Chapter 1

I was on my way to our house, the one I and Henry bought before our wedding. We have been married for around 6 months and I can say that our marriage is full of bliss and happiness. He is caring and a good husband. Henry and I met when we were still young. As far as I can remember, I was only 8 that time and he was 10. We met on my parents 9th Wedding Anniversary, since his family is a close friend of ours. After that party, we started seeing each other much often since we are schoolmates. Oh by the way, his younger sister Stella is a classmate of mine. And just like a normal rich family who believes in arrange marriage, our family and the Crawford's started their matchmaking between the two of us. But since we are still young, we just shove it off and continue being good friends.

When the time I reach my 18th birthday, our engagement was announced to everyone. Well, I was so excited because I had a crush on him and he confess that he likes me, too. And so the so-called arrange marriage turns out into a love marriage. Too bad, my parents passed away when I was 10. It was the most horrible news I have received in my whole existence. I remembered crying every day and having a series of nightmares every night. Due to their sudden demise, I was left in the care of Uncle Roland and Aunt Faye. They were the nearest relative that I have since my Dad and Uncle Roland are brothers. Thank God their family treats me well just like my parents, although they are a bit strict. They also have a child, and so at least I wasn't the only kid in the house. Alexa is 1 year older than me, but we get along much. She and Henry comforted me a lot and we became an inseparable trio since then.

I passed by the PinkPunk Bakeshop to buy a cake since today is our 6th wedding monthsary. The name may sound cliche because who would name their business PinkPunk? Of course, none other than my best friend and her Mom. They were one of the coolest mother and daughter tandem that I know. Though PinkPunk don't sound appealing, their pastries are surely one of the best selling in the town.

I opened the sliding door and I was greeted by the delicious aroma of pastries that we usually eat since childhood. The owner of this bakeshop is Aunt Wella, the mother of Aria who happens to be my best friend as well. We usually stay here with Alexa and Henry, but unfortunately, Aria didn't became our friend during that time since Lex doesn't like associating with commoners. During college, when I started studying at Celeste Academy, Lex and Henry studied at Jameson Academy, so we got separated. That is when I got close with Aria. We both became part of taekwondo club since Aunt Faye doesn't want me to enroll in the piano class because my sister is already taking that subject. To avoid comparison, she and Uncle Roland decided that Alexa and I should enroll in a separate academy. I don't question their decision back then on why Lex is the one who will study in the same school with Henry because I think they don't mean any harm.

"What a pleasant surprise! Eli is here." Aunt Wella happily exclaimed as she saw me browsing their pastries. She immediately hug me and gave me a wide smile.

"Hi, Aunt Wella. It's been a well since I came here. How are you?" I noticed that even though she's in her mid 40's, her complexion and appearance can be compared to a 30 years old woman.

"I am doing pretty good. The business is booming, and as you can see, more and more tourists are recognizing our bakeshop." Aunt Wella said in a proud tone.

I surveyed the surrounding to find Aria but she's out of nowhere. Where is that girl?

Aunt Wella seemed to have read what's on my mind because she answered right away.

"Well, that girl usually goof off when she's off duty —" She was cut off when a familiar voice interrupted.

"Huh, talking behind my back, Mom?" Aria said while her two hands are on her waist. With her posture, she looks like a Mom who caught her kids eating cookies at night.

"Hello there, A." I said while hugging her. She also didn't change much, though she looks more radiant than the last time I saw her. Seems like my friend has a secret recipe.

"Huh! You just got married and you forget about me easily. How could you?" She dramatically say while wiping her fake tears. Why did I forgot that Aria has an award-winning acting skills? If I didn't know her, maybe I'd fall for that fake tears.

"Tss, as if you missed me a lot. I've heard from Aunt Wella that you are meeting a guy." I said while poking her waist. I was just teasing her and Aunt Well didn't tell me anything about it. But her face suddenly turned into a red tomato. Huh, so I'm on the right track?

