16 Insecurities

As the morning sun hits the window reality crawls back into their lives. Daisy stretches her tired body and feels every muscle ache. She looks around the room but Tom is not there and her heart sinks a little at his absence. She tries to recall the events of the previous night but the passion and the desire all seem surreal to her. She looks at the ring on her hand and smiles at it. She sat at the edge of the ruined bed with the bed sheet wrapped delicately around her naked body when the tears started threatening. When you do not have something for too long you are left better off without it because if you have it and lose it, it hurts infinitely more. Daisy, for a few moments, considered Tom and herself to be a family, not contract bound and not for a calculated goal. It may have been her decision to have a child from a sperm donor but before being a donor Tom was her friend and it meant so much to her that she got to spend the rest of her life with him if he would have her.

A knock startled Daisy who wrapped the sheet closer around her. It was Stella who took in her appearance and gasped.

'So I assume the annulment is not happening!' she stated smugly at the state of the room.

'Can I have a few minutes to get decent?' Daisy asked timidly.

'Few minutes? Your husband ordered us to not disturb you till noon but I figured you would need more time to get ready since you are going to have your wedding photo shoot today.' Stella informed.

'Photo shoot. But you took many pictures yesterday.' Daisy pointed out.

'Apparently, your husband requires the services of a professional.'

Daisy and Stella soon set off preparing for the photo shoot. After about an hour there was a knock on the door. This time Daisy was already dressed in a lavender dress with amethyst earrings and a gold knotted chain. Her hair was piled onto her head and fitted with an amethyst tiara. Tom took a peek and was rendered speechless. Stella took in the look of awe on his face and took her leave.

'Stella told you about the photo shoot I garner.'

'We already have photos' Daisy argued.

'We have documentation of our wedding. Today we are going to get memories.'

'I am aching all over. Does it have to be today?'

Tom chuckled. 'You are aching because you used muscles that have not been exercised earlier. Give me a few days and I will make it a regular workout for you.'

Daisy gasped. 'What do you mean by a regular workout? Are you not tired at all?'

'Well dear wife, I haven't exactly been living a celibate life for over a decade, unlike someone I know.' he confessed.

Daisy blushed. It was true that she hadn't experienced intimacy in almost thirteen years but she was glad for that. It was worth it in every way.

'Daisy,' it was her name that alerted her to the change in Tom's tone. 'There is something you need to know about me, about who I am and what I do.'

Daisy turned to look at Tom who came forward and wrapped his arms around her as he led Daisy to the edge of the bed. He forced her to sit and he took his seat on the floor, kneeling to face her.

'Do you remember the first day that we met and I told you that I owned the Bistro? I lied. I didn't own the Bistro at that point in time. I bought it after I left you at your home to cover up for a lie in case you reach out to me. Our bill was paid by my head of security, Alfred, who is currently aiding the Marconi family to trace Ramon and give him a punishment that he remembers. You will like Alfred when you meet him. He is a retired marine and is very intense.'

'Who are the Marconi family?' Daisy asked.

'Mafia. They are Frederick's cousins from his mother's side. Frederick's father too was one of them, remember?'

'Wait, I read about that. But you hired the mafia to get Ramon for revenge for trying to rape me?'

Tom gave a deliberate nod of his head.

'But why?'

'Because I am mercilessly possessive.'

'What about the man who already did rape me?' Daisy cocked her head.

'Jonathan is already in prison. He has been in prison for almost a week for possession and sale of narcotics and also attempted murder. I didn't have to do much other than gather the evidence and give a motivation to the witnesses.' Tom said matter-of-fact-ly.

'You are scaring me.'

'Our marriage has been consummated. You can't run away from me without officiating a divorce which I can promise that I will never give easily.' he said nervously.

'I am not going to run from you. You are scaring me not because of what I think you are capable of but because of what I am making you do. Ramon and Jonathan were my problems, not yours. You are still the closest thing I have to a best friend and right now the only thing I have called a family.'

Tom felt relieved at her words. 'So you don't have any problem with my shady connections and my compulsive behaviour?'

'So far, no. What do you actually do for a living?' Daisy asked.

Tom scrunched his nose and smiled through pressed lips. 'I own a few businesses here and there, mostly in the hospitality sector. Hotels, bars, discotheques, resorts, casinos etc. But I also own substantial shares in other businesses like Real estate and retail.' he said.

'How rich are you?' Daisy asked disbelievingly.

'I own Melinda International and the hotel where we are right now.' he said wincing as her jaws fell.

'You are the Chairman? That's your in? That is how you know all you know? That's how you promised me the job!' Daisy finally understood.

Tom nodded. 'I am the Chairman. I avoid the public because my anonymity lets me go out in public. I should have told you earlier but I didn't want you to marry me for my money.' he explained.

'Tom, you will always be Tom for me, no matter what.' Daisy promised.

'There is something else you must know Daisy.'

'What?'

'I am OCD about cleanliness, privacy and there is a recent addition to it. I am Obsessively Compulsive about you. Even when I thought you left me for someone else I had this urge to track you, place you under surveillance, so that you are safe. That is why I blocked you, to stop me from ruining your life with my obsession. I know that I have a tendency to overdo things. Can you try and live with that?' Tom was playing with an imaginary lint on his trouser as he made the confession. As he looked up there were tears in Daisy's eyes. 'Talk to me Daisy, is it too much? I can change if you need me to. I promise. I will be more regular with my therapy. There are even medicine available for my neurosis. I can get on them. I have discussed this with Julia. I promise to remove all areas for your complaint.'

Daisy shook her head vehemently, trying hard to form words between her sobs. 'I have never been cared for so much before. Thank you for coming into my life. I don't mind you overdoing anything. The only thing that you do is make me feel safe, wanted and cherished. Thank you so much. You don't need to take any medication or go for any therapy. I have never had anyone obsess over me before. I don't mind it at all. As a matter of fact, a woman from my past background, would cherish the attention.'

No sooner had the words left her lips, his lips came crashing down on her. When they parted they were both panting but the darkening of Tom's eyes told her that they were far from over. Suddenly Tom flipped out a phone and dialed a number.

'Bert, tell your photographer to meet us in New York in three days. Cancel today's photo shoot and arrange for some more dresses, of the variety I won't be tempted to rip off my wife's body. And tell Fred to delay all business proceedings by a week. I am on a honeymoon. Thanks.' he said, all the while maintaining eye contact with Daisy. He cut the line and threw the phone across the room as it landed on the couch on the opposite corner.

'Now my dear wife, where were we? Oh... Kissing.' So saying he lowered his lips on hers again.