Love's Resilience

GIFTS OF TRUST

Waking up to the early morning light streaming through the curtains, I felt a sense of determination. Today, we were finalizing the details of our wedding. Although this marriage was a contract, I wanted everything to go smoothly for Allison's sake.

I got ready quickly, my mind already buzzing with tasks for the day. As I descended the stairs, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and breakfast wafted through the air. Allison stood by the stove, her back turned to me, diligently preparing breakfast.

When she turned around, I noticed her face was puffed up, her eyes red, and dark circles etched beneath them. She had a rough night. I thought of asking her about it but decided against it. Instead, I sat down to have breakfast, exchanging brief pleasantries before leaving for the office. "Bye, Allison," I said as I headed out the door.

At the company, I received a call from my mom. "Aaron, I'm taking Allison out for wedding shopping today," she informed me cheerfully.

"Great, Mom. I forgot to give her my platinum card. I'll send it over with my driver. Please make sure she gets it and tell her she can spend as much as she wants," I replied.

Mom chuckled softly. "You're such a softie, Aaron. It sounds like someone's in love."

I brushed off her teasing. "Mom, it's not like that," I said, hanging up the call. But her words lingered.

Sitting back in my chair, I wondered if I could ever truly love someone again after what my ex did to me. Could I give this marriage a real chance? Would Allison even want to stay with me beyond the contract? The world saw me as grumpy, cold-hearted, and ruthless, but I wasn't always like this. At least, not until I got cheated on.

As the day progressed, I threw myself into work, trying to push aside my concerns. Meetings, calls, and endless emails filled the hours until I finally looked up and realized it was almost time to head home.

When I arrived home, I noticed that Allison still wasn't back yet. I decided to order Chinese takeout so she wouldn't have to worry about dinner. I never asked her to do any household work, like cooking breakfast or dinner, or any work for me. Realizing this, I made a mental note to offer her a job at my firm after the wedding to keep her from getting bored.

I checked my messages and saw that there were no alerts about any transactions on the platinum card. She hadn't spent any money. I decided I would keep that card with her and also provide another one for her expenses.

Just then, Allison entered the house. "Hey," she greeted me, looking exhausted but managing a small smile.

"Hey, you're back. Why don't you go freshen up? I'll set the table for dinner," I said, trying to keep things light.

As Allison went upstairs to freshen up, I began setting the table for dinner. The Chinese takeout containers were neatly arranged, and I placed the plates and cutlery in their spots. My mind drifted to the conversation with my mom earlier. Her teasing words about me being in love had struck a chord, one I wasn't ready to acknowledge yet.

I heard Allison's footsteps coming down the stairs. She looked slightly more refreshed but still carried the weight of exhaustion in her eyes.

"Dinner's ready," I said, offering her a seat.

"Thank you," she replied softly, sitting down across from me.

We began eating in a comfortable silence. Occasionally, I glanced at her, wondering what was going on behind those tired eyes. I wanted to ask about her day but wasn't sure how to approach it without prying too much.

"So, how was shopping with my mom?" I finally asked, hoping to break the ice.

Allison smiled faintly. "It was nice. Your mom is really sweet. She insisted on paying for the dress, even though I tried to pay for it myself."

"That sounds like her," I said, chuckling. "Did you find everything you needed?"

"Yes, we did. She even asked about my maid of honor. I told her about Lana, my friend."

I nodded, taking another bite of my food. "I'm glad you have someone to be there for you."

There was a moment of silence before Allison spoke again. "Your family is kind. It's... different from what I'm used to."

Her words hung in the air, heavy with unspoken emotions. I sensed there was more to her story, something she wasn't ready to share yet. I decided not to press her, instead steering the conversation to lighter topics.

As we finished clearing the table, I noticed Allison carefully placing the platinum card back into my wallet. Her actions spoke volumes, revealing her reluctance to accept such a generous offer. Yet, I couldn't help but admire her integrity and humility.

I approached her quietly, offering a reassuring smile. "You don't have to put it back, Allison," I said gently, gesturing to the card. "It's yours to keep."

I said, "I want you to keep this. Use it for anything you need or want. And don't worry, I'll make sure you have another card for your expenses."

Allison hesitated, her eyes widening in surprise. "I can't accept this, Aaron," she said, shaking her head. "It's too much."

I understood her reluctance but insisted, "Please, consider it a gesture of trust and appreciation. You're part of this family now, and I want you to feel taken care of."

With a hesitant nod, Allison reached out and handed the card back to me. "Thank you, Aaron," she murmured, her expression grateful yet uncertain.

I smiled reassuringly, gently pressing the card back into her hand. "I insist," I said. "You're important to me, Allison. Please, take it."

After a moment of hesitation, Allison accepted the card, her fingers brushing against mine. "Thank you," she murmured, her expression softening with gratitude.

I smiled, hoping to ease her apprehension. "You're welcome," I said sincerely. "And remember, it's there for you whenever you need it."

As the evening drew to a close, I couldn't shake the feeling that our interaction had deepened the bond between us. Despite the complexities of our situation, there was a sense of understanding and trust that seemed to grow with each passing moment.

Later that night, I found myself thinking about her again. Her resilience, her kindness, and the way she handled herself around my family. There was something about her that intrigued me, something that made me want to protect her, even if I didn't fully understand why.

As I lay in bed, I wondered if this contract marriage could turn into something real. The thought lingered in my mind, a flicker of hope amidst the uncertainty. Eventually, I drifted off to sleep, my thoughts filled with Allison and the unpredictable journey that lay ahead.