An Arranged Affair

chapter 54

" Thank you they're beautiful! " I said as I admired how they sparked in the light.

" you don't need to do so much for me you know. You've already done so much, with my family, with me, with everything.'

" How come you want a job so badly?" he asked topping up my glass of wine.

I had had a few and was starting to feel rather tipsy. I wasn't used to drinking, apart from sneaky shots with the hotel staff. I stared at the glass. The hangover after drinking with Simmi was still fresh in my mind.

The alcohol must have made me a bit bold because I found myself telling Phillip everything, things I hadn't even admitted to myself.

" Why wouldn't I ?

My whole life I've spent at the hotel. Every day, every weekend. School breaks, long holidays, there was always work to do at the hotel. When we were short-staffed I missed school.
When my friends were out enjoying summer break I was waiting tables.

It wasn't the same for my brother, he was the glory child, the one who was going to be a doctor.

I didn't want that for the rest of my life. I wanted my kids to have a normal life, you know, have time for vacations, go to the beach, have weekends with the family. I could earn a decent living and help my parents out, take care of them when they wanted to retire. Let them grow old with their grandchildren.'

"And then when we got married I was so angry with my parents for taking that away from me and I took all of that anger out on you. You didn't deserve any of the attitude I gave you and I don't blame you for treating me the way you did. You were just as stuck in this situation as I was. You probably thought you had been duped into marrying a crazy woman. And then you told me you wanted to complete my degree, and it was like I was being offered a chance at a life again. And at least then , if you decided to kick me out before the end of the pre nup I'd have a safety net to fall back to.' I instantly regretted my words because the look of hurt on his face was almost too hard to bear.

" and now? This thing we have, what is it to you? Is it still all about your parents loan?"

I swallowed hard. This was getting deep and I really didn't know what to say. If I said what I felt, would he turn me away, or worse, would he use me and leave me with nothing? I looked down at my plate, heart in my hands.

" I don't know now. Its different now between us, I don't know how, but its like we fit. No ones made me feel like you do, and I am scared that its just one big illusion. I mean I hope its as real for you as it is for me. "

I looked up and he was grinning, the biggest goofiest smile on his face, like he had heard the best news ever. I was about to ask him what was up with a waiter came and placed a plate of dessert on our table and cleared away our empty plates.

"Sorry to disturb, sir and madam, but the chef sends his complements - to the most beautiful couple in the room. I take it that we are celebrating?" he said looking at the jewelry box.

' yes we are, and send the chef my thanks - this lovely lady here has just completed her final exams and its her birthday and deserves a treat tonight.'

The waiter nodded and we turned to the plate in front of us.

It was a plate of hot banana fritters, the batter seasoned with cardamom, topped with cold hand churned vanilla ice-cream that was melting into gooey goodness due to the heat from the fritters, with a generous sprinkle of pistachio nuts. I put a spoonful into my mouth and moaned with pleasure. It tasted so good. Even Phillip moaned in appreciation of the dessert.

' your not drinking your wine,' Phillip said, topping up my glass.

" im not use to so much alcohol.' I grabbed the glass and took a sip. " this is probably the most I have ever had to drink in my life, apart from getting drunk with Simmi after the Melissa incident." I head was feeling light and I was more relaxed then I had been in a long time. I was getting tipsy and that was ok.

There was no Mumma or Papa to chide me.

No over protective brother to scold me.

Just my husband , who was the one pouring the wine

And it was ok.

' ok, one last question, how come I never see you in anything short? All I've ever seen you wear is long dresses, skirts and jeans."

I laughed, this was the silliest question he had asked me so far.

'That one is simple. Mumma never approved of me wearing short clothes, she said it was far too revealing and that there were certain body parts on a woman that only her husband and doctor should ever see. I once bought a skater dress from the mall and she made me return it because it sat above the knees and I guess to this day I feel really odd wearing short clothes. She would probably disapprove of this outfit as well.

No let me correct that -she most certainly would not approve of this outfit.'

'I don't' I looked up him, his green eyes bore straight into mine, and my skin tingled as he laced his fingers into mine.

And then my phone rang. I used my free hand to fish my phone out of my purse.

It was Simmi.

' Victoria, where are you? Have you not been getting any of my texts?" I could barely hear her above the loud background music. ' just about the whole class is here at the club, I've text you the address.'

'Simmi I cant , I'm on a date with Phillip' I hissed at her through the phone, ignoring the bemused look on Phillips face.

' well bring him too, God knows we could use some more eye candy, and that man of yours is HOT!'

' shit girl! Are you drunk already?" I asked, Simmi was another person when she was drunk, and not in a good way.

" fuck yeah! Now get that ass of yours here! You owe me a dance!'

'ok we will see! Bye! I'll talk to you later!' I ended the call.

" Shall we? " Phillip asked, half laughing and smiling. I looked at the address Simmi had messaged me. I didn't know the area and I wasn't sure if Phillip was ok with hanging out with a bunch of drunk, post exam uni students.

I shook my head.' I dunno, I've never been clubbing before...."

He laughed.

' you have never been clubbing? Then we must go!"

' are you sure?"

'Tori babe, I understand that your parents were super conservative, but you are my wife and life is meant to be lived.

Besides, if I am not going to show you these things who else will, and if I leave that to someone else I would be the worlds dumbest husband,"

It was a half an hour drive to the nightclub, and we were let in straight away, showing up in a limo certainly helped.

As soon as I got there I was enveloped by the music, it was dim and there were neon flashing lights everywhere, the base from the music was so loud but not as loud as my friend Simmi.

' girl, you made it!' she said hugging me, 'and damn you look fine. Better keep this one under lock and key,' she winked at Phillip.

We found the booth where everyone was sitting and a waitress arrived with a tray of shots. Everyone grabbed one except for me.

' oh come on Victoria, its just one! Your such a good girl all the time, come on , live it up a bit! Drink up!' simmi said, pushing the tiny glass in my hand. soon the whole booth was chanting ' DRINK DRINK DRINK DRINK!' I gave an unsure look at Phillip who raised his own glass , smiled and downed the contents. So I did the same, the golden liquid burned as I swallowed it. Simmi screamed in the air, " AGAIN!" demanding another tray of shots, and after our second one she grabbed my hand and led me onto the dancefloor.

I looked at Phillip who have an approving nod as Simmi dragged me away but I didn't resist, partly due to the alcohol but mostly because I loved dancing.

The air was electric as Simmi and I danced, and drank, and danced some more. Then then suddenly she stopped as if she had seen a ghost and I looked up and saw him, the dark haird boy from her photos and on his arm as a primly dressed brunette who was looking very out of place.

" Simmi, are you ok ?" I asked her, trying to shout over the music.

But she didn't hear me, instead she walked straight over to him, wrapped her arms around in and kissed him, practically sticking her tongue down his throat, she kissed him long and hard before turning to the shocked brunette, formed a V with her fingers over her mouth and stuck her tongue threw it lewedly, winking at the brunette before unwrapping herself from her ex boyfriend and strutted back to me, leaving a heated fight behind her.

" I'm fine now!" she said smiling. ' lets drink!"