His Perfect Wife

Chapter 3: The Competition

Valerie’s POV

I rush upstairs as soon as Austin let off my hand. His hold was tight and I’m sure it will leave a bruise. But that is not what is in my mind right now. I storm into my new room and open the drawer to get my diary. I have to write all these. I did it! Oh god! I still can’t believe it! I finally did it! My heart is still racing. I close my eyes for a moment to get a hold of my breath. I finally have touched his dimple. The best part of his face. I always wanted it! I always wanted to look into his eyes, while he is holding me close to his chest. I always wanted to touch his beautiful, long dimple. How much I wished he were smiling back then.

Once I am done writing, I put it back inside the drawer. My eyes suddenly fall on the medicines. Only three are left in the package. I have to buy the medicines once again. I have to talk to dr. Smith as well. The medicine should have lasted if I didn’t have to take three medications last night. 

Last night he did that to me and the worst was I wasn't even in my senses. I could barely remember what he did yesterday. Everything was clouded because of the drug. It was three in the morning when I gained my consciousness. I was laying on the bed, all alone, covered in blood. It was not only because of my first time. Austin has hurt me really badly. I was bleeding terribly. This is one of the symptoms I suffer because of my disease. My blood doesn’t clot like others, and hence any minor cut always leads me to extensive bleeding until I take my medicine. My disease is not incurable, it's just a rare one and very expensive to treat. I had to take three dosages last night to stop the bleeding. But it’s okay, hubby! I know you would have never hurt me like this if you knew about my situation. I know you would have never forced me. I don’t blame you, Austin. I don’t blame you for anything. If it were on me, I would have shown you long back how much I love you, how much I long for you. If fate were different, you would have never hated me that much, Hubby. I know the warm man behind that cold mask. The only thing I regret about the last night is my wedding gown. I spent hours making every part, but it’s totally ruined. Mrs. White said that she will try to wash off the bloodstain, but I doubt she will be able to. The material I have used catches stain easily.

But I can’t deny that things are better the way it is. I am married to the man I loved, and I want nothing more. It’s just that, for a moment, when he was holding my hand in the dining hall, I thought I saw something in his eyes. It was not hatred. It was something different, something that I fear. I was too carried away with my emotions, but reality hits me soon enough when he talked about money. I am your wife, Mr. Grumpy. Do I need to do all these to get your credit card, you idiot? I kept my thoughts to myself and spoke instantly that yes; it was all about money. The emotion in his hypnotic grey eyes changed instantly into pure anger and hatred. Yes, honey, hate me as much as you can. This is better for both of us. I want you to hate me so much that you will never even ask if I’m still alive. You will never investigate if I go missing with a few million dollars of yours.

The vibration sound of my mobile grabs my attention. It is some random notification. My eyes fall on the time. Oh god! It’s almost nine. My class will start in exactly one hour. I dash into my closet and change in one of my regular floral dresses. I put my bun up in a messy bun and then grab all my books in my bag. I apply nude lipstick and eyeliner. That’s all for me. I grab my bag and rush downstairs. It’s now nine-fifteen. Thank god I still have time for breakfast.

As I reach the dining hall, I notice that Mr. grumpy was already gone. I look around, only to find out Mrs. White putting away his dirty plate. I smile a little, seeing the empty plate. I know what he likes. After all, I am observing him for almost six months now. I am about to sit down for my breakfast. My eyes fall on the lunch box I made for Austin earlier.

“Mrs. White, is he gone?” I ask her, with creases on my eyebrows.

“Yes, Valerie. He left just after finishing his breakfast. Is everything alright?” She asks back, softly. She is in her mid-fifties. I don’t know her for long, but I can see she has a motherly aura.

“Nothing. It’s just he forgot to take his lunch box!” I exclaim casually as I stand up. I still have time. I can just go to his office first and hand it over and then go to the university.

Mrs. White looks at me in amazement. She pauses for a moment before taking, “that’s alright, Valerie. He always eats out.”

I give her a small nod and smile, “I am also leaving for the university, Mrs. White. I will drop his lunch box in his office on my way.” I grab my bag and place his lunch in it.

She looks at me again with a smile, “very well, then. You are a nice girl, Valerie.”

