FADING LOVE

ABEL BLACKWOOD'S POV 

The skin of my hands feels raw after hours of scrabbling off the wine stains that my rich wife intentionally made on our white mat last night. She was mad at me for no reason and just poured the wine for me to clean. 

I had to wake up earlier so I would have time to make her breakfast, iron her clothes and to get rid of the mess before the stain becomes permanent.

She is the billionaire owner of starlight, a fashion brand known to every rich and middle class person. I have been her stay-at-home husband since we got married. Not that I couldn't find a job, but there is so much work at home all the time and my wife has always hated the idea of having a maid. 

People think that she married me for my looks and I married her for her money. The allegations didn't seem to bother any of us until recently.

My wife has been critical towards my joblessness despite the work I do here at home. So I have finally decided to find a job, as a runway model so I can help market fresh designs of her brand. Maybe then she will be appreciative of my efforts once more. And I can talk to her about getting a servant to help with the housework.

I glance at the clock on the wall, noting that it was almost time for her to wake up. Today is also our third anniversary, and I wanted to share my decision to find a job with her while she eats the delicious breakfast that I made. I am sure she will be thrilled to hear that I'm going to audition for a modeling job. 

I plate fluffy pancakes, fresh fruit, and her favorite herbal tea on a tray and carry it to our bedroom where I am certain she will still be sound asleep.

I push on the door and enter. To my surprise she’s sitting up in the bed. Though she is still in her pajamas, she looks stunning as usual.

"Good morning, love," I say softly, setting the tray down on the bedside table. "Are you hungry? I made your favorite breakfast."

"Mmmh, I would feel a lot better if what you made is your way out of my villa" she answers, reaching for the mug of tea. 

I am certain she doesn't mean any of that. She may feel that I have not been useful to the growth of her brand since housework is all I do. But I doubt she would want me to leave.

I wait patiently, watching as she eats half of her breakfast. Then, taking a deep breath, I speak up. "I have something to tell you."

Her face immediately hardens, her lips forming a thin line. I carry on nevertheless.

"Do you remember what day is today?" I ask, taking a sit next to her.

"What kind of stupid question is that?" she retorts in annoyance.

Disappointment flashes through me but I keep on smiling nevertheless.

"It's our anniversary," I remind in a gentle voice. "I'll make nice dinner for us."

"Yes, it's all you're capable of," she says, her tone clipped.

She sets down her mug back on the tray and stands up."If you have nothing else important to say, I will take a shower and head to work." She huffs before making her way towards the bathroom and locking the door. 

I think it's best to tell her about my decision to have a job after I have gotten it. If my audition today goes well it will be much easier to talk to her during our dinner. 

VANESSA STERLING'S POV

I hear my phone buzz twice from the bedroom and immediately know who it must be. My husband's older brother, Cyrus, who also happens to be a talented designer that my parents believe can add immense value to my fashion brand. 

I only met Cyrus twice before, and on both occasions, he was shamelessly flirting with me infront of Abel. It was fucking irritating at the time, since I was so in love with my useless husband. How now I wish I had taken Cyrus instead of a useless piece of shit.

Everyone, including my parents see Abel as just a pretty face I keep around to look good on my arm. They say he is totally useless as a husband and I'm starting to see it that way too. While he is a committed and hardworking partner, he adds little value to my fashion brand. Cyrus on the other hand would have been reliable.

I turn off the shower, wrap a towel around my body and head back to the bedroom, only to find my pathetic excuse for a husband holding my phone with a troubled expression plastered on his pretty face.

"What the hell are you doing?" I demand.

"Your phone went off and I grabbed it," he says innocently. I step forward and take the phone from his hand and swipe across the screen. Two new messages, and they are from Cyrus just as I thought. He is telling me that he will be stopping by my office today in the company of my parents.

"I also read your texts," Abel says, making my blood boil.

"You what?" I growl. One thing I can't stand is when a nosy moron like him sticks his nose where it doesn't belong.

"It vibrated and I looked at it. Why is my brother texting you, anyway?"

"That's none of your fucking business," I retort. "Don't go through my phone again!" I warn.

Cyrus is a valuable asset to me, and I won't let my useless husband's petty jealous screw things. 

"Okay, I won't do it again," he swears.

"Good. I will be back late tonight, clean the garage and do my laundry," I order in a dismissive tone, walking into my closet. He follows.

"What do you have to work on until that late?" he probes.

"Christ Abel!" I snap, my frustration reaching its peak. "Why are you always up in my damn business?"

"I am not always in your business. I just want to know what you will be doing, we are married Vanessa. Why wouldn't I ask where you will be on our anniversary night?"

I point an angry finger at him. "You know what your problem is, you really don't know when to let shit go. I don't have to tell you everything, whether we are married or not! If I had known you will start this shit with me, I would have never married you!" I grumble before shutting the door in his face. 

I am not one to always take shit from anyone. I would have already dumped him if I hadn't made the mistake of marrying him.

I quickly dress and head out.

Ten minutes later I pull up to the sleek glass and steel headquarters of my fashion empire. I am one of the most richest women in the country. At just twenty eight I already own the world's biggest fashion brand, Starlight fashions.

I check my phone for any texts or missed calls before stepping out of my car. The only text I find is from my friend, Aubrey, asking that we meet to catch up later. I am surprised that Abel hasn't called or sent me a text since I left the house. Whenever we have an argument he is always fast to desperately come across like a fucking crybaby.

The young male receptionist at the front desk greets me with a flirtatious wave as he always does every day, like a cheesy tune on repeat. Ignoring him, I step into the private elevator, which whisks me straight to my floor.

As soon as the door parts, my personal assistant, William, is waiting to greet me.

"Good morning Miss. sterling," He says, falling into step beside me. "Your schedule for the day is quite full. First, you have a meeting with the design team to review the latest collection. Then, you have a luncheon with the CEO of our new retail partner, followed by a visit to our store downtown." 

"Excellent, reschedule visit to sometime next week," I order. My parents and Cyrus will show up around that time.

"Yes, ma'am."

"I'll be in my office if you need me," with that, I stride to my private office where I quickly type out a message to Aubrey that we meet the next day for dinner before heading into my first meeting.