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“They’re upset. Getting ready for bed.”
“What happened?” he growls as I watch them brush their teeth. I walk out of the bathroom to answer.
“Someone told Leon he’s a bastard. I had to explain what that means.” I dig my fingers in my eye sockets to relieve pressure. “I can’t believe how heartless people can be. How long’s this backstabbing going to last? I thought the gossip mill dwindled down.”
“Yeah, we all did. Want me to handle it?”
“Nah, I already emailed the head teacher to speak with the parents and their kids. Where’s Aisha?” I press my back into the wall.
“Took little Maya to sleep.” He yawns again. “That asshole boss kept her late. Honestly, I don’t like her working there.” Leif growls because when he visited her at work, he wasn’t impressed with my sister’s boss’ attitude. He almost beat him up. But my sister managed to avoid bloodshed and kicked my brother-in-law's ass back home.
“When I come back home, you better keep that possessive attitude burning bright because I’ll ride it till next morning.” She’d kissed him on the mouth in front of her colleagues and sent him on his way out.
At least, this is what Leif told me.
Aisha was always a vicious one. It was a no-brainer they both fell for each other. Long straight blonde hair and blue eyes, pouty lips, and a body like a model’s have always attracted her a lot of attention. The ones who underestimated her got to regret it. Leif wasn’t the one. That’s why my sister married the man.
“He isn’t stupid, and that’s why I love him,” she once told me.
I wish to have a fraction of her courage to go after the things I want.
Aisha was the one who insisted on thinking about a career change.
“They’re destroying your already wrecked soul with these political games. You need to find something outside this family that adds to your value. Or they’ll destroy you if you stay.” My sister didn’t tell me anything new. I was aware of it all.
That’s why I started to study marketing and publishing in secret. I needed to build my own livelihood. I made a plan how to escape from their hold and cunning ability to control my every move. I was slowly losing my identity, becoming someone I didn’t recognize.
“Well, you know your wife. Aisha won’t quit her job, just because you hate her boss. Better get used to it.”
“Or, I could kill the bastard and be done with it,” he jokes. “That job stresses her out and puts a strain on our relationship.”
“What job doesn’t?”
But Leif keeps talking like he didn’t even hear me.
“I have millions sitting in my bank account. My wife shouldn’t be working.”
“Mommy, I’m done!” Leon hollers from the bathroom.
“Okay, I got to go. Take care, my friend. And be careful. Aisha hates being told what to do. She might set your Harley on fire if you demand her to quit.”
“Yeah, I know. Kiss your twins’ goodnight from me. Let me know if you need help to deal with the situation at school.”
“Will do. Goodnight.” After I disconnect the call, I take my kids to bed. Feeling emotionally drained, I go to settle for the night.
The alarm clock blares in the room, splitting my head in two. I grab a glass of water to wash down painkillers and jump into a shower. I’m exhausted. My thoughts about Mark, my in-laws, and my past kept me awake all night.
I rush around, trying to get my kids ready as my au pair joins me. May is my savior. I don’t know if I would be able to handle life without her help. I smile, content as they chatter about school while we dress them up. Leon grew up so much during the summer and has left his twin sister behind. She looks so small compared to him, just like me at that age.
After we’re done, I sip my coffee, trying to forget a man who makes my heart miss a beat. I’m determined to keep this job and this attraction from flourishing.
After breakfast, we collect our things and leave the house to get the kids to school. And then my driver takes me to Fading Ink. It was the only thing I couldn’t boycott when Darren insisted me having one.
At first, I thought because of PTSD they’re concerned it wouldn’t be safe for me to drive on my own, but now I start doubting it. I swear he looks more like a well-trained bodyguard, always wearing black and is watchful like someone might jump us. Since I’m not the one to pay his wage for babysitting us, I decided to let it go.
When the car stops, he confirms, “I’ll be waiting here at the end of your day. Let me know if you have a ch
ange of plans, miss.”
