Chapter 13 & 14 : The Burden of Loneliness
The couple haven’t spoken to each other since Granny left.
It’s evening already, and Daphne needs to make dinner.
“What do you want for dinner?” Daphne asked calmly.
No silence.
He just kept on scrolling through his phone.
“Paul?” She called.
“Paul” She called again.
“Hubby” She called, and he looked up.
“Don’t call me that” He said sternly.
“What do you want for dinner?”
“I know my way to the kitchen” He replied.
“I know you probably dislike me-
“I don’t dislike you Daphne” He got up, and walked to her.
“I h*te you. Your presence infuriates me that I feel like throwing you out of the window” He said.
“Paul”.
“GF, never scolded me until you came into our lives. She never raised her hand hit me but she did that today, cause of who? You” He said in annoyance.
“I’m sorry” Her eyes stung with tears.
“Just get out of my sight” He slightly pushed her, and went upstairs.
She watched him go into the room, and tears rolled out of her eyes.
“Good morning Paul” She greeted from the dining.
He was heading towards the door.
“Thank you” He replied.
“Wait” She got up, and walked to him.
“Here, I packed this for you” She said, handing him a lunch pack.
“I’m not hungry”
“Wait bro” She smiled, and dropped the pack on a couch.
“Your tie” She helped him, knot it properly.
“I won’t be back early tonight” He informed.
“Okay” She took his briefcase from him, carried the lunch pack and took it to the car for him.
He watched her from the window, and sighed before going to join her outside.
“You should get a driver” She suggested.
“I didn’t ask for your opinion”.
“You h*te me. You have a mistress, but I don’t care, Paul…” She held his hands, making him look at her.
“But I don’t give a damn about that. You’re my husband. We’re legally married, and we got married in the presence of the almighty, the priest, our families and the guest. We are now one, two souls collided that day and became one.
Our lives revolves around each other. You might not accept that for now but I promise you that I’ll do my best to make this work, I’ll try to fit into your lifestyle, learn about your likes and dislikes, and I hope you return the same energy. Let’s make this work” She said calmly rubbing his knuckles slowly.
“For the sake of Granny…” She said with a light smile.
“I’m off” He said, and drove out of the compound.
“Today you listened to what I had to say. Tomorrow only the universe knows what would happen between us” She smiled.
Granny Freya was on the phone with Daphne.
“So he didn’t eat dinner?” Granny asked.
“Yeah” Daphne replied.
“He’s wanna come around soon”.
“I hope so too”.
“Should I talk to him?” Granny asked.
“No. He’s just gonna ignore me if you do that, and I don’t want that for myself, cause right now I’m so happy that he listened to me this morning. I’m so happy granny!!!” She squealed.
“I wish you guys will be happy like this for the rest of your lives”
“I hope so too but that lady…”
“Don’t worry about that. I’ll take care of her”.
He was working on his laptop with his glasses resting on his nose bridge, when his phone dinged. It was a message from Daphne.
HAVE YOU HAD LUNCH YET?
He viewed the message, and kept the phone back on his desk.
It dinged again, and he rolled his eyes before picked up his phone. It was a message from his mistress.
LET’S BREAK UP
He dialled her number multiple times but she didn’t pick up.
He sprang up from his seat and ran out immediately.
“Babe! Open up! Babe!” He kept on knocking on the door, and ringing the door bell but she didn’t open up.
“Babe! Babe!! Babe!!!”
“What’s it?” She snapped opening the door.
“I’m sorry. I swear I’m gonna divorce her soon” He said.
“I don’t care!!!”
“Babe!”
“Go to her. She’s your wife, and I’m your mistress” She said.
“We’ll get married as soon as we get divorced” He assured.
“F**k off” She made to close the door, but he held the door and pushed it backwards.
“Paul!!” She gasped.
“You can’t break up with me, okay?” He said, and gave her a short kiss.
They stared at each other’s eyes after the kiss, panting they could hear each other’s heart racing crazily.
“I love you babe”.
“I love you too boo”.
They kissed again, but this one was more deep and intense.
Her hands went to his shoulders, and she peeled off his suit from his body.
“Mmmm” She moaned sweetly, as she undid his shirt buttons impatiently.
His phone rang. It stopped ringing and then started again.
“Babe”.
“Hmmm?” She moaned sucking on his lips as she removed the shirt.
“Wait a minute” He broke the kiss.
“F**k” She ran her fingers in her hair in frustration.
It was Daphne.
His mistress hissed seeing the caller ID.
“Babe” He called calmly, and she hissed before going inside her room.
“What!!!” He yelled, immediately he swiped green.
“Granny…Granny…Granny” She cried from the other side.
“What the f**k happened to her!!!!” He yelled.
“She’s in the hospital” He immediately picked up his clothes, and ran out of the house.
His mistress rolled her eyes as she watched him from the room.
“What happened to her!!!” He yelled.
“Calm down she’s fine” She replied.
“What the f**k happened to my granny?” He demanded.
