𝐓𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐋𝐄𝐃 𝐅𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐒

Chapter 9

The bright sun shone on Zachariah's face, making him wake up from the deep slumber. He looked outside and realized that it was already morning. He closed his eyes for a while, mentally preparing himself for the day.

He looked through the other side of the bed and saw Seraphina sleeping soundly. She looked so peaceful without thinking anything. She looks so innocent despite her   attitude and behaviour, but even though what she is, he already accepted her fully.

He softly smiled and put the duvet to cover her body because the aircon was still on. He went to the bathroom and freshened himself up for today. Minutes later after he was done showering, he put on some casual and comfortable clothes for today.

As she got out of the bathroom, he saw Serpahina was still sleeping peacefully. He let her sleep because of the tiredness last night due to the ceremony.

He went to the kitchen to cook something for them, to fill their empty stomach in the morning. He thought for a moment and finally thought of what food he was going to do.

He rolled his sweater sleeve to his arms so that it wouldn't get wet. He prepared the  ingredients before cooking. He hummed a tune while cooking for their breakfast. The whole atmosphere felt domestic, adding the sizzling noises from the pan.

He was cooking with so much enthusiasm today. Since, it was the first time that he was cooking as a married man, a husband. And with that, he put all his blood, sweat, and tears for their breakfast today.

He was studying culinary years ago, that's the reason why he was good in cooking even though he was working in a company. He knew that he was a good cook, but now, he is conscious about his cooking today, afraid that Seraphina wouldn't like his food.

Seraphina's POV

I woke up from my deep sleep, and it was refreshing. It's the first time I slept that long since I was busy handling the conflicts of the company. I stretched my whole body and yawned again.

I  went to the bathroom and freshened myself up. After that, I immediately picked some clothes for the day. The heavy weight inside my heart lifted up a little, since the problems of our company were now starting to fade because of our marriage to Zachariah.

I checked some emails last night and bunched of them were congratulatory of our marriage. Our marriage spreads like a wildfire in the media and inside and outside of the country of how big the Ashford's are.

My parents picked the right choice by marrying me for our company will never be in conflict again, but at the same time, it feels illegal because I am the one who's suffering.

Sensing that my mood is becoming sour because of my thoughts, I quickly shaken my head to erase some pathetic thoughts. It is too early in the morning and I don't want to ruin my mood.

I got out of the room and went downstairs. I stopped at my tracks when I saw Zachariah preparing and arranging the table for breakfast. I stared at him for a minute to observe his actions, nothing suspicious.

I went to the kitchen and looked at the food that was placed on the table with an aroma that was very delicious. As I observed the table, I didn't realize that Zachariah already pulled out a chair so that I could sit.

"Good morning. I cooked us breakfast. Please take a seat." I sat down without replying, but his smile didn't fade. He sat from the opposite of me and gestured for me to eat.

I took a bite and it was expected that these dishes were already cooked perfectly, but it was still good even though I had tasted it before.

We both ate in silence, enjoying our food. The tension was not heavy, but no one uttered a word.

End of the POV

After breakfast, Serpahina immediately went to the living room to work on her laptop. Even though, she is required to not work today, she didn't obey. For her, she cannot trust how the company would run if she wasn't there.

She opened her laptop in front of hers, her fingers immediately tapping away the keys with rapid precision. Charts and numbers immediately adorned in her screen, the progress of her work and details.

Zachariah went beside her and sat comfortably while reading a book in his hand. His posture was relaxed, a complete opposite of Seraphina's tensed demeanour.

The truth is Zachariah just sat beside her just to be close to her without a bad intention. That's why he brought a book to busy himself the way his wife busied herself.

Minute to minute, Zachariah kept glancing at Seraphina and her work. He was still amazed by the statistics and charts that were displayed on her laptop.

Their differences show how opposite they really are. There was a sense of obverse in the way they moved around each other.

Serpahina, driven by ambition and determination, and Zachariah, content in his simplicity, but good in his field. Zachariah found a solace in the other's presence without an understanding reason, even if they couldn't always understand each other's worlds.

"Zachariah, will you please stop staring at me? I can feel your stares and it's creeping me out." Seraphina stated with an annoyance lingering in her voice. "I'm trying to concentrate here." She added back.

"I'm sorry, darling." He replied, lowering his voice. "I didn't intend to creep you out." He continued, guilt was shown in his tone.

"Go away." Seraphina coldly said while still hammering her keyboard. Feeling distracted by the stare of Zachariah.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable." He said, his gaze dropping to his hand on his lap.

At the silence stretched between them, Serpahina didn't seem to be guilty at all and continued to work in silence. She knew  Zachariah meant no harm, but the constant attention was starting to grate on her nerves.

As Seraphina continued her work, while sipping her coffee that Zachariah gave him earlier as an apology, the bitter taste seemed to mirror her bitterness that had taken root in her heart, a bitter reminder what life she had given, and the life she secretly yearned to escape.