you, Mr York is playing his part like a gentleman.” I uttered genuinely, she smiled brightly, turning to her husband as they shared a kiss.
“Ahem… That’s our cue to go mingle with other people.” Leonard teased, we all chuckled as he pulled me along with him.
Our arms instinctively slipped out of each other’s as we walked towards the exit.
“We’re leaving…” He said as we walked through the door, I held tightly to my clutch purse as I watched him walk ahead of me, muttering cusses.
“What was that about, Leo?” I questioned as we entered the car; the slam of his door almost making me jump out of my skin.
“I should be asking you that, Rhea. What the hell was that? Invading my conversation with that bullshit lovey dovey.” He snapped, sounding like he was grumbling more to himself than me as he turned on the car ignition.
I swallowed anxiously, trying to hold in the tears welling up in my eyes and keep my voice steady to avoid breaking in front of him.
I cleared my through, sitting upright and fastening my seat belt as he started driving.
“What changed, Leo? You can tell me, let’s fix whatever is wrong in our marriage,” I shut my eyes tightly as tears rolled down my cheeks. I quickly wiped it off and turned to him, his eyes were strictly focused on the highway, like I wasn’t right next to him. “You know…? We indeed used to be lovey dovey, we used to actually be the perfect couple without needing to fake it. You used to open my doors for me, buy me thoughtful gifts, tell me how your day went after work… We were more than a married couple, Honey, we used to be best friends. Leonard, we can’t throw all that away, we have to fix whatever issues we have and move forward… I miss you.” I said as I gently placed my hand on his lap squeezing softly on it.
“Nothing is wrong with our marriage, Rhea. Marriages aren’t always a bed of roses. Everything isn’t always about you or our marriage, I have a personal life too! Maybe if you had something occupying your time, you wouldn’t be so focused on finding faults in our marriage!”
I could literally hear my heart shattering, I could no longer contain my tears. Leonard had never spoken to me in such manner before, he freaking made my life this way, made my life revolve around being his wife promising that I wouldn’t have to worry about anything.
How could I be so dumb to allow him make such decision for me? I should have known that one day it would come to bite me in the ass.
Leonard was right after all. Being idle was making me pay too much attention to him.
I took a deep breath, staring at the night sky through the tinted window. “Be back early tomorrow for my mom's wedding ceremony… Please, you can’t miss it, it’s important.”
