Elena's POV:
For the first time since I entered this house, I wake up feeling… alive.
A flutter sits low in my stomach. I'm buzzing with excitement and nerves. I finally have something that I'll be waking up to, not just emptiness.
I climb out of bed, head to the bathroom to brush my teeth, tie my hair up, and head downstairs. As I'm climbing down, I wonder if Adrian has gone to work.
Did he find a place already?
The stairs creak softly underneath me. As I round the kitchen, I see him there, seated on the counter, with one hand wrapped around a coffee mug. My heart leaps in my chest.
He looks up as if on cue and his eyes find mine. I intake a sharp breath. He's so fucking garrgh!!
His hair is laid back with a single strand falling at the top of his head. He's dressed in black pants and a dress shirt, with the first three buttons undone. His signature look. And, no suit today.
"Why aren't you dressed?" he asks with furrowed brows, pulling me out of my thoughts.
I blink twice. "Uhh.. dressed?"
He gives me an unimpressed look.
"Are we going somewhere this.."
"I'm dropping you off at work."
"What?" My voice comes out a bit louder than I want. My stomach does a wild flip, excitement mixed with panic.
"What?" He asks with uninterest.
"You've already found a place?"
That was quick.
"Elena, are you coming or not? I need to get to work." He lifts his mug to his lips, eyes still on me.
I panic. "Uhh.. thirty minutes! Give me thirty minutes!" I rush out.
"Thirty minutes," he gives me a narrowed look.
"Okay," I spin on my heel. "I'll be right back down," I yell, basically flying up the stairs.
I use practically fifteen minutes to shower. I hope I got all my roots.
I tear through my closet with a wide smile plastered on my face, excitement coursing through me.
What do I wear?
I go for something cute. A brown, short-sleeved basic top, and a cream-colored skirt that stops just above my knee. Along with some socks and sneakers.
After putting everything on, I sit at the vanity to do my hair. I don't really want to do much, plus I'm almost out of my thirty minutes, so I just dry my hair, curl the ends, and put it up in a tight ponytail.
I don't know if it's only me, but I don't like doing my makeup. Not heavy makeup at least. Except on grand occasions, of course. I brush up my brows, add a little mascara, and apply some lipgloss.
Before I leave, I spray some perfume. There's no way I'm leaving the house without some perfume on. Then I dash out of the room, and down the stairs, gasping for air as I reach.
"I'm ready," I say, trying to catch my breath.
Adrian's eyes drag over me, from head to toe, slow, and assessing, before landing on my face again.
I swallow subconsciously.
"Let's go," he stands and heads for the door, and I follow behind him quietly.
When we're outside, I'm about to open the door, but his hand comes forward and he pulls it open for me.
I look up at him with wide eyes. It's the first time I'm riding with him, apart from the day of our wedding. I didn't expect him to open the door for me. But the action warms my insides.
When I realize I'm still standing still, I quickly slide in and murmur a thank you to him. He closes the door, then heads for the driver's seat. Once he's settled, I feel the tension sitting in the air, heavy.
He puts on the engine, and pulls out of the driveway, one hand on the steering wheel, and another on the armrest. I don't know why, but something about men driving with one hand, just does it for me. I just find it so attractive.
As I sneak glances at him, his gaze is focused on the road, but I notice how hard his jaw is clenched.
Mind your business, Elena. Just sit in silence till you get to your destination. Don't...
"Uhh.." my mouth opens before I can stop it.
"Where did you choose?" I ask, fidgeting.
"You'll see when we get there." His tone is clipped.
I don't push further. I think he's angry. And somehow, I feel it's because of me. I don't know, but I just get the feeling he's still not okay with me working.
I better shut up before I make him change his mind.
We continue to ride in silence, but after a few minutes, he pulls the car to a stop.
I turn to him questioningly, then turn and look out again. It's a cafe. Is this where he chose?
"What are we.."
He pushes his door open, and slides out.
"Wait here."
I'm about to protest, but he slams the door closed and heads for the cafe.
"What exactly is wrong with this man?" I mutter.
He's so fucking confusing.
I lean back in my seat with a groan.
A few minutes later, he walks out of the building with a bag in hand. The door opens and he slides in again.
"Here," he shoves the bag in my face, and I just stare at him, swimming in confusion.
"Mm," he cocks his head at me. I swallow, before taking it in both hands, then proceed to look inside it. Adrian starts the car again while I study the contents of the bag.
It's… a sandwich. And iced tea. My mouth opens. What is going on right now?
"It's breakfast," he says with his eyes on the road. "Since you didn't have breakfast at home, this will have to do."
I stare at the side of his face trying to understand the man. He bought me breakfast! Adrian, bought me breakfast?
