RED PARTITION

Laleen spent the rest of the car ride silently looking outside. The night breeze was cold but brought a warm solace to her uncertain heart.

Right there in silence, she pondered deeply about what she'd done and what the consequences of her actions might be.

She even tried to decipher the actions of the man beside her. Looking in his direction, she sighed internally.

The breeze ruffled his dark hair from time to time as he paid all his attention to the road maneuvering the steering wheel to their destination.

Try as she may, he remained a puzzle to her. And even then, she felt a strong attraction to this man. Like a moth towards a flame; knowing she might get burned anyway.

Was that why signing the marriage contract came easily to her? 

A sigh escaped her lips as her eyes got thoughtful. So she was married now. Just like that.

Marriage was the one thing she'd always believed she would never get to experience. In fact, she had boldly declared it on that day...

Because I'd never get married to someone who loves me because of this stupid spell! 

But here she was... now married, so unceremoniously. Like it was some simple, natural thing to do.

So much so that the realization only came to her now.

She continued to stare at him, her thoughts steering towards a direction that got her heart racing.

She had signed the contract without hesitation. Was it because this man was the only exception to her powers? 

Didn't that mean...

Her eyes widened in realization, still fixed on his stunning profile.

If someday, she and him...fall in love—whatever that is—would that be her finally getting the happy ending she'd always wished for?

It would be, wouldn't it? That love she had always heard about. 

Suddenly, her face burst into a warm smile. To think she was only realizing this now.

Her whole life, this man was the only exception. The only one who wasn't bewitched by her curse. The one who could cure her heart.

But was he willing? The question threw her off guard for just a moment before Shane interrupted her thoughts.

With a click of his tongue, he finally snapped, "Would you stop staring?"

He had noticed her staring at him since they got into the car and he had reached his limit. How was he supposed to live in the same house as this bundle of annoyance?! Good thing he took precautions.

Laleen immediately schooled her expression as she turned back to face the road.

Like a child after receiving a scolding, she murmured apologetically, "Yes sir"

Of course, what was she thinking? She was no more than a pest in this man's eyes. 

But that could change could it not? She'd make him change.

A smile crept up her face once more as she stole glances at him.

For someone like her who could probably make all the guys in the world fall at her feet with almost no effort, Shane struck her as a challenge. And her new position as his wife gave her the drive she needed to pursue in a bid to conquer this challenge.

Humming to herself, she stared straight ahead as the car sped further into the dark night. She had just found her new goal. And she'd do anything to get her happy ending.

***

Barely thirty minutes later, the car drove into a dark secluded mansion. Laleen looked to her right and caught sight of a winged creature-shaped fountain, the trees hung ominously in the air forming a dark canopy around the house as it ruffled slightly with the wind.

She caught a glimpse of a large swimming pool from the corner of her eyes as the car swerved into the driveway and her eyes brightened.

Coming to a stop, Shane got out of the car immediately, his black coat sweeping through the night breeze as he walked into the house, completely ignoring dear Laleen to walk on her own.

With a huff, Laleen opened the car door and got down as well. Looking towards his disappearing figure, she sneered.

"It's been barely an hour but he already looks ready to throw me out" she murmured as her eyes flashed with vengeance.

"Just wait and see. I'll..." She made a fist in his direction right as he disappeared from her sight with tightly pursed lips.

She was about to murmur some more words of what she intended to do to this difficult man she was now married to when a voice jolted her.

"Excuse me, ma'am. You must be the new lady" 

Turning to her left with startled eyes was a middle-aged woman with her head bowed.

Raising her head, she smiled kindly, "Welcome,"

Laleen immediately brought her raised fist down to her sides and bowed, "Thank you." The middle-aged woman stared at the young woman before her her smile turning more amused by the second.

Didn't the Young Sir say that making preparations for an additional member of the household wouldn't be necessary?

No wonder he looked so pissed. Suddenly her expression grew worried much to Laleen's notice. Poor girl, she thought with a sigh.

"No need to thank me, Young Miss. Allow me to help you out of your coat" She offered as she raised her hands.

Laleen nodded with an "oh" as she turned her back for the woman to help her with her coat.

"Thank you" she muttered again when the woman was done, trapping the coat in her arm.

The older woman shook her head. Such an innocent girl. "Like I said, no need."

"May I know your name, Young Miss?" She requested with kind eyes.

"It's La...Stephanie. It's Stephanie" Laleen's heart thundered inside of her. This wasn't the first time she'd almost made the mistake of giving her old name.

"Welcome Stephanie," the woman greeted again, "Trouble awaits you inside my dear."

Her words were serious and alarming as she stared at Laleen with pitiful eyes. To go through this at such an important time in one's life, she mused within her.

Laleen frowned in confusion as she stared blankly at the woman, not understanding. Before she could question the woman on what she meant, she bowed and disappeared from her sight.

Laleen stood there dumbly for a minute and was only jolted back to reality by the sound of thunder flashing in the sky.

Taking decisive steps towards the towering, grey-painted building, she steeled her resolve. Remember Laleen. You came here for a purpose. To find your happy ending, did you not? 

Murmuring various words of courage, she walked closer to the giant double doors of the entrance and stood there without getting inside.

Looking downwards, she realized something—The house was divided.

With tightly knotted eyebrows, she poked her head inside as her eyes searched for one person. 

She didn't even allow herself the pleasure of admiring the beauty of whatever she saw inside. Somehow, her intuition told her that the old woman's words and the red tape that seemed to split the inside of the house in two were connected.

After waiting for a minute longer without anybody in sight, she raised her right foot to venture in.

She was probably overthinking, she told herself.

Ignoring the red tape, she made to place her foot on the right side of the partition when she heard the voice of the person she'd been searching for.

"Now don't do that, wife"