"Ya! M-mom, I'm not dating a guy. H-he's just a co-worker." She said while trying to press her hands on her blushing cheeks. Friends my ass! If I knew, she had a crush on that guy, or maybe... they are dating already? Hmm, I should find out more about this guy.

"I was just planning to tease you but my guess was right haha. Look at you blushing so much." I tease as I point her check. She immediately scoffed my hands away.

"Heh! I won't tell you anything if you keep on teasing me." She said while faking an angry voice. I just laugh at her and we decided to talk first before I head out.

I ordered a triple chocolate with caramel filling on it since Henry loved that flavor so much.

"So how's the married life?" Aria asked while raising her eyebrows at me.

"Well, Henry and I are in good terms and he is really a good husband. He cooked me breakfast and even give me takeaway gifts when he came back from work." I proudly said.

She glanced at me carefully like a detective examining if my statement is true. What's with her?

I raised my eyebrows as well before speaking again. "What? Can't believe that Henry would do those things?" I said while sticking out my tongue on her.

"I'm glad that he was like that, but how is he and your cousin Alexa?" She asked meaningfully.

"Oh, they are good. Lex always went into our house and she usually stayed with us, just like the usual. Why did you asked?" I remembered that Alexa and Aria didn't have a good relationship in the past so I don't get why she's asking about her. Maybe she suddenly realized that Alexa is a good person unlike what she's telling me?

"Nothing. Just checking that cousin of yours. Just a piece of advice Elise, don't trust her too much. You and Henry are already married and for you to be reluctant to leave the two of them alone together is not appropriate." She said in a serious tone.

"I know you don't get along with Alexa, but they won't do such thing. We grow up together and I trust the both of them. Just chill, okay?" She just shrugged her shoulders and didn't mentioned it again.

After that mini conversation with Aria, I decided to go home. It was past 3 pm, and Henry will be in the house at 7 so I still have a time to prepare. I took an early dismissal today so I can prepare for the occasion. Both of us maybe busy at work, but we never forgot to have a quality time once in a while.

I reached the house and I noticed that Henry's car is parked on the garage. What is he doing early in the house? Suddenly, an idea popped on my mind. Maybe he went home to surprise me on our 6th Monthsary just like what I was thinking? I slowly entered the house to avoid creating a noise. I put first the ingredients and the cake that I've bought in the table to look for him. Maybe he's in the kitchen. I sneak my head in our kitchen but he's not in there. Where could he possibly be?

I decided to go in the garden to find if he's in there. Nope, not there as well. He's not in the kitchen, garden, pool, dining area, and living room. My last resort is to go in our room. Wait, maybe he got sick so he decided to go home early? Geez, why didn't I think of that right away?

I immediately went to our room to check on him but while I was in the corridor, I can hear a faint sound coming from the inside. I slowly open the door and I was shocked on what I see.

I froze at the door.

It was Alexa and Henry naked on our bed. Both of them are shocked to see me standing in our room, and Henry immediately stand up.

"Babe, I can explain. Its not like what you think. Alexa and I —" His explanation was cut off when my bitch cousin interrupted.

"What's there to deny, Henry? Elise may be a little bit dumb, but she's not blind. Right Elise?" She mockingly said while smirking at me.

"You... H-how dare you? You're my c-cousin... How... How can you do this?" I said trying to stop my tears from flowing. I cannot believe this. Aria was advising me earlier about the two of them, and I was so reluctant to defend them, but this...

"Argh! You are so frustrating. Henry and I have been together since we were young but you failed noticed that? How dumb can you be, Elise?"

"That's enough, Alexa. Eli—"

I slapped him hard before he even finished his sentence.

"Well, if that's the case... GET. OUT. OF. MY. HOUSE." I shouted and throw their clothes at them.

"I was so disgusted by the two of you! Now get out of my house before I called the police."

Alexa just shrug at me and out on her clothes while Henry didn't say anything. Damn, the two of you.

"By the way, Elise. Your suffering is my happiness. I won't stop until I get everything that you have." She whisper to my ears before they left.