SEVENTEEN:  ERRANDS & BRIEFCASE

I WOKE UP with a nauseating feeling and before I could register what was going on, I found myself emptying the content of my stomach in the bathroom. 

Before I could breathe again, I puked again and my stomach muscles clenched painfully. Taking deep breaths, I walked weakly to the sink and pulled out a toothbrush from the little glass cabinet on the top right corner. My head was thumping like crazy. 

I was still in my wine-colored, bodycon dress. And suddenly the fact hit me hard that I knew these surroundings, this bathroom. 

Walking back to Theodore's room, I found my phone kept on the side table. 

And little by little, the event of the previous night stuck my head like meteors, in bits and pieces. 

Why did he bring me here? He could have just let me sleep there in the office. The thought made me irritated. But little did he know how many countless nights I have spent in my father's abandoned office. 

Did I drink that much? I brooded when I couldn't remember after a certain point. My phone showed that it was 12:40 PM and there was a text from Theodore Raymond. 

I have urgent news for you. My meetings end at 2. I'll be at the residence by 2:15.  Till then, eat something. 

9:00 AM

After freshening up, I made it to the kitchenette. I pulled out a can of orange juice from the refrigerator and there was toast prepared so I didn't bother myself to cook. I avoided eating any pain relievers, trying not to depend on them. 

After my breakfast was over, which consisted of me silently playing with the food more than eating I remained seated on the island stool. 

It was on the 16th of May today. The wedding was tomorrow and I was having this weird feeling in my stomach. I don't know if it was the wine or wedding jitters. 

Definitely not the latter one. 

But, this wasn't a normal wedding, it was a contract, just a piece of paper. I prayed to God that this year passes away as quickly as others. I still wasn't sure of Theodore. I couldn't be ever. One moment, he'll be totally an asshole and the other he'll bring me to his room when I was drunk. 

Did we sleep in the same bed? 

At Least he didn't change my dress as a result of which it was totally tarnished, full of creases and wrinkles.

I don't know if I was complaining. 

Time seemed to pass quickly as I started running the NGO errands. And the NGO reminds me that I didn't let Theodore invite anyone to the wedding. I didn't want people to inspect that I have changed and suddenly a girl who worked till two at night has a love life. That would have created chaos in my protected life. 

Protected or eventless life? 

I frowned at my own thought then winced. 

It was almost half-past two when Theodore entered the house and I was done completing my work, whatever I could have managed sitting in one place and without my laptop. 

He kept his briefcase on the table and walked towards me. I watched him intently, attending to his every step. 

"I wanted to inform you of something important. I conceived that you must have read my text."

I jumped off the stool and said, "Before that, you'd take me to my house."

"What's wrong here?" He frowned with brows knitted together. 

"I cannot survive my entire life in this piece of dress now, can I?" without another verse, I began walking to the exit. 

"You could have just borrowed one of my shirts." I heard him murmur behind me. The events of the engagement party hit me and I gulped and shook my head. Not again. 

Either way, we drove to my house. 

Theodore busied himself looking around my house but I didn't seem to mind knowing pretty well that there wasn't anything sentimental or something close to my heart here. I barely spent time here, it was just a place I used to sleep. 

I changed into a pair of washed jeans and a top with a colorfully embroidered lining of the neck and borders of my quarter length top. When I walked to the drawing-room, Theodore was comfortably sprawled on the couch, talking to someone over the phone. 

I fetched myself a glass of water before sitting opposite to him on a chair. 

"You can say whatever you want to." I crossed my hands over my chest and looked at him. 

"Do not freak out." He said seriously, calculatingly. 

"Are you calling off the wedding?" I replied a bit extra loudly. I bet my eyes were gleaming. I instantly rolled my lips into my mouth. 

He shook his head with a guilty yet goofy smile. "My grandmother wants us to have an actual grand wedding rather than a court marriage." He paused and for a second I was out of my senses for a sec so I kept quiet, silently urging him to continue. 

"She heard from somewhere, most probably Christian that we were going to just throw a celebratory party rather than an actual wedding ceremony. And I was ordered to follow her command."

"Like is there even anything left for me to say or are you just informing me?" I said, gripping the leather material of the chair I was sitting, and bent forward. 

He opened his mouth but I was swift enough to cut him off. "And why am I being informed at the last moment? Do I even have a say in my own God damn marriage? And for -" I breathe out and press my nerves. 

"Tonight is the rehearsal dinner." He added silently when I decided not to continue anything I might end up regretting. 

I felt like squishing his face between my palms. I clench my teeth and look away, frowning. 

"I am not going to attend this rehearsal party or anything. I have to pack and shift to yours by tonight." I manage to let the words out from between my pressed teeth. 

"Grandma will be - "

"Fuck your grandma for all I care. You are getting all the things in your way. I am not going to tolerate it. And I am not speaking bullshit that you don't understand. I. Have. To. Pack. And. Move. Tonight."

"My workers will do that." His eyes were pleading and his voice was soft but I was not gonna retreat. 

Wow! I brought him to plead. That's something new for the remorseful CEO. 

"No. I am agreeing to this shitty wedding thing but that doesn't not by any means mean that I am your puppet dammit." I bit my tongue. 

Don't lose it. Don't lose it. No, not now. 

His eyes darkened, anger swimming in them. His forehead nerves popped out and his hand fisted. "Don't you understand that even I don't enjoy this. Why don't you understand that I have something known as family and I have to consider them as well? Now, how will you understand that?" He paused and laughed to himself.

 "You don't even have one." He scoffed venomously and my breath hitched. 

I abruptly stood up and bit out, "I am glad I don't have one. At least I am not forced to pick up random people walking on the road and marry them."

I knew I had hit a raw nerve considering it was about his dying father but right now, I couldn't think of that. I wanted to get my frustration out. And I lost it. And I am ready to accept but never admit. 

I dashed to my room but not before shouting, "You know where the exit is. So what are you waiting for? Fuck off."

***

No matter how many
Gorgeous faces you set you
eyes upon.
If you already set your heart
for someone,
you'd hardly notice anyone.

***

Thoughts?
Is Lia being too tough?
Is Theodore being not ruthless?