“Only I know is that she passed out, and was rushed here” She replied.
“I hope she’s fine” He muttered worriedly.
“She’ll be fine. Don’t worry” She said calmly.
“Mr Paul?” A familiar voice called.
He turned, it’s Mr Jameson. Their family doctor.
“Is my GF fine?” He rushed to him.
“Yes. She’s just stressed out”.
“Can we see her?” Daphne asked.
“Yeah, but she doesn’t want to see…” He looked at Paul.
He ran into her ward, and Daphne followed.
“GF!” He exclaimed.
“Who let you in?” She looked away.
“You scared me” He sat beside her.
“Daphne darling” She smiled, and Daphne sat beside him, beside Paul.
“Stubborn couple. Just make me a great grand mother before I die” She chuckled, seeing how cute they looked together.
“GF, don’t ever talk about diéing”
“Everyone is gonna die someday” She said.
“We know that, but we still need you here” Daphne smiled looking at Paul, and he looked away.
“Gosh” Granny chuckled, looking at Paul.
“Are you impotent?” She asked him, and he gasped.
“GF!”
“Make me great grand mother” She smiled, and Paul and Daphne exchanged glances.
9 PM**
Daphne and Paul just returned from the mansion.
They went to drop Granny off before coming home.
“Should I make noodles?” Daphne asked.
“Thanks” He removed his suit.
“Let me” She said, before standing in front of him to help unbutton his shirt.
“You don’t have to”.
“But I want to” She insisted.
“Though you don’t accept me as your wife. You should let me do this little things” She said with a smile as she unbuttoned his shirt.
“Thanks” He said as she peeled the shirt off his body.
He went into the bathroom.
After dinner, Daphne had her bath.
“You look scared” Daphne said as she covered herself with the duvet.
“When?”
“At the hospital. Are you scared of Granny leaving you?” He looked up from his phone.
Silence.
“Sorry. I crossed my boundaries, right?” She looked at him.
“Good night” He dropped his phone on the lamp stand, switched the lamp off and covered himself with the duvet.
“You’re angry right?” She moved closer to him.
Silence.
“Paul, I’m sorry. Don’t ignore me. It hurts” She said.
Silence.
Ouch…. It hurts!
“Goodnight” She said, moving to her side of the bed.
“No I’m not” He said, and her lips stretched into a smile.
Little did she know that he was crying silently.
The thought of losing his Granny scares him a lot.
He’s too attached to her that the thought of losing her feels like a nightmare.
Chapter 15 & 16 : A Glimmer of Hope
“GF, how are you feeling?” Paul asked.
“Much better” She smiled sipping her tea.
“Glad to hear that”.
“Don’t tell me you’re still scared of losing me to the cold hands of death”
“GF, stop it”.
“Okay” She chuckled.
There was a knock on the door.
“Mom” Daphne smiled, as her mom opened the door.
“Daphne?” Tears immediately escaped their eyes.
“How are you?” She sniffles.
“I should be asking you that” Her mom chuckled out tears, and they hugged a hug.
Her dad was coming back from the store, when he saw them.
He stopped on his tracks in shock.
“Princess?”
She heard her pet name, and gently broke the hug.
She ran to her dad, and they hugged each other tightly.
“I missed you princess” He cried.
“I missed you too dad” She sniffles.
Chole, his mistress barged in.
“Babe?” He got up.
“Don’t babe me! You abandoned me for a whole week saying your granny was sick. You couldn’t even call to check up!” She blurted out in anger.
“I’m sorry babe” He said calmly.
“I missed you” She hugged him.
“I missed you too” He hugged her back.
Chole stayed with him till closing hours.
“Let’s go on a date” Chole smiled.
“Babe…”
“Fine. You have a wife at home” She picked up her bag.
“Okay fine. We’ll go on a date” He agreed.
“Love you” She pecked his cheek.
“Just wait for me in the car. I’ll join you in a minute” He said.
“Okay” She smiled, before walking out of the office.
Paul texted Daphne.
Daphne was rushing to make dinner since Paul will be back home soon.
“I hope he likes it” She smiled tasting the food, when her phone dinged. It was a message from her hubby.
I’LL BE WORKING OVERTIME
She sighed looking at the message.
“Interesting” Chole smiled as the movie ended.
“Yeah” He smiled, and they left the cinema.
“Isn’t that Paul?” Daphne muttered as they walked past her.
She’s been waiting for a chance to go to the cinema to watch this movie, but she wanted to go with Paul.
She looked at the tickets in her hand, and a tear dropped from her eye.
She already told him about it, but he stood her up for his mistress.
She looked at them again, they were heading towards the shopping mall.
Paul felt someone’s eyes on them, and looked back.
She quickly hid behind a pillar.
After they went into the mall. She went inside the cinema.
“Where are you coming from?” Paul asked descending the stairs.
“Good morning” She greeted.
She was reeking of alcohol.
“What the f**k?” He muttered as she staggered back and forth drunkenly.
