Chapter 3: 3: Coffee, Tea, or Me?
I watched Matt as he slowly sipped his coffee before he went back to working again on his laptop. We were seated facing each other so I really cannot tell what's keeping him so busy.
Ever since we rode the train, he acted very formal towards me. He was a total gentleman; I have nothing to complain about that. He made sure that everything was all well taken care of especially with my needs. He helped me pack my luggage and made sure that my apartment was secured while we're away. I heard that he even asked someone nearby to check on my house from time to time. He was like a real husband taking care of everything that might concern his wife. But somehow, I felt that there was a huge wall between us. I felt that he somewhat distanced himself from me.
It made me itchy-curious.
He kept seated on his side of the cabin while reading some reports on his laptop before we went to the pantry for coffee. I bet he's still working overtime. He said a while ago that he works for an international IT company. I didn't ask him any further because I sensed that he was not in the mood to share any other information to me. His eyes were glued to the screen and from time to time he answered voice calls and attended video conferences.
It was 1 AM and there was only one couple in the pantry having their early morning tea five tables away from us and a young woman standing behind the counter.
I waited for him to say something but he remained quiet and focused on his work.
Will he really ignore me until we arrive in our stop?
I sipped my chamomile tea thoughtlessly that I forgot it was still hot.
"Ouch!"
In a single bat of my eyes, Matt was already sitting beside me. His hand tilted my chin and tried to inspect my lips.
"Are you okay?" he asked me with a slight worry tone on his voice.
I kept fanning my hand in mid air to somehow relieve the pain. "I-I think I burnt my tongue."
He stood up and went to the counter. When he returned, I noticed he got a glass of ice on his hand.
"Take this. It will help." He passed me the glass but I just stared at it with snooping eyes.
When I didn't budge, he grabbed a cube of ice and nudged me to open my mouth. I easily obeyed.
"It's cold." I said as the ice inside my mouth soothed the burnt feeling caused by my clumsiness.
"Of course. That's ice."
"Like you."
He gave me a questioning look.
I avoided his eyes and shifted to playing with the glass of ice on my hand. "Yeah. You are as cold as this ice."
He relaxed his back against the backrest of our seats.
I changed the way I sit to a lotus position so I could face him fully.
"Want to hear some amazing facts?" I grabbed another cube of ice and nibbled it in.
He didn't say a word so I continued.
"So, I learned three facts tonight. Fact #1, I am already married." I raised my left ring finger showing off the golden wedding band that he gave me. "Fact #2, I am married to a really hot guy who just moved in literally next to my apartment. What are the chances, right?"
"And the third?"
"You want to hear the third fact I learned today?" I slyly looked at his face.
He nodded.
"I learned that the initial thought of being married to a totally hot guy like you sounds so interesting but the real interesting challenge lies after getting to know those facts."
"What do you mean?" There was a small knot on his flawless forehead as he asked me that question.
"Fact #3- I am married to a cold-blooded, slave-driver, workaholic stranger."
He sneered at me.
"What did you say?"
I raised my palm and pointed it to him. "Look at you."
He looked so innocent as he pointed his index finger directly to his face.
"Then look at me." I added. Matt then turned his gaze to me.
"Do you see why?"
"No."
I rolled my eyes. "Can't you see the obvious? Married couples are not like this especially when we are relatively newlyweds. I was left doing nothing by the cabin window, wondering if my decision to go here with you was the right thing to do or an impulsive act in my part. Like the biggest mistake I ever did because I have loads of questions that keep running on my mind which by the way, are still left unanswered. While you Mister, you were seated there in your own corner, you built your own world there facing your laptop talking to people about work for the entirety of this journey since we left the city."
"Anything wrong with that?"
"Yes." I exclaimed with so much surprise on my face. "We are total strangers. I, for a fact, don't know you at all. This could be a really bad joke if I ended up as a kidnap for ransom case. I assure you, no one's going to pay for my release."
To add to my surprise, he broke into a tiny laugh.
"There's nothing funny here, Mister."
He cleared his throat before looking at me straight in the eyes.
