Once Bitten

Alexander's Point of View

Cold water splashed on my body, startling me awake. I jumped up, breathing heavily as I looked down at my soaked clothes clinging to my skin. My eyes widened when I saw my wife.

Her right hand rested on her lips, her expression blank. She held an empty bucket in her left hand, her gaze fixed on me.

“Get up,” she ordered, her voice firm and unyielding. “I’m hungry. Go make me something to eat.”

I clenched my fists, staring into her eyes.

“Couldn't you have asked a little nicer?” I asked, glancing down at my wet clothes.

“I could have,” she replied, rolling her eyes in irritation, her foot tapping impatiently on the polished marble floor. “But don’t waste my time. I’ve got a modeling gig to get to.”

“Alice, I…” I began, but she cut me off.

“You don’t tell me what to do, Alex. I own this house, and you’ll do as I say. Maybe I’d listen to you if you actually made some real money. Now get out there and do the dishes,” she snapped, pointing toward the door.

Her words hit me like darts to the heart. Still clenching my fists, I muttered under my breath as I left the room. I could hear her whisper,

“That’s more like it.”

All I wanted was for her to love me. Just a flicker of affection, that’s all I needed. I knew deep down, beneath that cold heart, she had a place for me. She was just too proud to admit it because of my financial situation.

Later, after finishing the dishes and cooking some Italian pasta, I walked back into the bedroom. From the doorway, I watched her apply makeup to her flawless, glowing skin.

“Breakfast is ready, honey,” I called out, walking over and planting a kiss on her cheek.

“My senses work just fine. I can smell the food,” she replied coldly, standing up.

“How do I look, Alex?” she asked, a smile creeping onto her red lips as she placed a hand on her hip, clearly expecting a compliment.

“You look beautiful, my angel,” I said, smiling warmly.

“Good you noticed. You know, it takes actual money to maintain this beauty,” she added, walking over to me and placing a hand under my chin.

“I…I know. I’m trying, Alice,” I stammered as her fingers traced my chest.

“A janitor can’t keep up with me. Think about that,” she whispered, her lips brushing against mine.

For a brief moment, she let me into her space, but then she pushed me aside and strutted out of the room. Those three minutes were the best I’d had in this marriage. Maybe she was starting to forget about the divorce papers, pressured by her parents.

I sighed in relief and went to the dining room. She ate the pasta without a word of thanks,not that I expected one.

When she finished, she stood up, and I took a moment to admire her. Her blonde hair cascaded down her back, resting just above her hips. Her purple gown was tailored to perfection, her necklace adding to her beauty. She wore a pair of glasses perched on her pointed nose, giving her a hot, nerdy look.

She tucked a few strands of hair behind her ear and walked toward the door. Before leaving, she turned back to me.

“Don’t forget my aunt’s birthday is tonight. They consider you family, after all.”

I nodded, walking over to kiss her one last time. Just as I expected, she pushed me away, frowning.

“I decide when that happens,” she muttered, slamming the door behind her.

I stared at the door for a while before returning to my daily routine of cleaning the house like a hired servant,a servant who got nothing in return.

After cleaning the last speck of dust from the windows, I collapsed onto the soft mattress, daydreaming of ways to win Alice’s love.

A few hours later, my phone buzzed. I reached over to the nightstand and grabbed it, squinting at the screen.

“Bridge Bar tonight. Don’t be late,” I read aloud. It was from Joe, the only friend who stuck by me. Unlike me, he had women flocking around him because of his luxurious lifestyle.

I smirked as I glanced at the clock.

“Can’t this damn thing move a little faster?” I muttered, groaning in frustration. The continuous ticking only added to my impatience.

Finally, twilight arrived. I slipped into a white turtleneck that hugged my torso, a pair of Jordans, and some blue pants,just for the night.

I hailed a cab to the Bridge Bar, and Joe paid. The place practically screamed ‘wealth.’

We walked over to the counter and sat down on the stools.

“Whiskey,” Joe ordered, his voice rough.

“Whiskey on the rocks,” I added.

The bartender nodded and filled our glasses. I took a sip, the liquid burning its way down my throat.

“So, how’s it going with Alice?” Joe asked, a hint of curiosity in his voice.

“Oh, Alice. We’re good. She’s playing hard to get, but I’ll win her over,” I replied casually.

Joe chuckled loudly. “Look, Alex, you should get out of that relationship. You’re not in her league.”

His words hit me hard. I clenched my jaw, staring at him, my breathing labored. Did he really need to remind me that I wasn’t good enough for her? Anger flared within me, and I shoved my drink away.

“I don’t think you need to worry about that. Mind your own business,” I snapped, my tone harsher than I intended.

“Chill, bro,” he said, trying to calm me down.

I glanced at my watch and realized I was late for Alice’s aunt’s birthday. Desperately, I asked Joe for some money.

“You owe me,” he said.

“I’ll get paid soon and double the amount,” I begged, desperation in my voice.

He pulled out a wad of cash and handed it to me. “Here you go,” he said.

I shook his hand one last time before bolting out of the bar.

On the way, I stopped by a jewelry store and bought a necklace for her aunt’s birthday. A few minutes later, I arrived at the mansion, and my jaw dropped at its beauty.

I knocked on the glass door, and when it opened, the maid seemed to doubt who I was. It took forever to explain that I was Alice’s husband.

“I’m really sorry. I just didn’t expect her husband to be… you know,” she said awkwardly, holding the door open.

I ignored her comment.

The chandelier hanging from the ceiling cast a soft glow on my skin. I could smell the cake, and I was sure it had vanilla in it.

“I see you brought your trash of a husband,” Alice’s brother sneered at me, his voice pulling me from my thoughts.

I forced a smile as I walked into the dining room, greeted by cold stares.

“You still haven’t divorced my daughter, huh?” Alice’s father shouted at me.

“I love her, and I won’t think of doing that,” I replied, my voice trembling.

The room erupted in laughter, and they mocked me, calling me a dumb rooster. I couldn’t stand it any longer, so I excused myself and left, heading home.

Back at the apartment, I sat on the sofa, pondering my life, when I heard a knock at the door. Maybe it was Alice, finally realizing she had been wrong and coming to apologize.

I walked to the door, my hand gripping the doorknob, and twisted it open.

My jaw dropped when I saw my father-in-law standing there with the cops, his expression grim.

“That’s the bastard who stole my money!” he said, pointing at me. “Take him away. I want my money back.”

I froze at the spot, my mind racing. This couldn't be happening. Not like this.