Renewing threats

ALEXANDRO KING

I was angry about a lot of things, the main one was why she attended the party without my permission. It was an oversight on my part to tell her about it and then be absent from it. But my absence had been her fault and she should have called before doing anything.

I was surprised to know she was good with cards but that was now a useless skill because everyone else had read her hand except me.

I could have taught her more, made her untouchable, but now she and her fickle heart have been swayed.

It was hard to keep cool, but I had said enough to speak sense into her brain, so I kept quiet on our way back to the car. I could hear her sniffs as she tried to swallow her tears. Finally, a sight of the weak woman I had chosen.

Somewhere along the line, I had made a mistake. The plan was to make her rely on me for strength but now our enemies had seen more of her than I had.

“I’ll teach you everything you need to know about my world, never ask for help from anyone. Don’t go anywhere without me and for God’s sake, call me. When anything seemed controversial, call me.” I tried my best to not make her more broken than she was and at the same time get my message into her head.

I wanted her to lean on me, but I also loved the person she was becoming, Baxter had sent me a few pictures of her watching TV, and I had seen the love people showered her on social media. I hoped she didn’t make any mistake that would affect her in that area, but she seemed to be doing good so far.

There was a small café not too far from the hospital, I hardly stopped by, most times, I sent Baxter to order. Today I stopped, I needed a bit of caffeine and Emily needed something to clear her head too. I had never seen her drinking coffee, but I was sure tea wouldn’t help her present condition. She didn’t wait for me to open the door for her, she alighted as soon as I killed the car’s engine.

The manager was so happy to us, happy enough to subtly take a picture and upload it. Everyone who saw us today had been doing that. Having access to her account was amusing, there were no suspicious activities with anyone, but it was an itch under my skin who Justin was.

She didn’t chat with anyone but replied to all comments and sent sweet emojis.

The heated discussion on her page was based on the curiosity of the cause of our fight. The woman’s post was tagged, #thefightisnotover.

It was funny how these people didn’t even know the real thing.

“I would like a cup of coffee and a sandwich.” I ordered, “What about you, Emily?” I asked her, placing my hand over hers on the table. Just for the sake of Drama, it boosted my image when people thought that I was a good husband.

Surprisingly, Emily slipped her hand out of my reach, evading my touch even before my hand closed over hers. The manager gasped loud enough for us to hear, then covered her mouth as she realized everyone had heard.

“I’d appreciate a cup of coffee.” Her voice was hoarse and her throat dry. Crying wasn’t good for her. I made a mental note to never let any more tears come out of those eyes, as much as I could anyway. No one else would ever be permitted to make her cry.

“What else? You’ve not had breakfast.” I murmured caringly.

She raised her eyes to meet mine and I hated the dullness I found in them, the temptation to take her back to the hospital and give her some time with her dad came up. I pushed it down quickly, she had to learn, it wasn’t my fault she chose the hard way.

“I’m not hungry, just a cup.” She said to the manager and didn’t even look at me. The manager was enjoying the Drama.

She scurried off and came back with two cups of coffee, mine was just the way I liked it, black and with no sugar, but I was surprised to see that Emily’s was also black.

“There’s sugar in mine.” She murmured; she must have noticed the surprise in my expression.

“How did she know how you wanted it?” I asked, all she had been doing was on her phone.

She raised the phone to my face and waved it, then pointed at the code on the wall.

That was fast. I eyed her. Her phone attachment wasn’t going to end well, I hated to be watching her and not seeing what was happening under my nose.

The manager came back with a plate of biscuits.

I looked at Emily, to ask if she had ordered for it, as they were sending and receiving orders behind me.

“No, I didn’t.” She replied, her voice was soft, and I wished she had snapped at me like she used to.

“It’s on the house.” The woman said smiling. Her Café was going to be filled with fans of Emily for the next few days, I could bet she would charge extra for those that wanted to sit where Emily was sitting right now.

I wanted to reject it, but Emily spoke first, “Thank you, I love it. Honey, right?”

She collected it with a smile on her face. Honey Biscuits. I wouldn’t eat them on a normal day, but today I stretched forth my hand to have a taste. Her hand had come out at the same time and we touched each other. She lifted her eyes to meet mine that hadn’t left her face all day.

Her words were soft and still filled with hurt, “Stop playing with me.” Then she removed her hand to let me have mine first.

I took one and withdrew my hand, but still didn’t take my hand off her.

“I’ll cancel with Nina.” She said after she took her first bite of the biscuit.

“I’ve done that already,” I replied simply, that I intended to take her there and do it in person, but she didn’t look like she was up to it, I didn’t want anyone thinking I hit my wife.

“What was your excuse?” She asked, it seemed like the biscuits were helping revive her mood, her eyes seemed a bit clearer, and color was returning to her cheeks.

The manager came back to replace our cups.

I leaned forward because my words were meant for Emily’s ears only and to choke the manager with curiosity. “I told her I wanted all your firsts.”

I had hoped she would blush and turn red, instead, she took another bite of biscuit and nodded.

“I want to teach you everything. I want to be the first to hand you a gun.” I said, trying to play her into my arms, but her next word got me played.

“When did I say I had never held a gun?” She looked into my eyes as she spoke the words.

What?