The Tie That Binds: Chapter 41

Daniel proudly holds my hand as we roam through the streets. Holding hands in public is something we don’t really do back home, and it wasn’t until we started doing it here that I realised how much I enjoy it. Daniel intertwines his fingers with mine and pulls me along as we explore Haji Lane.

We sit down at one of the outdoor tables and Daniel pulls out his phone, taking what’s gotta be the hundredth photo of us together. We’re like two tourists that are travelling outside of their own country for the first time. I pose with the laksa I just ordered and Daniel laughs as he takes a photo. He snaps another few of me taking a bite of the noodles and I have to snatch his phone from him to get him to stop.

“I love this place. We should just move here,” I murmur.

Daniel smiles at me wistfully. “Hmm, I wish. What would happen to Devereaux Inc. and DM if we just moved?”

I sigh and nod at him. “Hmm, I know. I was just kidding. I’m just having such a great time here. I definitely want to come back.”

Daniel nods. “We can look into buying some property here if you want?”

I nod thoughtfully. “Might actually be a good idea.”

The mere idea of buying a house with Daniel excites me. The apartment we currently live in is his. It’s a place he picked and decorated himself. While I’ve been able to add personal touches, it still isn’t really mine as much as it is his.

Daniel holds my hand as we continue to scroll down the countless alleys until we end up on a big road again. He glances at a large jewellery store and drags me towards it.

“Let’s go have a look,” he murmurs. The security guard lets us in, and Daniel immediately moves towards the counter with the rings. “I know we never did rings, but if our marriage was different… If you’d been proposed to with a ring, what would you have liked?”

The question makes my heart ache. Even though I’m beyond happy with Daniel, it does sometimes feel like I missed out on a lot. We didn’t really date and then discuss marriage. I’ve never fantasised about how he might propose, or what ring he might choose. I didn’t get to pick bridesmaids or go on a bachelorette party, and I didn’t walk down the aisle with a heart full of love. “This,” I say, pointing at the three carat cushion cut diamond with the pave band. I’ve always known what kind of ring I might want one day, but I doubt a true proposal is something I’ll ever get to experience.

Daniel nods and asks the clerk to take it out for him. “Oh, no. I don’t want to try it,” I say, my mood souring instantly.

“Hmm, we’re here anyway. We might as well,” Daniel says. I shake my head and turn to walk out of the store, suddenly annoyed. I don’t want to be reminded of how we started our marriage. I don’t want to be reminded that it might end.

“Hey, what’s wrong, babe?”

Daniel runs after me and throws his arm around my shoulder. I shake my head and rise on my tiptoes to press a kiss on his cheek. “It’s nothing, honey. Come on. Let’s go to the hotel. I can’t wait to spend the afternoon in the pool. It’s been on my bucket list forever.”

Daniel fusses over me as we make our way back to our hotel. I’m giddy with excitement. It’s almost like we’re newlyweds on our honeymoon and I love the feeling. The two of us take dozens of photos together and of each other. The staff indulges us and takes one photo after the other without complaint.

Daniel has champagne delivered to the pool and we toast. “To us,” he says, reminding me of the dinner date he took me on early in our marriage. It’s crazy how quickly time has flown by.

“To us,” I say, clinking my glass to his. Daniel and I spend the afternoon in the pool, drinking champagne and cocktails. Afterwards we hole up in our room, entangled in our bedsheets. We got out of bed once, and that was just to order room service.