The car stopped a few metres from the office complex. They had been silent since they entered the car. Leila looked at her husband for an explanation.“You don’t want people to see us together, right?” Her head automatically bobbed. “You can get off here and walk the remaining distance to avoid any suspicions.”Leila couldn’t consider it a distance because it was less than five minutes on foot but she appreciated his thinking. They shared another glance, he wasn’t smiling but he wasn’t frowning so she did the unthinkable. She kissed him on his cheek.“Thanks, Kev.”Her husband was stupefied. She giggled. That was payback for his morning kiss. Her grin widened when she noted Amara’s small smile. Leila didn’t let it bother her. Kelvin already assured her so she had nothing to worry about.She skipped the remaining distance to the office and her smile fell once she glimpsed the time. Five minutes more until her presentation. She rushed into her office to pick her things but Lily blocked
Kelvin met Leila cooking. There were two things he didn’t like about this. First, she was still in her office clothes. Second, if leaning on the counter was a sign, then his wife was exhausted. He didn’t want her stressing over food when he had cooks on his payroll.After a change of clothes, he went to the kitchen with the intention of helping out but an aroma stopped him in his tracks. Leila was stirring something in the pot so she hadn’t noticed him. Kelvin clutched his stomach, doubling over as a spell of dizziness hit him.The door creaked as he clung to it to steady himself. His stomach churned and bile jumped to his throat. One of the reasons he hired cooks was because of his body’s reaction to some foods. A smell could set him off and it was exactly what was happening to him.He needed to get out of this kitchen and he needed to do it now. The sound of his flip-flops finally alerted Leila, Kelvin dry heaved but she didn’t glance his way.“Hey,” she said without looking at him.
“Freya,” Leila answered.She gripped the sink behind her to steady herself while watching her husband. He was allergic to onions? That was new to her, a downer. The peanut allergy was worse.The shrimp pasta was prepared using her family’s old recipe but she would have to eat the food alone when he wasn’t home. Or take it to Freya’s house as a peace offering.“A guy?” he asked and she shook her head.“A girl.” She moved away from the sink to arrange the dishes into the cabinet. “Freya is my best friend. The one I was waiting for at the wedding.” They had been talking about having a sleepover, the only form of apology her friend would accept. Kelvin took a seat at the dining table and she joined him. “I’ll be going to her place in a bit. Will you be okay on your own?”It was normal for her to spend the night at her friend’s for sleepovers and girls night out. Being a remote worker, Freya always wanted her company. Plus, Leila had missed Blu, Freya’s cat.“You’re not leaving.”Leila wai
Kelvin was pissed. She couldn’t love him. Of course she wouldn’t be able to love him since she already closed her mind to the possibility. She had also spoken on his behalf with so much confidence. When he talked about them having a normal life, falling in love was part of it.The only reason he had not shaken her awake when he found her asleep in that uncomfortable position was because of how tired she looked. After waiting for her to show up, he had to go look for her himself. Kelvin didn’t mean to eavesdrop but they had been talking about him. He wanted to know what his wife thought of him.Her response hurt. More than he expected.He loosened his tie and tossed the file Amara handed to him on the plane seat. His head was full. Work was stressing him out and his wife wasn’t helping much. He needed a breather. The only thing that could calm him was the acquisition of this property in New York. He couldn’t believe he moved for this. It had better be worth it.Kelvin rested his head o
Leila couldn’t stop blushing. She didn’t know what had come over her last night.That reply was unlike her.She stopped in front of the wardrobe. Her eyes roamed her clothes in search of the perfect outfits. It was that time of the year again for the company’s annual trip. She hadn’t expected it to happen this year due to the change in CEOs but she received a broadcast email this morning. Everyone was expected to be at the office with their luggage by 9 am. No lateness.Kelvin didn’t mention it. She didn’t know if he would come and she didn’t want to ask him. Her fingers brushed a black gown, she hadn’t worn it in years.It was the definition of sexy, hugging her body in all the right places. She pulled it off the hanger, on an afterthought, she snatched her favourite pair of Victoria secret lingerie. If anything would happen between her and Kelvin, she had to be prepared.Minutes later, Leila was rushing out of the house. She met her co-workers at the parking lot. There was a bus rea
Leila walked out on her husband while he was still talking. She slammed the door so hard it echoed in the empty corridor.How dare he?How dare he tell her who to talk to? He was gone for nearly two weeks and the next thing he wanted to do was police her movements? Never. That she agreed to this marriage didn’t mean she signed off her rights of freedom.She stopped at the reception to catch her breath. For a silly moment, she had thought Freya was right and they could actually be friends. She was trying to open up to that man.Finding an empty spot in the reception, she lowered herself to one of the long benches. Her fingers pressed to her temple, she rubbed them in circular motion to ease the building headache. Leila stared at her boots and her body slightly vibrated in anger. She was still in her travel outfit. He didn’t give her the chance to change before coming off at her.A familiar ringtone cut through her thoughts. The sight of her best friend’s name on her phone’s screen lift
When Leila woke, it was with an arm around her waist. Her smile was instant when she located the arm of the owner. Kelvin. It was her first time seeing him in bed. He looked peaceful and younger than his actual age. The worry lines on his forehead were gone. Leila wasn’t thinking when she placed a kiss on his cheek.Kelvin didn’t stir from his sleep so she snuck out of the bed and did her thing in silence to avoid waking him. A gentle breeze rustled the curtains, it was the only sound in the room as Leila changed into a gown.The sexy, black gown. It hugged her body, and showed off her slim waist. Leila found herself wishing Kelvin was awake to appreciate her figure. She was combing her hair in front of the mirror when Kelvin finally woke. He stretched his hands and a smile took over his lips when their eyes met in the mirror. She looked away.As far as they were concerned, their last conversation didn’t end well. Leila walked out on him and he met her talking to the man he said she s
Leila patted the wooden surface twice, thanked the receptionist and left for the hotel’s diner. Lily asked her to meet them there, they would go to her room after having breakfast. Leila pulled out her phone to check the time. Some minutes past ten.The two were already seated when she arrived. They waved at her and she marched to them. She pulled out a seat and dumped her bag on another chair. Left to her, she wanted to be in the room with Kelvin.Kelvin would order breakfast, they would eat and try to get to know each other but it would raise brows. Lily already asked her twice about her relationship with Amara. She couldn’t remember what she said.Susie was quiet as Leila took her seat. That was odd but she didn’t comment on it. The less the woman talked, the lower the chances of Leila fumbling.“We are having scrambled eggs and some toast,” Lily said. She slid the menu to Leila. “We didn’t order for you because we did