The house seemed so quiet, had they all gone out? I headed downstairs and was greeted by CJ.
"Breakfast is ready ma'am.", she said and I nodded.

Once I got to the dining they all looked at me except Ansel, guess he was still pissed then. I greeted Natalie and had my seat. I wasn't feeling hungry so I just picked at my food.

The air was tense again, but I decided best to keep my mouth shut.
"So Riley.", Natalie started and I looked up. "We were thinking of going out on a picnic.", she said. "Today.", she added and after a pause, continued. "I think that's what we all need.", she said and I nodded before taking a small bite out of my food. "The house seems quiet, don't you think so Ansel?", she asked.

I didn't look up to see his reaction.

"Hmm.", was all he said.

I couldn't take it any longer, plus I wasn't having an appetite. So I stood and excused myself, mumbling something about getting ready before I left.

After a while, Ansel came into the room and dressed up. I didn't say anything to him and I just focused on my laptop. He left and then later came back to tell me that they were ready to go.

I didn't say anything to him as I grabbed my purse, slipped on my shoes and brushed past him. The ride to the park was silent except for the small talk Natalie and I had. I eased up a bit, thanks to Natalie, I even smiled at something she said.

When we arrived, we all came down. Angel and I started offloading, and once we came to carry the last bit of stuff.

"Angel, Riley. You two go ahead and set everything up. I...I want to show Ansel something.", she said. Okay, that's weird, for starters, she doesn't stutter.

I just shrugged and followed Angel. Great! Of all people to be stuck with, it was her.

"I heard Ansel last night.", she started.
"You must be pleased.", I said dryly.
"No.", she said and I had to look at her to see if she was joking, but she looked serious.

"I know you think I hate you and yesterday was unforgivable on my part, but believe me I'm more angry at myself than with you.", she said and I stopped what I was doing.

"I had a best friend.", she started. "And I wanted her to get married to Ansel. You know, what would make me any happier than my best friend marrying my brother? But then, there was this huge argument and everything just went downhill. Then came Cecilia. I didn't want it to end up like all those novels where...."

"The maid falls in love with her master.", I completed for her.
"Yeah. Plus, I didn't want someone as cheap as..."
"Woah! CJ is not cheap.", I said.

"Whatever.", she said and I bit my tongue to stop myself from interrupting her. Of course, I didn't agree with her but it looked like she was making an effort so I let her go on.

"But it's the idea I had about her, so I did my best to make sure it didn't work out. Then I travelled and came back just to hear that you're getting married to him, for the money and I was pissed.", she paused. "To set things straight, I wasn't angry at you.", she said and I scoffed.

"No, I'm serious. I was more angry at the fact that this was all my fault, I kept feeling that if I hadn't forced Shanelle on him, he would have found someone better, at least he wouldn't have ended up in a pathetic marriage.", she said. "No offense though.", she added.

She was being truthful and for the first time and I know it's a long shot but it meant we could actually be friends. If not so, then we could be civil at the very least.

"Angel. I know you also didn't like me 'cause I married Ansel for the money, but I would be lying if I said I don't have feelings towards him. I know the reason I married him still stands and it's not a good one. But I want you to at least know that I do like him, and we might just have a future together.", I said.

"Well I couldn't be any happier.", she paused. "It won't be too soon for a hug right...."
"Oh bring it in.", I said and we both hugged. As if practiced Natalie and Ansel came our way.

"About time. I was starting to get worried wondering if one of you had strangled the other.", Natalie joked and we both laughed. It felt good to have finally cleared the air with Angel.

"Anyways that aside. Come, Angel, we believe someone...", she said nudging Ansel's side. "... Has some explaining to do.", she said.
"You both aren't staying for the picnic?", I asked.

"No, we were never going to from the start. Now come, Mekhi will take us and come back for you both later.", Natalie said and turned to head back to the car.

"Don't forgive him so easily.", Angel whispered before leaving to catch up with Natalie as Ansel sat down.

"So.", he said.
"So?", I egged on. He sighed.

"I'm really sorry. Yesterday I was an idiot.", he said.
"More than an idiot.", I added.
"Yeah, I was more than an idiot. I am really very sorry. I was being irrational and I didn't mean anything I said yesterday, except the part about my sister.", he said.

"Yeah, I got that part pretty clear, she's more important than me.", I said.
"Riley, no one is more important than you.", he said and held my cheek.

I leaned into his touch. I closed my eyes as he stroked my cheek softly.

"You know, Angel said I shouldn't forgive you so easily.", I said.
"Oh really.", his hands dropped to my hands and he held them. "That's funny 'cause she's the same person who forced me to apologi...."

"Forced you.", I cut him short. "So you weren't going to apologize if she didn't force you.", I said and hmphed, folding my hands and turning away from him.
"Darling, I am so sorry.", he said and wrapped his hands around me before nuzzling his chin in my neck. It was a bit ticklish so I smiled.

