Two

I sat in the study, proofreading the new novel I was writing, beside me was a bottle of ice soda, yes! soda gives me inspiration when reading, besides me, on the floor, lay Arthur’s pet Rottweiler, the dog had nearly tore me off, the day it saw me, Arthur had to calm it down, I don’t know if Arthur explained to the dog that I was his wife, because the next day, the dog had sauntered up to me and wagged it’s tail, it quickly became friends with me.

“Jeez! Flint I don’t even know what to write” I said and Flint whined and stared at me, sometimes I think the dog understood a lot, he jumped into my lap and used a paw to close the book as if telling me to forget about writing for now, I laughed and rubbed his head, he jumped down and I walked out of the study with he on my trail.

I entered the large hall and met Arthur standing, his back facing me as he grabbed a bottle of beer from the bar, he poured it into a glass. So he was back, I wanted to quietly slip back into the study, but Flint had other ideas, he barked loudly and ran to meet Arthur.

Flint was friendly with me but he always went crazy at the sight of Arthur. Arthur turned and grinned when he saw the Rottweiler, he crouched down as the dog rushed him, licking his face.

“Woah, Flint that’s okay,” Arthur said, the dog ran around, energized at seeing its master, then Arthur noticed me, he picked up a cigar and lit it, I didn’t know he smoked.

He walked towards me, his blue eyes were half-lidded, he was certainly drunk, how long had he been standing there drinking.

“Arthur, you shouldn’t be smoking” I said carefully, he scowled, his face clouded in anger, then he relaxed, his expression looked sad.

“Why?” What do you care anyway?” He retorted and he moved closer to me, “Want to know why I so hate you.”

“Why?” I said, his scowl deepened, “You remind me of my love, she died because I couldn’t protect her, and the painful part is that I know who did it”

I stared at him in shock, he had been keeping this all this while, no wonder he was so cynical.

“You should have told this case to the cops” I said and Arthur laughed harshly.

“Cops you say, they are as useless as fuck, but I promise, I am gonna get my revenge” he pivoted and turned to move but stumbled and I held him, he nearly brought two of us down, but he steadied himself and his strong hands stopped me from falling, we realised that we were in each other arms, but we didn’t pull away, our eyes locked, his, was still half-lidded and I knew he was still drunk, my breath quickened and all I could think off was he, I stared at his mouth, that pliable mouth of his, his sinfully long lashes framed his eyes, I stared in awe, such a waste on a man, and there and then I fell in love.

I pulled him along to the bedroom, hoping things could escalate but as soon as he crashed on the bed, he fell asleep

* * *

The breakfast was silent and awkward, Arthur ate his pepperoni pizza in silence, he had refused to talk about last night, and being the quiet type, I decided to leave him to his brooding, I was slowly warming up to the marriage but Arthur seemed distant with every passing day, he sat now, wiping his mouth with a napkin, he stood and poured a glass of wine down his throat and headed for the front door without a word.

“Arthur!” I called and he froze and spun round, his blue eyes was cold.

“What?” He growled,

“Ummm I……I” I stammered and he raised a brow, I tried to find anything to say.

“Good morning,” I blurted out and Arthur leaned back and laughed loudly, then he scowled.

“Save it” he said and stormed off, I stared at my meal, suddenly losing appetite, even with his cold and cynical attitude, I still felt drawn towards him now, I didn’t wanted this marriage at first, but I am now warming up to it. Arthur had told me the reason behind his distaste for me, I knew that seeing me, made him remember his past, with a heavy heart, I pushed back my plate and stood up. I fed Flint some bones and walked out the house, maybe I should drive a little, driving always made me feel great.

I got to the garage, even after being here many times, seeing this fleet of cars made me appreciate how wealthy Arthur was, I entered my Tesler, turned on the radio loud and drove out. On the road, I spotted Arthur’s black Ferrari, something felt strange, he was supposed to be at a conference, so where is he going? I followed his car until he got to a cemetery and parked near, I parked some yards away and followed.

I came to find Arthur kneeling beside a particular grave, he held sunflowers in his hand and I watched as he muttered something and dropped the flowers on the grave.

“So you stalked me” Arthur said, still facing ahead and I jumped, how the hell did he know? He turned and strode towards me, his blue eyes were bloodshot, his beard had grown out giving him a handsome roguish look. He glared at me.

“I……I…… just wanted to see you” I said and he scowled,

“Really?” He said, “I will say this once, don’t you ever stalk me again, did you hear?

“No” I said, and moved closer to him, “I am your wife, I deserve to know your whereabouts, can’t I?”

Arthur stared at me like I was mad, but I didn’t care, staring up at his handsome, unsmiling face made my heart do turn-ups, and I as I stared at him I knew I had fallen for him,

“I love you” I whispered and he went rigid, his head snapped up and his blue eyes darkened.

“Don’t you ever say that” he growled, clenching his fist

“Why?” I asked and held his hand, he averted his gaze, staring at his former love grave.

“I can’t love” he said, “I am just a zombie, My heart died with her years ago” Arthur said, pointing at the grave, he looked at me studying my face, “Just don’t say that again please”

“It’s okay” I said softly, “But it just don’t change the fact that I love you. And I am ready to be a good wife” I said, Arthur gaze hardened.

“That’s your problem,” Arthur said, “I don’t want you to say that, and know your place”

His statement hurt, but I faked a smile, and he nodded and walked away, I stared at his lover’s grave and dropped my necklace on her it.

Maybe she was worthy to wear that more than I.