Chapter 8

I sat on the end of the couch staring bitterly at a picture of Nathan and me after our high school graduation. It was the one that Kristen had taken of us. She sent me a copy few weeks later. I didn’t even know he had this picture as well. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised though. She is his cousin.

It was strange at how much we had changed since then. He was so fun and care-free. As was I. But now everything has changed. Nothing is like what it was and looking back on it seems like so long ago.

We were close. He was my best friend and now I don’t even know. I mean legally he is my husband but emotionally it didn’t feel that way. Husbands don’t go around with bleach blondes hanging on their arm while their wives are in the room. Well good ones don’t anyway.

I mean of all the things in the world that I might have seen today, that was not one of them.  No matter what I do that image of them just won’t get out of my mind. The hour long swim in the pool didn’t help. And neither did the hot shower. After that I decided to try divulging into a good book, but found it very hard to do when my thoughts kept drifting off to what Nathan was doing right now.

Surely he hadn’t invited her back there after I left, right? It’s possible that he could be at the office now just going over some paper work…alone.

Ugh! I really need to get him out of my mind. This is eating away at me and I can’t let it. What he does at his job is none of my business. If he wants the company of fake bimbos then so be it, but I refuse to let it affect me.

This whole marriage arrangement was his idea. The least he could do was be honest with me. If he has changed his mind I’d like to know. I’d be more than happy to move back home. I still had my apartment and my friends. Oh and my sweet Abbot.

I missed him. I think I’ll have Carl take me to get him tomorrow. I doubt Nathan would let me go alone. I don’t know what he thinks will happen to me. I used to go places alone all the time. Until moved here of course.

Maybe I’ll go see what the cooks are preparing for dinner. Food is always a good way to distract my thoughts. And get fat, but we won’t go there. Weight doesn’t even matter when I’m upset.

Upon entering the kitchen I spotted the familiar middle aged, brown haired cook Amelia, stirring a pot of something that smelled wonderfully delicious. I immediately took it upon myself to find out what it was. If there was something this amazing being made under my nose I had to see about it.

When she saw me entering the kitchen she had a look of surprise on her face that stayed placed until I reached her. 

“Mrs. Holbrooke, I didn’t know you were coming in. Is everything ok?”

I raised my eyebrow to her in confusion. “Why wouldn’t everything be ok?”

Since when was it a crime to enter the kitchen? Unless it's like the whole beauty and the beast thing, but instead of me not being allow in the west wing, it's the kitchen. 

She seemed embarrassed by my question and went back to stir the substance in the pot.

“It’s just that we normally don’t receive visitors in the kitchen, just the staff.” She admitted.

“You mean Nathan doesn’t come around?”

That is just silly. 

“Not that I can ever recall.” She giggled. “He lets me run the kitchen and he stays out.”

So she was the overseer of this part of the house. I had always wondered who the great cook was behind these walls. This was my first time being in this part of the house. I should visit more often. I like it here and Amelia seemed nice enough. it was definitely the more normal part of the things around here. 

“Can I help you in any way?” I asked watching her motions as she moved around the kitchen. 

She seemed a bit taken back by my question, with the look a bewilderment taking over her features. I take it she had never had someone in this household offer their help.

“You mean you’d like to?”

I laughed at her question. “Of course, or I wouldn’t have asked.”

Once the initial shock had passed she nodded her head but wasn’t so quick to give me any orders just yet. She still looked hesitant for some reason.

“Does Mr. Holbrooke know?”

Something about the way she asked about him annoyed me. What did it matter if he knew or not? I wasn’t aware I had to get permission to wonder around the house. 

“No.”I replied trying to hide my annoyance. “Nathan doesn’t know. Is that a problem?”

“Aren’t you worried he might be against it?”

“So what if he is?” I said. “He can protest all he wants. I do what I please.”

At that point I must have said something that amused her because her worry was replace with a silly grin before going back to her work.

“I admire your spunk Mrs. Holbrooke. Most people just go along with everything Mr. Holbrooke wants. They aim to please, but you don’t. You’re different.” She smiled.

“Yes, I am.” I agreed.

I just wish Nathan could see that.

“Then do what you will.” She said handing me a large spoon. “Stir the soup and I’ll start on the salad.”

I nodded before quickly taking over her station. At least this would help pass the time. I always did like to cook. 

I sat in the in the living room staring blankly at some television program that was on before switching my attention back to the clock for what seemed like the hundredth time.

It was bothering me that it was currently nine o’clock and I still hadn’t heard anything from Nathan. He was supposed to be home two hours ago and yet he hadn’t even made an effort to call me and tell me he’d be late.

What if something happened to him?

He could have been in an accident for all I know. As his wife I should know these things and I planned on letting him hear about it as soon as he gets in. I will not be kept worrying all night.

If he was not going to call me than he could at least answered when I did.

Perhaps he was otherwise occupied, I thought bitterly. So help me, if it was that woman that kept him away all evening then I would kick his ass all the way the attorney’s office first thing tomorrow.

I would not continue making an effort if he doesn’t. This marriage or whatever it was, would not be one sided.

I was only moment away from having Carl bring the car around to take me to hm. Maybe then I would know exactly what was going on.

“Mrs. Holbrooke, I’m afraid I must put away the food now before it spoils.” Amelia said.

