The doorbell rang.
I woke up groggy, my hand reaching for her out of habit, only to touch the cold sheets.
I sat up slowly, blinking the sleep out of my eyes.
A strange heaviness lingered inside my chest.
Maybe it was because of the dinner last night. Maybe because I saw a completely different side of her yesterday. Or maybe I just didn't sleep well.
I could hear her soft, polite voice coming from downstairs. She was talking to someone at the door.
I walked down the staircase, rubbing my eyes, and saw her receiving a parcel.
She signed for it and thanked the delivery guy.
She closed the door, and before she could turn around, I wrapped my arms around her waist and rested my chin on her shoulder.
"Good morning," I muttered.
Her hand instinctively went to my hair, ruffling it slowly as she replied, "Morning."
She tried to turn around, but I tightened my grip, holding her in place.
She chuckled quietly. "You're being extra clingy today."
I shook my head in a silent no, still not letting her move.
"At least let me keep this package inside," she said.
"What's inside the box?" I finally asked, letting her go.
"An outfit for the wedding," she replied.
A wedding?
I don't know why it bothered me. For a second, I zoned out, until her voice pulled me back.
"Did you forget? I told you my cousin is getting married this Friday."
"Oh… yeah," I said, recalling it slowly.
"Don't worry. I know you have an important meeting on Friday. I won't bother you. I'll take care of everything."
"Yeah… an important meeting," I repeated absentmindedly.
My mind was already trying to make sense of what I was feeling, and I knew it was unlike me.
She walked inside, already unboxing the package with excitement, admiring the outfit as she spoke to herself about the fitting and colours.
She looked genuinely happy and I couldn't question anything else.
I stood there for a few more minutes before carrying on with my day as usual.
Throughout the day, I was caught up in my hectic schedule until I finally managed to get a break.
I called her, but hung up immediately when I realised she was probably out shopping.
I thought about my uneasiness for a moment and realised I was just overreacting. It was unlike me. I had more things to focus on than her attending a wedding.
Later that evening, as I was driving home, something caught my eye. An elegant neck piece displayed in the jewellery store window.
"This will go with her outfit perfectly," I muttered to myself.
Without thinking twice, I parked the car, walked inside the store, and bought it. I returned home with the jewellery box still in my hand.
At the last second, I moved it behind my back without even thinking, as if hiding it made more sense than handing it over immediately.
The moment I stepped in, she was already pouting.
"You said you'd be here in a few minutes," she complained, pointing at her phone where I'd texted her earlier.
I cleared my throat, walking toward her with a faint smirk.
"Umm…" I started.
She tried to hold her glare, but her eyes had no heat in them.
"Something caught my attention," I finished.
Her frown softened into a curious smile as she tried to see what I was hiding behind me.
I teased her for a moment, keeping the box slightly out of her reach, then finally brought it forward and opened it. The elegant neckpiece glimmered under the light.
She gasped softly, her eyes widening with excitement.
"This…" She tried not to grin too wide, but it was useless. Her whole face lit up.
"Wear this...," I said, lifting the necklace from the box to try it on her, "... at your cousin's wedding."
I could definitely see how impressed she was.
"This will go perfectly with the outfit you bought earlier."
I carefully placed the necklace around her neck and turned her toward the mirror.
She looked at herself in the mirror, her fingers brushing the necklace lightly.
"It's… really beautiful," she whispered, her cheeks warming as her gaze shifted to me.
"I love it. Thank you so much, love." Her eyes softened with gratitude.
I chuckled and gently turned her back to face me again.
"It's nothing. You deserve the world."
The rest of the week went by quietly. Work kept me busy, but every now and then we shared small warm moments I would catch myself smiling about.
It was Friday tomorrow. She was excited, talking to her cousins, making plans, trying her outfit again and again.
I acted normal, but something in me felt off. I just didn't understand it yet.
Why was the wedding bothering me?
Finally, it was Friday… the day she had been talking about and waiting for so eagerly.
I called her, already planning to leave early so I could at least drive her to the venue.
"Hello…"
My eyes narrowed. There were other voices around her.
"Mira, you there?"
"Yes. I'm leaving." She replied, her voice sounding rushed. "I'll call you when I reach."
Leaving?
With whom?
Why didn't she call me?
"Noah came to pick me up. I'll call you when I reach there," she answered quickly.
My grip on the phone tightened.
"But…"
"Hello…"
"Mira…"
She had already hung up.
My jaw clenched as I tried to control the internal turmoil rising inside me.
How ridiculous.
She didn't even call me.
Noah would give her a ride, huh?
How careless of her.
She didn't even think to ask her husband to accompany her.
Was I not invited?
Or she didn't want me to go?
Relax, Riaan.
You are overreacting.
Calm down.
I drove myself home, taking deep breaths in between, trying to calm myself down.
As I stepped inside, the house felt too quiet.
Too empty.
I took off my jacket, loosened my tie, and walked toward our bedroom.
My eyes scanned the slight mess, evident of how she was in a hurry to leave.
I sighed.
I picked up a brush that might have fallen from her makeup kit and placed it back on the dressing table.
I leaned forward, hands on either side of the table, staring at my own reflection. Straight into my own eyes.
"Riaan…" I whispered.
"You are over—"
I cut myself off.
"Forget it." I muttered through clenched teeth.
I wasn't going to let her be there alone tonight.
I grabbed my keys and jacket again and rushed out of the house, shutting the door behind me.