"Uhm… uh.. thank you. This is okay," I manage, then face ahead. Heat creeps to my face, and I feel the inside of my tummy warm.
This man just keeps showing me new sides, each passing day, because this was totally not expected.
"Mm," I clear my throat. "I'll eat it later."
He responds with a faint nod, while I try to pull my thoughts together.
We drive deeper into the city. Ten minutes later, he turns into a wide street lined with clean shops and modern buildings.
The car slows.
And then I see it.
A huge glass-front bakery with warm lights, beautifully arranged pastries by the window, soft colors. It looks classy.
It's big. Really… big. More than what I had in my head when I said I wanted to work at a bakery. But he chose it so of course, it'll stand out.
Adrian parks and gets out. I follow, staring up at the place.
"Wow. It's beautiful," I whisper.
"It's functional," he replies.
Whatever.
I feel a hand on my lower back all of a sudden and I almost jump. He's touching me! My God!
Okay, breathe, Elena. Be cool. "It's just a simple touch" I say to myself as I try to steady my breathing.
He leads me inside the building. The moment the door opens, every staff behind the counter freezes. Then in unison, they all come lining up in a straight line as they bow their heads in greeting.
"Welcome sir," they greet together. My brows shoot up. I'm genuinely stunned at all the respect accorded to him. Stunned, but not surprised.
At the same time, someone else steps out from behind a door. "Mr. Moretti. You're here," he greets with a slight bow of his head.
"Mrs. Moretti," he turns to me and bows slightly. I'm taken aback at first but then I remember it's me he's talking to.
"Ohh….uh morning," I respond with a dry smile.
I'm suddenly swarmed with all sorts of nerves. Adrian's hand is still on my lower back. Slowly, I reach upward, and tug on his shirt.
He looks down at me and I squint my eyes in a way that says "lean down a bit let me whisper something to you," hoping he gets the memo. And he does, because the next I know, he's leaning down till our faces are almost level.
"Do you own the place? It seems like the manager and staff know.."
"I bought it last night."
"What?" I almost scream.
He straightens and looks to the manager, shunning me.
He did what? Nahhh, it can't be… I mean he wouldn't just buy a whole building overnight cause I said I wanted to work, right? It's absurd!
This shit is straight out of a fucking book. You know those things you read in fiction, where the men do something grand for their women. Buying a whole building? It's a little extreme, especially for someone you don't even love.
Something flutters low in my stomach. He really did buy it. For me.
"I'm sure you all already know my wife," Adrian speaks, bringing me back. "She'll be working here from today." His voice is calm, but imposing.
"Make sure she settles in properly. Teach her the basics, and every other thing she needs to know."
"Of course," the manager answers nervously.
In as much as I don't want him speaking for me, because it'll feel like I'm getting special treatment or something, and I wanted to make genuine connections as well, it also warms me to see him speak about me in that manner.
He then looks at me. "You'll do fine." The words almost sound like reassurance. And somehow my nerves calm.
"Marcus will be outside waiting. When you're done here, he'll take you home."
"Okay," I breathe.
We hold each other's gazes for a long moment without any words. Something swims in those blue eyes. Worry? But I can't truly tell.
"If there's anything you need, call me," he finally speaks.
"I will."
He turns and leaves without another word. The space feels emptier now that he's gone, but I brush that feeling away, plaster a smile on my face, and embrace this new environment.
I'm given a tour of the whole place, and even my own work clothes.
After I change, I'm given my own spot. I'll resume fully tomorrow but today it's just small work. My first customer arrives ten minutes later. And though I'm nervous and my hands are shaky, I'm still glad I get to do this.
All the staff are nice too, and I don't know if it's because of Adrian, but I still appreciate their efforts. There is one that's been giving me the side eye though, but I'm not going to let that one ruin the rest for me.
By the end of the day, around 7, everyone is packing up to leave. I change back to my normal clothes. Then I get some of the numbers of the staff on my phone. It's nice meeting and talking to new people at least.
I step out into the cold air, letting out a deep breath. My feet ache, and my cheeks hurt from all the smiling I've been doing. But it was fun.
"Mrs. Moretti," someone greets. I open my eyes and find a man in a black suit.
"Marcus?"
He nods in confirmation. Then he opens the door of the SUV and I slide in. The ride home is quiet, peaceful. I feel so alive, for the first time since this whole marriage thing.
Once I'm home, I drop onto the couch and exhale deeply.
Today was good.
Today was new.
Today was mine.
And tomorrow…
Tomorrow, I'll do it again.
And even if Adrian doesn't know it, he gave me this.
And to be honest, I don't know how I feel about that yet.