Chapter Five: Fate has a sense of humour

NADIA'S POV

“I know you deserve rest after your conference, my love, and I'm so sorry to spring this on you.”

Marlowe's words made my closed eyes fly open instantly.

“What are you springing on me, first of all?”

He sighed, and I knew that he had thought about it carefully before he even decided to tell me.

“A friend of mine is going to visit tomorrow evening.” He raised a hand, his way of telling me to hear him out before I interrupted, “We were pretty close in school, but went our separate ways after we graduated.”

I shrugged in reply.

“Well, you can meet in a bar. Men do that all the time.”

Marlowe laughed as he adjusted his belt until he felt comfortable enough.

“You think I don't know that?” His face got red whenever he smiled or laughed, a trait that I had hated but come to love with time. “It’s just that Fabian is a different kind of friend. We've not met in years, and he has this business idea he wants to pitch to me. I'm booked in the office so the house will be the best place to meet.”

I wanted to wave a fist at him in mock anger.

“He can still pitch it to you in a bar.” I groaned good-naturedly.

“I trust you to do a better job than even the best bars in this city, my love. Why do you think I married you?”

He inched closer and when he kissed me again, I was reminded of the technician once more. So good were the technician's kisses that Marlowe's kisses were now bland.

“So, here is the deal. He'll come in the evening, I'll bring him to the house after work. He'll stay in the guestroom, and I don't know…can a grill work? A barbecue, you know?”

“Who the hell is this Fabian guy? You sound as if you want to impress him.”

Marlowe shrugged, a smile loitering his lips.

“You can't blame me for wanting to show my wife and my wonderful family off. Now, I must head to work. You can send me a bill of everything you'll need and I'll foot them. Or,” he added as he dug into his pocket, “Here's my card. Get whatever you think will serve as a proper dinner. I know I can count on you, my love.”

He kissed my forehead this time, and I smiled gratefully, knowing that I couldn't bear another kiss on the lips from him.

__________

By afternoon of the next day, I was sweating in the kitchen, and constantly checking my phone for the list I had made to check if I had forgotten anything.

From where I stood in the kitchen, I could see Anderson clearing out the yard while Nancy placed chairs and tables according to his order.

A quarrelsome duo, I was amazed to see that they were even working together.

Maybe the arrival of this Fabian guy was a good thing after all.

“That's alright now, kids. I bet y'all have homework to work on.” I screamed as soon as I sensed that another one of their quarrels was brewing.

As the sun began to dip behind the clouds, I had finished setting up the grill. I cut the steak into fine pieces, watching the fire lick its sides.

In the kitchen, I had just taken the apple pie out of the oven. I smiled to myself, my chest bursting with pride at the superb quality of my work.

I allowed the steak to cook for some time before turning the grill off. Stealing glances at the clock in the sitting room, I knew I had just a few minutes to shower and get my face and hair in order before the arrival of my husband and his guest.

I left the shower, taking care not to let water slip into my hair. In the bedroom, I applied my makeup hurriedly, then slipped on a casual midnight dress, before tying an apron over it as an afterthought.

The screech of Marlowe's tires as he parked in front of the house told me that he was home.

Taking one last glance at the mirror, I made my way downstairs, knowing I had to play the perfect host by opening the door for them.

I was already late by a few minutes because by the time I got to the door, Marlowe had already let himself and the guest in.

“Fabian, this is my wife, Nadia. Nadia, Fabian Davenport, the friend I told you about.”

A high pitched ringing began in my ears as soon as I saw him.

Yes, it was him alright.

The same technician from the hotel room during the writers conference.

There was no mistaking the long and hairy hands, the green eyes and the extremely handsome face. And yes, there was no forgetting a man who had made me know how good kisses could be.

He was the first to break the tension charged atmosphere, stretching his hand as he cleared his throat.

“Nice to meet you, Nadia. So glad that I can finally put a face to the name. Your husband has said so much about you, I feel as if I've known you forever.”

What did a woman say when she tried to pretend that she hadn't had sex with the man in front of her?

“Nice to meet yo…you too, Fabian.” I croaked, my legs moving of its own accord as soon as the introduction phase was over.

In the kitchen, I doubled over in shock.

What had just happened?

Fate had a sense of humour. And a ridiculous one at that. What were the odds that a stranger whom I had electrifying sex with in a different city was now in my home, being introduced as a long time friend of my husband?

How was I going to cope?

“Are you okay, Nadia? You sounded a little bit off earlier. Stress isn't getting to you, I hope?” He rolled the sleeves of his shirt as he kissed my forehead. “I'll take over from here, you've done enough.”

I shook my head in disagreement.

No, I had to be busy. Not working was going to mean thinking about Fabian and the consequences of my actions, and thinking about Fabian was going to mean being unnecessarily anxious.

“No, I'm alright. I really am.” I smiled as he raised an eyebrow. “When is your friend going?”

“He might stay a week, that's what he said in the car. He's also going to see the city later on. Do you need help with anything?” He paced as his eyes scanned the kitchen, looking for something he could lay his hands on.

“Just relax,” I muttered as I tried to take in the information I just heard about a man I was trying to avoid staying in my house for a week, “I'll ask the kids to help me set the table.”

“Oh, that's true. They've not met Fabian either. Nancy! Anderson!”

I swallowed hard as I grabbed the plates from the rack and placed them carefully into the basket which was going to transport them to the backyard where we would be having dinner.

I couldn't hide in the kitchen forever. At some point, I had to face him.

I carried the basket, my heart pounding in my chest as I left the kitchen, knowing that my once boring life was in for a twist which it had never expected.