Merging Hearts (Smitten Hearts #1)

Chapter Nineteen

Hazel

Rain Dacosta may be a billionaire, but his manners are raised in the gutters.

If it isn’t because Su-mi explained to me that he’s Old Money—people who have been rich from five to six generations back, I’d have said he still has those trenches traits in him. But, oh surprise, he has never been poor.

I hate him so much. The way he looks at me with those curt glances. The way he speaks to me in that dismissive tone.

If I could go back in time, I would have slapped him with his stupid contract instead of signing it.

He’d better be glad he got up early because I was mere minutes away from stabbing my fork into the crook of his neck. I rarely lose my temper, but all my fake husband has done since he somehow interwoven himself into my life is to get on my perfectly laid back nerves.

We can’t act as a couple in public, we can’t act as a couple in private. What am I here for then?

What social experiment is his Dad trying on him by making me live with him for six months? Is he really an impotent? Or asexual … maybe? Is that why they are forcing a woman on him to see if he will break?

‘ Remember, our marriage is just a contract. As long as you fulfill your duties—which is just living with me for six months—we shouldn’t need unnecessary discussions . ’ Who the hell does he even think he is?

If this is how he plans to treat a wife, it’s no wonder he has to pay for one. Who would willingly tolerate such an insensitive jerk? The high divorce rate in society is suddenly less surprising.

I stab my covered pen on my book with a scowl on my face. It has been four long hours since our breakfast together and I’m still so annoyed.

He made me know what I’m getting into by repeatedly repeating that it’s just business. Still, a part of me hopes that we can make the best of these six months. That we can at least be friends or cordial acquaintances.

Especially after the promise I made to his mother. I can’t even believe I said that. ‘ I’ll try my best to bring some joy into his life ’. Really, Hazel? You’ll try your best to bring some joy into the life of a man who has a limited daily word count? You’re the stupidest person I know.

I’ll be the first person to give up on a task before I even start, because I’m done. Rain Dacosta can stick to being a jerk while I stick to being my pretty self. I’m not going to let him break my positive spirit.

‘ I would never engage in a relationship or sleep with another woman while married to you . ’ My anger melts like ice when I remember his promise.

Does he realize that he’s promising me fidelity?

How much longer until he sees a rich and famous beautiful model or actress and breaks his promise? I’m nothing to him anyway. Why would he sacrifice six months for me when he can have anyone he wants?

My knees draw up to my chest and a constricted emotion grips my heart at the thought. I shouldn’t care if he sleeps with other women or not, but I can’t help it. He’s my husband after all.

He may be cold and mean, but he won’t do that, will he?

It’s the bare minimum after all.

I scribble in my book, a surge of determination filling me. I don’t know about him, but I’m going to make the best of my six months.

He’ll be starting my restaurant construction soon, and I don’t want to have it unless I secure a place under Henri Leclair. Which is why my major objective is to get my email to him.

What are the chances that I’ll get labeled a stalker if I get it emailed directly to his house? Should I ask Rain for help?

No, I can do this myself. What if I didn’t meet him?

In a year’s time, I’ll look at my restaurant and smile. By then, Rain will be long forgotten.

Hopefully.

My phone vibrates and I pick it up to see a call from my sister.

Holy shit.

Last night, Su-mi told me she called thrice and I promised to call her back. I was too hung over to do that.

I breathe in. 1,2, in. 1, 2, out. She can’t kill me from Jamaica, I shouldn’t be so scared.

My finger shakes as I click on the green icon and I suck in a breath at the sound of her snappy voice.

“Yuh fi sell yuh phone fi buy calculator.”

I wince. “Listen, I’m sorry—”

She clicks her tongue and I try to hear her over the music playing in her background. “Oh please don’t tell me you’re sorry when you’ll repeat the same thing again. And why did you reject the video call? Mek mi look pon yuh and see weh you a do wid yuh life.”

“Ysa…”

“I called you four times last night, Hazel. Four times! What the hell were you doing?”

“Sorry, I was busy getting married.” Why the hell did I say that? What if she doesn’t think of it as a joke?

Thankfully she did.

Ysabelle bursts into laughter, but my tension hasn’t abated. “Fine, I’m sorry, okay? I don’t mean to disturb you with calls, but I just miss you and I wish you’re nearer.”

“I miss you too, I really do.”

Her tone softens. “I know you’re busy with work, but call me once a while. Will you?”

I sigh and rub the ring on my finger. It is a relief that she took my earlier confession as a joke. Otherwise, I would have been booking a flight back home by now. “Will do.”

