Chapter 9

Elijah’s POV

I gently tapped Abigail, who had fallen asleep after we took off. I didn't want to wake her, knowing she must have been exhausted from all the wedding preparations.

When she opened her eyes and saw me, she jerked slightly and gave a startled look, her expression cautious.

“Um… sorry I woke you up, but we’ve arrived,” I said softly.

She turned and looked out the plane window, noticing that we had landed.

“Oh… I guess I must have dozed off,” she murmured, blinking as if to clear the remnants of sleep from her eyes.

I nodded, offering a small smile. “It’s understandable. You’ve had a lot going on lately.”

Abigail sat up, smoothing her hair back and straightening her dress. There was a moment of silence between us, the hum of the plane’s engines fading as they powered down.

I studied her face, trying to read the emotions she was keeping tightly under control.

“Are you okay?” I asked gently.

She hesitated before giving a polite nod. “Yes, just a bit overwhelmed, I guess. Everything’s been happening so fast.”

I could see the strain in her eyes, a mixture of weariness and wariness. I wanted to reassure her, to tell her that everything would be fine, but I wasn’t sure if she would believe me.

This marriage had been arranged for the benefit of our families, not out of love or even mutual desire.

Despite my own unexpected feelings, I knew she needed time to come to terms with it all.

“Listen,” I said, leaning closer.

“I know this isn’t easy for you. It’s not easy for me either. But I promise, I’m not here to make your life difficult. I just want us to take things one step at a time.”

She looked at me, searching my face for sincerity. “You say that now, but how long will it last? We hardly know each other, Elijah.”

I nodded. “You’re right. But we have time to get to know each other. We can take this slowly, on our own terms.

If there’s anything you need or want, just tell me. I’m here to support you, Abigail.”

Her gaze softened a fraction, and she gave a small, tentative smile. “Thank you. I appreciate that.”

We sat in silence for a few more moments before the flight attendant opened the cabin door, signaling that it was time to disembark.

I stood up and offered Abigail my hand. She looked at it for a moment, as if deciding whether to take it, and then slipped her hand into mine. Her touch was light, almost hesitant.

As we walked down the steps of the plane and into the waiting car, I felt a sense of hope.

Maybe, just maybe, this could work. Maybe the woman I had fallen for years ago was still there beneath the surface, waiting to be discovered again.

As we settled into the car, Abigail's hand still in mine, I couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement.

We were headed to our honeymoon destination, the luxurious One&Only Reethi Rah resort in the Maldives.

The pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, and stunning villas would be the perfect backdrop for our first week together as husband and wife.

As we arrived at the resort, Abigail's eyes widened in awe. "Elijah, this is incredible," she breathed.

I smiled, pleased that I could provide her with such a luxurious experience. "I'm glad you like it," I said, helping her out of the car.

We were greeted with a warm welcome of flowers and champagne, and escorted to our private villa.

The villa's floor-to-ceiling windows offered a breathtaking view of the Indian Ocean, and the private pool and deck were the perfect spot to relax and unwind.

Abigail gasped as she took in the stunning view. "This is stunning," she said, her eyes shining with wonder.

I smiled, feeling happy that I could provide her with such a magical experience. "I'm glad you're enjoying it," I said, taking her hand.

She turned immediately and looked at our hands together, then quickly removed hers, her cheeks flushing.

"Ahem!" Clearing her throat, she said,

"Um...this doesn't mean anything."

I smiled a little, intrigued by her sudden reaction. "What doesn't mean anything?" I asked, trying to sound nonchalant.

She waved her hand dismissively. "This...us...holding hands. It's just a gesture, a friendly gesture. Don't read too much into it."

I chuckled, finding her denial endearing. "I wouldn't dream of it," I said, trying to reassure her.

But as we continued our stroll around the resort, I couldn't help but notice the way she avoided touching me, the way she kept a safe distance.

It was as if she was trying to convince herself that this marriage was just a business arrangement, that there was no room for emotions.

I wondered what had happened in her past to make her so guarded, so afraid to let someone in.

And I found myself wanting to be the one to break down her walls, to show her that love and trust were possible.

Just then, a sudden sound caught my attention, and I couldn’t help but laugh.

Grrrr...

Abigail quickly held her stomach and glanced at me out of the corner of her eye.

“Hmmm… I guess you’re hungry,” I said with a smirk.

She shook her head. “No… I’m not. I guess—”

Her stomach rumbled again, louder this time. She blushed, biting her lip as if that could somehow silence the sound.

I chuckled, finding her attempt to hide her hunger adorable. "Well, I'm starving. How about we grab some dinner?" I suggested, already knowing she couldn't resist the offer.

