Open marriage.?

“J…

I stood dumbfounded, the words hung in my throat. In excitement, i ran forward to hug him but he halted me mid way with a wave of his hand.

He wasn't himself one bit. His face had purple blotches, his lips were white and cracked, around his beards had little rashes, his skin was dry like he lacked proper nutrition, his hair was overgrown a bit and greasy.

“What happened.? Have you been out in the cold.? I asked with concern signaling for one of the maid to bring warm water.

He didn't reply and just headed upstairs. Maria looked at me and shook her head. But i ignored her and went after him.

The sound of running water filled the room. I sat patiently on the big bed which we occasionally used together when he doesn't bring home his mistresses.

Finally, he emerged from the shower, freshly shaved and neat from scrubbing. I couldn't help but admire him once again.

“Skyla.!

His sharp voice brought me back from fantasy and i jerked in fright. As he opened his mouth to speak, the door swung open and Paul walked in. I frowned.

He stopped frozen on his tracks, then his lips broke into a warm smile.

“What's up man.! Where have you been.? Skyla has been worried sick. Infact she was the one i came over to see. But voila.! You're back.! Paul gushed hugging him over and over.

But Jason's face didn't show any sign of acceptance. “You've been fucking with Skyla.?” He suddenly asked throwing us both off balance.

“What.? No…no… w.. what are you saying.? I stammered.

“Bro… are you out of your mind.? Why'll you say such about your wife.!” Paul yelled, somewhat agitated.

Jason squinted his eyes at us suspiciously. “ But your attitudes are say otherwise. Especially you Skyla. I know you're fucking Paul.” He accused again.

I sighed in pain. “You went missing for two good days Jason. Two days without any explanation.! Did you know what happened when you were away.? How Paul saved me.?” I asked, clearly trying to control the rage in my heart.

But he just stared at me like i was foolish and talking nonsense before collapsing into a nearby chair.

“I was kidnapped”

“What.?

We shouted simultaneously. “I'm… or rather was having an affair with Annie Leblanc” he said without any remorse, like he was right.

On hearing this, i felt the room spin around me. My heart began to beat faster and i gasped for air. “No…no.. Annie won't disappoint me like this… she's… she's… always the one who… who warns me to stay away from Jason.” I thought my head threatening to explode.

“What Annie.?

I asked softly, running out of strength. Paul held my shoulder and patted my back softly to calm me down.

“Your “best friend”. He mocked. “Well… accidentally she got pregnant for me. Since then, she has been harassing me. Coming to my office, standing in front of my car when i want to drive, telling me to kill her, threatening to tell you about the pregnancy… e.t.c

“I denied the pregnancy and warned her severally to stay away from me. But she refused to listen and became more serious about her threat of telling you and the shareholders of the company. So i warned her, I'll send men to beat her till she miscarries if she dared.

“Two days ago on my way from the office, some masked men sabotaged my car and kidnapped me, to the seaside. What we started fucking each other, i bought her a yatch worth fifty million”

“They tied me to the deck of the yatch in the cold sea wind for two good days. They mocked me everyday.. barely feeding me. But yesterday they held a party and forgot to chain me up properly. So i escaped with the life boat.” Jason narrated to the stunned pair.

I bursted into tears falling to my knees. It all made sense now. The hurried discussions, the kisses in the background, the pressure telling me to leave Jason. Right now I don't even know who to blame. Jason or Annie my so called childhood friend.

Paul continued to pat my back without saying anything to Jason who didn't feel any remorse about what he did. He didn't even apologize to me or console me, just staring at us in.. disgust.

I pushed Paul away and ran to my room. Not knowing what to think anymore, i grabbed my sleeping pills from the nighstand and began to them.

One.. two.. three.. four..

Until it was snatched away from me. “What are you doing Skyla.? Are you out of your mind.?! Paul screamed at me tossing the pills into his pockets.

“Yes.! I'm out of my mind. And guess what.? The only way i can get back my senses is dying.! I screamed back at him. He sighed deeply and began to say something, but i didn't hear him as the effects of the drugs began to kick in and i fell asleep.

The next morning, i woke up with a splitting migraine. I struggled to get out of bed when my door swung open. It was Jason. The husband I've tried so much to hate.

“What are you doing here.? After all you've done to me. No apology. Am i even your wife.?! I asked in anger my eyes turning red.

He scoffed. “Apology.? I owe you no damned apology. The fact you cheated with Paul in my absence. You're the one who should apologize.! He yelled back.

I laughed in confusion. “Me..? Me.? I swear Jason if I've ever cheated on you…

“Yea.! Go ahead and swear. Pretend you're innocent. You never agree when you're wrong.!

“Wrong.? Wrong.? About what exactly.? Atleast i aren't the one who cheated with my best friend” i mocked and his face turned dark.

He raised his hand to hit me. “Yea go ahead and hit me again. That's what you're best at doing, hitting me like a coward.! I sneered.

He smirked and dropped his hand. “On the contrary, I came here for something better off than you.

“I want to have an open marriage. You can go fuck with whoever you are fucking with and I'll do mine.” He said.

“What.?

I asked in almost a whisper, hoping what I've been hearing is not true. Yea Jason has been fucking around, bringing his mistresses, but he always apologized. That's all that have kept me going.

“Yes, i know you've wanted this for so long. To be free to fuck around. You supposed to be greatful for this opportunity.” He sneered.

My knees weakened and i dropped down on them. I tried to speak, but my tongue felt heavy. I shouldn't be apologizing, i was the wronged one. But i love Jason so much, my future is tied to him.

“I'm sorry Jason. If I've offended you, i apologize. I don't want an open marriage. I love you so much, i can't stand you with other women.” I begged tears filling my eyes already.

“Yea.! I guessed it right. Now you're sorry for fucking Paul while I was away. But news flash, that isn't going to change anything. You can file for a divorce if you don't want it. But be rest assured, you're leaving with nothing.!

My face darkened on hearing this, my initial fear turning to rage. “Will you quit saying i fucked Paul.? Why are you so egotistical.? If you apologize for your own glaring misdeed will you drop dead.? I asked trying so much to look angry, but it seemed impossible.

But he ignored me and walked away, leaving me heaving with anger… or rather fear. I quickly got dressed and headed out of the mansion.