My Trash Crush Wants Me Back

GIANNA

~•~

After two years of marriage, I was used to waiting for my husband.

I just didn't know I would be waiting for him tonight as well. It was my birthday and I expected him to be home so we could celebrate together, but he wasn't.

My birthday was celebrated last night because today was a work day, but towards the end of the night, Brandon had gotten a call, which made him rush out of the party before it even ended. I didn't say anything about it because it could have been an emergency, but when I asked him about it this morning, he said it was nothing and left for work.

He hadn't been back since then.

I wasn't worried about him because coming home late was usual for him, but it was almost midnight and my birthday would soon be over.

I bit down on my bottom lip as I stared at the little cake I'd baked by myself earlier in the day. It was my birthday yet I was the one making the cake.

"Should I put the cake in the fridge?" Allison, our housekeeper, asked me. "It's humid and if it stays out for long, it's bound to get spoiled."

She was right. I'd made it in the morning and left it out for whenever he came back, but... "Let's wait a few minutes."

"Okay, ma'am."

I looked away from her so I wouldn't see the pity in her face. She lived with us so she knew everything in our marriage. The first time I saw Brandon was when I was in college and he attended an event for alumni. I had a crush on him since then, which was why when his father proposed an arranged marriage between us, I jumped at the opportunity.

I thought it would be the best thing ever to be married to the love of my life, but it seemed as though I was wrong. Brandon didn't love me back. He respected me and cared for me, but his heart wasn't mine. I had long ago given up on trying to win his heart. I just wanted to have a happy marriage and how could I have one when he was neglecting important days like the day I was born?

I liked watching the news but I didn't dare turn on the television because it would be filled with news about the party yesterday. They would all be gushing about how extravagant it was and the presents Brandon bought for me. Yes, they were expensive and rare, but they had nothing to do with my interests and it saddened me.

We had been living together for two years yet Brandon still didn't know the things I liked.

I watched the clock above the television and as it struck midnight, a single tear rolled down my cheek.

I dabbed it away quickly. I had no reason to cry. Maybe he was stuck at work and couldn't come. It happened at times. Besides, he had already celebrated with me last night.

Releasing a sigh, I looked outside the window one last time to see if his car would drive in. It didn't.

"Put it in the fridge," I instructed Allison before I climbed up the stairs and went into our room.

It took a while but I eventually drifted off to sleep.

I was awoken the next morning by shuffling. I opened my eyes slowly to see that Brandon had arrived and was in the middle of taking off his shirt.

"Good morning," I mumbled, hiding the fact that I was still bitter about yesterday.

"Morning." He walked toward me to place a kiss on my forehead. "Sorry for not coming back yesterday. How was your birthday?"

At least, he remembered, I told myself. "It was alright." I lied through my teeth. "I spent the day with Emily and Tyler."