Chapter five

I felt my heart in my mouth. Still trying to process what he just muttered.

‘Xavier!’ I called out, waving my hand in front of him. I aimed at trying to bring him back to reality from whatever dream world he was in.

I saw his eyes shift as if he just became aware of his surroundings. Xavier looked round. It wasn’t even funny. If things were not serious, I would have laughed at him. But right now? The humor wasn’t even there.

‘Are you alright?’

On hearing those words, his gaze landed back on me. He parted his lips ‘Did I scare you?’.

‘Are you joking…Xav..ier…I…I…’

Before I knew it, tears welled up in my eyelid, then slowly it slid down my cheeks.

‘Shit!’ I heard him say.

He held my chin ‘Shush. It was just a joke'

‘Just a joke? Are you for real?’ I yanked his hand off my chin.

Silence followed. Only the sound of heartbeat could be heard.

‘Are you having bad nightmares?’

He tilted his head ‘Of course not’

‘But you were unwell few minutes ago’ I raised my hand to touch his forehead. I didn’t even reach him, when his hands stopped me mid-way.

‘I.said.I.am.fine’

Those words came out more like a stand and not a statement. And they cut through me.

‘You just shouted at me, Xavier’ I apprehended him.

‘Shit’ he cursed again.

‘Shit? Is that your favorite phrase now? Xavier, what’s wrong with you?’

He stretched his neck ‘Come here’ He beckoned on me, stretching his hands forward ‘I am just tired, and I need rest’.

I crept into his arms ‘You smell differently’

‘Hmmmm’

I looked up to meet his eyes.

‘Yeah’ he shrugged ‘I changed my cologne’

‘But Crystal was your favorite. Why change all of a sudden?’

‘Renee, you talk too much’

I tapped his arms playfully ‘But you said you love me that way. Forgotten?’

‘Okay, go to sleep now’

The weather was a cold one, but being in Xavier’s arm made me warm.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Next day came just fast. It was finally what I needed- A reset.

Xavier would return back to his normal self. I mean, the original version of himself.

I stared at the ceiling, and the shadow of the chandelier was casted on my face. A smile dragged across my face. I looked beside me, the spot was empty and void.

Xavier wasn’t there. Without caring much about how I looked I slipped my legs into the oversized flip flops. Remembering Xavier’s words yesterday about how the oversized flops still looked good on me, made me shimmer.

I rushed out of the room, ran down the stairs. Getting to the dining area of this huge mansion, I saw the maids, the same ones from yesterday that were putting on blue uniform.

Xavier was also seated right there clad in blue pant trouser and red turtleneck top.

They were serving him potato porridge. I should be the one serving my husband. I am the wife, not them.

‘Excuse me,’ I beckoned to the maid doing the serving. I was still away from the dinning.

I looked at Xavier’s plate; luckily, nothing was on it. The china ware glittered very clean.

I hastened my footsteps ‘Good morning husband’ I said quickly, collecting the cutleries from the maid.

I saw the look Xavier gave me. His eyes watched my every move, as if trying to take all of me in and learn something about the kind of girl I was.

‘That’s it’ I pulled myself away from the yet again intrusive thought ‘He knows me in and out. So yeah’

‘You can go. I will handle it from here,’ I whispered into the ears of the maid.

She nodded and left.

I scooped one spoon from the stainless pot unto the china ware plate in front of Xavier. Then I realized that Xavier didn’t answer my greeting.

I paused for a while still trying to recall the moments from when I sent the maid away to right now.

‘Xavier’

‘Hmmmm’

‘You didn’t give me a reply when I greeted you’

‘I did’ He spat. He crossed his hands and looked at me keenly. The expression in his eyes softened.

‘No, you didn’t-’

‘Wifey, I did’ His gaze was still fixed on me.

I only nodded and continued to serve his plate.

‘That’s enough now’ His voice came.

‘Sure’ I replied stepping back.

‘I haven’t had my bath, so I would just go up to freshen-‘

‘Feed me’

I wasn’t expecting that. His hands stretched forward and pulled me closer to him. In fact, my butts landed on his laps.

At least, this close contact felt refreshing than yesterday’s weird behavior.

‘Ahh’ I gestured for him to open his mouth. I already scooped some potato porridge.

He opened his mouth just like an obedient lad. He ate quietly. After eight spoonful or less I stood up without him telling me to.

‘I will be late to work’

He stood up just as the same time with me. His figure towered over me in that spot.

He held my waist firmly and drew me closer to him. My breath hitched. I saw him bit his inner gum.

Then the words left his mouth.

‘Kiss me’