I return the gesture as I bid goodbye to her, rushing out of his mansion. I walk for five minutes to the bus stop. After another five minutes, the bus arrives. It takes almost fifteen minutes to reach his office, the headquarters of Rodriguez Empire, whose turnover is counted in billions. The company is spread across all over the world. They have business and investments in every kind of field, starting from construction, developments, to the fashion and entertainment industry. And my hubby is the sole heir of this huge foundation. I can’t help but feel proud while standing in front of the building. I know there are many securities and without an appointment, I will never be able to see Mr. grumpy CEO on time. I take out my mobile and dial Danny’s number. Soon he picks up.

“Hey, Val!”

“Hey, Danny! Are you busy?” I ask him.

“Not at all. Tell me, what’s up?” he replies.

“Then come in front of the company gate. I’m waiting for you,” I speak with a smile.

“Okay!” Daniel cuts the call and soon enough, I see him coming out of the office.

“Hey, beautiful!” Danny has always been friendly to me for some unknown reasons.

“Hey, handsome! Sorry for bothering you like this.” I reply while taking out the lunch box from my bag, “here.”

Danny looks at the box suspiciously, and then he asks raising an eyebrow, “what’s that?”

“Nothing much! Just lunch for Mr. grumpy,” I giggle as I speak. Yes, he knows that special name of his and he agrees with me.

“Oaky! Look who’s behaving like a little good wife?” He teases me.

“Hold your breath and save it for later. Else I’ll be late for my class,” I slip box in his hand while speaking and then turn around, “catch with you later.”

“Take care!” Danny shouts out from behind.

My university is not that far from here. It’s actually pretty close. Only five minutes of the bus ride and fifteen minutes if you walk. I check for the bus, but it seems no luck. I will be late if I wait for the next one and hence, I choose to walk. Also, it’s really a nice day and I don’t mind walking. I peck a glance at the watch. I better hurry. As I reach the campus, I start to run. I forgot it takes fifteen minutes to reach the campus, not the class. The area is vast. I rush into the classroom only to find out the professor hasn’t come yet. I sigh in relief.

“You are late!” I hear a voice from behind. I turn around instantly, knowing who he is.

“Liam!” He is one of my best buddies.

“Don’t Liam me. How can you be late?” He speaks with his regular sweet tone, trying to show off his fake anger.

“Come on! The professor is also not here.” I try to brush him off.

“Yes, babe. And it’s because we don’t have any class today.” Liam replies.

“What? but why?” I ask in confusion and with that, I get a heavy tap on my head.

“You dumbo! Don’t tell us you already forgot!”

“Auch!” I rub my head softly and turn around to find Cora.

“Cora! Stop hitting me,” I complain.

“Oh god! You girls, please stop this drama, okay?” Liam speaks this time, funnily posturing his well-painted nails. Cora and I giggle at his gesture.

“God! These girls!” He says again, fanning himself with his hand.

“Val, it’s the day of submission,” Cora speaks in between the laughs.

Oh god! How can I forget something like that? Today is the last day of the entry for the Belle Style Award Competition, the biggest fashion competition in our country, hosted by the most famous fashion group Belle’s. This is another from my wish list to win this competition. I know it’s difficult, and I know many professionals will also take part in it. I just want to do my best. I want others to know about my design, and that’s the end. The competition has several parts. The first one is to submit your designs. There will be millions of designers submitting theirs. From that, they will choose only a thousand designs and they will be invited for the second round where the contestants have to design as per the topics in front of the judges, in a limited amount of time. And they will select only ten people from that as finalists. It is a big deal to be one of those top ten designers. Belle’s will host a fashion show and the nominated ones have to prepare a dress and a model for their design.

“Oh god! I totally forgot.” I open my bag as I speak. The wedding thing swept this away from my mind. I open my design book and start going through the designs.

“Babe, you are really talented, you know,” Liam compliments me while looking at my designs.

“That’s the only thing Liam is right about,” Cora teases him. I let out a chuckle. These two are my only friends in this city, apart from Daniel.

“All right! Now, help me… please, ” I snap them both.

“These all are good, babe. Besides, it’s not about what you have created, it’s about how unique your design is.” Liam speaks again.

That’s right! How unique it is! That’s what I call fashion. When you can find only one stock in the market instead of thousands when you stand out in a crowd.

“You are a real genius, babe.” I hug Liam in excitement and then put my book in my bag and rush out of the classroom, “I’ll see you guys later.”

I know what exactly I need to submit. I smile inwardly. My design will definitely stand out in the crowd.