Chapter 27
The Door That Would Not Lock
If someone told me a month ago that Adrian would hand me his black card and tell me to plan a honeymoon, I would have sent them to the nearest hospital to get their head checked. But low and behold, Adrian does just that.
“Money is no object,” he says before disappearing behind his double doors.
I squeal as I spin around in my chair.
“Keep it down,” he calls out from the other side of the wood door.
I clamp down on my lips while I grab my cellphone and text Felix.
Me: Guess who is going on a honeymoon after all?
Felix: How did you make him crack?
Felix: Waterboarding?
Felix: Sleep deprivation?
Felix: Sex???
Felix: Wait. If it’s the last one, don’t tell me. I don’t want to know.
I laugh as I type up my response.
Me: Your father.
Felix: *Pretends to be shocked.
Me: Do you want to help me plan something?
Felix: I’ll be there in 15.
.
“No.” I shove a dumpling into my mouth.
“But it’s Bora Bora,” Felix replies with an exasperated look.
I shake my head. “Sounds boring.” Good thing Felix can’t see the way my cheeks burn from the lie.
“What is wrong with you?”
More like what could be wrong with me if I were to choose a honeymoon location that would require Adrian to walk around shirtless and wet all day long. Even I know my limits, and that is one of them. After the little show I got last time Adrian was shirtless, it’s best we don’t test the waters.
Felix uses the computer mouse to scroll through the newspaper article recommending the Top Ten Honeymoon Spots in the World. “How about Maui?”
I scrunch my nose. “No.”
“Fiji?”
“Pass.”
“I swear, with the way you’re acting, it’s as if you don’t want to go on a honeymoon at all.”
“I do!” Just not anywhere that might require us to take our clothes off.
He stares me down. “What about South Africa?”
Huh. Now that is an idea…
“Tell me more.”
He looks absolutely horrified by my interest. “You can’t be serious. You would choose a safari over Bora Bora?”
“Why not?”
“Because it’s not romantic.”
I frown. “This might be a honeymoon, but it isn’t meant to be romantic.”
“Clearly or else you would have chosen something else.”
The more Felix pushes me on it, the more I find the idea of going on a safari appealing. Nothing says hands off quite like bug spray, motion sickness, and watching animals devour each other. With a busy trip like that, the risk of Adrian and I doing something stupid is slim to none.
I throw my napkin on the table and pat my distended belly. “That’s it. We’re going to South Africa.”
Felix groans, and I smile.
Case solved.
Planning a trip to Africa at the last minute is stressful. I need to juggle Adrian’s busy schedule, doctors’ appointments so we can get our shots, and calling safari lodges to see who has availability at the last minute. I do all this while working from nine to nine every single day.
Adrian is absolutely useless when it comes to planning anything, so I’m stuck doing everything on my own. Flights. Travel itineraries. Sleeping arrangements. Everything falls on my shoulders since Adrian doesn’t care where we go, so long as I post a few photos and make it seem like we are having a good time. His words. Not mine.
Because of his attitude, I don’t feel bad booking the most expensive safari lodge on our list. I even book a trip to the salon to get my hair braided—all on his personal card. That’s what he gets for being so cold and unfeeling about the whole process. The least he could have done was ask me if I needed any help. Or even thanked me for putting all this together at the last minute, all so he could prove to everyone how we are some happy couple.
It’s the smallest things that make people feel appreciated. Not that Adrian cares.
I sigh as I stare out the car window.
“What’s wrong?” Adrian doesn’t bother looking up from his phone.
“Nothing. Just thinking about how I need to finish packing for both of us tonight.” The lie easily rolls off my tongue. It’s not like Adrian cares about my feelings on the matter.
Adrian remains silent.
“Is there anything in particular that you want me to pack for you?” I ask.
“No.” He frowns as he types against the screen.
Is this how my life is going to be for the next three years? Speaking to someone who is permanently attached to their cellphone?
The emptiness in my chest intensifies as the minutes go on. Adrian remains oblivious, and I only sink further into my funk.
What did you expect? To get married and for him to instantly have a change of heart? The world doesn’t work like that.
At the very least, I thought Adrian would give me a bit of his time, given the fact that I’m his wife now.
Don’t go wishing for things that will never happen.
I sigh again. This time, Adrian doesn’t bother commenting on it. How can he when he is too busy answering the phone and yelling at someone on the other end?
Story of my life.
My phone buzzes in my hand. I unlock it to find Felix’s latest text message.
Felix: Did you ever get around to thanking my father for your impromptu honeymoon yet?
Me: I’ll be sure to send him a thank you basket when I get back.
Felix: Should I tell him to look out for a faint ticking noise?
Me: Don’t ruin the surprise! That’s the best part.
Felix responds with a row of laughing emojis.
Adrian drops into the captain’s chair across from me. The flight attendant is quick to ask him if he needs anything, but he simply ignores her by tapping on his tablet screen.
“Sir, I’m here to service you in any way you need. Please don’t hesitate to ask for anything during the long flight.” She bats her lashes at Adrian.
Service him? Gross.
Adrian remains oblivious to her obvious innuendo. He doesn’t bother to look up at her despite the way she stands beside his chair, drooling all over the carpet.
I clear my throat. “Excuse me?”
She doesn’t even bother turning in my direction. “The captain said the trip should be a smooth one. I’m curious what made you pick South Africa?”
“I’ve always wanted to go on a safari.” As of three days ago, at least.
She dares to shoot me a scathing look over her shoulder. Is she really going to ignore me while flirting with him? He’s wearing a wedding ring for crying out loud.
“My husband and I will take two glasses of champagne, please.” I lift my left hand in the air to get her attention, and the diamond reflects a rainbow of colors across the ceiling.
She peers over at me with a raised brow. “Excuse me?”
Excuse you. I grind my teeth together. “Actually, you might as well bring out the whole bottle. We’re in a celebrating mood.”
“You’re married?” Her eyes swing back and forth between us before landing on Adrian’s ring. The way her smile falls elicits my own.
“Get my wife whatever she wants.” Adrian doesn’t look up from his tablet.
My stomach flutters in a way that has nothing to do with flying jitters.