Chapter 3. Ugly duckling drama

*Knock, knock*

As Charlie held a sleeping Jessica, he leaned against the wall for support outside her door and strained his arm to knock on her door. He knocked the door quiet hard since no one had answered the door yet, he started to pang his closed fist against the door in frustration. Jessica was dead weight. His arm was becoming numb.

He heard the lock on the doot turn and out came a stubby man. Round as a barrel, smelling of cheetos. It was an unpleasant sight and smell. He had never seen such a disgusting person in his life before living in an apartment. He belonged on a street corner, begging for change.

" So YOU brought her home. Did you have a good time, was it so good she sprained her ankle and fell asleep".

Just leave her on the bed as he motioned Charlie to leave her on their bed. He left her down gently. He walked to the living room to see that everything was a mess. There was dishes piled on the coffee table, clothes in the floor and beer cans piled next to the couch. Charlie handed him the painkiller pills for Jessica and left. He felt sorry for her. He believed no one deserves to live like a pig. He assumed her husband did not work, judging by the cans on the floor. He couldn't have drank those in one afternoon.

He could not help but wonder why on earth would she want to stay with a douche bag like that. He remembered she has a child. But he still felt that was no excuse. Tonight she didn't look like the ugly duckling she usually was. She may lack some confidence, but there is definitely room for change. As he got into the car to leave, he realised her coat was still on the seat. He decided to run back up and return her jacket. He knocked again at her door, this time much calmer. Softly. He did not want to cause any more trouble for her.

'' So loverboy is back, here to have more fun? She is still asleep, what ever you did to her she is too exhausted for me to get lucky with her tonight'', Mr Brown spat out sarcastically. He laughed from within his stomach as if he wanted Charlie to shiver at his remark.

''Actually sir, I am here to drop of her coat'', he said with utmost politeness. He turned around to leave when he felt a hand on his back,'' You dare come here after sleeping with my wife, lying that she was hospitalised'', Mr Brown swung his fist but Charlie was still young and agile, he dodged it with ease. Looking at the man in front of him he decided to walk away.'' I will take you to court for coming in between a happy marraige, breaking a home, sleeping with my wife'', Mr brown screamed down the hall. Charlie turned around and walked straight up to the man who spat out blatent lies.'' What did you say?'' his eyes grew cold as he questioned the pathetic figure in front of him.

'' I said, You dare come here after a night of fun with my wife!!! Have you no shame, you bed my wife, she looks drugged, so you drugged my wife and took advantage of her. I should be reporting you'' he spoke in a pathetically strained voice.

*Smack*

Charlie could not help himself, anger rose within him and he slapped the man in front of him. The force was so great that he misbalanced and fell onto the hard wood floor. Mr Brown held his face and cowered on the floor. He was in shock.

''Mr Brown , you dare question my character, you accuse me of all these lies you imagine? '' Charlie spoke firmly.'' Your wife is my colleague, she had injured herself at the office party and was treated at Winston private hospital'', He pulled out the discharge papers drom his pocket and flung it in the mans face.

''The next time you dare accuse your wife, remember the slap I gave you, you are truely a pathetic scumbag'', with that being said, Charlie turned around and walked out of the building. He was angry at the remarks that was made by Jessica's husband. Mr brown was really a peice of work. He felt sorrier for Jessica and hoped that her husband would come to his senses.

taking a deep breath, he looked at his watch, 1am. He jumped into his car, lit a cigarette and drove home. As he drove home his mind still wondered about Jessica's situation. He thought deeply about why she would ever stay with a man like that. He was vile. He came up with different theories. Was it because of her child? Did she love him? Is he abusive and she is terrified to leave? Is she being blackmailed? He wondered if her husband loved her or was he just using her? Was he just enjoying his life at her expense? And she allowed him to. His mind just thought of so much possibilities when it came to her situation. By what he had seen and heard tonight he figured that Jessica was a crazy person to stay with him. She was so quiet and pitiful at work that he felt sorry for her. She was the office joke because she lacked self esteem. She lacked self esteem because of her situation at home. How can anyone Ble her for being so timid,so shy and withdrawn. His heart just broke thinking about her situation. He was thankful that his children did not have to endure any such situation like this. He loved his wife and she loved him in return. They have the perfect balance of their love life and their family life. He guessed it all came down to the partner you choose. They must have the same goals and visions as you do. And his wife definitely did.