A Doll for the Boss

The days continued to pass! The truth was that I felt very comfortable in London. Despite my husband's cousin, the family was quite helpful to me. I didn't know what had happened between those two, but the truth was that I had no interest in finding out. On the other hand, Serkan was distant but attentive. Ten minutes of each thing.

We couldn't explore the city because my condition didn't allow it. I had been in pain and discomfort, so I had to stay in rest if I wanted to keep this baby. I checked my email a few times hoping for some news from the university, but nothing had arrived. Everything was still in progress. In two days, there would be the graduation ceremony to award me the title of architect.

To say that I felt joyful for accomplishing one of my dreams was an understatement, but at the same time, I was sad. I never thought that my parents wouldn't be with me or that the man I called "dad" only gave me his last name out of pity. I didn't want to think about that. My brain had blocked a lot of things to make me float in a cloud. You know how it is. Sometimes we want to become erasers and erase every bad thing we did or that happens to us. But no, I wasn't an eraser, and I couldn't go around the world forgetting everything.

There were moments when I felt overwhelmed by all the emotions that arose within me. The happiness of being in London, surrounded by a family that welcomed me, contrasted with the sadness of not having my parents at such an important moment in my life. But there was also fear and uncertainty about what would come after graduation.

My mind tried to escape from all these worries through distraction. I spent the afternoons reading books, watching movies, but nothing was enough. I had to stop playing dumb and face things. At some point, I knew that my curious side would emerge, forcing me to search for my real father. Serkan, my husband, was always attentive to me, although sometimes he seemed distant. I knew he had a lot on his mind and that I couldn't rely on him for everything. Our relationship had started in a very strange way. Forcing a woman to marry is not the best way to fall in love, but here we were. As crazy as it sounds, I loved him a lot. He made me lose my nerves, but I couldn't deny that being close to him made me feel like I was floating in the clouds, as if a bunch of fireworks were exploding inside me.

There was something in his eyes that made me feel special. Something that told me there was more behind his distant attitude. But I couldn't let that distract me from my main goal at the moment: graduating and starting my career as an architect to give a good future to my little one, whose gender we didn't know yet.

I was coming out of the bathroom when my beautiful, sexy, and arrogant husband appeared. He stared at me, scanning my body from head to toe, and then spoke to me coldly.

"Dress up, we're going shopping. In two days, it will be your graduation ceremony, and you don't have anything to wear."

I looked at him seriously. Obviously, I didn't have anything new, but there was one garment I wanted to wear, I had only worn it once.

"Of course, I have something to wear. I don't like being told what to do. You never learn."

"Why do you have to argue about everything? Do as you're told. Please, dress up. I'll be waiting for you in the car."

With that, he left the house in his frustration. Damn you, Serkan!

I quickly got dressed, putting on my jeans. They were a bit tight on me now. I carefully descended the grand staircase. Serkan wasn't lying, he was already waiting for me in the car. I got in, closing the door a little hard. He looked at me with a sour face.

"Sorry. Where are we going?"

"It's a surprise," he said, starting the car at full speed.

The ride was quick and silent, not an uncomfortable silence. I liked this about us, we liked our silent space. We were together, but not meddling in each other's business. Well! We hardly ever went out.

He parked at a huge shopping mall, there were too many people. I think he forgot that I was on rest. How was I supposed to walk all this place and for what? I was distracted when he opened the door, extending his hand. "You're being very gentlemanly lately," I say to provoke him.

"Don't abuse my patience."

"Do you always have to be so grumpy? Did you forget that I can't walk that much? Besides, what are we doing here?"

"Of course not, so let's go find one of those battery-operated carts. Or would you prefer a wheelchair?"

"You wouldn't dare..."

"Put me to the test and you'll see."

I look at him seriously, searching for some joke in his face, but no, he meant it. Well, no, this time he won't mess with me.

"No way! Go to hell, Serkan, don't get into those crazy things. I'll walk. What are we doing here?"

"We're here for your dress, so walk. I don't want us to expose our child."

Without saying anything else, he took my hand and we walked through the mall. There were too many clothing, shoe, and food stores. We entered a posh and elegant clothing store. There were all kinds of high fashion suits, all worthy of Serkan. I walked towards a beautiful navy blue set, a true beauty.

"It's beautiful, it would look so precious on you. The blue color would highlight your beautiful blonde hair, or is it red?"

