The days went by, and the one day Kayla had not been looking forward to finally arrived. Today she was marrying a man she had known for exactly one month. A wedding so sudden and rushed — and yet here she was, in the middle of what was supposed to be the most important chapter of her education.
The ceremony took place at a church not far from Kayla's apartment. There was no reception, no grand affair — just a simple dinner with both families at Kayla's apartment, which was spacious enough to host them comfortably.
...
The vows went smoothly, and just like that, Kayla and Arthur were officially husband and wife. After the ceremony, Arthur remained silent. He didn't make conversation, didn't attempt small talk. He only spoke when his parents addressed him directly; otherwise, he said nothing.
By now, Arthur, Kayla, and both families were back at Kayla's apartment. "This is a lovely apartment. Quite roomy, too," Emma remarked.
"I told Kayla to find a big one so she'd be comfortable living here," Demian said.
The gathering continued. Arthur and Kayla sat side by side on the living room sofa in silence while everyone else chatted around them. Eventually, Emma made her way over.
"Arthur, don't just sit there. Talk to your wife," Emma said.
"Okay," Arthur replied.
He turned toward Kayla. "W-what is it?" Kayla stammered, unnerved by the razor-sharp gaze he fixed on her, as if he were about to skin her alive.
"Do you want something to eat?" Arthur asked.
"No, I-I'm full," Kayla answered.
"Full? When did you eat?"
"This morning, before the church," Kayla said vaguely.
"Alright then," Arthur said, then stood and walked to the dining table.
At the table, Emma noticed her son approaching to help himself to the food.
"Where's Kayla?" she asked.
"In the living room. She said she's not hungry — already ate," Arthur answered.
"You should have insisted. Women like it when you push a little," Emma said, then headed to the living room to keep Kayla company.
Meanwhile, Kayla watched Arthur walk away toward the dining table and let out a long breath. It felt like the oxygen around her had finally returned now that the man was gone. But the reprieve was short-lived, because Emma sat down right next to her, filling the spot Arthur had just vacated.
"Kayla, sweetheart, that's just how Arthur is. He's stiff and terrible at small talk, but he's caring in his own way," Emma said, gently stroking Kayla's hand.
Kayla managed a thin smile, not daring to disagree. Caring? He hasn't even asked why I'm terrified of him, she thought.
"Of course, Mom," Kayla said.
At the dining table, Arthur ate with calm precision. Every movement was neat and efficient — a reflection of his discipline as a doctor. Even while eating, his presence dominated the room. He answered Demian's occasional questions with nods or one-word responses.
By ten o'clock, both families decided to stay at a hotel for the night, wanting to give Kayla and Arthur space to get acquainted. No one would be staying over at the apartment.
"Remember, Arthur — don't be rough. Poor Kayla," Emma said.
Kayla's face burned at the words. Arthur, on the other hand, looked completely unbothered — and even responded. "I'll be gentle," he said.
"I can't wait for grandchildren," Anya chimed in.
"Oh, same here," Emma agreed with a laugh.
"Dad, take Mom home," Arthur told Bastian flatly.
"Ha! Right, right. We'll head out now," Bastian said with a chuckle.
"Be good and listen to your husband, okay?" Demian told Kayla.
"I will, Dad. Take care of yourself. Don't forget about me," Kayla said.
"Never. How could I forget my favorite girl? We're heading out now. Arthur — take care of my daughter. If anything happens to her, you'll answer to me," Demian said.
"I will, Dad. I'll never hurt Kayla," Arthur said.
"Good. I'll hold you to that," Demian said, and then he was gone.
The apartment that had been bustling with noise fell dead silent. Only Kayla and Arthur remained, standing in the middle of the living room.
"I-I'm going to go get cleaned up," Kayla said, breaking the silence.
She hurried into the bedroom — which was now their bedroom too. Inside, she spotted Arthur's suitcase already sitting in the corner. It felt strange seeing a stranger's belongings in her most private space. After a shower, she changed into full-length pajamas that covered her from neck to ankle and stepped out — only to find Arthur sitting on the edge of the bed, having just removed his dress shirt.
Kayla froze in the bathroom doorway. Arthur's broad back was on full display — solid, sculpted muscle clearly defined — and she reflexively looked away.
"All done?" Arthur asked without turning around.
"Yeah," Kayla said quietly.
Arthur stood, grabbed a towel, and brushed past Kayla on his way to the bathroom. As he passed, the scent of his woody cologne mixed with something unmistakably masculine hit her, and her heart hammered in her chest.
A few minutes later, Arthur emerged wearing only a pair of loose-fitting pants. He climbed onto the bed and leaned back against the headboard. Kayla was still standing stiffly on the other side.
"Go to sleep. I won't ask for anything tonight. I'm too tired," Arthur said.
Kayla climbed onto the bed with painstaking care, positioning herself at the very edge — so far to one side she was practically hanging off, too afraid to let even a centimeter of her body touch Arthur's.
"Don't sleep that far over. You'll fall off," Arthur's deep voice cut through the darkness, making Kayla flinch.
"I-I'm fine," she answered quickly, but didn't budge.
Seeing that she refused to move, Arthur grew impatient. "Scoot over here. I already told you, I'm not going to ask for anything."
"Really, this is comfortable," Kayla insisted.
Comfortable? She's about to topple off the bed, Arthur thought.
Giving up on words, Arthur moved over to Kayla, wrapped his arm around her from behind, and pulled her toward the center of the mattress in one smooth motion.
Kayla's brain short-circuited. By the time she processed what had happened and tried to pull away, Arthur was already holding her firmly by the waist.
"Stop moving. It's been a long day, so go to sleep," Arthur said, still holding her from behind.
With no way to escape, Kayla surrendered. She closed her eyes and, before she knew it, drifted off in the arms of the husband she had just married that very day.
.
.
.
To be continued...
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