A FIRE I DIDN'T START

LOLA

Another knock broke out against my door — sharp, impatient.

My breathing seized for a second.

"Freddy!" I muttered, clutching tight at the material initially hanging between my fingers.

My eyes were watery from my own arousal, and I couldn't wait to finally be able to feel the emotions that remained unlocked in my heart.

My cheeks burnt red. I was so embarrassed that I packed up the box and shoved them under the sheets.

Adjusting the belt of my bath robe, I did a short breathing exercise to keep my voice firm.

Clutching the knob of the door, I took one last deep breath before yanking it open.

I gagged, my chest tightening to the sight in front of me. Not only did I not expect to see Eddy in front of my door by the time of the night, I was too fired up to handle whatever he had come to say.

It was ridiculous, but I wondered if he was here because of what I said to him at the stadium, and I feared we might end up doing something we both would regret by morning.

"Hi, Eddy," my voice was shaky.

I drew in a long breath, exhaling slowly right after.

"Why? We're still married, and I have every right," he replied, so casually, it felt like he had only said that to discard me.

"We're still married, but you insisted on different rooms. We're still married,but you never miss any opportunity to remind me of how I will never be part of the story of your life. We're still married?"

I couldn't hold it back. If he wasn't going to be reasonable, he should at least allow me to have my peace.

He glanced at me briefly, shaking his head like I was a toddler throwing meaningless tantrums.

My words caught in my throat, as he pushed me out of the way, grabbing the door from my grip to let himself in.

"What do you want, Eddy?" I insisted, going right after him.

"What do you want?" I repeated, crossing to stand opposite him with my hands outstretched beside me like I was preventing him from reaching something that was behind me.

Halting, Eddy let out a smirk, his eyes narrowing in a way as he scanned every corner of the room.

"You're being too defensive than usual. Are you hiding something?"

I swallowed.

Looking up at him again, I adjusted my posture. "I don't know what you are talking about, but it is uncomfortable having you in my room at this time of the night," I said, throwing back the words at him.

"You mean, it is unbelievable?" he asked, snorting loudly, as he pushed his way through.

Eddy was painfully persistent, and I knew going back and forth with him wouldn't yield the best results, so I let him.

My heart pounding restlessly — I wasn't still sure who the customized lingerie I had shoved under the sheets were from, and I wouldn't know how to handle it if Freddy walked in at this time.

My feet were cold and stiff against the hard tiles, my thoughts working for a way out, and my eyes steady for his next move.

I watched Eddy pace around the room a couple times, before finally turning to me.

"I am not under any obligation to explain my actions to anybody, especially you," he said, looking me down like I wasn't worth anything.

I couldn't say anything. I was conflicted — the thought that Eddy could actually be looking for something important built up guilt in my chest. Then, there was the other feeling I had been dealing with for the past two years, the one that made me shrink hard whenever I was in his presence.

I was still trying to get myself to say something with his gaze pressing me down hard when the door knob clicked open — no warning, no knock, no noise— Freddy.

He poked his head in first, and I was sure I saw a small smile on his lips until his eyes fell on Eddy, the smile suddenly filtering back into the skin of his face.

"Look who we have here," he exclaimed, letting himself in.

The situation didn't look too good. My eyes stung with worry.

Eddy turned, his face in the same tight expression of somebody who couldn't feel.

"I thought as much. Wow!" a grin spread across Freddy's face as he pulled his palms up to cover his mouth.

Eddy didn't say a word. He just kept staring at Freddy, I wondered if it didn't make him feel stupid to be stared at like that.

"I thought you were high and mighty. I thought you wouldn't succumb, but I guess legends get cold too," Freddy continued, his grin getting wider.

When I turned to Eddy, stood still by the corner with a silent rage in his eyes, my heart skipped a beat.

I wanted Freddy to stop, at the same time, I didn't want to get involved. I couldn't guess what Eddy was thinking, but I was sure that whatever it was, it wouldn't be in my favour.

"You have such a rotten ego, Eddison. If you are going to be like this, why did you opt for a different room?" Freddy's eyes widened as the question slipped out of his tongue.

"This is what you are at midnight, yet you act all mighty during the day," Freddy continued, anxiety crawling uncomfortably under my skin.

I was staring from Freddy to Eddy, and back to Freddy again.

It didn't look like he was going to stop anytime, and Eddy didn't seem to be considering talking back. It was the most uncomfortable setting.

I couldn't stand back and pretend like Freddy wasn't watering a tree that would end up falling on me.

"Freddy!" I snapped, stepping forward, my face scrunched up like a warrior's on his way to the battlefield.

"Someone has to tell him the truth," Freddy said, glaring me hard in the eyes, a silent message that I should leave him be, but I knew I couldn't do that.

I shook my head.

"You shouldn't speak to him like that," I replied.

"Maybe you should mind your own pathetic business," Eddy finally spoke from beside me, and with that, he strolled out of the room, slamming the door hard, the pressure v

ibrating against the walls.

I knew it.

I knew him.

I knew I'd better get ready to handle his wrath.