The wedding night

Although it was a Pent house, it was warm and welcoming from the open door to the wide hallway. Going inside further, it took a more detailed form, natural grey stone with all the hues of nature. The paintwork on the walls was brilliant white, completely flawless. The floor was blended with deep homely brown ceramics creating a reflection of the footsteps of the owner. The glass windows were fashionably huge giving an exquisite view of the city throbbing underneath. Deep inside, it was technology and modern design all the way with exquisite, high-ended designer furniture.

It wasn't the first time that she had entered that place. She had been there in her drunken state earlier and later when she sobered up the next morning, her mind was too much occupied to register its elegance and beauty.

Anna got married to Regan the previous day by registering their marriage. It was a private affair which involved a few required people only. The moment she had signed the papers succumbing to her destiny, she had left the place alone, wanting to have some things sorted before starting her new life. She didn't say much and Regan didn't interfere either. He was willing to give all the time she needed to accept the sudden change in her life. Nevertheless, he insisted her to take his car with the chauffeur who seemed to be more like a bodyguard to her. She didn't want to argue about it and hence, had left without any questions. However, the next day when she woke up, she was at the same place in a room that was different than the last one in which she had spent her night. Neither did she ask nor did Regan explain about how she reached there. She had waken up to find herself wrapped in the warmth of the blanket in which she was tucked in. She was in her nightwear. She didn't remember anything about the previous night and didn't had the courage to ask if he was the one to change her or if he had spent his night beside her on the same bed. He was caring and concerned about her health like always and he made sure that she was well taken care of. Yet, she maintained a distance with him by avoiding him as much as possible. Later, he had left to attend some important business matters informing her about them. She got to see him in the evening dressed in a grey tuxedo ready for the event. While she had taken her time to get ready, he had patiently waited for her.

Throughout the event, they were busy in receiving the greetings and wishes for their happy wedding life. Eventually, everything was finished and she was relieved to go back in her shell within the comfort of her home. However, she had forgotten that she had left that comfort and had to live in a different place with someone who was her husband now. She had realized it the moment the car had stopped at the new place that was now her home. She came out of her daze when Regan held her hand and led her inside.

"Its quite late. You need to rest now. Come, I'll take you to our room." He said while taking her upstairs.

She had hastily pulled her hand away.

"Our room?"

Regan turned around to see her frowning and he cocked his brow in amusement.

She bit her lip in nervousness.

"I....I wake up in the morning. I mean when I wake up in the morning, the room was downstairs. Why...why are you taking me there?"

Regan smiled on hearing her. He could clearly see through her. He was able to understand her hesitations. He didn't intend to pressurize her to stay with him in the same bedroom, but for his own peace of mind, he wanted to be with her all the time which was possible only if she was close to him. He had intended to give her the room downstairs, but when he had found her weeping in fear and dismay having a nightmare, he changed his mind. Earlier, she had dealt with all her demons on her own, suffering alone, but now he didn't want to let her suffer when he was a part of her life.

"You were drenched and unconscious when I brought you home yesterday. So, I took you to the room downstairs to change and rest.... not wanting to get you sick."

"Oh!" That's all she could say after hearing him.

"Anna?"

She was looking everywhere avoiding eye contact with him.

"Is there any problem?"

"I.....I don't want to sleep...I mean I am not sleepy. Can I watch a movie?"

After what she blurted out in anxiety, she turned around, closed her eyes and groaned in her head on her stupidity. Watching a movie in that late hour was the last thing in her mind. Regan too was puzzled on her bizarre wish to watch a movie as he could see her fatigue. After a moment, as if he realized something, a wide smile crept on his face on the reason of her weirdness. He chuckled and went in front of her. The smile was still on his face and he didn't know what to do to erase it. Whatever the circumstances were, the fact was that she was his. His wife. The joy and content that he felt during the whole event when he announced the world that she was his woman was unexplainable.

"Let's watch it then." He grabbed her hand again and moved upstairs which left Anna mortified. "We have all the arrangements in our room. You can peacefully lay on the bed and enjoy your movie. I would join you too."

"....."

When Regan opened the door, he remembered the last time when he brought her there. While Anna's face flamed with heat on the memory, desire and yearning crept into him knowing that she was so close. Heat crept up his neck and into his face. He promptly walked up to the bedside table and took out his collection of movies for her to select.

