Leiara•
Colson's eyes don't leave me. They remain staring, not even blinking. His gaze can't help but stir an unsettling flare within me.
Because why is he staring so much! With such wide eyes like it's the first time he's seeing me.
It's… strange to me.
Since his eyes refuse to look away, it causes Willa to turn and follow the direction of them. Her eyes land on me and instantly, her face wrinkles up in a mixture of shock and anger.
I can see the burning rage on her face, as well as the shock. She glares intently at me.
Phew!
A sigh of relief escapes me, because that's the kind of look I'm familiar with.
Wait, what? Did I just find relief in scorn and contempt?
"…."
"Will you remain there forever and make him late, or will you start coming down?" Willa shoots at me sternly.
Well, I can't afford to make us late. I'm just a bit taken aback with how much Colson is staring.
I wonder if he finds this dress repulsive on me.
With gentle descents, I start heading down. I'm being careful not to worsen my wound but for some reason, Willa stares at me with irritation.
"Always doing too much," I hear her whisper.
I don't say anything and walk up to them.
"Shall we?" I say to Colson whose consciousness seems to be somewhere else.
His eyes remain fixated on me though.
"Let's go." He turns and starts walking to the car.
"You better not go over your boundaries!" Willa mouths to me as I walk pass her.
What boundaries is she talking about? What boundary could possibly be between a husband and a wife?
Shouldn't I be the one telling her to mind her boundaries?
I walk out without sparing her a response or a glance back. I see Colson in the distance beside the car, waiting for me.
I try to hurry up my pace but I can't do much with the pain.
But, unlike the norms where Colson gets irritated with how slow I walk or do things, he simply stays waiting for me beside the car.
His expression is unreadable but his gaze is fixated on me. No irritated look, no annoyance simmering, nothing.
And he isn't urging me to move quickly either.
Odd, my subconscious mind says.
Right! It's odd.
But my face turns blank the next second when I think of a possible reason why he wouldn't be annoyed by my pace.
H-he… he wants us to be late for the function?
I reach him, and walk past him to get into the car. But before my hand reaches the door handle, Colson pulls it open for me.
My muscles lock up, and my feet root into the ground instantly. I'm taken aback, shocked beyond mere words can express.
He opened the car door for me? Colson did?!!
I still don't believe my eyes so I turn swiftly to see whether Willa catches this. When I see the utter shock in her eyes and face, only then does belief settle within me.
He really did open the car door for me.
The first time in seven months. And the kindest gesture from him toward me.
When I remain standing out of shock instead of boarding the car, Colson seems to regain his senses.
I don't know how to put it, but he seems to suddenly break out of whatever keeps him bound. He stares baffled at me, like he himself can't believe what he just did.
But he doesn't shut the door. Instead, he walks around and gets into his seat.
When I hear the engine rev, I quickly get in as well because I don't want to be left behind.
Without a word, he drives out.
The ride is steep in utter silence. Not even our own breaths make our ears. But oftentimes than usual, I catch Colson's gaze flickering to me.
He keeps stealing glances at intervals that I fear for my safety. For goodness sake, we are on the main road and this man won't keep his gaze forward but on me!
I might meet death sooner than I think.
Colson never takes more than one glance at me at most. And the glances don't stretch long. I'm like an eyesore to him.
So, having him stare this long at me and keep stealing glances severely worries me. I can't help but be skeptical that something is wrong.
After minutes of driving, we finally arrive at the Hayes mansion. Aside from the brighter ambience in the environment that is different from usual, the outside is totally calm, almost like nothing is going on.
But it is so because the Hayes have a separate hall for parties like these. Almost like a ball room that is vast and spacious. It's where most celebrations take place.
Colson parks among the plenty other cars parked. I don't hurry to open the car door and step out because I don't want to risk hurting my foot any further.
I take deep breaths. It's not my first time attending such, but it's my first time attending as a wife and a daughter in-law with so many responsibilities.
So, I'm actually nervous.
As I breathe in and out, eyes closed, I hear the car door click open. My eyes fly open almost instantly and shoot toward my side.
And there, Colson stands. His hand keeps the door open, and his brown eyes are zeroed on me.
"Come out."
His voice is harsh, and steady. I've gotten so used to this tone that I'm actually relieved to hear it. Because it means he's back to his normal self.
I think I would've been flattered that he opened the car door for me again, but I know this is all just an act.
After all, in such a place, we don't know how many eyes and cameras are lurking. If we aren't careful, the next thing we'd see on the news is about our disastrous married life.
I obey without a word, and step out. He's even kind enough to reach out his hand to me. I take it without any second thoughts.
He slams the door and we start heading round the mansion toward the hall. My hand is intertwined with his.
And as we walk, we really seem like a happy couple. I'm actually glad he isn't being repulsed by my touch or by how close we are.
We get to the backyard where the entrance lies, and that's when we start seeing people move here and there, and their faint chatters.
At the door, my grandmother in-law stands, welcoming guests. The moment our eyes meet hers, she turns cold and threatening.
Out of reflex, I tighten my arm around Colson's. His gaze momentarily flicks toward me but he quickly looks away.
We quietly walk toward the entrance among other guests that are still coming.
Without even checking the time, I know we are late. Judging from how many people already came and how my grandmother in-law is the one welcoming them, I need not check any time.
When we reach her, I bow politely with a tense smile. The situation is so awkward I don't know how to react.
She doesn't say anything so Colson and I take place at the other side of the entrance to welcome the guests with her.
The disappointment on her face is so bright, it makes me want to squeeze my eyes shut and look away.
But due to guests coming and we welcoming them with a warm smile, Helen doesn't have the leisure to scold us.
Some of the women flash me an approving smile for my dress as they come in, some compliment me. And somehow, it boosts my confidence.
The doubt I felt earlier about this dress is totally swallowed up by their nice gestures and compliments.
But while my smile grows bigger, Helen remains glaring daggers at me. And Colson, for some reason, couldn't take his eyes off of me for long.
I don't mind though, because I'm so happy. It's the first time I'm getting such compliments, and that too, so many from women.
After some moment, Colson walks into the hall and leaves me with his grandmother. A wicked move, I'd say.
Because now I have to stew in her glares and possibly get scolded alone later.
I try to maintain my gaze solely on the guests arriving, trying not to make any eye contact with her at all.
But it doesn't take long before she moves over to my side. My heart drops when I feel her beside me. I break out in cold sweat but still maintain the smile.
However, that smile is wiped clear when the next thing I feel is a sharp pain on the side of my stomach.
Helen has drawn so close to me and her fingers are pinching the side of my stomach.
I wince quietly, feeling her nails dig into my skin.
"When I asked you to fulfill your duties well as both a wife and a daughter in-law, and to be mindful of your dress and appearance, especially for such occasions, I never told you to dress like a whore," she whispers into my ear.
My stomach churns tightly with how quick my dignity is discarded. But nothing prepares me for her next comment.
"What is a married woman looking for dressed up like this? Instead of business connections, is it the husbands of our investors here you wish to seduce?"