It was a dull rainy day. Everything looked so grim and grey, as if nature had casted a spell of melancholy in the sky..the clouds cried and wept all day. The trees swung from left to right resembling elderly people who had lost balance due to their frail structures.

A pregnant woman was looking outside her window.In her thin fingers there was a paint brush matted with bright yellow color. She was good at painting..but this particular day had been unsuccessful.

She tore away yet another of the canvas sheets and threw it across the room. Sighing loudly, she slumped down on the couch with her hands wrapped around her round stomach. Her eyes were closed yet tears ran down freely. Her blonde hair was unkept and had tangles from her attempts to keep them intact.

The lightening in the room was a contrast to the scene outside her window. It all looked so mismatched. Her head hurt and she felt tired. She was aware of the weight on her chest..the weight of guilt and persistent suffocation. She tightened her grip around her stomach.

"I wish you were not here. I wish it could have been different. I wish I could have loved you. I don't feel anything for you. Why can't I love you?"

She was cold, so cold.

There was no one to hear her cry. There was no one to carasse and console her. No one would wipe her tears and no one would kiss her to sleep. She felt so small and lonely in the big walls of the room. Suddenly the world was black and all she could sense was something warm, even for a little moment. It was warm. Was it hope? Was it happiness..was that even possible!

Daniel's POV-

Posie was grinning from ear to ear. I had taken her for the much awaited shopping trip. To my surprise, she was completely at ease. She skipped along the different sections taking everything slowly.

I did not care for fashion. I looked around the store, expensive clothing and well dressed staff were there to lure the attention of rich women who had different reasons for filling their cupboards with variety of dresses. Some shopped for contentment, for some it was a matter of pride and a strong hold in the society.

While for some, it was freedom. Sighing, I noticed the attractive display of balant hypocrisy when they advertised the fake discount coupons. I shook my head and smirked. Business sure was a wicked game of competition and strategy.

"Daniel! I am so confused and you are no help! I probably should have come with your mother. Atleast, she would have helped me decide what should I buy and what I shouldn't. That sales woman tried to give me really small underwear that covered nothing. Why would I even buy that!"

Trust his wife to gain his attention even with a little stomp of her feet. What was he going to do with this woman! She was making him crazy with every passing moment and not in a bad way. It scared him more.

"Posie they are supposed to not cover anything. That's the purpose darling. You call them thongs. "

And she looked at me with those wide blue eyes that clearly resembled the gorgeous oceans soaring with with silent waves along the coast.

"Why would you wear those if they don't cover anything? I mean you could even show your private parts to someone if you are wearing a little dress. That would be so embarassing and definitely not proper!"

I laughed and then looked the poor saleswoman who gawking at everything Posie was saying.

"Posie, you don't have to buy those if you don't want to. Buy everything of your choice. Also I believe that lady is doing a good job with the dresses."

I gestured to some of the dresses in the section.

"They look nice."

She huffed and then looked at the saleswoman.

"Could you please help me with these? I am sorry I am making you so confused with my own confusion. I just can't decide. Oh my god I am so rude, what can call you miss?"

The saleswoman smiled.

"There's nothing rude with that! I am Olive. I am here to help you out.Come on mam,  leave everything on me. I have just the right dress for you."

She smiled at us and took Posie with her to a different section. I smiled and shook my head.

Women were always going to be a mystery.

Half an hour later I came out of the store with a comparitively happy wife who was waving goodbye to the saleswoman and sprinting across the gates of the shop.

It was a cold day in London.I could feel Posie's fingers growing colder. I interwined our hands even more closer. There's always a Ying for a yang..that one key for a lock.

Bond Street was always a preferable option for my mother when she wanted to shop and I had some weird memories from my childhood that had that poor woman leaving her shopping spree in the middle.

I was a trouble child.

"Daniel, this place is so beautiful. Everything looks so organized and bright."

Posie was gazing at all these luxury stores with stars in her eyes. I gulped sensing another shopholic in the making.

"Well,in the words of my mother this place is one of my most luxurious places for shopping in London. Rich people stuff, Posie."

"That's not a problem. You are very rich. I know that."

I rolled my eyes.

"My family is rich. I just add to existing wealth. Something I am not very proud of. Its a contradiction. Come, do you want to eat something? I am very hungry."

She smiled and shrugged.

"Sure. Let's go. Where are we going?"

The Ritz was my convenient choice as it was near Bond Street.
The place was intimidating in its own. It was beautiful. Very beautiful,  but definitely erupted sheer grandness. Gorgeous golden drape, white table clothes and those red chairs..it was a complete aristocratic environment.

