The Hug

Seraphina heard the garage door open and her husband's car slowly drive in. She didn't bother checking the time…he was always precise. Always 9:00pm. He'd leave work at 8, stop by to pick his coffee at 8:30 and drive for 30 minutes back home. He was always precise but not anymore.

She stood in the kitchen as elegant as ever. Marriage didn't mean boring and she took the assignment personally. Even after being married for 5 years, she made sure to look beautiful every evening while preparing dinner. It was the only moment she looked forward to after her long day at work and tonight, she stood on her diamond encrusted heels, her blonde hair dripping down her waist and her golden skin complementing her red dress beautifully. She had made a crispy chicken sandwich and fresh juice she always bragged to squeeze herself.

She heard the keys in the door and she giggled with her arms stretched wide “Mr. Big CEO, you're late again” she walked towards him slowly.

“I'm sorry, my princess” he lifted her off the ground “work stretched a little more” and planted a kiss on her lips before he stopped to stare at her “Darling, tell me your secret to aging backwards”

She held his hand and took him to the kitchen “Just be happy, it works like magic”. She proceeded to show off her cooking. He stretches to take a taste and she smacks his hands making him jump around in a very cartoonish manner. This was normal in the Vale family.

“Clean up in 10 and get back down, your dinner will be served” she says with a grin slowly stretching up her cheeks, like a woman who had just won the lottery.

“Okay your highness” he gave her a long kiss and walked up the stairs missing his step severally because he couldn't take his eyes off her.

Seraphina had always been beautiful, no one could compare. She always stood out no matter where she was and she wasn't just a beauty, but one with brains. She proved that after graduating top of the whole University of Dane. She was smart and had noticed the changes in her husband's behavior. His smile didn't quite reach his eyes anymore and he was constantly on his phone, calling or texting someone and tonight, he didn't notice when Seraphina took his phone off the kitchen cabinet. It was unlocked but she began having second thoughts…what if he was actually cheating, how'll she take it?

“Honey, I think my phone's there! If a call comes in, just ignore it! Okay?” Adrian yelled from upstairs.

She didn't respond. She had picked up the phone and she didn't have to go through it to be left speechless. A message had pooped in

“Are you home now, darling?” From Ness.

“Why's a woman asking if my husband is home yet?” She thought. “Why is he even talking to another woman? What does she mean by darling?” Her heart raced and her hands began to tremble. She tried to catch her breath as her nose leaked red. She was having a panic attack and everything became blurry until it wasn't making sense anymore. She staggered to the kitchen and poured water on her face.

“Let's have dinner, I'm starving,” Adrian said, walking down the stairs in pajama pants and a tank top, looking as dashing as ever. His hair was still damp, making it fall to his face. Seraphina stood at the table and smiled.

“Okay darling, let's eat”

They both sat to eat in the poorly lit and quiet room. The setting was fancy…the entire house was elegant and class just like Seraphina.

“Darling, the chicken tastes wonderful…did you change the recipe?” Adrian asked after putting just a slice of chicken into his mouth. She laughed “yes I did…I used lemon instead. I tried something different to give it that sweet and tangy taste”

Adrian laughed and looked at her. Not like he had been doing for the past few weeks, he looked at her like the man she had fallen for and decided to spend the rest of her life with. “You don't smile so much anymore” she said as he poked him with her fork “Work my love, Work” he replied.

They finished eating shortly after and she got up to do the dishes but he refused. “You already cooked, leave the dishes to me” she chuckled and followed behind him, leaning on his shoulder to absorb his scent. She couldn't quite place it but she was obsessed with it. Like perfumes mixed with flowers and sweat.

“I bet all those female workers in your company wished they could do this, huh?” she said as she wrapped her hands around his waist.

“I could say the same for you, My beautiful wife” he replied swiftly. She was about to get comfortable when the image of the message flashes in her mind again. Her breathing became hatched and she slowly walked to sit, trying to be natural. She didn't want him to suspect her.

When he was done, he walked to the chair and lifted her on his shoulders “What! Put me down!” She giggled and smacked his back but he refused.

“I noticed your breathing became unstable at a point, I'll take you to the room” he moved up the stairs.

He dropped her gently on the bed where she was still laughing out loud. Her hair, now a mess and her jewelry had almost fallen all off. “Come lay down beside me, babe” she tapped the space beside her. He slept in the same space for 5 years. That same space. He launched himself on the bed and cuddled his wife. She stared at the chandelier and back at him “do I make you genuinely happy, Adrian?”

He took a deep breath and turned to her “What happened?” She sighed “That's not the answer.”

“You do.”

“I'm glad.” And she fell asleep but not for too long until her phone buzzed violently, splitting the midnight air.