04

Holy crap!

Christopher is pissed at me, and I feel so guilty. And once again, the megalomaniac mister makes me feel like a child without saying a single word.

Christopher glares at me and I can sense his anger.

- So I say “no” and you do the opposite? - he murmurs.

“I felt so sorry for him, and I didn't mean to piss you off, Christopher. I... I feel lonely sometimes - I lie. Actually, I wanted to irritate him, but now that fact can be changed.

- Will the dog be your company? - He mocks in a low tone.

"You are," I whisper. An easy and affectionate approach can change his mind about the dog.

- I? And why do you decide to go against me? - Christopher asks, his tone is now higher, nothing that a stranger might notice, but I know him well.

For God! We don't need an argument over this.

- Don't make all that speech for a puppy. If you're angry, fuck it, stop me, but don't take it out on him. I want him to stay, and for his own good, he better stay! I say it more firmly than he, or even I, would think to say.

He pauses for a moment and analyzes my words, to make sure he's heard them correctly.

- For my own good? -

“For your sexual good,” I clarify the words. It's not like I'm going to go on a sex strike or anything, but he might think so.

"You can't deny me what's mine." His menacingly low, sexy voice makes me want to squirm.

- Come on, Christopher. Let him stay - I beg. Christopher walks over to me, closing the space between us.

"I definitely can't deny you anything," he murmurs. When close enough, he takes a lock of my hair and tucks it behind my ear.

'Then don't deny it,' I say quietly. He tilts his face to me and seals my lips.

I swear on my feet, by my death 

To my lover, I would never lie He said: Be true - I swore: I'll try In the end, it's him and me.

●●●

After a relaxing bath with my husband, I'm lying comfortably on the bed while eating cheddar cheesecakes.

- Still hungry? - Christopher asks. I shake my head in denial. I bring my index finger to my mouth and close my lips over the cheese that is smearing my hand.

- Hmm... I was hungry - I confess. Christopher smiles.

"That's a combination of words I like to hear," he mutters.

I take my cell phone next to the bed, on the headboard. I notice that I spent the whole afternoon away from my cell phone, I'm sure someone called me, or something. I turn on the device and soon on the screen I see the notification of two messages from Juan, one of my best friends.

VIC, I NEED YOU, NOW

WHERE ARE YOU? PLEASE!

Shit!

What was there? I need to know. The message is from twenty minutes ago, has something bad ever happened? God forbid!

- What happened, Vic? Christopher asks, seeing my worried expression.

- Juan - I answer.

Precious the “call” button to talk to him.

- Hey. Hi Vic, what took you so long? – Juan says when he answers. He has a flawed voice, as if he cried for hours.

- A lot of work - I make up any excuse not to say the real reason. There is no necessity.

- Can you find me? I need you, Vic.

From your voice, you must be drunk too.

- Where can I find you? -

I glance at Christopher, but he doesn't look upset that I'm going to see Juan.

- Zig Zag coffee – Juan responds.

- Well, in an hour I'll be there - I say and hang up. I better get this shit over with soon.

- Juan called, he wants to see me, he was crying - I explain vaguely. I'll have to face Hurricane Blanc if he says no, but I don't want that shit right now. She would be a bad friend if she left Juan alone.

"You can see your friend, but two of the security guards are going too," he says.

- You will not object?

- Why would I do that? - Christopher asks.

I could answer this question a thousand different ways, but it would take up too much of my time.

- I never know what you're going to do. - I answer.

- Will you take time? - He asks, changing the focus of the conversation, and doesn't look happy saying it.

- Hmm... I shouldn't be long.

Suddenly I'm reminded of a not-so-distant subject, Ellen Conty. Yes, it could wait, but Christopher isn't usually very talkative.

One. Two. Three.

- What else do you know about Ellen? - I ask at once, before losing the little courage.

"Walk, or your friend will wait too long," he says.

'Don't change the subject, Blanc,' I say, raising an eyebrow. I want him fully talkative.

- Damn it, Vic, forget about Ellen. My people are doing what they have to do. Stop thinking about that shit.

- But... - I try to object, but I'm interrupted

- No buts. I'll ask Taiga to take you and Lough will too - Christopher says quickly. I lost my husband's good mood!

Christopher seals my lips in a chaste kiss.

- Taiga will be in the room. I have to work now - Mutters. I nod, even though it's against his way of keeping me away from important matters.

We got out of bed basically at the same time. We've both had a wonderful afternoon, but we're getting out of bed dissatisfied. Me for being completely in the dark and him for me going to see Juan.

Heading to the closet to exchange the black lingerie for something presentable. I wear dark jeans and a sleeveless silk blouse. I leave my hair down like it came out of the shower, a bit disheveled even. Ready. Now I just have to face the long night that awaits me.

●●●

Taiga stops the car in front of the Zig Zag Cafe. Before I even leave, I can already see Juan inside the bar. He's leaning over the counter, with a few small glasses around him.

Lough opens the door, and in a matter of seconds I jump out of the car and quicken my steps inside. I walk over to the counter, where some ridiculously drunk men stare at me.

overprotective husband who put Lough with me, I'd be scared otherwise.

I put my hand on Juan's shoulder and he gives me a startled look.

"Hi," I say sweetly. The tears, apparently dry, are replaced by new droplets of water that run down your face.

