HE'S HOME

THE SUN HASN'T risen up yet but Zoe was already wide awake. She is an early bird since she was young.

She had a good night sleep so she also woke up with enthusiasm.

Zoe is currently sitting at the edge of the lake. She had just finished jogging and done two lapses around it. Her feet dangling on the cold water as she wait for sunrise.

The place was a perfect spot to watch it.

The bright orange sun started to beam along the horizon, spreading its ray to the wide green field. It tainted the calm water with its shining light, sparkling like the precious diamonds. The trees and plants were filled with golden illumination and their leaves danced as the wind brushed over them.

As the warm sunlight hit her face, Zoe closed her eyes and enjoyed the moment. The countryside was so peaceful that she could hear the birds singing as the world starts to wake up.

Sunrise is her favorite part of the day. She would always got up early to witness its beauty that calms her soul. It reminds her to start a new day and make every seconds of her life worthwhile.

After staying in that beautiful scene for some minutes, she stood up and walk back to the house. When she passed by the garden, she picked some fresh red tulips.

Zoe is planning to put it on their room.

As she reached the front yard, she saw a motorbike that was parked on the garage. She didn't saw it earlier when she went out for jogging.

'Does it belong to Hans?'

If yes, he might be already home.

Zoe grinned, she walked fast inside the house excitedly. But she froze right after entering the main door when she realized something.

She was all sweaty from jogging!

It would be embarrassing for her if Hans will see her in such a mess.

What if she stinks? Her plan of seducing her husband will fail!

She anxiously walked slowly like she was sneaking inside the house.

Hans wasn't in the living room. She also peaked at the dining area, but there is no one in there.

Zoe sighed in relief. She will be able to go upstairs without Hans seeing her.

"What are you doing?"

"Holy crap!"

Zoe jumped back out of shock causing her heart to beat rapidly. She turned her head to where the voice came from and there she saw him.

Hans leaning against the door's frame, looking at her with his blank gray eyes. His hair was damp, showing that he had just finished a bath. He was wearing a simple white t-shirt and a brown cargo shorts, yet he still looked gorgeously handsome.

Zoe didn't notice that she stopped in front of the room that Hans occupies. She also didn't heard any sound when the door was opened or sensed any movement coming from it.

With an awkward smile, she answered Hans, "I was looking for something."

Hans didn't speak but swept his gaze up and down her.

It made her stiffened even more. This is what she wanted to avoid from happening!

Wearing a gray sports bra and spandex shorts with her messy ponytail hair, Zoe felt shameful in front of Hans' gaze. Her face blushed in deep pink.

"I'll go get changed first!" Then she abruptly ran upstairs, avoiding to look back at Hans.

Right after she had hidden herself from Hans in their room, Zoe let out another sigh of relief.

What will Hans think about her now?

Fern said that she should always look fresh whenever she face Hans. And she messed with that plan on her first day!

Zoe groaned in frustration and headed to the bathroom for shower. She didn't took much time inside because of the excitement to be with Hans. She just made sure that she smelled nice before coming out and changing into new refreshing green knee-length dress.

Looking at her reflection in the mirror, she smiled to motivate herself.

"You can do it, Zoe." She cheered herself.

A knock on the door brought her back to senses.

"Zoe, breakfast is ready," Aunt Dhalia's voice from the other side of the door reached her ears.

"Just a second, Aunt Dhalia!"

After checking herself in the mirror one laat time and making sure that she looks fine, she walked towards the door and opened it.

Aunt Dhalia was waiting for her and with a smile, she took Zoe's hand and whispered, "Hans is waiting downstairs."

"I'm nervous, Aunt Dhalia," Zoe whispered back.

"Shh. You look beautiful and Hans is your husband, no need to be nervous, dear"

Zoe smiled and nodded. She followed Aunt Dhalia as they went downstairs.

Hans was casually sitting on the living room's single sofa while reading a newspaper. His brows furrowed that added to his dark expression.

Seeing Hans is in a bad mood, Zoe silently became uneasy. She clenched her sweaty palms and took a deep breath.

"Hans, Zoe is here. Take your breakfast now," Aunt Dhalia called.