"You are still funny, Mrs. Hughes. As if nothing's wrong with that little head of yours."
"Wait? Are you saying I am crazy?"
He raised his hands and tapped my shoulders.
"I'm saying that you should forget about your absurd crazy ideas, Ruth. There's no kidnapping involved and worse, ransom money either. You are Mrs. Hughes. I assure you that."
"But I don't think I should believe you as easy as that."
"What do you want then?"
I took a deep breath before I say my demand.
Let me test you, my dear husband.
"Kiss me."
Maybe I'll remember him once we kissed.
After all, he said I am his wife. I have all the right in the world.
He was shocked and for a few seconds, his face turned pale.
"That's another crazy idea, darling."
"Well, if we are really husband and wife, a kiss shouldn't be a problem. Besides, we are in the "honeymoon" stage after getting married. I guess I am not that bad looking not to deserve a kiss from my estranged handsome husband, right?"
"You can't even remember me."
"Then help me remember you." I answered back before I pursed my lips and moved a few inches closer to his face.
He stood up right away and moved back to his seat across the table.
"I won't take advantage of you, my dear Missus. You better sleep it in. You must be tired." He sternly said without looking at me then he immersed himself on his work again.
I pouted.
"Am I that ugly? My husband can't even afford to kiss his poor little wife. I don't deserve this." I wailed trying to distract him from whatever he was doing.
"I guess I am really not that beautiful." I looked at my reflection on the nearby window. "Look at my dark circles, my pale-dry skin. Oh, poor me! I don't think I could survive the night without a zit or two in my face. I think I'm going to die of worry."
Matt didn't budge. He continued typing on his laptop as if he didn't hear me.
I stared at him. That kind which will make him feel uncomfortable. That kind which will make him feel great uneasiness. I cupped my face with my two hands while my elbows were leaning on the table. I was like that for half an hour.
Matt remained unmoved.
I gritted my teeth.
This won't do!
"Fine!" I put down my arms and adjusted my seat.
I took my cup of tea and in one gulp, I finished it.
Then I gave him my most serious look. "If you won't kiss me, I'll kiss you then."
I stood up quickly and eyed to grab his neck but then I felt a sudden, sharp and painful tingling sensation ran through my legs. In an instant, my legs felt numb.
I tried to take one more step forward but Matt dodged my arm. I felt another wave of searing pain, this time in my buttocks area and lost my balance.
"Oh no!" I shrieked before I tightly closed my eyes and prepared to hit the floor.
I've been sitting in a Lotus position for almost an hour now, stupid me!
"Watch your head, Missus."
I quickly opened my eyes upon hearing Matt's voice. His warm scentless breath was fanning on my bare face. His eyes were looking so tender again. There was a hint of worry in there too. I blinked my eyes and studied the surrounding. When I look around, I saw his right hand gently cupping my head just few inches away from the floor. His left arm was supporting my back.
If he was one more second late, I would end up kissing the cold tiled floor instead of his lips.
"It's you." I muttered. My heartbeat started to race up again.
He wrapped his arm around me and helped me stand up.
"Can you walk?"
I shook my head.
I can't feel my legs.
He nodded before he grabbed his laptop and put it on my hands.
"Hold it."
"Okay—whoa!" I exclaimed.
By instinct, I clung my arm around his neck while I secure his laptop near my chest. He was carrying me back to our cabin. In an instant, I was speechless. I wasn't able to say anything.
I just glanced at his handsome face. He looked so serious and focused. He didn't pay me any notice while I was resting in his strong, reliable arms.
I guessed he must be thinking of something else.
"Thank you."
He fixed the blanket covering me and without saying a word, he locked the door, switched off the lights and laid down on his bed.
My eyes were wide opened. I was totally awake.
"Matt?"
No answer.
"Matt?"
Silence.
I sighed.
"Goodnight." I pulled my blanket and covered my face.
Ugh! Their chamomile tea is a fake!
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Marylla_Amor
Marylla_Amor I changed my plans and felt like I want to add another leading man to this story.
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