There should be good chemistry in relationships….****** Mike knew he had to pretend some interest, pasting a cheerful look on his face, he nodded.“Hmm okay, chicken and pasta it is.” He couldn’t pull off the look though, his voice sounded dispirited as he took a seat.Liza watched him, speechless.“What?” Mike asked when he noticed the look.“I am too tired, Mike, and I am hungry.” She exclaimed.“Meaning since I am a horse, I am not tired and I should cook the meal for us, Isn’t it?” He asked with a mock frown.“Bravo. You are so smart, dear husband.” She clicked her fingers with a radiant smile and then just because she was Liza, she added more insult by tweaking his cheek childishly before putting everything Mike would need to make the meal on the counter.Mike watched, speechless.‘This woman, she really does not have any fear for me again. Is this what marriage will do to a man?’ He thought morosely, unsure if he wanted Liza to take him for granted.But when she turned to stre
A conditional marriage is pure hell…*****Even in his passion filled haze, Mike noticed the change in her body and her breathing and he immediately stopped to look at her.“Is everything okay, babe?” He asked in a concerned voice while his brow pinched itself together in worries.Either she was unable to answer or she did not want to answer, Liza pushed a bit roughly at Mike’s chest and then she made her escape to the bathroom.Not sure of what exactly happened, Mike did not get up from where he was kneeling for a long time as he kept staring at the door in which Liza made her escape.But after awhile, he realised she was not out yet and a bit worried now, he rose himself to go to the door.Having noticed the door was locked, he knocked and called softly.“Liza? Is everything alright?” He waited but there was no response.After a few minutes of more patience, he wondered if he should do something, and just when he was considering breaking the door, he heard a click and Liza walked ou
A marriage without affection is dead…*****Watching the different expressions fleeting across her new husband’s face, Liza knew that was the last thing he was expecting from her and she had shocked him mightily.Well, she really did not know what he was expecting after that drama she acted out few days before the wedding. Was he thinking Liza would forget everything just like that and they could leave things unresolved?Hilarious!Without waiting for him to say anything again, she walked out of the room.It was a long time before Mike moved from his temporal paralysis.And it was only then he realised Liza was not in the room also.With a chilling face that still would not admit the reality, he turned furiously to walk out of the door.Few minutes later, he barged open another door and it was then he saw Liza after his thorough search in almost all the rooms in the beach house.Without wasting any time on words, he went to the bed and gathered her into his arms almost violently.Shri
Always a fool for love…*****Seeing that Mike was waiting impatiently for her response, she gave a short nod of her head.“Yes, I have enough on my cards, thank you. But…hmm, since I am not familiar with this area, I was hoping we could go together?” Liza asked tentatively, certain he was going to reject her request.Mike is a proud person and considering the way she had been treating him these past days, he was sure to be getting tired of her presence in his life.Mike was perplexed.‘After behaving as if I was a ghost living with her for three days, she now want me to follow her to town for shopping? Can women be more complicated than he thought?’ Mike wondered in amazement as he took away his eyes from Liza to once again stare across the waves.Telling herself she was not surprised by his action and rejection, Liza gave a brief smile that failed to reach her eyes.“I understand. Of course I will go alone if you will arrange a boat pick up.” She told him softly before turning to go
A show of love can disarm hatred… ******* Tired of her own thoughts, Liza glanced out of the window of the cab, intent on distracting herself with the views. Few minutes later, she gave a small gasp. “What the heck!” She cried, and then, tapping on the seat of the driver, she shouted for him to stop. “Stop, stop this car right now.” She kept shouting. “What?” Almost jumping out of his skin by the unexpected reaction from the crazy woman he carried in his cabbie, the driver had to control his hands on the wheel before expertly bringing the car to a stop at a safe distance. Turning furiously to glare at her, he demanded hotly. “Are you crazy, woman? Do you want to get us killed?” But he got more stumped when he got no response. The woman was busy shoving dollars at him even as she was intent on opening the door. Watching her departing back as she promptly left in a flurry, he glanced down at the money she shoved at him and he blinked. “Who in their right mind will pay hundred
Misery loves company…******Then, as if both of them were in a competition, they kept tossing back drinks without hesitation.Once Liza saw Mike draining another glass of spirit, she would immediately splash herself a portion of Martini from the bottle she had snatched from Mike and glaring at him, she would toss it down her throat.They kept at it for a long time and it was not a wonder they found they were both drunk an hour’s later.“Me…men…a…are…scum.” Liza slurred pityingly as she guffawed.“To…total…non…sense. Not…all…men… are scum, Liza, it’s the one you knew.” Mike also slurred out.“The ones…” she murmured with correction even in her bad shape.“Pardon? The…the…ones…what?” Even in his bad state, he picked the murmured words.“The ones…I…knew. It was not just Tom, you are also a scum.” Anger made her to finish the last without stammering.“Ouch, that…hurts…Liza.” He told her with a sad look and Liza almost kissed him.Almost!“My…only…offence…was…loving you.” Staggering to si