Hans nodded, folded the newspaper and stood up. He walked towards the dining room without glancing at Zoe.

Feeling a direct stab in her heart with his actions, Zoe smiled bitterly and followed behind Hans. She quietly sat opposite to him.

"Aunt Dhalia, eat with us," Zoe called Aunt Dhalia when the helper was about to leave the dining room.

"Me and your Uncle Herman will take our breakfast in the kitchen. The two of you enjoy your meal."

With that Aunt Dhalia left after winking at Zoe. She's telling her to make use of the moment to have Hans by herself.

Zoe put on her sweetest smile and prepared herself to start a conversation.

It was the first meal of the two of them alone together. She's more than excited.

"Good morning, Hans." There's a hint of excitement in Zoe's voice.

"Morning." Hans greeted back without looking at her.

Cold as usual. But Zoe didn't let it stop her.

She smiled even wider, showing her perfect set of white teeth.

"Here," Zoe put a pancake on Hans' plate, "Aunt Dhalia makes the best pancakes."

Hans didn't speak nor refuse and just started to eat quietly which satisfied Zoe.

It greatly affected Zoe's mood, so she started to eat as well. She took a bite of the pancake and savored it.

She stopped herself from letting out a sound of pleasure because of the food's taste.

It was more delicious than what Aunt Dhalia made yesterday. Zoe's taste buds love it more. She ate happily and finished it quickly.

Zoe took a slice of bread, put a slice of ham, a fried egg and added some lettuce before putting another slice of bread on top of it.

"Hans, try this."

She handed the sandwich to Hans and the latter took it without saying anything.

Zoe was so happy. Even though she was the only one speaking at the moment, atleast Hans doesn't reject her.

She continued to eat more. She could finish all the food on the table because of the indescribable feeling she's having right now.

Hans took out something from his pocket and put it on the table. It was Zoe's phone sealed inside a zip lock.

"Is this yours?" Hans asked coldly.

Zoe smiled and nodded, "Yes! Thank you!"

Hans pushed the phone towards her and she gladly accepted it.

"Thank you so much!" She thanked Hans once again.

The smile on Zoe's face couldn't seem to falter. She was genuinely happy.

They continued to eat and Zoe keep putting food on Hans' plate which he also accepts without complaining.

After breakfast, Hans went back to his room while Zoe helped Aunt Dhalia in cleaning the table and washing the dishes. Aunt Dhalia refused so many times but Zoe was such a stubborn woman.

"Aunt Dhalia, I want to learn how to cook for Hans," Zoe said as they wash the dishes.

"I will teach you how to make his favorite foods," Aunt Dhalia smiled at her.

"But I suck at cooking."

One thing Zoe cannot master is her cooking skills. She's completely a loser at it, no matter how hard she try.

"You will learn in no time, dear."

With Aunt Dhalia helping her and always making her at ease, Zoe was so grateful. It made her feel that everything will be fine.

As they finished, Zoe went back upstairs. She wondered if Hans will sleep in their room tonight.

Zoe put the red tulips that she picked earlier in a vase and put it on the bedside table. She arranged the bed and checked if the sheets were spotless clean. She went inside the walk-in closet and made sure that there is enough space for Hans' belongings since she already put the things they had bought yesterday.

Her eyes landed on Hans' coat that she hanged earlier. She reached for it and a smile appeared on her lips.

She originally planned to return it to him but she decided to keep it for her.

For sure, Hans wouldn't mind at all. He might as well discard it since it was tainted by her smell and Hans doesn't want her so it is better to just keep the coat.

She returned the coat back to its place and she walked towards the bathroom that was connected to the walk-in closet to check it.

After making sure every corner is clean, Zoe was satisfied.

Everything should be perfect before Hans join her in their room. It is where the two of them will share the cold and silent nights. It is the room where they will open their eyes and see each other's faces first in the morning.

It is their personal space.

Zoe just hoped that Hans will let her enter his heart, even if it takes time. She liked him so much that she won't give up on him no matter how many times she will get hurt.

For the past years, she only adored him from afar, secretly watching him and dreaming about being with him. This arranged marriage gave her an opportunity to show Hans how much she wanted him.

She would not let it go into waste.