The music in the background gets louder and I frown. Ysabelle barely goes to parties.

“Are you at a party? Why is it so loud there?”

“It’s Natalie and Danielle’s birthday. Have you forgotten?” I can picture her raising her eyebrows with her hand on her hip.

I did forget.

I’ve never forgotten my nieces’ birthdays. Ever. But thanks to a certain grumpy man in suit who suddenly appeared into my life; I’m married, I don’t call my sister, and I don’t remember my nieces’ birthdays.

What else can he make me do at this point?

Rustling from the other end breaks me from my fuming thoughts and I stammer, “Of… of course I didn’t forget.” I throw out an awkward laugh. “I just wanted you to finish scolding me before I wish them a happy birthday. Where are they?”

“You can’t get through to them now. They’re amongst their classmates.”

“Oh!” I let out an exasperated breath, thankful that she didn’t call me out on my lie. God loves me too much. At this rate, I should find a church and sweep it. “You ask them what they want and I’ll send it over. Anything at all.”

“Yeah yeah, spoil them all you want.” She chuckles, but I can’t find it in myself to laugh. Not with my chest constricting and the ring around my finger tightening, reminding me of the big step I took yesterday.

Being the sadist I am, I can’t stop the next question from coming out. “Ysa, how do you envision me getting married someday?” I ask, trying my best to keep my voice casual, though my heart raced beneath the surface.

Her answer comes almost immediately. “Marlon and I have spoken about this before.” The smile in her voice makes me shut my eyes to stop the tears from brimming.

“You have?” I whisper.

“Yes. I’ve always pictured you in a grand ceremony, surrounded by love. Maybe under lots of flowers, with my laughter and tears echoing in the air.” It was just like she described—minus her laughter and tears.

It was a grand ceremony. I was surrounded by love—might not be from my husband, but the others counted. I was under a canopy of flowers. I had an expensive gown, ring and shoes. I had a great time.

Without my sister.

A twinge of guilt hit me. “Interesting,” I drawl, still managing to hide my crumbling composure. “Since Kemar is off the table, what kind of person do you think I’ll marry?”

“Hmm. I think you’ll marry someone who cherishes you, who understands your wants, and complements your sunshine spirit. You deserve someone who will love you and make you his world, Hazel. And that’s exactly who you’re going to get.”

My heart sinks to my stomach and I stop my sniff before it exposes me. I’ve taken a path that is totally different from Ysabelle’s picturesque visions, and the guilt is killing me.

“Why did you ask me that? Snagged a Prince Charming already?”

I scoff and she laughs, unaware of the maddening thoughts I’m having about a man who only looks like a Prince Charming, but acts like freaking Gaston. He may have the physical features, but his arrogance and self-centeredness contrasts it. If only she knows the truth about the ‘Prince Charming’ she thinks I have snagged.

“No, I… I’m just curious, you know.”

“Hmm.”

I suck in a breath and release it some seconds later. “I already have an email for Henri Leclair.”

“You do?” Ysabelle’s voice comes out squeaky and high-pitched. “I’m so proud of you, so proud. You send it to him and call me back soon, that he has accepted.”

I scoff dryly. “This is going to be the third year of sending emails after emails to him and all of a sudden, you think he’s going to answer me back ‘soon’?”

“He will. You’ve tried hard for three years, Hazel. Don’t say ‘all of a sudden’ when it’s been three long years of hard work. If you don’t appreciate your dedication, no one will.”

“Okay.” My voice comes out vulnerable and I dig my teeth into my lower lip. Ysabelle’s right, it has been three years. If he replies to me now, it’s because I’ve been working for it for so long. “Thank you, Ysa.”

“Good. Now say your affirmations.”

I roll my eyes with a small giggle. “I am divine. I am sublime. All I want is already mine.” We both repeat it two more times.

“I love you, but I really have to go.” She draws out the ‘really’ and shouts at someone. “It’s time for the twins to cut the cake. Marlon can’t do anything without me. Eessh!”

She hangs up before my ‘bye’ fully leaves my mouth and I drop my phone on the bed with a sigh.

One day, I’ll have to tell her. Till then, I can pretend to be the golden sister she still thinks of me to be.

I end my practice mail with the closing endearment and shut my book. I’ll send it after getting myself together.

It’s okay. Unlike some other people, I’ve never gotten a reply that he rejected me. He just hasn’t seen it yet. That’s the hope I hold on to.