Chapter Six: The past has a face

FABIAN'S POV

When I saw her come out of the house with the basket of plates in her hand, I was instantly reminded of the image of her holding the table in the small hotel room while I thrusted into her from behind, her hands grabbing the table which now held a basket.

I ran a hand through my hair as she came closer, my heart slamming repeatedly in my chest.

I watched her place the plates on the table carefully with the help of her son whom Marlowe had introduced to me earlier.

“So, Fabian, what have you been up to? You've been off the grid for twenty years, brother. What did you do in all that time?”

I glanced at Marlowe, and at the beautiful family he had managed to raise in such a short time.

It just seemed like only yesterday we were getting dressed for a fraternity party.

“I lived, Marlowe. I lived.”

He smiled in understanding as he stood up to attend to the steak.

I stole a glance at Nadia, who had barely looked at me since she came into the backyard.

“You know, sometimes, I wish I saw the world like you. I'm sure you've traveled a lot. Last I checked, you were in London.”

I nodded as I thanked his daughter whose name I had forgotten as she placed a pack of beer in front of me. I popped a bottle open, then gave a bottle to Marlowe, whose attention was now fully on the grill.

“I came back. London was not for me. Cold weather and food that makes you long for home. I didn't stay long there.”

Marlowe chuckled.

“I've heard people say nothing is fascinating in London apart from their accent. I think you've just confirmed it.”

I shrugged, stealing another glance at Nadia. She was bent over the table now, and I swallowed hard as I stared, barely able to tear my eyes away from her luscious behind.

She turned in time to catch me staring, and I looked away instantly, taking a quick sip of my beer in a bid to get rid of how embarrassed I was.

“Before you came here, I heard you talk about you offering technical maintenance services. How did that go?”

If only he knew that it was through offering maintenance technical services that I had fucked his wife, he wouldn't have asked me that question.

“It went well.” I gestured, “It's a small company, you see, and I'm planning to increase it. But for the meantime, we've been able to secure good gigs through referrals.”

Marlowe smiled at me, his eyes telling the story of how impressed he was even without saying it.

“You've always got a knack for creation, Fabian. And here's the thing I love about you, you do you. You don't care about the outcome. You just do what you want to do so bravely. I wish I had your courage, man.”

“Food is ready, guys.”

I heard Nadia call out. I turned in time to see her place a pie on the table.

In a few minutes, the whole family was at the table, and for the first time that day, I was afforded a view of how happy the family seemed to be.

I glanced at Nadia, my eyes asking the question. If her family was always this happy, then why did she do it? Why fuck a complete stranger who came to work on your air conditioner?

She offered me no answers because she looked away as soon as our eyes met.

I finally focused on the dinner, acknowledging that the entire table was filled with food. The steak was seasoned simply, and was cut into slices by a smiling Marlowe.

Corn cobs lay in a large bowl ravishingly, alongside baked potatoes and vegetables. My mouth watered when my eyes fell on the Mac and cheese.

It didn't take much for me to know that Nadia had prepared for the guest properly, but it turned out to be me instead.

A pitcher gleamed with lemonade, and the strong aroma of Apple pie kept wafting into my nostrils.

“The Mac and cheese is really good, Nadia.”

I watched her stiffen as soon as I said her name.

“Oh, thank you.” She muttered after what seemed like an eternity.

“I work a lot, so it's rare to sit down to a wonderfully prepared home cooked meal like this. Thank you so much, Marlowe. And thank you guys,” I muttered as I glanced at the children, “I know you played your part.”

“Oh, they sure did. Anderson worked on the grass after school. He's the reason we're able to sit here comfortably.” Marlowe added as he patted his son's head fondly.

Gradually, the food began to disappear from the plates.

I grabbed a slice of cake and another beer as the children chased each other while Nadia glared disapprovingly.

“Nadia,” Marlowe began, “Fabian has a technical maintenance company that offers technical services in California, which was where you went for your just concluded writers conference, right?”

Nadia sat up, and I could see the panic on her face as she replied.

“Oh, yes.”

“My wife is a writer, Fabian. She attended the just concluded writers conference in California. And yes, she's good. Here is a toast to a well cooked meal from a writer whose name will soon be on everyone's lips!”

I forced the laughter out of my throat, knowing that I already knew what his wife's occupation was without him even telling me. Our bottles clinked noisily as we cheered, then drank.

“Anderson, Nancy, help me pack up.”

Nadia stood, grabbing some of the plates. And without thinking, I dropped my bottle, smiling at her, then referring the smile to a confused Marlowe.

“Oh, let me help. Let the children have some fun…”

“No, no, you don't have to…”

“Oh, I insist.” I grabbed my plates and Marlowe's, who nodded and smiled at me in agreement.

“Oh, let him help, Nadia.” Marlowe replied, his voice a little too high in pitch which told me instantly that he was a little bit drunk. “In college when we shared a room, Fabian was the one who ensured our room wasn't a mess. He can't help himself, you see.”

I followed Nadia into the house, my eyes fully on her behind as she led the way.

I dropped the plates in the sink, and glanced out of the window to where Marlowe was sitting, now on his phone.

“Thank you for dinner…”

“You shouldn't be here, and you know it.” Her voice faltered, her face flaming red, “You need to leave…”

“Leave? I came here for a purpose, Nadia. My business idea isn't a reality without your husband's help. As much as I want to leave you and your family behind, I'm afraid I can't.”

Even while she spoke, she had barely turned to look at me.

“Why…why did you leave the room without a number? Without nothing?”

Her words struck me like a balled fist. Whatever had happened between us in that hotel room wasn't a fling.

Now, despite the cool breeze that occasionally filtered into the kitchen, I could feel the heat that generated from us just standing so close to each other, yet so far apart.

“I…I..didn't know what to do, Nadia. I panicked…” I closed in, aiming to touch her hand when the voice of Nancy, her daughter, interrupted us.

“Mum, mum, Anderson made me trip!”

I watched Nadia sigh as she finally turned. She walked past me as if I wasn't even there, sidestepping me so carefully like a plague.

“Alright, that's enough playtime for both of you. Anderson, time for bed!”