“You drank alcohol?”
“Excuse me” She said, and he blocked her way.
“You haven’t answered my question yet”
“Was it fun?”
“What?” He asked cluelessly.
“You stood me up for your mistress, did you have fun?” She chuckled hurtfully.
“You are drunk”.
“I saw you. She was wearing a black dress, wasn’t she?”
“I’m off to work”.
“I’m not done talking” She pulled him back.
“You f**king stood me up for your mistress! And you don’t think you owe me an apology or an explanation!” She shot.
“Daphne get a grip on yourself” He said.
“You should get a grip on yourself Paul not me! You’re married! Look at your finger and you’ll find a ring there! You think I can’t cheat?” She let out a dry chuckle.
“Bro, I’m keeping my cool and being submissive cause of Granny. Trust me I can live like you don’t exist. You’re not important to me! You just someone I got married to without my consent!”
“You’re drunk” He made to walk away, but she pulled him back.
“You unfaithful husband!! I try to make this shitty stuff work but you keep acting like a god. Paul!” She hit his chest.
“I hte you!!!! I fking hate you!!!! More than you hate me!! This is a situationship not a marriage!!!” She hit his chest. “I can be a btch bro so don’t push me, cause trust me you’ll regret it” She warned.
“Bye” He walked out of the house, and she squatted, and then hid her face in her palms crying out her heart.
Chapter 17 & 18 : Daphne’s Breaking Point
Daphne made up her mind to live by her own terms.
She’ll do whatever she wants to do and at her own convenient time. Fk Paul, Fk this suffocating marriage.
Granny Freya had wired money to her account after marriage.
Now is the time to make use of the money.
Daphne went shopping, and also ordered some stuffs online.
“Ulala” She clicked her tongue thrice, looking at numerous bags on the bed from different companies and brands.
“Let’s try them on” She smirked.
<7PM>
Paul loosen his tie a bit as he entered the house.
He sniffs the sweet aroma in the air.
It’s evident that Daphne was in the kitchen.
He went upstairs, took his bath and came downstairs.
Daphne was already eating when he went to the dining area.
She was chuckling as she scrolled through her phone. She didn’t even notice his presence.
But one thing he didn’t understand was that there was only one plate on the table.
“Daphne” He called.
“Hey” She replied, eyes still fixed on her phone.
“Where is my dinner?” She looked up, and then looked around to see if someone else was there.
“Are you talking to me?” She chuckled, and he said nothing.
“You said you knew your way to the kitchen, so what happened now? Need GPS to help locate where the kitchen is?” She raised a brow, and he opened and closed his mouth like a fish unable to say a word.
She rolled the pasta with her fork, and slowly lift the fork to her lips.
“Hmmm” She moaned slurping the pasta loudly.
He shook his head in disbelief, and went to the kitchen.
“This is just the beginning” She mumbled.
<9 PM>
Daphne came out of the bathroom with her phone in her hand.
Paul noticed it. It’s unusual of her to go to the bathroom with her phone.
“Why are you looking at me?” She asked.
“Why would I look at you?” He said with a frown.
<5 AM>
Paul woke up, but Daphne wasn’t beside him.
He checked the bathroom, she wasn’t there.
He went downstairs but she wasn’t there.
He was heading upstairs when he heard the sound of a car pulling up in the compound.
He went to the window to see who it was.
It was Daphne. She was clad in a skimpy sultry dress that left little to imagine.
She came in. Paul gave her an expressionless face with his hands folded on his chest.
She just walked away like she didn’t see anyone.
“Where are you coming from?” He asked.
No response.
She sat in front of the mirror removing her jewelry and then wiping off her make up.
“Daphne” He banged his hand on the table, and she looked up confidently.
“Have a problem with me hanging out?” She said.
“When did you leave the house?”
“While you were asleep” She got up.
“Don’t tell me you want to start living a wayward life?”
She turned back. “Excuse me?”
“Yeah you heard me”.
“I did but that question was a bit too disrespectful. So take note so as not to repeat it next time” She went into the bathroom.
<1 PM>
Granny came to visit, since it’s weekend.
“Really?” Granny exclaimed in shock, after Paul narrated all that has been happening to her.
“Yes Granny, and she has become more disrespectful”.
“Is that true Daphne?” She asked calmly, and she said nothing.
“You see? She knows she’s guilty that’s why she can’t speak” Paul said, and she glared at him.
“Wow. She now has the morale to glare at her husband” Paul looked at granny.
“Husband? You call yourself my husband? Since when did you start considering yourself my husband?”
“Really?” He let out a dry chuckle.
Granny shook her head as she watched them bicker at each other like kids.
“Quiet!” Granny barked, and Paul looked away.
“You two apologize to each other” She ordered.
“What!” They chorused.
“Do it now”
“Sorry”
“Sorry” Paul said reluctantly.
“You see? He doesn’t mean it. I take my apology back” Daphne said.
“I take mine back too” Paul said, and granny shook her head.