I had just finished baking his favorite cupcakes when I felt arms sneaking around my waist from behind. I could already tell that it was my devoted husband and son. He put his head down on my shoulder as he hugged me lovingly.
"I can't believe it's already been two years since we got married," he stated softly.
"I know," agreeing with him, I still couldn't believe two years have passed. To call something would be different, there was nothing much changes in the household. "How was work with your father?"
He had been working with his father lately and it got me worried every time he came home because he looked so tired.
"Tiring," he answered, but his arms around my waist tightened.
"I baked you cupcakes. Take a shower first and I'll prepare some for you." I turned my head around and caressed his cheek.
"Come, let's have a shower then," he said, lifting his head to meet my baby-blue eyes. He smiled at me, the smile that I knew very well when he wanted me.
"Shower only, okay?" I told him, giving him a pointed look. He nodded eagerly while smiling sheepishly at me. I sighed, knowing nothing was promising once we get into the bathroom.
Once we got into the bathroom, James pushed me onto the wall and smashed his lips on mine. He wasted no time savoring me, his hands holding me still. We kissed like there would be no tomorrow for us to have an intimate time like this.
My hands gripped his hair as I pulled them softly. Then, he pulled me up and I wrapped my legs around his waist.
"Should we try for a baby now?" He asked, letting go of my lips to look at me. That topic came up in our recent talk. I also thought that it was a good time for us to try for a baby. We were not ready then, but now the topic of a baby came up here and there.
"Should we?" I touched his cheek lightly and caressed it full of gentleness. "I think we should try. We're ready now."
He nodded, agreeing with me and encouraging me to take the decision.
He started to peel my clothes off one by one, revealing my naked body. He left me only in my panties and he suddenly kneel.
"Let me take care of you in the good and worse situation. Promise you will listen to me first whenever we argue?" I squinted my eyes, confused by what he was saying.
"I always listen, James. I know you will always take care of me." I cupped his cheek and smiled tenderly at him.
"Thank you." This time, he smiled in gratitude. But I still didn't get why he was suddenly being so careful.
-
We were watching television in the family room, enjoying our evening and cuddling together. He was unusually lovey today. I didn't think it was just because of our anniversary day. This unusual was not on a good note.
Ding. Dong.
The doorbell rang. I looked at him, silently asking him if he was expecting a guest.
"I'll go get the door," I said, getting up from the couch and walking to the front door. We were not expecting a guest which could only mean that the guest was someone close, like his parents.
Opening the door, I was welcomed by Mr. and Mrs. Nicoli, the first generation. Veronica was the one standing at the front and Blake stood behind her. She smiled at me and greeted me warmly. She had always been nice to me since I was a new maid in this house.
"Lena, is James home by any chance?" She asked.
"Yes, he is home. Please, come in, I will go and call him." I said, welcoming them into the house. I escorted them to the living room, so they could sit comfortably while I would go and called for him.
I walked faster toward the family room to inform James that his parents were here to see him. But I noticed something, Blake was very quiet. Well, he was always like that, less talking. But this time, he just seemed more collected and professional.
"James, your parents are here. Go see them and I'll get them something to drink, then I'll be in our room." His body turned to me quickly and he looked caught off guard. He hopped off the couch and walked passed me to see his parents.
Finding that weird, I just let it slide. He seemed to be in a rush.
Since Diane had gone home, there were only us in the house. I would be the one to serve them as our guests. I got them a drink they usually have and delivered them to the living room, where they were right now.
As I placed down the drink, Veronica spoke.
"I am so glad to see you still working for my son. He never trusts anyone other than Diane and poor Diane always works alone." She spoke out and I stood on the side while holding the tray in front of me. I knew about that one when I first started working for him, Diane told me.
"My goodness, you're married?" Veronica gasped softly as her eyes eyed my hands which I clasped in front of me. It wasn't covered with the tray since I'm holding it.
As she said that, I glanced at James and he seem to notice that. But he made no move since it was a harmless question. It was harmless, but I didn't know how to answer his mother.
I gulped down and nodded nervously.
"James, you better give her the day off that she deserves. She will need to see her husband and keep her family in peace. Does that mean you're not living here anymore?" She turned towards me again after giving his son an earful.
"She stays with her husband." James interfered.
"It will be nice to see your husband. Maybe you should come with your husband when we have a gathering sometime." Veronica suggested. I kept quiet and only listen.
"Her husband might be busy. If it's related to work, she won't bring her husband along. There's a reason why I don't fire her until now, she's professional." James said and I didn't know why, but I felt saddened by that. The fact that we were talking about my husband and my husband himself answered her. He was talking like it was not about him.
"Why are you the one answering for her, son? Are you her husband?" Veronica joked. My heart beating out of my chest, froze for a few moments, waiting for him to answer his mother again.
"Of course not." James denied her question and a pang of hurt run through my chest. I felt like crying, but I couldn't. Since I had to look professional in front of them.
I kept my head down and stole a glance at him, but he was looking at his mother to make her believe what he said.
"Of course, he would not, Veronica. What are you thinking? He would never marry a maid that works for him. That alone is a statement. A maid and the employer? Veronica, this is not some fantasy in your dreamland. He has class and reputation to hold." Blake's word was like a dull knife cutting across my chest and while he was at it, he even twisted the knife deeper into my heart, leaving an open wound.
"Right, son?" I didn't hear an answer from him. I slowly and through my blurry eyes, lifted my head to see if he had answered or not.
I let out a choke when I saw him nodding his head, his face staring straight at his father.
Bowing my head to excuse myself, I left the living room and run up to our room. Perhaps, his room. I put the tray down on the table before walking upstairs.
Did he deny me as his wife?