The Marriage Conspiracy [COMPLETED]

CHAPTER SIX: THE CONTINGENCY PLAN

“Please, don’t tell me it took you about ten years to work out a simple thing like that.  It was so obvious, you know?” Kyra remarked when Rachel told her about her new feelings for Jake. 

 “You knew?” she asked incredulously. 

 “Sure I did.”

 “Why haven’t you ever told me?” Rachel asked feeling perplexed.  Devin had also told her the same thing the other day.  Had it been that obvious to everyone? And what about Jake? Did he know about it too? Somehow, she didn’t think so.  But now that she herself knew, she doubted that she would be able to hide from him-not for long. 

 “Because it was up to you to discover your feelings at the right time,” her best friend answered in a soothing voice. 

Kyra was right.  Her mind had subconsciously blocked out that truth from her simply because she hadn’t been ready to accept it.  But now she was.  Ready and strong. 

“You know how I finally admitted it to myself? It was thanks to that famous thing you were always telling me,” Rachel said and related the restaurant episode to the surprised Kyra. 

“You were jealous? Over such a small incident?” Kyra asked her stupefied. 

Rachel smiled self-derisively.  “I know.  I couldn’t help it.” 

“You were always so possessive,” Kyra sighed worriedly. 

“Yes,” acknowledged Rachel well aware of her failing.  “And it was that fact that made me realize the truth.  You still remember how I used to fight you when you were trying to make friends with other people?”

“I do,” Kyra nodded smiling fondly at the memory.  “I also told you that you were gonna be a big trouble to your husband tormenting him with your jealousy.” 

“Yes,” Rachel confirmed becoming suddenly serious.  “I told you that I only get possessive over things of people I really love.” 

“And that there’s no possibility of you getting possessive over a man since you had no intention of falling in love with anyone.  Not even with the man you’ll marry,” Kyra went on. 

“How wrong I was!” Rachel sighed resignedly.  “And now Jacob is trapped in an undesirable marriage with me.’ 

“Oh, come off it! It isn’t as if you trapped him to marry you.” 

“I know, but still…,” Rachel faltered as she felt an excruciating pain enveloping her heart.  “Just think how you would feel being married to someone you don’t love? I can’t really blame him, you know.” 

“Oh stop being so pessimist!”

“I’m not,” protested Rachel fiercely. 

“Yes, you are.  Why don’t you fight for him? Why don’t you try to make him fall in love with you instead?”

“That’s the problem here stupid.  You can’t make someone fall in love with you.  Love just happens.” 

“Rach, I can feel that you are gonna do something silly.”

“Not silly.  Noble. Favorable.” 

“Okay.  Tell me,” urged Kyra. 

“Well, I don’t know yet but I’m going to think of something to end our marriage soon.  You can bet on that.” 

“If you say so but I still think you should fight for him.  He’s your husband after all.” 

“I know,” Rachel whispered uncertainly.