Chapter 6
The sound was clear and melodious.
My eyes started to well up.
For the next few days, I lost myself in my own world.
I woke up whenever I wanted, no alarms, just letting myself sleep in.
Sometimes I'd spend hours painting in the studio, or I'd play the piano in the living room.
I got myself the best private tutors, starting from scratch with music theory and sketching.
They said I had a natural gift and was picking things up fast.
I packed my fridge with gourmet food from every corner of the globe.
I followed recipes and treated myself to three carefully prepared meals every day.
I signed up at the gym, hired a personal trainer, and began training.
I tossed out all those shabby, cheap clothes I used to buy just because they were affordable.
Instead, I started wearing the well-tailored, high-quality outfits Francis had prepared for me.
I realized, so this was what living a good life felt like.
Every day felt exciting and brand new.
I didn't have to care about anyone's mood or put up with anyone's attitude, and I wasn't pinching pennies anymore.
For the first time ever, my life was completely in my hands.
That night, I was in my studio, putting the finishing touches on my very first complete oil painting.
Suddenly, my phone buzzed.
It was a text from an unknown number.
I tapped it open.
It read: [Landed. Don't worry.]
It was signed: [Francis.]
I froze.
I checked the date and realized two weeks had already flown by.
He was back from Elarion now.
I stared at the message, feeling a bit lost on how to respond.
Our relationship was awkward.
We were married on paper, but in reality, we barely knew each other.
After a moment's thought, I sent back just two words.
I replied: [Got it.]
It was simple, polite, and detached.
Just like how things were between us.
I put my phone down, picked up my brush, and kept painting.
My mood stayed exactly the same.
Whether he came back or not never really made a difference to me.
He was the owner of this house.
But the life here was mine alone.
The day after Francis got back, I got a call from an unknown number.
"Hello, is this Ms. Edith Martinez?" The voice on the other end was sweet and polite.
"Yeah. Who's calling?" I said.
She replied, "I'm a colleague of Mr. Russell's. My name is Claudia Maxwell, and I'm a chief flight attendant."
Claudia Maxwell?
Her name didn't ring a bell at all.
I said, "Hi, Ms. Maxwell. Is there something I can help you with?"
Claudia said, "Mr. Russell just got back from a long flight, and he's pretty tired. Our team wants to throw him a welcome-back dinner tonight. Would you like to join us?"
Her tone was warm and sincere.
But I sensed something wasn't quite right.
Why call the spouse for a work dinner?
Especially since we just got married and none of them even know me.
A flicker of suspicion rose inside me.
But I didn't let it show.
I said, "Sure, thanks for the invitation. When and where is it?"
Claudia said, "It's at Olive Garden, near the airport. Seven o'clock. Do you know where that is? Would you like me to pick you up?"
"No need; I'll come by myself."
"Okay, see you tonight."
After hanging up, I stared at my reflection in the mirror.
Was this my first time stepping out as Francis's wife?
I walked into my wardrobe and started picking out what to wear.
I didn't want to go overboard, like I was attending some fancy gala.
But I also didn't want to look too casual and have people look down on me.
In the end, I chose a champagne silk blouse and paired it with a pair of white wide-leg trousers.
The look exuded poise and elegance, with a subtle sense of detachment.
At six-thirty sharp, I showed up at Olive Garden.
Claudia was waiting for me right at the entrance.
She was even more charming in person than she sounded on the phone.
She was tall and graceful in her flight attendant uniform; her smile was bright and friendly.
As soon as she spotted me, she walked up with a warm, welcoming grin.
Claudia said, "Mrs. Russell, you're here. Come on in."
Claudia slipped her hand into mine and led me toward the private room.
"Mr. Russell and the others are already here," she told me.
Her palm felt a bit chilly.
When I opened the door to the private room, I saw seven or eight people already seated inside.
They were all dressed in crisp uniforms, looking confident and impressive.
Francis was sitting at the head of the table.
He wore his black captain's uniform, the epaulets catching the light and glinting.
He still had that reserved, distant expression. When he saw me, he gave a slight nod.
Everyone else turned their gaze at me in unison.
Their eyes were filled with curiosity, scrutiny, and a hint of unabashed hostility.
Above all, a female pilot sitting next to Francis had a stare that cut like a knife when she looked at me.
"Alright, let me introduce you all." Claudia broke the awkward silence, pulling me forward with a bright, cheerful smile.
She said, "Everyone, this is Mr. Russell's wife, Edith.
"Edith, this is our co-pilot, Gordon, and this is our pilot, Ronnie."
She went around the room, introducing everyone.
Everyone greeted me politely, except for that female pilot.