Posie gripped her dress tightly and looked at me. Her posture was stiff and she was clearly having a hard time getting used to this not so cozy environment.

"Are you alright? We can go somewhere else if you want."

I silently rubbed her fingers from under the table. She looked at me with a weak smile.

"I am just nervous.This is the first time I have ever came across such an extravagant restaurant. I didn't go anywhere with father and the places near our estates were small and..cozy."

I understood her completely. This was all very new for her. One of the reasons why I am so doubtful about that party tomorrow. What was mother even thinking! I had engaged in a heated conversation with her and not so surprisingly, she was not even a bit remorseful of her actions.

"I know sweetheart. I am sorry. We should go somewhere else. I was just trying to find a nearer option for us to eat. "

She shook her head.

"No! It's ok. I should get used to all this. I am very excited about the party tomorrow and now I have an inkling about what might wait for me..so it's a good thing. I have to learn a lot. Don't I?"

She sighed tiredly.

"I don't blame you for anything. This lifestyle brings a lot of pressure and we have to get into things we don't like. Business is a cruel world. I promise I'll try to make it comfortable for you tomorrow. "

"I have no doubts there. You are all I need around me. It gives me confidence and strength."

Her words were honest and I was so grateful. My heart soared with happiness. That's what I saying..the key to the lock.

Posie looked around and took in everything. The place was full of rich people showing off in the name of evening tea. I noticed some tourists clicking pictures and enjoying the special evening menu served by the hotel. A couple sat across us. The woman was busy admiring her diamond necklace and the man had his eyes on the waitress's butt. An old lady was talking to her butler. Her dog sat beside her.

The picture of a typical high class society in London.

"Do you come here often? "

I shrugged.

"Not often, only for business. This is a good place for entertaining clients and business ventures. I don't like the vibe. I mean, don't get me wrong, it's a lavish setting.It's just not my cup of tea."

She grinned.

"So what's your cup of tea, mister ?"

I leaned closer to her and whispered in her ears..

"Probably an evening in bed with a certain Mrs Soprano. We could be enjoying some tea and cake or I could be giving you another lesson on anatomy."

She gulped and looked at me. I smiled confidently, the effect I have on this woman is so satisfying.It's this stupid male pride that gives me this feeling of superiority, that no other man would come to give my wife this feeling of utter arousal but could I help it? Perhaps not. I was just a dumb man who was smitten with his lady.

"Good evening sir, mam, Welcome to The Ritz. I will be your waitress for today.Have you decided on your orders yet? "

A brunette asked us. She was not being professional that was for sure. The looks she was giving me were definitely not innocent and when she discreetly opened the first two buttons of her shirt, I looked away. This never gets old, only annoying.

"Umm could you get me some baked scones and cheddar sandwich? Daniel?"

I looked at my oblivious wife. She was looking at me expectantly.

"Yes, repeat the order and it would be great if you would act a bit more professional. I always expect good service at one of  London's most prestigious hotels. We don't want that jeopardized, do we?"

I was not even looking at her, my gaze was still fixed on the menu but she definitely got the point. It was clear as day because she fumbled with her pen and smile uncomfortably.

"I am sorry, sir. Please forgive me. I ..I would be back with your orders soon. Enjoy your time at The Ritz."

She practically ran away and I smirked in satisfaction. No one gets away with insulting my wife. She was sitting right here, beside me and this woman had the audacity to flaunt herself in my face.

"What was that? Why did you scold her?"

I winked at my wife.

"And that's where we need some practice sweetheart. The music is nice, isn't it?"

She looked at me and blinked.

"If you say so."

What can I say..London and Posie, they never get boring.

Next chapter- The much awaited party..hehe.
Lots of drama awaits you all *inserts evil grin*

Also Posie's dress is going to absolutely gorgeous.

I hope you liked the chapter! Also for the details about London, forgive me if anything was wrong. I have never visited London and this was a result of my persistent searching on Google. I tried to be as accurate as I could be.

So if anyone from London, from The UK or even someone who has ever been to London is reading this.. correct me if I'm wrong 😊 No issues there.

Also, extra trivia-

Did you know RMS Titanic was designed after The Ritz London? Yes, The Ritz hotel in London was the main inspiration behind Titanic's interiors. That is also very much noticeable in the movie.

So, as I had planned before that I'll be dedicating each chapter to one of my readers..
This chapter is dedicated to
dynaramaurer

Thank you!
Love u all♥️