Gone With the Mist

Upon getting home, I changed out of my wet clothes into a set of clean pajamas.

The candlelight dinner I had prepared for our fifth anniversary had already gone cold on the table.

At around ten o'clock, someone opened the door.

A gust of wind swept into the house when my husband, Elias Marque, stepped inside.

As usual, he hung his coat on the third hook mounted to the wall of the entrance before slipping into his gray slippers.

When he swept a glance over the uneaten food on the table, he frowned.

“Didn't I tell you I don’t like the house getting greasy after cooking?”

I watched him quietly from the couch.

“Today is our fifth anniversary. You told me you’d be coming home for dinner.“

I noticed the way he paused briefly while untying his tie.

A trace of annoyance flickered in his eyes.

“Sorry, an important project came up today, so I forgot.”

“An important project?”

“Yeah. Don’t be upset.”

He candidly undid his cufflinks before brushing me off in a perfunctory manner. “I’ll make it up to you. We can go to a nice restaurant next time.”

Next time.

It was always next time.

My request for an international transfer had been authorized by the HQ.

There was not going to be a “next time.”

Elias approached the table to pour himself some water.

Moments before touching the cup, he stopped.

He noticed that the cup handle wasn’t positioned at exactly a forty-five-degree angle, pointing southeast as his rules required.

He immediately became angry.

“Alyssa, did you touch my cup?”

Rather than explaining, I looked at a long strand of hair clinging to the collar of his shirt.

“Jade Leigh came back to the country.”

I presented it as a simple fact rather than a question.

Elias froze.

He turned to me as a startled and confused look appeared in his eyes.

“How did you know?”

I fixed a look at him.

My mind wouldn't stop replaying the image of him leaning in as Jade gave him a sip of her latte while I stood under the pouring rain.

“How was the latte she gave you? Was it sweet?”

“Were you following me?”

“I just happened to see you.”

His frown tightened. His irritation and confusion were clear as day.

“Jade just came back and bought the wrong drink.

“I only helped her finish it because it would be a waste to throw it away. Quit being dramatic.”

I smiled dryly while a sick, gross feeling came over me.

“Last year, when I was running a fever of 103°F, I tried to take a sip of water from your cup because my throat was dry.

“You smashed the cup right in front of me and shouted at me to scram.”

Elias’ expression twisted slightly.

However, there was no hint of guilt.

“Alyssa, this isn’t the time to bring up something from the past.

“You should know that I have severe OCD about things like that. You’re my wife, you should’ve gotten used to it over the last five years!

“Jade spent five years overseas and just got back. There was no way she could’ve known.

“As her senior at work, it’s my responsibility to look after her.”

When I looked at the way he explained so self-righteously, I couldn’t help but find the situation absurd.

“You sure are selective about this so-called OCD of yours, aren’t you?”

His face turned white.

“I told you I didn’t even think much of it. Quit being pedantic about it.

“Haven’t I already explained the situation? Why are you being so weird about it?”

Weird, he said.

I closed my eyes as my stomach cramped and spasmed several times.

For five years, I had forced myself to abide by Elias’ rules.

I had to give up on my dream of being a documentary director for his sake.

All I got in return for my sacrifice was to be called dramatic, pedantic, and weird.

Then, his phone rang.

He answered immediately.

“Yeah, sure. I’ll edit the report for you.

“No need to rush, take your time. I’m here for you.”

He spoke in a low, gentle manner. I had never seen his eyes look so gentle before.

After the call, he turned back to me.

“There’s going to be a party to welcome Jade to the institute. Come with me.”

I was just about to refuse when Elias sighed exasperatedly.

“Spouses are expected to be present. Even if you want to throw a tantrum, can you at least wait until after the party?”

“Fine.”

With that, his frown finally eased.

“Alright, go ahead and get some rest.”

With that, he walked into his study and shut the door behind him, feeling satisfied.

As soon as the door shut, I cut off the final thread of longing I had for him.

I immediately reached for my phone.

There was a new message from the HQ that read: [Director Alyssa, we have sorted out your paperwork. Please report to us after three days.]

I replied promptly: [Understood. I’ll be there on time.]