The Wicked Mrs. Gastrell (English version)

At exactly seven o’clock in the morning, I had already prepared the table. I finished taking a shower and getting ready so now I’m sitting cross-legged on the single-seater sofa while reading a magazine.

I’m waiting for my husband to wake up who is now curled up under the black blanket that I brought for him earlier. He looks like a child in his fetal position which is why I’m tempted to take pictures as memorabilia. I got tired of looking at new home furniture in the magazine so I reached for a morning newspaper. The hug between Cholo and I the other night is on the front page. I checked the name of the local news outlet and shrugged. I know its owner.

“Oh dear, why don’t they even edit the lighting of the picture. My make-up looks uneven here.”

I took the compact mirror and looked at myself to make sure that my eyeshadow and eyeliner were perfectly applied. When I was satisfied, I put the glasses back in the pocket of my ankle-length black dress and went back to reading.

I felt Cholo move on the sofa so I put down the newspaper and waited for my husband to wake up. I didn’t wait too long because he opened his eyes a few minutes later. His gray eyes are filled with confusion not until his gaze caught mine.

“Good morning, hubby.”

I gave him a very sweet smile when he sat down with his head bowed. He looked at me coldly and stood up as if he hadn’t seen me so I chased after him and followed him up the stairs.

“I’m done cooking our breakfast. I’m just waiting for you to wake up so we can eat together. Anyway, what would you like your coffee to be? Pure black? With sugar? With cream or milk? What do you want?”

Cholo stopped in the middle of the stairs and looked at me. I gave him a cozy smile.

“Stop this, Karina. It’s early in the morning and you just ruined my day right away. Do me a favor and get out of my sight now.”

He combed his messy hair and sighed in frustration. I ignored what he said and continued babbling.

“I see that you still have a hangover. Don’t worry, I know a very effective medicine for that. Just wait until I prepare all the things for you.”

I quickly climbed the stairs and made my way to our room. I opened the door for him and pointed to the walk-in closet where the clothes from my luggage were scattered all over the floor.

“By the way. I forgot to let you know that I took the initiative to put my things here. It’s too small for my things so I decided to extend the place or can I have my own room for my clothes and things then? Please, Cholo?”

I didn’t hear any reaction so I turned to him. He was staring at the bed with black bed covers, pillows, and sheets. I changed it earlier while he was sleeping. I’m even planning to replace all the curtains with black curtains, but it might be outdated so I might look for another color. For now, I’ll do it gradually so he won’t be too surprised. I have so many big plans for this house and now that I am the matriarch, no one can stop me from doing all the major revisions I have in mind.

“Why did you change it? And of all the colors, why black? Are you planning to turn this room into a burial site? And who told you to put all your things in my room? Karina, I am already on my edge from you being here. I cannot tolerate this anymore.”

I can feel his outburst so I did not pursue the plan of entering the walk-in closet.

Instead, I walked near to him and faced his red face headstrong. I did not feel any hint of fear. His anger is just a piece of small rock I could easily dodge.

“Hubby, I am your wife so it’s only natural that I took charge of all the matters in our house. Don’t fret too much about the color, okay? It’s just a color. You don’t like black, then let me change it later for you, okay?”

I began removing the necktie from his polo shirt.

“Go now. Take a shower while I prepare for your things, okay?” I said softly and gently pushed him towards the bathroom.

He stopped me using his hands and yanked my hands away from his arms. He managed to give me a cold look before turning around while taking off his top. I still caught the sight of his naked broad back before he closed the shower door.

My practiced smile disappeared and a blank expression took its place. I still heard the sound of the shower before I turned towards the door to the closet to choose clothes for him to wear.

I picked up a black trousers, a navy blue polo, a silver necktie, and a pair of gold cuffs. I also took his shoes and watch from the hundreds of accessories placed in the glass box. I scooped them all up and carefully laid them out on the bed, making sure not to wrinkle any of them.

I went back to the closet when I forgot to take something. I opened the lowest of the drawers and pulled out a boxer and briefs. I put them beside the clothes on the bed. When I was satisfied, I went out the door and went to the bathroom on the second floor for a while to fix myself. I need to check if I have a smudge of lipstick and mascara or maybe my hair is out of its order. After finishing, I quickly went back to the kitchen.

“Nena, go back to the kitchen. Leave it to me,” I ordered the assistant who was setting the table.

“Okay, ma’am.”

She immediately ran towards the back door without even looking at me. I don’t know why they act like that towards me. If it’s because of what happened that day when they refused to let me in then they shouldn’t be thinking bad about me. I am not taking it against them. They just follow orders. I’ve been in their shoes so I have firsthand information about doing the things even if you don’t want to do it yourself. I know the feeling so well that I have become so accustomed to it back then. Fortunately, I’m not stuck in that kind of life anymore. But the scars are still here. I am still paying the price for my freedom from it.

I blinked several times to remind myself that I am no longer the prisoner of the past. I am now in this situation and I should not let it affect me. I have far more important things to put my attention into.

I was making my third cup of coffee when I saw Cholo coming down the stairs. His hair is still wet and the droplets from it are dripping down to his black polo.

My smile disappeared for a moment when I noticed that he was not wearing any of the clothes and accessories I had chosen. I consoled myself. I forgot that he has his own taste in clothes. I just wondered if his briefs are also different from what I’ve got from him. I smiled at the thought.

“Good morning, hubby,” I greeted him warmly and placed a plate in front of him as he sat down. I got no answer. I just ignored it and took the three cups of coffee I made for him.

“I don’t know what kind of coffee you prefer so I just made three of it. This is pure black. This is without sugar and this one right here has cream. Just pick whatever you want or you could tell me right now what kind of taste you like. I’d be happy to know.”Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

He shot me an exasperated look. “You don’t have to do this. I can make coffee for myself.”

He looked at the six dishes that were served on the table that I invested with. blood and sweat to be able to finish before he wakes up.

“This is so unnecessary. Do you know that I don’t eat breakfast here?” He caught my eyes. “Don’t bother making things for me, Karina. That won’t do. At the end of the day, I still want you out of this house and out of my life forever.”

He stood up and opened the fridge to get a bottle of energy drink, then left the dining area without a word and picked up the attaché case and car keys that were on the sofa in the living room. I couldn’t do anything but just stare at his back as he went out the door. I sighed and smiled at the food and the coffee cups in front of me.

“Lucky him. I’m a coffee lover.”