Lovers should never accuse others wrongly…******Cooking Liza’s favourite meal of chicken and pasta, Mike grinned when he heard the sounds that indicated she was finally awake and coming down the stairs.He fixed his penetrating blue eyes on the door, anxiously waiting for her appearance.After breakfast, he was going to make sure she never doubted his love again.Moving forward henceforth, it would be smooth sailing.Remembering how they had been so carried away by their passion, they had gone skin to skin without any form of protection between them, Mike smirked.Even now, it’s possible he has already buried his seed deep within Liza’s belly. Imagining a grey eyed boy and a blue eyed girl, he grinned from ear to ear, anxious to share the expectation with Liza.Knowing the exact moment, she came to the doorway, he glanced across the room and smiled tenderly into her eyes.“Good morning babe.” He dropped the plate he was holding to meet her across the room, and because he was so abso
The honeymoon should never be over…******When Mike heard Liza using the word honeymoon, a sardonic glint came into his eyes.“Honeymoon?” He scoffed but did not say more than that.“Is it business that’s calling for you in London city?” Liza was yet to get it. For her, the place was so different from London, she thought they should enjoy it for a while.“Frankly speaking, I don’t intend to spend an extra hour in this dark hole if I can help it. So, under this circumstance, I feel it is imperative to leave right away. Please, be ready by 5pm as the boat will be coming to pick us up for our six o’clock flight.” Without waiting for her response, he left quietly. He knew she got the point already.Watching his departing back, Liza could only ask herself this question repeatedly.‘What have I done?’‘What in the hellish name have I done?’ She could not find the answer to her question though.*****Sometimes in the mid night, exactly at past twelve, their plane landed in the London Heath
A good ending for all… ****** Two weeks Later, Mike sent a bunch of flowers to Tom’s room at the hospital, having heard he was responding to treatment and would soon be discharged. He had also heard that with the help of his father’s team, his father was flown to London to be with his son at his critical moment. Mike felt for them but he knew they would get through it and survive together. That’s just life! It will throw you but if you are willing to stand again, everything will work out. Liza had heard him on the phone when he was ordering for the flowers and she had thought the flowers were to wish Tom a quick recovery and to also cheer him up. But only Mike knew that the real reason he sent the beautiful bunch of flowers was to silently thank Tom for indirectly bringing them back together. By pointing out some home truths to Liza, he made her see what she should have known, ‘That Mike would always be there for her’. For that alone, it shows the guy had some redeeming trait
We all deserve genuine love… ****** For long moments, they looked into each other’s eyes with trusting eyes that suddenly turned passionate. Mike’s eyes flared with a knowing light and Liza gave an unconscious gasp. Mike grinned as he lightly pushed her to continue walking to the car! “You always seem to be surprised every time I make my love and passion obvious, why?” He had always wanted to ask her. “I don’t know, Mike. Maybe because I never truly believed you could really love me, so I am always surprised when I see the evidence of it.” She admitted softly. Mike did not say anything to that as he opened the door for her to go in. Then he circled the car to join her and only then did he turn to look at her. “But that’s bullshit, babe. I have been showing you nothing but my love since we started dating.” Mike reminded her. “I know, Mike, but I guess it was just hard for me to believe and understand. I mean, I grew up without knowing much love, so how would I have recognized i
Give an option of doubt…*****Putting the phone back into his pocket, Mike turned to go back to Liza and that was when he saw her, watching him with a dazed look.“You heard everything, right?” Tiredly, he asked her, unable to hide it again.Liza nodded slowly.“I am sorry, Liza, but it is not what you think. I can explain, okay?” Mike was worried she might misunderstand.Again, Liza nodded slowly.“I am sure you have a reasonable explanation Mike and I promise to listen without judging you.” Liza acknowledged softly.Relieved, Mike nodded as he walked to her.“Thank you. I promise to tell you everything without hiding a word.” He embraced her soft body to him, knowing that he needed the warmth.Liza accepted his words and actions with a smile as she returned his embrace.******The following morning, Liza and Mike walked out of the old building with Martha who was holding tightly to the purple eyed, immensely bruised Tom.His left eyes were almost closed and Liza feared he might nev