She hesitated for a moment before nodding, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

"Fine. But just because I don't want to hear your stomach growling anymore."

I grinned, feeling a sense of victory. "That's my considerate wife."

As we walked towards the resort's restaurant, the aroma of delicious food filled the air, and I could see Abigail’s face light up slightly despite her efforts to remain composed.

The restaurant was elegantly decorated, with soft lighting and an open view of the ocean. A gentle breeze from the sea made the palm trees sway, creating a perfect tropical atmosphere.

The hostess greeted us with a warm smile and led us to a table right by the water. I pulled out a chair for Abigail, and she sat down, glancing around at the beautiful surroundings.

“This place is really something,” she said, her voice soft.

I took a seat across from her, watching as she took it all in. “I thought you might like it. They’re known for their seafood here, but if you’d prefer something else, just let me know.”

Abigail glanced at the menu, a small smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. “No, seafood sounds perfect. I could get used to this kind of dining.”

A waiter appeared with two glasses of champagne, which he placed in front of us before stepping back to give us a moment. I raised my glass. “To new beginnings,” I said, echoing the sentiment from earlier.

Abigail hesitated for a fraction of a second before lifting her glass as well. “To new beginnings,” she agreed, clinking her glass against mine.

As we sipped our champagne, the tension between us seemed to ease a little. The setting was so serene, the atmosphere so relaxed, that even Abigail’s guarded attitude began to melt away.

We ordered our food and fell into a surprisingly easy conversation about the resort, the beautiful sights around us, and our shared love for travel.

I learned that she had always dreamed of visiting the Maldives but never had the chance.

Her eyes lit up as she spoke about wanting to see more of the world, her usual caution replaced by genuine excitement.

“Have you ever been snorkeling?” I asked, intrigued by her adventurous side.

She shook her head. “No, but I’ve always wanted to try. The idea of seeing all the underwater life up close sounds incredible.”

“Well, we’re in the perfect place for it,” I said with a smile. “We could go tomorrow if you’d like. I think you’ll love it.”

Abigail’s eyes brightened. “Really? That would be amazing.”

Just then, the waiter returned with our meals. Plates of freshly grilled fish, lobster, and a variety of sides were laid out before us. The presentation was beautiful, and the smell was mouthwatering.

As we began to eat, I couldn’t help but watch Abigail. Her guardedness had slipped away, replaced by a look of contentment.

For the first time since our wedding, she seemed genuinely at ease, and it made my heart feel light.

“This is delicious,” she said between bites. “I didn’t realize how hungry I was.”

I chuckled. “I could tell. I’m glad you’re enjoying it.”

We finished our meal, and as the sky turned to twilight, the stars began to appear, twinkling above the ocean. The gentle sound of the waves against the shore added a calming rhythm to the evening.

“Do you want to take a walk on the beach?” I asked, hoping to extend our time together.

Abigail looked at me, then at the beach, as if weighing her options. Finally, she nodded. “Yes, I’d like that.”

We left the restaurant and walked down to the shore. The sand was cool beneath our feet, and the water lapped gently against our ankles as we strolled along the edge. The moon was high, casting a silvery glow over everything.

For a while, we walked in silence, just enjoying the peacefulness of the night. Then Abigail spoke, her voice soft.

“You know, I wasn’t sure about this marriage at first. I still have my doubts. But… tonight has been nice. It’s been… easier than I expected.”

I stopped, turning to face her. “I’m glad to hear that,” I said sincerely. “I know this situation isn’t ideal, but I hope we can find a way to make it work.

I don’t want to just be strangers sharing a life. I want us to be partners, friends… maybe even more.”

Abigail’s eyes met mine, and for a moment, I thought I saw something shift in her expression a flicker of hope, or perhaps curiosity. She looked out at the ocean, then back at me.

“Maybe,” she said softly, almost to herself. “Maybe we can.”

Standing there under the moonlight, with the sound of the waves in our ears, I felt a connection between us fragile, tentative, but real.

For the first time, I felt that we might have a chance at something genuine, something more than just a business arrangement.

“Come on,” I said, reaching out my hand. “Let’s keep walking.”

This time, she didn’t hesitate. She took my hand and as we walked further down the beach, the darkness seemed to fade away, replaced by a sense of possibility.

Just as hope started to bloom in my chest, Abigail’s phone rang, shattering the calm of the night.

She pulled away to answer it, her voice cautious. “Hello?” Her expression darkened instantly, her grip tightening.

“What?!” Her eyes widened in shock.

A chill ran through me. Something was very wrong.

“Abigail, what’s going on?” I asked, trying to stay calm.

She shook her head, her eyes flashing with anger. “I have to go,” she said abruptly, turning away. “Now.”