Damn it! I hate to see him like this.

- Vic, I fucked up, fucked up big! I... I went to bed with Chloe. With Chloe, her friend. - He says at once.

I sit on a bench next to him. My brain can't keep up with the speed of information. Did Juan and Chloe sleep together? What the fuck?

- Which? - I ask, totally lost between the lines.

- I don't know. We drank and she started to undress. You know the rest... - he replies, waving his hands in front of his body in confusion.

- Does Elliot know? I ask the first coherent question that comes to my mind.

Elliot is none other than my brother-in-law, Chloe's boyfriend.

- No, not really! - he says. Juan stares at me with wide eyes - Chloe and Elliot fought - he whispers. Her eyes fall back to the amber colored drink in her glass.

- Does she regret it too? - I ask.

'God forbid,' he says. Juan holds up two fingers to the waiter, ordering another shot of what he's been drinking.

- Are you sure there was something?

- Yes I have. I remember every detail from the night before – Juan says. He covers his face with both hands.

- Juan - I call him, but I don't have his attention - If you want to tell me something else. I'm here for you - I speak quietly. He directs a weak smile at me.

- I regret it, because we were drunk. But that was nothing more than a betrayal, for all intents and purposes. Nobody but you would understand - Juan mutters.

I slip my arm over his shoulder for a side hug.

- I get it. And I'll do my best to make them understand too - I say.

Juan rests his head on my shoulder and sighs. He's visibly tired, maybe it's his psychologically shaken, I'm not sure.

- Juan, you must be tired - I say. This conversation has already given what it should. We both need a break and, come to think of it, I haven't had a break since the first hour of the day!

"You're right," he agrees. Juan takes a hundred dollar bill from his pocket and leaves it on the counter - I need to rest - he mutters. He stands up and I repeat his gesture.

- I would greatly appreciate a ride - Juan says.

"And I would be immensely happy to make it available to you," I mutter. He reaches out to me and I link my arm through his.

●●●

As soon as I get home, I leave my bag and boots in the foyer. I couldn't describe how sore my feet are. Christopher's office lights are still on.

I walk to the office door. The door is open, but the man inside is completely closed to work. Christopher is sitting in his armchair while typing on his laptop. He looks gorgeous dressed in his black suit pants and fine linen white shirt.

I could spend hours watching him work. The sight of my husband like this, doing something trivial, is sexy. And even relaxed, he doesn't fail to exude control.

God! I love this man.

"Hi," I whisper. Christopher stops typing and gives me an expressionless look.

- Vic - he salutes.

I walk towards him in slow steps. He swivels in his armchair, leaving enough room for me to sit.

- It's all right? - He asks.

I crawl into his lap and rest my head on his chest.

- Yes... - I say. This is a subject that can wait.

Christopher goes back to typing on his laptop. He runs the fingers of his left hand across my back as he types with the other.

- Are you going to tell me about Ellen now? - I ask softly. I've decided that I'm not going to pressure him, at some point he'll be willing to tell me.

'No,' he replies. I feel your body tense under me. Ellen is not his favorite subject, and neither is mine.

"Okay," I whisper.

Christopher kisses the top of my head, and it's the last thing I notice before I close my eyes and drift into deep sleep.

●●●

When I open my eyes again, I'm no longer on Christopher's lap, but in our bed. My jeans and tank top were exchanged for a gray silk nightgown.

I look around the room and find my husband sitting in the armchair next to the bed. He is now wearing his pajama bottoms and white t- shirt .

"Hi," he says quietly. I rub my eyes with the back of my left hand.

- How long have you been seeing me? - I ask.

- Shortly.

Christopher gets up from the chair and lies down beside me. He pulls me into his arms, like every night. I lay my head comfortably on his chest.

“There was something serious in your family,” I whisper. Either way he'll know, so be the most cautious. And let it be for me, since it won't be for Juan.

- My family? - Question. Sigh.

Juan is not like a friend to Christopher, and from now on it will be even worse.

- That's why I went to see Juan - I explain .

- Vic, don't be mysterious! - Christopher rages.

Christ!

“Calm down, Blanc, I just don't want to throw that shit at you without you being prepared,” I say.

- Shit? - He asks. I lean over and rest my chin on his chest so I can look him in the eye.

'It was a betrayal,' I say before thinking. Christopher grabs my shoulders and slides millimeters away from me.

- A betrayal? - He asks, looking into my eyes.

- No, not me. Chloe and Juan.

He pulls me back into his arms.

- Juan and Chloe slept together last night. That's what he said.

- Is she still with my brother? - He asks with indifference.

- They had a fight. But yes, they are still together, for now - I reply.

This subject doesn't involve us, and Christopher knows it, so there's nothing to be angry about.

- I have no right to tell Elliot anything, but she must.

- Juan seemed sorry, Chloe must be the same way - I try to defend my friend... and my friend.

- That doesn't change the facts - Christopher spurts his indifference. Chloe and Juan aren't the best people for him.

We remained silent for a few seconds.

'Good night,' I say. The last thing I want is to lose my well-earned rest over a mess that doesn't encompass me.

"Good night, sweetheart," Christopher murmurs softly.

Have they ever held each other tight, just like us? Have they ever fought, like us? We don't want to be like them We can make it to the end 

Nothing can come between you and me 

Not even the gods above Can separate the two of us