WHAT IF???

Chapter 2: A Wife's Duty

I just finished my work at the office, so I closed my eyes to relax after a long day of work.

As I closed my eyes, memories of me and Mon when we were still together came flooding back. It stopped when my door opened and my spouse entered, bringing some snack for me.

"Hey Sam, grab a bite," Kirk suggested.

I brushed him off and opted for the cold drink he'd brought, giving him a sideways glance as I drank it.

"Sam, no need to play cute with me anymore. You're already married, remember?" Kirk, my spouse, remarked, poking my cheeks playfully as I chewed on a piece of bread.

"I stopped by to remind you about our dinner with GrandMa later. I have a meeting, but could you wait for me so we can go together?" Kirk requested, while I continued sipping my drink, acting as if I didn't hear.

I maintained my side glances and nodded to acknowledge what he said.

"I'll go ahead. I'll see you later. I LOVE YOU SAM," he said as he leaned in to kiss me, but I quickly stood up to avoid his lips touching mine.

With a hint of disappointment, he left my office, and I released a deep sigh of relief.

It's one of those random days when Grandmother wants to summon me and Kirk to her mansion, to discuss random things about my life. The last time she urgently summoned us was to discuss the planning of our marriage.

"Sam, where are you? We were supposed to go together to Grandmother's mansion, right?" Kirk asked over the phone, concerned about Sam's whereabouts since she had driven alone.

"Yeah, I'm already on my way to the mansion. I'm almost there," Sam reassured Kirk over the phone, her tone tinged with irritation.

"I told you to wait for me. I was just discussing the company's performance with someone. Why did you leave alone?" Kirk questioned, slightly exasperated, over the phone.

I was too irritated to listen to him, so I didn't pay attention to any of his words. When Grandmother called, I had the excuse to end Kirk's exhausting call for his rants.

"Kirk, I have to go. Grandma is calling, and I'm too irritated to listen to your unreasonable complaints," Sam stated firmly before ending the call and answers the other call.

"Grand Ma??"

"Are you on your way here? Are you with your husband?" Grandmother inquired over the phone, seeking clarification from Sam.

Hearing these questions from Grandmother made me even more irritated. Why should I always be with Kirk? He can go on his own. Do I always have to bring him with me?

"I am not with him, Grandmother. I left him, I am driving alone. I told him to just drive himself over there," Sam clarified, emphasizing her independence in the situation.

"Sam!! He is your husband. What's with that behavior? You shouldn't be leaving him like that without any reason. Tell him to come. You take care, and I'll wait for you both," Grandmother insisted, expressing her concern for Sam and her expectations regarding her relationship with Kirk.

"Okay..." Sam replied, feeling a mixture of frustration and resignation as she ended the call.

I arrived at my grandmother's mansion right on schedule. I recall her demeanor radiating an aura of authority. Her gaze was sharp, carefully observing every action my sisters and I took. She carried herself with a rigid posture, her voice authoritative and decisive whenever she communicated. Despite her sternness, there was a touch of affection and care in her eyes, a longing to witness her granddaughters thrive and meet her lofty expectations. She valued discipline and was resolute in upholding rules and standards, shaping us with a mixture of firm affection and steadfast direction.

As I stepped into the opulent foyer, the heavy door creaked open, revealing a scene straight out of a period drama. The warm glow of the grand chandelier illuminated the polished marble floors, casting a soft radiance over the ornate surroundings. Dust motes danced in the air, caught in the ethereal light filtering through stained glass windows adorned with intricate patterns.

Entering the mansion after a long absence felt like a journey back in time, as if the past had been preserved in every nook and cranny. Each corner held secrets and stories, waiting to be unearthed and relived.

As I stood there, taking in the grandeur of the foyer, a maid approached with a welcoming smile. She guided me with graceful steps to the main dining hall, where my Grandmother awaited my arrival.

"Sam, my beloved granddaughter. Please, have a seat."

"Thank you, GrandMa," I replied, settling into the chair opposite her at the long, elegant dining table.

The maids glided elegantly around the dining table, delicately arranging each dish with meticulous attention. They served each course before me with expert precision, ensuring that each plate was flawlessly presented. The enticing aroma of the freshly prepared food filled the air, tantalizing the senses as the maids executed their duties with a polished and attentive manner.

"How are you, Sam?" GrandMa inquired with authority.

"Not okay, as usual," I replied, injecting a hint of sarcasm to express my disappointment.

"Sam, is this about your wedding again? We've discussed this before, haven't we? And you've consented to it."

"I agreed to it, but it doesn't mean I'm okay with it," I replied while stirring the soup in front of me.

"I thought you understood why we have to do it. We both agreed to this, right?"

"Yes, GrandMa. That's why there's no one I can blame but myself. I lost the person I love the most because of the wrong decision I made."

I know Grandma knows who I was referring to. She knew about the history between Mon and me, and she was okay with it. If it wasn't for that incident that changed her.

We were still in the middle of our conversation when the maids returned to prepare another set of dishes. Suddenly, Kirk appeared in the dining room, being assisted by the maids to his seat.

"Good evening, Grandma. How are you?"

"Apologies for my tardiness; I had a meeting that ran late, so I requested Sam to arrive first," Kirk explained.

"Kirk, there's no need to defend Sam for leaving you behind. She's already admitted," Grandma retorted, casting a pointed look at me, implying that it's not the ideal behavior for a wife.

"Anyway, the reason I called you here is to inquire about your plans. It's been 3 years since your marriage. Are there any plans of having a child?"

I was stunned by what Grandma said; I looked at her with wide eyes in surprise. But she disregarded my reaction and continued speaking.

"GrandMa, Sam and I are making an effort," Kirk replied with a chuckle.

"Well, that's reassuring, and I'm excited to meet my grandchild," she said.

I just shrugged off the conversation between Kirk and GrandMa. They continued their catching up while sharing the prepared meal, and I simply kept eating without joining their discussion.

After an hour, their discussion concluded, allowing me to head home and relax. Upon saying our goodbyes to GrandMa, I promptly rose, gave her a kiss, and hastily exited the Mansion.

"Sam, wait. Please wait for me," Kirk implored.

"Kirk, can you stop? Let's not pretend that we're okay."

"Sam, I'm not pretending," Kirk denied, smiling at me.

"We're trying to have a child? Really? Don't give GrandMa false hope about something that won't happen, Kirk," I turned away from Kirk and got into the car. As I closed the door, Kirk suddenly stopped it, preventing me from leaving.

Kirk leaned down to see me inside the car and said, "Sam, I'm your husband. And it's your obligation as a wife to give me a child."

My heart raced at Kirk's words. I slammed the door of my car to release it from Kirk's grip. As he let go of my door, I closed it firmly and started the engine. I honked the horn loudly at Kirk, who was blocking my path.

In surprise, Kirk raised his hands and stepped aside to give me a chance to drive away.