Sabrina sat up.
Maybe, if she licked some chocolate she could be able to fall asleep, as chocolates has always been the remedy for her to feel sleepy.
She placed her feet on the cold marble floor and as quietly as she could, she opened the door and snuck out.
With her sense and memory, she tried to trace her way to the kitchen, walking so quietly and slowly so she wouldn't wake anyone, as it was already past midnight.
She turned on the parlour light and made her way to the kitchen.
She opened the refrigerator and searched for chocolates, but couldn't find any.
She sighed in defeat. Possibilty that they do not store chocolates like she does.
"Hey." The moment she turned, she saw the shadow of someone, and her heart nearly jumped out of her chest due to fear.
Then she realised it was Emily, wearing a short, black nightgown, her auburn hair tied in a rough bun.
She was smiling at her.
"Hey." Sabrina smiled back, although she was uncomfortable seeing her. It made her feel like a husband snatcher—for Christ's sake, the woman standing before her was Lexis' fiancée!
Or so she thought.
"Sabrina, Lexis' wife right?." Emily asked, her smile dissipating.
Sabrina didn't feel at ease at all. "Are you really Lexis' fiancée?." She questioned instead.
Emily shrugged, her face switching to that of helplessness, "It doesn't matter if I am now. How about—." She pulled her phone out from her pocket, "You give me your number. We can pick a date and relax and talk and sort things out."
Sabrina stared at the phone, hesitating for a few seconds before reluctantly stretching out her hand to take it.
She dialed her number with trembling hands and gave it back to Emily.
"Thank you." Emily grinned. Sabrina found her smile quite unreal and forced.
She made to leave when she paused and faced Sabrina, "What were you looking for before I interrupted?."
"Chocolates." Came Sabrina's short reply.
"Me too,"Emily slapped her forehead, "what a coincidence. I forgot the moment I saw you. There's a lot I need to talk to you about. That's why I feel it's important to have your number and maybe hang out someday to talk."
"Oh, okay." Sabrina watched as she opened a drawer and brought out two bars of chocolate.
She handed one to her, "Here."
"Thank you."
Emily waved it off, "No need for that. Goodnight."
Watching her retracting figure, Sabrina suddenly lost the appetite to eat.
It was no doubt that she had married someone's fiancé.
Trying to pry her mind from whatever Emily wanted to tell her, she took slow steps to the stairs.
Meanwhile, Emily had stood by the entrance door with a hidden smile.
Yes, that was her first plan.
To make Sabrina feel guilty—so guilty she'd decide to divorce Lexis.
That, might be the first and final step.
.
.
.
.
Lexis didn't wake up to see Sabrina sleeping beside him, or staring into space. The bed was empty.
The room seemed silent too. Only a bar of chocolate—which seemed untouched, placed on the Nightstand.
He pulled the duvet off his body and stretched. He was so damn tired yesterday.
He stepped out of the room the moment he was done freshening up and went in search of Sabrina when he bumped into Emily. She was holding a cup of tea.
She smiled, "How was your night?."
He gave a curt reply, "Fine."
She didn't feel discouraged by his nonchalant attitude, "Here, I made it for you. I was about to give you in your room."
Lexis barely glanced at it, "That's my wife's duty, not yours."
"But she's not available," Emily stopped him the moment he made to move, "she's busy. And it's not wrong of me to serve you, right?." She added with an innocent smile, causing Lexis to pinch his brows together. Did she really think he didn't know it was her that told his mom about his marriage?.
He held her forearm, "Look here, Emily. I want you to understand something. I only consider you as a sister. Nothing more than that. Don't over cross your boundaries like you did the last time, or you won't like the consequences."
"How? What do you mean? What are you saying?." She feigned innocence, pretending to be confused.
However, Lexis simply walked past her without saying another word.
Emily rolled her eyes before she caught a glimpse of Sabrina leaving, downstairs.
She grinned. She must have seen the drama between them and misunderstood.
Good, her plan was going well.
.
.
.
Sabrina withdrew her gaze from up.
Lexis was holding Emily's arm, so close to eachother, discussing so seriously.
What could they possibly be talking about? Or was Lexis explaining to Emily about how and why he got married to her?
Or worst still, tell Emily that he was forced to marry her due to condition?
Her mood dropped at the thought. She didn't wish to see or talk to Lexis.
All she needed was to receive fresh air in the garden. That could loosen her mind.
"Aye." A man with silver hair and beard grinned at her just as she passed the kitchen.
It was Francis. The Woodsman's Butler.
"Good morning, sir." She bowed slightly, reciprocating smile.
Francis waved his hand, "Francis. Just call me Francis."
"Okay."
"How was your night?."
"It was cool." She lied. Last night was hell. Unable to sleep. Only tossing from place to place around on the bed, the thought she might—was married to someone's soon-to-be husband haunting her.
"That's good." He smiled wider, "Lexis was so close to Emily I thought they'd end up together. I never knew it would be you. There closeness was enviable."
Mood sucker. Mood spoiler.
Sabrina seized her breathe. She only gave him a tight smile before hurrying away, not wanting to hear anymore of Lexis and Emily's sweet, enviable childhood.
She sighed.
Heading to the beautiful, small garden, she sighted a bench and went ahead to sit.
She sat and watched as the breeze made the flowers to move in waves, breathing in the heavenly and fresh scent of them.