Anna was still looking around when she heard him.

"Here."

"Huh?"

"Movies?"

"Anything.....anything would be fine....." Touching a hand to her mouth, she stifled a yawn which he immediately noticed.

He shook his head and retracted his hand back that had the movies.

"Its time to sleep now. You can watch them later." He stated in a firm tone leaving no room to argue.

With nothing more to avoid him, she decided to speak her mind. He had went a few steps away from her to put the movies back into the drawer. When Anna saw him, he was removing his jacket.

"Regan... Where am I supposed to sleep?"

He turned around to find her looking at him. He went to her and pointed towards the bed in amusement.

"That's the bed and obviously you must sleep on it."

"I.....I didn't mean that. I was just....."

She was hushed when he gently put his finger on her lips and smiled.

"I know what you want to say. I know in what circumstances we have married and I also know you are still not ready to commit. I understand your reluctance and respect your decision. Don't worry, I am not going to do anything."

He withdrew his finger while she lowered her gaze.

"I am still the same Regan who was your friend. I know things have changed between us but you can trust me, I won't do anything without your wish. But....." He trailed off and she looked into his eyes waiting for him to complete.

"But what?"

"We are husband and wife and I wish to be with my wife.....always. Technically, today is our wedding night as yesterday you were not well."

Anna's eyes widened on hearing him while he stood there staring into her eyes intently.

"So.....I want you to do something for me.

She gulped on his question and asked stuttering, "Wha.....What do you want?"

He smiled and took out a box from his pocket.

"This is for you. Open it."

She hesitantly took it and opened it to find a delicate neckpiece. It had three dainty hearts at the centre in rose gold. It was simple yet elegant exactly like her. She looked at him baffled.

"Thanks. It's beautiful. But what is it for?"

"A wedding gift for my wife. It has to be a ring but I know you are still wearing the ring that Ashton gave you so....."

Her grip over the box tightened on hearing him as she moved her gaze towards her hand that was adorned by Ashton's ring. She once again lowered her head as she knew she had no right to keep any of his memory with her. Yet, in spite of the realization, she couldn't remove it from her finger.

"I am sorry. I.....I will take it out." She muttered.

He put his hand under her chin to meet her gaze.

"Did I tell you to do that?"

She blinked her eyes in bemusement. Her eyes burned with tears wiggling to the very edges of her lashes. A lone tear escaped her eye which he instantly wiped before it could roll down her cheek.

"I understand its importance for you. If it makes you happy, I don't mind you wearing it forever. I know his importance in your life and your love for him. Trust me when I say, I don't intend to replace him, neither in your life nor heart Anna. I just wish to make and have a very small part of your heart to complete me. And I am willing to give you all the time you need for that." He took the box from her hand. "I wanted you to have something that belongs to me and when I saw this, it reminded me of you. So, here it is but you don't need to wear it. Just accept it as my love."

She didn't know what to say. She was angry on him that he agreed to marry her in spite of her denial. She wanted to lash out on him, but his selfless love had compelled her to change her mind. She was upset but not furious anymore. The dilemma of still not knowing how to deal with his affection and accept his warmth was plundering her heart with inscrutable feelings that she was neither able to accept nor reject. She didn't know what she felt at that moment but one thing was clear in her mind that she could never hurt him with her coldness. So, she accepted his gift not realizing that it also meant the acceptance of his love.

She lightly smiled and said, "I'll keep it. Thank you."

His heart exhilarated with happiness on her acceptance. She took the box from his hand and went to the mirror to put it around her neck surprising him with her gesture.

"May I?" He said standing behind her.

She nodded her head and he came closer. His breath tickled her ear and she closed her eyes as he moved her soft brown hair aside. He gently placed the neckpiece around her neck which looked even more beautiful on her, exactly like he thought. He bent down a little and whispered near her ear huskily, causing goosebumps all over her body.

"It's done and it looks beautiful...now."

She opened her eyes and saw him through the mirror smiling at her and she returned the gesture with her own precious smile.

"Thank you."

"Its really late and you haven't rest well since a couple of days. Your clothes and every other thing you need is arranged in the closet. Change and go to sleep. I'll be back in a while." He said and kissed her hair from the back intending to leave to give her some space but stopped in his track on listening her.

"Why did you marry me Regan?"