"It's blonde and red, we didn't come to buy clothes for me. I think I have enough, so get ready. We will find a dress for your graduation."

Two long hours passed. He was sitting on a beautiful white sofa, eating snacks and manipulating his phone, while I modeled all kinds of clothes for him. None of them appealed to him. The truth was I was already pretty tired.Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.

I was exhausted after spending hours and hours inside the fitting rooms, trying on countless dresses for my graduation. Why did it have to be so difficult to find the perfect dress? I sighed as I looked at myself in the mirror with disappointment once again.

My patience was reaching its limit. Every dress I tried on didn't seem right. Some were too flashy, others too simple. Nothing captivated me and made me feel special, and having Serkan rejecting everything didn't help either. I was about to give up and settle for any mediocre dress when my gaze drifted towards a distant corner of the store.

There it was, in all its splendor. A radiant white dress with long sleeves and delicate details of rhinestones and lace. I was speechless when I saw it. It seemed to have been designed exclusively for me. It was elegant and fashionable, exactly what I was looking for.

Without thinking twice, I headed towards it with renewed determination. I carefully took the dress off its hanger and quickly went to the fitting room. As I undressed and put on the dress, I couldn't help but feel like I had finally found my perfect outfit.

When I looked at myself in the mirror, I couldn't help but smile. The dress hugged every curve of my body flatteringly, highlighting my best features. The delicate rhinestone and lace details gave it a touch of sophistication and glamour, making me feel like a true princess, but what mattered to me was Serkan's opinion.

I walked confidently wearing matching shoes. By the time I arrived at the salon, he was still looking at his phone. I cleared my throat a bit.

"How about this?" I asked nervously.

Everything happened in slow motion. He lifted his gaze from the cellphone screen, expressionless. His mouth was straight, his eyes revealing nothing, but his hands were trembling a little.

"Damn it, Serkan! Nothing pleases you. Just so you know, this was the only dress that won me over. I don't want another one," I said, about to have a tantrum.

"Samanta," he sighed deeply, "we have to go. My grandfather needs me. You'll have to wear something you already have."

I was surprised by his response. How could it be that he didn't like the dress? It had seemed so perfect to me. But before I could protest, he looked at me disapprovingly. Why did everything have to be like this? With him, there were no shades, everything was black or white.

Resigned, I nodded. "Alright, let's go home," I said with a mix of disappointment and resignation in my voice.

I quickly changed and we left the store, but I couldn't take two steps because a pain ran through my spine, settling in my stomach. I stopped walking, needing to catch my breath.

"Oh my God! Behave, baby."

"What's wrong?" he looked at me curiously. "Why are you stopping?"

"My stomach hurts a little, I think you'll have to find a wheelchair after all."

"It won't be necessary. You're my wife. So come here."

He approached and took me by surprise. Serkan Ferner had picked me up in his arms, carrying me. My hands landed on his neck, his scent was intoxicating, his body warm, strong, muscular, just as I remembered.

"Stop sniffing me, I'm not a dog."

"Oh my God, how embarrassing!"

"I'm sorry, it's just that I feel comfortable in your arms."

My confession made his body tense. Me and my big mouth.

The silence between us on the way back was uncomfortable. I tried to contain my frustration, but couldn't help but feel disappointed. I had imagined that graduation night as a special moment. Now I was left without the perfect dress, with an angry husband, and a big mouth that couldn't think without speaking aloud.

When we arrived home, I went to my room and sat on the bed, trying not to let sadness overpower me, but mostly the embarrassment. We were supposed to be trying, so I didn't understand his reaction. Serkan approached and sat beside me, placing a hand on my shoulder.

"I'm sorry," he said in a low voice. "I don't want to ruin your graduation night. I'll try to fix things."

I looked up to meet his dark eyes full of sincerity and regret on his face.

If he only knew, it wasn't about the dress, but about his change in attitude.

I realized that maybe I had been too harsh on him and that there was more at stake than just a chance to be real spouses.

"It doesn't matter," I whispered, leaning towards him and resting my head on his shoulder. "The most important thing is to be with you and our child. The dress doesn't matter as much."

Serkan hugged me tightly and whispered words of apology in my ear. In that moment, I knew that although he could be distant and grumpy at times, he truly cared about me, he truly wanted to love me.