chapter 4

Quinn

"The shoot is starting in three days time."My manager called informing.

I lowered the phone volume.

"You told me it was next month. We all agreed it would be next month. Why the change of plans?" I half-yelled.

"The investors want production to start as soon as possible. We can't back out, we signed the contract already." He responded.

"Then do something." I persuaded.

" Maybe negotiate." I suggested.

"Unfortunately, there can be nothing of such, just oblige if nothing for your reputation." He said.

"Shit." I cursed.

"They are willing to increase your payment by one million dollars." He screamed into the phone.

"Not bad." I commented.

" Just this last time." He said.

"Better be." I cut the call.

I work hard for me, for my mum and for Aria.

The thought of her made me sad. Everything I did was supposed to be for us, yet it never seemed enough.

Aria. She never understands, she gets jealous easily. She doesn't give me peace. She craves attention that I can't provide. She is the complete opposite of the lady I got married to.

And now that my mother was around? It was war , bickerings here and there. I can't even choose.

What kind of son would choose his wife over his mother?

"What kind of husband would allow his mother humiliate his wife?" My subconscious mind asked.

"She didn't humiliate her...she only voiced her discomfort." I tried to convince.

I exhaled sharply, running a hand through my hair as frustration took over me. For the first time in my entire life,I was scared, scared to tell my wife I had to leave for another movie shoot again.

I paced round the room.

My footsteps aggressive against the floor, replaying conversations in my head—her disappointed sighs, the way her eyes dulled whenever work came between us.

I just got a call that I had to be in Finland for a movie shoot in 2 days time and 4 days ago, I promised her I would make time for her but again I couldn't fulfill my promise.

My jaw clenched. I could already imagine her reaction, the pause before she spoke, the look of disappointment, it was enough to scare me.

How would I tell her?

Before I could settle on an answer, a light tap landed on my back.

"Snap out of the thoughts Quinn."I felt a tap at my back and I looked back to see Aria standing there in her bathrobe. Obviously, she just had her bath.

Her hair was wet, the scent of lavender lingering around her. She looked calm—too calm—as if expecting me to say something.

"Yeah, did you say something?" I mumbled frustrated.

My voice came out hoarsely than I expected.

"Speak, another duty call?"She questioned and I scratched my head.

I hesitated, I searched for words that wouldn’t hurt her.

"Something like that." I answered hesitantly.

"I swear It wasn't intended, It was meant...."

"That's fine." She cuts in, I looked up and saw her expression.

Her face was unreadable. She simply walked past me.

It didn't look like the previous times when she would have that hurtful expression she wasn't nagging either.

"What exactly changed?"I thought.

I wanted her to scream, yell, nag or shout. I wanted her to tell me how bad I was hurting her, neglecting her. I didn't enjoy it. It was just a reaction that always proved to me that she still cared about me–about us–about our marriage–about our future.

She changed into her night gown, sat down in front of the mirror for her night skincare and dried her hair after and before I knew it she was already covering herself with the duvet.

The room felt quieter now, heavier, as if words were piling up between us, unsaid.

"You're looking beautiful as always." I complimented but I got no response.

"Aria." I called out.

My voice softened, unsure.

"Hmm."She replied.

"This was not planned." I said softly, laying beside her." The shoot was pushed forward that's why."

"I need you." She was backing me and my dick needed a release. I wanted to have her.

"I'm tired." She said.

"I promise it won't take long." I wrapped my hand around her waist but she jerked it off.

"Don't do this." I pleaded

"I'm stressed out, I'm not in the mood for this."

"Is it because of my sudden trip?"I whispered into her ears thinking it would ignite some butterflies in her belly. "Is it ?You know that's how I make money."

"I know and I'm permitting you to leave but my body I've every right to it and if I tell you no then it's no." She responded. I sensed finality in her tone. I sensed withdrawal. I sensed tiredness.

"Just the tip, I won't penetrate in." I pleaded again.

"No." She denied.

"Thinking of it when are they leaving?" She asked

"Who?" I raised my eyebrows in confusion.

"Your mother and stepfather." She answered.

"Seriously? At a time like this? This is not the time for that Ria."

"You're starving me of sex." I whined but it didn't seem to have any effect on her.

"Do you want to force yourself on me?" She questioned.

"So you want me to masturbate?" I asked.

"Whatever you wish." She replied.

She stood up from the bed, adjusted her wear and then started moving.

My jaw dropped in astonishment.

"Where are you going to?" I asked.

"Off to get a peaceful sleep." She responded.

"You're leaving me here like this." I shouted as she left.

"She really left." I thought as the sound of her footsteps faded.

In our 3 years of marriage, Aria has never denied me of sex even when she was tired, she made sure to satisfy me. She has always been the one asking for sex and I rejecting her demands but this time the table turned.

3 years of our marriage and never for once had she worked out on me even during our heated arguments

Was I really losing her?

Was I really losing my marriage?

Something was definitely wrong it wasn't just the trip, everything has been off since my arrival.