The Husband Arrangement| TAEHYUNG

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Anastasia's pov:
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10 : 27 am

Weird stares.
Mumbles.
Lowered chattering in hallways.
Eyes followed me around corners and up stairwells.

College was different today.
Awkward different.

I was a person full of anxiety but today I was overflowing. Like a riverbank which breaks when heavy rains pour down. When the ocean sends out hurricanes and tsunamis to lessen its waters. I was an overflowing glass of water.

I'm aware of why people stared and muttered about me. Jungkook. For once he was the one avoiding me. A dark place within my soul was happy. He had finally backed off. But not because I begged. He backed off because my husband almost killed him. Taehyung was wired wrong. He was a maze. I'm tired of running around in circles, trying to find a way out. Trying to unravel him. I just can't. His world was quicksand and I'm sinking! He is dragging me down into the depths. I do not wish to drown. I'm afraid of deep waters. I can not swim. No one taught me as a child and as a young adult , I do not wish to face that fear.

Divorce was an easy way out. I'd have my life back on track. I don't have to look over my shoulder and worry about being harassed and assaulted. I don't have to fear that his enemies will use me as a dartboard. A target to get to him. I have to admit that taehyung had always saved me from these men. But what if one day he fails. If he decides to toss me aside? I can leave him and run, but how far? My parents may not have time for me but I cared about their image. If I divorce taehyung then what happens to them and their so called business partnership? Will it all go south because of me? Why do I always put their happiness above my own.

We both came from wealthy families. I chose to become independent and pave my own path to success. Taehyung chose to suffocate in darkness. He turned to illegal methods and things that just didn't make sense or add up. We were both on different roads. Barriers between us. Mountains high enough to touch the stars. How will we ever climb over to meet each other? Will we ever truly become one? He is shallow and cold-hearted. His emotions are chopped down. He's a control freak and violent. We are different in every way.

Difference was supposed to be great.
But for us , it was just a glass between us.

No weapon can shatter it.

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12 : 05 pm

My wet shoes on the glossy tiled porch created a muddy pattern. My hair soaked and frizzy. Bag clutched in my cold hands. The rain behind me brought a freezing breeze which kept smacking my back. I hesitated several times before actually sounding the doorbell which chimed like the London clock tower.

I had no work after college, so I decided to pay my parents a visit. The door opened before I could turn and run off. "Ana", my mother grinned. Her hair pulled in a bun. Despite being a housewife, she was dressed in a beautiful two piece skirt and blazer which dazzled in the gloomy weather. "Mother", I force a smile, shivering in my shoes. "C'mon in child. Take off your shoes", she said. I remove them and pace inside. I wish it was warm but she had the ac turned on. She said the cold was great to rid the old of wrinkles.

"Cherry pie. Why are you here ?", she lead me into the living room which was the size of the entire lower half of my home. "Just thought I'd stop by before heading home", I rub my palms together, trying to warm myself as I take a seat across her. "You look older than 19", her judgy eyes roamed my attire. "It's cold outside", I whisper. "I'm not speaking of the cold honey. Your clothes and hair are just not doing it for me. You're young. Married to a hunk of a man. If you dress like a frump , he'll leave you", she began to file down her long nails. I blink , not knowing how to respond to that insult. "Men lose interest quite fast. Given that you both are arranged married, there's not much history to hold him back from running of with a model or barbie doll ", he crossed her leg over the other , swinging her foot back and forth. I had no idea why she wore heels at home.

"Are you listening?", her eyes on me. "Ofcourse ", I mumble. "Good. Mother gives the best advice. I drive your father crazy with my beauty. I didn't give you some of my goddess features for you to waste them on looking like an ordinary joe". Her voice sounded as if she were pulled from am 80s royal film. She belonged in a palace. An evil queen perhaps. "Do you want something to drink?", she smiled. "No thank you. Is dad home?", I change the topic. "No. He's at the office. We were invited to a costume event tonight. I hope to see you and Taehyung. Hopefully you dress well. Do not put us to shame", she stood , straightening out her skirt. "I'd lend you an outfit but you just don't have my slim figure. I work out every day to keep this body", she ran her hands over her waist. "I did not come to borrow clothes mother. I just came to say hi", I get to my feet. "Should I have Eric drive you home?", she walked me to the front door. "I have am umbrella. I'll be okay", I give a facade smile. "The last I held an umbrella and walked home was 29 years ago. Upgrade soon", she stroked my head and pulled open the door. With a heavy heart and pricking eyes , I head out into the storming weather. With mother , everything had to be perfect. Nothing was ever good enough for her. I will never be good enough. But that's the thing, I don't wish to please them with how I climb my ladder.

I regret visiting.