I could see the sympathetic look in her eyes as she stared at me. Even as much as it bothered me to see it I refuse to say anything about it. She was just trying to be kind.

“That’s fine, but do call me Peyton.” I insisted.

“Yes ma’am.” She nodded before clearing away the dishes.

I stared bitterly at them remembering how I had eaten alone. It was all Nathan’s fault.

Ugh. I hate this was bothering me so much.

After about twenty more minutes of sitting alone in the empty room I could no longer take it. I was going to find him.

“Carl.” I shouted rather irritant sending him pacing quickly into the room.

“What can I do for you Mrs. Holbrooke?” He asked a bit nervously.

Immediately I felt guilty over yelling at him. I hadn’t meant to come off so angry but it was just so hard to hide my annoyance right now. Perhaps I should find a better way to channel it. Carl didn’t deserve my wrath. Nathan did.

“Could you please bring the car around? I’d like to go see Nathan.” I said a little softer.

“I’m afraid that’s not necessary. He called me a while ago to inform me that he would be here soon.”

I felt my anger rising up again at his confession.

So he called Carl, his driver and spy, but not me? Something doesn’t seem right about that. I had called him at least three times but he didn’t even bother to answer, but for Carl he’ll call?

“I believe he is here now Mrs.”

Oh is he now?

Good.

I prepared myself for grilling him as soon as he entered. I wanted some answers.  

Just like Carl had suspected he was right. It was Nathan. He came trudging in the door in his disheveled appearance looking absolutely worn.

I could easily tell his day must have been stressful making rethink my approach I had planned for him. However, I still can’t excuse him not calling me first. 

“Peyton?” He said on surprise just stepping inside the door. “I thought you’d be in bed by now?”

I gave him a disbelieving look. “At nine fifteen?”

“I just figured with all the job hunting today you’d be tired.” He stated. “If I would have known you were up waiting for me I would have called.” 

“But I called you.” I told him. “Several times.”

He made his way over in my direction pulling out the phone from his pocket in the process.

“It must have died.” He explained. “It was beeping low battery just after I called Carl.”

When he examined his phone it proved to in fact be true. He his phone had dies but that’s no excuse he hadn’t called me sooner. Like from the office.

“I imagine your office phone worked perfectly fine.” I stated matter-of-factly.

He sighed at my relentlessness while making his way towards the kitchen he “never goes in.”

“That it did, but I was in a conference call with the board for over an hour about a new deal that fell through.” He explained.

Humph. Well….

“I thought you never came in here?” I asked changing the subject.

Once he reached the empty kitchen he began digging through the leftovers Amelia had already pack away and took them out.

“I don’t, but I’ll make an exception this once.”

Instead of replying with a remark about his relationships with the staff like I wanted I simply just stared at him in amusement.

He was like a hungry sixteen year old all over again. He was bringing back memories when we used to pull all nighters at my house on the weekends after his big games. 

I couldn’t help but smile.

“What?” He asked staring at me with confusion written across his face.

No doubt he was wondering about the goofy smile present on my face right now. I guess I could blame him for his reaction.

“Nothing .” I shrugged.

“Nothing caused you to smile like that?” He teased caring the food from the kitchen to the living room with me following close behind him.

He took a seat on the main couch that was sitting in front of the large television and began flipping through the channels. He must have known what he wanted to watch, as he was flipping through them rather quickly.

It was funny. He looked so….normal.

Putting my anger aside from earlier tonight, I decided to sit down next to him while allowing the appropriate amount of space of course. Don’t want to send the wrong message.

“So you were really worried.” He said with his eyes still fixated on the TV screen.

There a hint of amusement in his voice as he said it that made me believe he was more than please by that fact.

I grinned at that. “Well…why wouldn’t I be?”

“I don’t know.” He shrugged. “I was getting the feeling you didn’t care for me anymore.”

Of all the ridiculous things I’ve ever heard. We may not be as close as we used to be , but why would he ever think that?

“I’ll always care about you Nathan.” I stated. “No matter what?”

That was enough for him to turn his attention back to me and with a grin so large it almost covered his face.

“Really?”

“Yes.” I confirmed.

“Well, I’ll always care about you to Peyton.” He said.

My heart swelled at his confession and I couldn’t stop myself from reaching out to hug him. Tonight it sort of felt like my Nathan was back again, that maybe I hadn’t lost him after.

And then, if only for a moment, it felt as if everything would be alright between us. Because we had each other and that’s all we needed to get through this.

Maybe.

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A/N

Ok it’s been way to long since my last update and that chapter is not nearly long enough but you’ll have to forgive me. Lately I’ve not been finding much time to write. I, however, might have some good news for you.

Starting in May, instead of waiting so long for updates and me forgetting what I’ve written, I’m going to try to update at least once a week with much smaller updates. Like 2-3 pages. I’m sorry they can’t be longer but that’s all I can manage right now. When I finish up some of my other stories I’ll be able to focus on this one more.

So…forgiven? Maybe?

I promise to do my best to try as long as I keep getting your support. I think we can do this. :)

So, if you will, please…..

Comment…Vote….Follow!

PS: Feel free to KINDLY point out any mistakes in this chapter. I haven’t had time to proof read it. Also, feel free to give me any song recommendation for this story and I’ll post them on the side!  Song of the first chapter will be “Marry You” Bruno Mars.