One year later... Paige narrates:
We have been married for two years now, the trust from the beginning never regained, I must admit he has made merits to earn it, however, I don't feel ready to be anything more than a contract partner, overall we have only a year left married, and this circus is over.
My friendship with the girls and Ethan has only grown over time. Ethan has tried to talk to me about something that he "notices strange" between Mason and I, so when we are with them, I pretend that everything is fine, I have even become more affectionate than before to pretend well that we are having a great marriage.
In this last year, I have had one or two affairs, which always remain just that, Mason hasn't traveled, not because he doesn't allow it, he says he won't do it unless it's with me, supposedly to gain my trust. Since I am studying, I can't afford to travel every time I want, on the contrary, I avoid missing classes.
I only have the internship left to receive my degree, which I am very excited about, I am anxious to start working in my father's company, to whom, by the way, I have not spoken since I got married. It is not an issue that distresses me, the truth is that I got over it.
It is important to clarify that the internship will be in Ethan's company, he offered to help me, since by university policy my husband cannot be my internship manager. I loved it when he offered to help me, although later when he told me it was Mason's idea, I didn't like it at all. Simba is huge, thank goodness he has stopped growing or I don't know where we could put him.
I think what I get the most out of this marriage is Emily, she is a sunshine, she is always there for me when I need her, she is even more concerned about me in the time I have known her than my mother has been in her whole life.
I won't deny to you that Mason is very dedicated to both family’s business, at home he works too and that's where he lets me help him, so he can begin to understand how to run my family's business, his words not mine. Which I totally agree with. These times working have helped us to have a little closer relationship, but you can't call it friendship, just partners.
At events we treat each other like lovers and people believe us our "love" which sometimes confuses me, well more than confusing is a feeling that has been born and I hate it, I like Mason, it has not been enough to take distance from him, my mind does not have the power to decide who let the heart considers interesting to feel something for that person, no that goes, choose the one who should be least, my husband.
Tonight, this and birthday Riley, who like me is about to finish her studies, we have both been very supportive of each other over the years and that has gotten us a degree together if the internship goes well. Mason will be in charge of my friend's internship, which has her very excited to show what she knows and then get an important job. Ethan has offered her a job, but she says that as long as she doesn't show what she knows she won't accept anything, which makes me feel proud, if it were anyone else, I would have accepted without further ado and I would have the peace of mind of having a guaranteed job.
In this little summary of this year, I must tell you that Mason has managed to improve our relationship, we are more like co-workers than anything else, since we talk a lot about work and that can keep us talking for hours without getting bored, I have noticed a gleam of pride in his eyes when that happens. Which reminds me?
reminds me that thanks to him I almost finished my university studies, for his help this last year in everything I had to do, his teachings when I didn't understand and his encouragement when I felt I couldn't cope with everything. Because I did and more than once.
Simba has been a great support, every time I feel sad or tired my baby always comes to lick my face, we go for a walk and that calms me down. Lately Mason has been accompanying us on our walks, I wanted to say no, but seeing my baby's little face I couldn't say no. Besides, between the two of us Mason is the one who keeps up with him more than me.
Mason point of view:
This past year I have tried my hardest to get back into a friendship with Paige, things have not worked out the way I have wanted as I feel Paige still has a wall around her and doesn't trust me. Regarding Peyton, we have been talking via texts and calls when we both can, which almost never happens as she is on her last tests, she keeps studying and when she can I am already home.
I have not traveled again, not even for work, the good thing is that everything has been under control on that, and I have not had the need to travel. My wife is very smart and helps me a lot with some things in her company, if she continues like this, she will be more than ready to take over in a few months. Which would make me more than proud of her, I have spoken to her father, unbeknownst to her. I can't tell her about it, at least not until I'm sure it's not something bad for her.
At our last meeting, which Paige knew about, since I always tell her about every report, I give her father about the company. She says to me in surprise.
“When my daughter is ready for the position, you hand it over to her. I won't receive any more money from this company or anything else. I've left an inheritance while I'm still alive. So, when she takes the rightful position, she'll be the sole owner of everything. I have enough money to live comfortably, and I want to compensate my daughter for the behavior of both her mother and me," I listen to him and find it hard to believe.
"How long do I have to keep this secret from her?" is all I say.
"The day she takes her position, she'll find out, and you pretend you didn't know anything. That way, we both avoid problems," he calmly responds.
"If you say so, then that's how it will be," was my reply.
After that meeting, we haven't seen each other again. I can't imagine what Paige will say when she finds out. Despite not talking about her parents, I think deep down inside, it hurts her to know that they didn't reach out to fix their parent-daughter relationship with her.