"I was going to apologize.", he said and pecked my neck before turning me to face him. "Plus, I knew something was up when Mum said she wanted us to go on a picnic. If at all I know she doesn't fancy picnics.", he said.

"I figured something was up when she said she wanted to show you something.", I said and we both laughed at Natalue's antics. "By the way what was it she wanted to show you?", I asked and his hand went to rub the back of his neck.

"It was nothing.", he said. I raised my brows.
"You're lying.", I said.
"No. Now c'mon, let's eat.", he said. I gave him a long look before I dismissed it with a shrug.

"Finally, I'm starving.", I said forgetting about the issue he was lying about.
"Let me feed you.", he said and as I opened my mouth to protest he popped a cherry in my mouth. I smiled and chewed it.

"Ansel."
"Hmm."
"Don't try what you did last time.", I said softly. "I was really sad."

"I am very sorry. I would never not support or listen to you again.", he said and I smiled causing him to smile.
"Now come over and kiss me.", I said and he leaned in to kiss me.

I didn't care that we were in public, all that was on my mind was how much in love I was with him.

Yep. Affirmative. I was in love with Ansel.

We went home after spending the whole day at the park. After eating we were mostly sky-dazing before we played games on his phone, then on mine. I was so happy and couldn't stop smiling.

Yes, I hadn't told him I was in love with him, but I had told myself. May won't hesitate to tell me she told me so.

We arrived home and everything was fine. After some days, I helped Angel get a job, and not long after that, they decided it was time to leave.

It was Wednesday and I had just come back from work, early. Though Ansel never heard from me what Angel had said, I couldn't help but think if he also bore that thought.

So I made sure I always left work early and that my phone was always charged so I would always be able to reach him in any situation.

When I was done with dinner, we both cuddled in the room, sitting in comfortable silence.

"You know Riley we haven't thought of what my mum said.", he said. Natalie had told us to go on a honeymoon. We hadn't gone since our marriage kicked off on a sour note.

"I don't know, Ansel. I have to work.", I said.
"I'm good friends with Martina, she could give us a month.", he said with a goofy smile.

We shared a look before I gave in. "Okay fine.", I said and he started doing a happy dance.

And so, the next day we were on his private plane to Vegas. I was so excited to go to Las Vegas, The City of Lights. He said he knew places there that I would love.

"You do know Vegas is full of so many casinos and I'm not gonna follow you in some revealing dress and heavy make-up to cheer you on as you gamble.", I said when we were in the limo taking us to our hotel.

I had just seen a casino and I wanted to make sure he didn't have it in his mind.

"Are you serious.", he said incredulously. "That was the first place I wanted us to go to.", he said.
"Well sorry, but you're going on your own.", I said and looked out the tinted window to see another casino.

"Well there will be so many other ladies there willing to.....", I didn't let him finish his statement as I swatted his arm.

"What are you implying that if I don't follow you, you'll go there and find another lady.", I gasped.
"Maybe.", he said casually and I gasped before swatting his arm, harder this time.

"You dare not.", I said.
"Why? Would you be jealous?", he asked and I scoffed.

"No, I'm your wife and if at all I'm meant to follow you.", I said.

"But you just said you wouldn't.", he said trying to hide his smile but failed miserably.
"Oh you're so annoying.", I said and folded my arms.

"Oh c'mon. I'm just joking. Plus, I was never the gambling type. And yeah Vegas is full of casinos but there are nice places too.", he said.

When I didn't reply, he held me and nuzzled his chin in my neck, causing me to smile again. But I shoved his head away.

"You know that's ticklish.", I said.
"What, this?", he asked before nuzzling his chin in my neck again and I squealed before wriggling away from him.
"Yes, so don't do it again.", I said smiling.
"Oh, but it's ticklish."

"Yeah I know that.", I said. He gave me a funny look and before I knew what was happening he lounged himself at me and started tickling me. After that, we ended up making out and teasing till we got to the hotel we were going to stay.

We had spent almost a month, we had two days until we were going back. We visited so many places. Though we went to a casino once, Ansel was meeting a friend there. We didn't stay for long and left once he was done with his friend.

Now we were in a restaurant. We had spent the day walking around, taking pictures. He insisted we go around without a limo. The restaurant was close to our hotel.

"Ansel?", someone said and I looked up to see a blonde lady. She was dressed in a very short and tight dress that showed off her long model legs and delicate curves. The dress was also pulled down to show more cleavage.

She removed her shades. "Ansel, it's truly you.", she said and Ansel stood to hug her.

"Shanelle, it's been so long.", he said as he hugged her.

So this was Shanelle, his ex.

Vote, Comment,Share
The Sparkling Authoress
Mis-A
❤️