Lisa Is Moving In?

Chapter Two:

Lisa is moving in? Yeah, that's what I said; he responded, his voice filled with his ever-bossy tone, still not catching on.

I felt my eyelids blinking rapidly, capturing the memory of their intimate display from earlier. My jaw clenched, and my teeth ground against each other in anger.

"You just brought her in... without informing me beforehand?" I stammered, the question rolling out with heavy breaths.

Kade's deep brown eyes focused on mine, and I looked back with the same aura; he raised an eyebrow, as if to say "why”

"You think it's fine to just bring her without notice?"

 My voice gushed out in a rush, with my fingers twisting into a nervous tight knot.

"See, Avia, that's right because it's simply for business and I don't think it's necessary," he shrugged.

His response ignited a spark within me and I managed to force the words out with an even tone.

"How would you feel if I brought home my ex without informing you instead?"

My voice trailed off, waiting for his response.

Kade bit his lower lip taming his anger; the muscle in his face showcased its strength.

"This is my house, Avia, and you can't simply tell me what to do with it and whom I can or cannot bring over; respect that, okay?" He spoke slowly, spelling out his words as if speaking to a child.

The heat from his face burned mine and I couldn't help narrowing my eyes as his words sank in, reality setting in.

"Besides, Lisa is partnering with my company and is also dealing with PTSD you don't expect me to do nothing about that, do you?" He added.

I reluctantly made a stiff nod, with my arms crossed, my voice barely above a whisper. Fine!

Fine! Kade fired back, and his deep eyebrows rose to their familiar frustrating gesture. I scoffed, releasing the tension in me. 

But his expression as he turned to Lisa returned the tension, and I frowned at the way his gaze softened and his lips spread into an attractive smile. 

I stared, feeling lifeless, as he led her into the building with her luggage resting in his arms, while the other hand gently invited her in.

"Avia, dear," Kade's mother's voice, Pearls, broke the silence, its sharpness making me flinch. I turned away from Kade and Lisa facing Pearls' awaiting gaze. 

Her tone was firm. "Standing there, staring into space, won't help Lisa's stress, will it? Why don't you arrange something for dinner instead?"

The only response I gave her was the sound of my footsteps towards the kitchen, and I turned away. 

Each spoonful I took felt heavy, like stone as I forced it down, taking notice of the awkward glances between Kade and Lisa at dinner. But Pearls' voice cut in, interrupting the show.

"So tell me, Lisa, when did you arrive?" she asked with a smile.

My throat tightened, and I leaned forward in anticipation of Lisa's response. I raised my fingers to my temple, soothing it while waiting. 

With a brief hesitation at first while smiling and deliberately looking at me, she stated, Yesterday, then shifting her gaze back to Pearls. 

Her reply kept echoing in my head. I couldn't help wondering why Kade had refused to inform me until now, even before leaving for work that morning.

"Hey Avia, can you pass me some water?"

 Lisa's voice snapped me out of my thoughts. "The food is just too spicy." 

The passage of my throat made a reluctant movement downward, and I swallowed hard before passing the water, just a stone's throw from her.

"And the napkin too" She added, spreading her forced smile which I returned. I opened my mouth to protest but the words caught in my throat feeling her nonchalant tone in my ear and I frowned instead.

As the glass hit the tabletop, the sharp bang coming from Lisa's spot, when she dropped the glass of water, seized my attention, and I focused on her.

 "Kade, I had thought marrying someone like Avia, at least as a competent housewife, isn't that bad. I didn't expect her to be such a terrible cook." Her voice dripped with sarcasm. 

My eyelids flew broadly in response to her words, struggling to digest them. Living with Kade makes me feel like a housewife, but hearing it directly from Lisa pulls a string inside me.

"Pardon?" I snapped losing it, with my lips pulsing and my face burning, while her face still maintained its vibrant poise. 

"You heard what I said." I tried to cover the impact of her punctured words, which reminded me of my buried pain but my eyes betrayed me, welling up with tears that threatened to burst out while I blinked uncontrollably fighting the urge.

My gaze dropped and traveled down to the water container, staring at me and I filled the gap between us, pulling it hastily, releasing the overflowing emotions I'd tried to bury on Lisa's face.

 The water traced its way downward, while some was trapped in her eyelashes and lips. The movement on her chest was visible beneath her wet, transparent blouse and she rose with her mouth wide open. She stumbled backward with her heels knocking the floor.

A collective gasp escaped the three of them as shock flashed across their faces. My gaze zeroed in on Kade's face, meeting his deadly stare with a calmness that shocked even me. Pearls' eyes narrowed. "Avia, what's wrong with you? You have to apologize to Lisa right now.

Kade raised an eyebrow, his lips trembling with temper. I could tell his anger was on the end of a restraining leash, but I couldn't care less. I'd had enough of him trampling over me and treating me like a pushover.

"Apologize immediately to Lisa!" His voice cut through my mind, flat and final. I jolted in disbelief, furrowing my eyebrows. "Really, Kade? She started—" 

Apologize now or I'll make you regret it!" He cut me off, his voice so icy it could freeze hell.