IF I DON'T...

EDDY

"Dr. Connor Millow!" I exclaimed, intentionally refusing to look up from the opened document on my tablet, my fingers holding up my tea cup mid air.

My study was sacred and everybody, including Connor, knew not to bother me whenever I was behind its doors.

But somehow, my best friend, Connor Millow, who was also the family doctor and happens to be the first unfortunate idiot that dares to desire my wife lustfully bypasses the no disturb order anytime he was in my house.

So, when I had gone in for my quiet afternoon tea moment and the door swung open twenty minutes later, I knew it could only be one person.

"Was bedeutet das?" he spoke in German, a certain heaviness hanging between the words.

I took a small sip from my tea cup, trying my best to hold down the hate threatening to become a fully fledged contempt in my heart for this man.

"What do you mean, doctor?" I asked, letting the cup down on the side stool and dropping my tablet into the sofa to look at him squarely.

"What is going on with the both of you? Is this some kind of a joke? Or a prank because (I am not finding it funny in French)"

I knew Connor was boiling with anger. 

Because of the nature of his job and because, according to him, he hated to be described as a linguist, he always stuck to English even with knowing a lot of other languages including Mandarin and Chinese.

But whenever he switches between two or more languages, it meant he was finding it very difficult to contain his thoughts — this happens only when he is very happy or very angry.

Judging from his energy, I knew it was the latter.

Well, I don't plan to appease his emotions.

"Make me understand where you're coming from," I adjusted in my seat.

"Sit down. Explain, or I wouldn't know. Because left to me, I haven't seen you in a while." 

"Oooh, Come off it."

I stifled a laugh.

"Laugh all you can, but just get it that I am not finding it funny. Pushing your wife on me like it is nothing, even going to the extent of manipulating her to try to convince me to give in to your unreasonable intent is definitely out of line." 

I tried to keep a straight face. 

Partially because I wanted to deal with him for barging into my study this time, and I needed the heat to be high while I did that, then I was infuriated about how strongly he stood on denying the obvious.

It was funny. I'd have preferred to laugh, but I didn't want to make it easy for him in any way.

"Oh wow! Lola met you and she said---"

I arched my neck in a way to prompt him to complete the sentence I had already started.

"Eddy! Are you for real?"

His eyes boldened in the light of his words.

"I just wanted to make sure we thought of the same thing."

"You're crazy."

I swallowed.

"Stop. I do not appreciate it."

His eyes pierced into mine and mine into his. We battled without words like that for a while before Connor broke it off.

"Have a good afternoon, Eddison Langford."

He turned, striding quickly towards the door while I brainstormed on something that would pull the energy off his limbs before he made it out of the room.

"I will accept I understood whatever you had just said if you can swear to me that you didn't think about having my wife in your bed last night."

As expected, he halted on the spot, my words clinging to the dense atmosphere like arrows that had landed on the target perfectly.

I was sure he didn't expect me to come out as blunt as I had done, because even when he had turned to face me, he was still completely short of words.

In his eyes, I could see how much the truth and the lie struggled.

"That settles it then," I said, standing face to face with him.

"You're crazy," he managed, his words laced generously with pretense — it was easy to detect.

"Call me crazy but I have always believed in your wisdom."

"Écoutez!"

"I am making an offer that benefits every party that would be involved. I am giving you permission for the rest of the week. Why not get what you want before it becomes difficult to even come close?"

Connor was staring unbelievably at me, probably confused at his thoughts and my words and how easy they all seemed.

"Nimm es"

"You have nothing to lose."

He didn't believe that. I could see it in his eyes.

"C'mon!" I chuckled.

"I can share. Lola is willing. You want it. Is there really a problem?"

"Eddy---" his voice sounded inquisitive, like he needed to be more convinced.

"Think about it," I returned, flashing him a relaxed smile.

"Go ahead. I promise it'll be fun."

"And if I don't?" his voice boomed threateningly.

"You'd regret it. And Lola would suffer."

His brows arched up and his eyes searched mine for a deeper explanation.

"You heard me right."

"Eddy, you make bad jokes," he spat across my face, turning immediately and walking until he was out of the door.

As soon as the door clicked lock, every nerve in my body stood.

Pacing about the room restlessly, I remembered why I had agreed to this ridiculous marriage in the first place.

All because I wanted to please my father, find favour in his eyes, enough for him to want to put me on his seat confidently when he finally retires.

I couldn't wait for this dream to come true. I couldn't put up with Lola anymore. Not like I ever did, but I still crave to be finally freed of her — the first thing I'd do after I become managing director of the conglomerate was divorce the over-sized woman that doesn't stand for anything in my eyes.

But things are beginning to get complicated. Freddy is back. 

Connor thinks he can disrespect me by craving what still belongs to me. 

Lola thinks her wings are starting to spring out and so she can learn how to fly.

I chewed continuously on the finger of my thumb. This fight didn't look like it would be easy, and I don't plan to lose.