Be honest with your loved ones… ******* What happened the next moment was so sudden, Mike was sure he was about to have a heart failure. “Oh my God—Oh my God—-Oh my God.” Liza kept crying. Recovering himself, Mike quickly left his seat to hold onto her shoulders. “Liza? Are you okay? Talk to me.” He saw the distressful emotion she was in and he could not bear it. It’s a fact that whatever affected Liza would get to Mike. Her joy and sadness were equally part of him. “I totally forgot, Mike. I did not mean to, but I forgot. I am a bad person. A very bad evil lady.” She cried softly while holding onto him. “Whatever it is Liza, we will get through it together, but I will not accept any disparaging word on your person. You are not a bad person and neither are you evil. So right now, I want you to take a deep breath and tell me what this is all about.” A little bit calmed by Mike’s reasonable voice, Liza took a calming breath. “It’s Tom, Mike, I totally forgot about him.” Liza exp
Apologies don't make you less of a man… **** Helping each other to dress up four hours later after a short nap on his office sofa bed, Liza sent a smug smile across to Mike. “You need to apologise to your staff Mike, they did not deserve the treatments you have been melting out on them.” Liza pointed out and Mike groaned. He did not have to ask Liza, he should have known Stella would tell her all about it. “I am serious, Mike, you need to apologise. Just imagine if any of your staff is acting unprofessional just because they are going through a lot at home. Would you accept that, even if you try to be understanding towards their plight?” Liza demanded to know. “I am the boss, Liza, it is different.” He pointed out arrogantly, trying to cover up. but he knew she was right. ‘That’s the thing about Liza, she was always almost right.’ He thought fondly with another groan. “No Mike, there is nothing different about it. They are humans and if you are truly the man I know you to be, I
A forgiving spirit is a kind one…*******Typing furiously away at her system while equally muttering furiously to herself, Stella was not aware of the person at her desk until she heard a chuckle which made her jump in fright.“Is the building on fire or what?” Liza asked with an amused gaze while watching the different emotions flashing across the face of her former senior colleague.“Liza Stanford, you scared me.” Stella cried, turning her full glare on the innocent Liza.“Uh oh wow, take it easy with the glare okay? I’m innocent of whatever the crime was.” Chuckling, she raised her hands in mock surrender.Stella snorted, unimpressed.Innocent her foot! Whatever their boss was going through, Stella knew Liza had a hand in it and even if it’s not in Stella’s place to say it out loud, she just hoped they could settle whatever it was between them.Having been married for several years now, she knew it was not always smooth sailing between couples.Just look at her and her husband Leo
Correct your mistakes once you know it… ******At the other end, Liza kept staring at the silent phone in her hand. Mike had dropped the call. Without telling her it was a joke. Which meant that truly, he was pushing for a divorce? ‘No way! Over my dead body.’ She swore violently as she ran to the bathroom. Almost tearing off the clothes on her body, she hurriedly lathered the washing clothes with soap as she switched on the shower, full blast. Dressing with haste, five minutes later, Liza was walking down the stairs, smartly dressed in one of her office clothes. But before she could cover the last step, one of the maids walked in from the hallway to greet her respectfully. “Good afternoon, Mrs. Stanford.” “Good afternoon Mary. I am on my way out and I might not be back for a while.” She said in a distracted tone while checking her bag to make certain she had all she wanted. “Oh okay Madam, but I was just on my way upstairs to tell you there is a visitor at the door asking fo
A disappointed heart is always heavy…****Glaring fiercely at the door of his office, willing any of his staff to walk through the door so he could at least have an excuse to vent his frustrations, his eyes caught the favourite coffee mug on his table and picking it up, he threw it violently at the wall and the smashing sound gave him a momentary satisfaction.At that exact moment, the Head of Sales Department was on his way to discuss the latest marketing pitch with the boss after deciding to brave the lion’s then. Even his colleagues had teased him when he casually told them he was in to see the boss.There had been teasing calls about his head and they had all laughed, saying by the time Mike Stanford was done blasting him off, his considered small head would become bigger as it rolled on the floor. Someone had even said he was sure he would come out without his tongue in his mouth.Of course, he had scoffed disdainfully, not giving them the chance to see his fear.Only the Head o
The surprise package…*****Liza dismissed the maid and, turning with a determined step, she hurriedly walked to the door just as the person pressed the bell again. Liza groaned ferociously as she pulled the chain from the back of the door.“Who the hell are you that you want to bring down the whole house just to get what you want?” Liza blasted the person with furious eyes even before the door was completely open.The short bald man that was standing at the door blinked owlishly up at her, surprised by the unexpected attack.“I—I didn’t--hmm aha…” The man stopped coughing slightly but when he took a little glance up, he saw Liza was still furious, so he dropped his eyes to try again.“I—I’m—sorry madam. I was just trying to do my job.” He stammered in a voice that was a bit scared.Liza glared the more upon hearing this silly talk. “Excuse me? You mean your job is to disturb my peace?” “No—No—of—course not, madam. I was just trying to get the attention of whoever is in the house.” H