On His Terms

○×45: odd husbands & disturbing strangers○×

<Don't give your heart to someone with a broken one- Charlie Puth>

|Jadesola|

Thursday, September 16, 2021

TODAY WAS my husband's birthday. Neither had he told me nor was he anywhere to be found.

I stared at the manila envelope, his birthday cake and the ultrasound present on the center table. My eyes strayed past the TV and slid up to the clock in his living room. It ticked 5 minutes after 11 pm.

Closing my eyes, I reclined further into the sofa, settling my palm on the lower section of my slightly rounded belly.

Since yesterday morning, Kian has been AWOL. Only a sticky note stuck on the nightstand had indicated that he was going to meet Zaviero and finally obtain that car deal I'd rid him off. He was unaware but I'd actually begged Zaviero to grant him another offer. After a deep consideration on his part, Zaviero had accepted. Except that my husband had never made it to the meeting. Zaviero had called me and I'd stood in his stead, acquiring the contract and holding onto it for Kian to sign.

Where was he?

I heaved out a huge sigh and crossed my legs whilst rubbing soothing circles on my belly. Courtesy of this pregnancy, my emotions were all over the place, anxiety and anger being the foremost. How dare he leave me in the dark and not enquire about my health or his baby's? I'd rang him up a zillion times but my calls always went to voicemail.

Stupid, stupid man, snatching my beauty sleep away.

The door jarred open and so did my eyes. He was here. Finally!!

Jumping up, I stood and tied my green robe over my lacy nightie securely. My flip flops slapped against the tiles as I rushed towards him, my arms spread wide in a hug. All the anger withered, happiness filling me in torrents at viewing my husband's sexy features.

"Kian!" I cried in a loud voice, embracing him tight. "You're finally here. God, you had me worried to death because of your absence. Where were you?!"

Relieved, I sank my cheeks into his shirt. He stank of cheap perfume and wine but I paid no heed, overjoyed.

Minutes passed and I realized he wasn't hugging me back. Neither was he replying to my questions. Surprised, I withdrew my hands, stepping back to observe him.

My inspecting eyes zoomed over his attire quickly. Clad in a rumpled black suit, his tie was askew and so were his slacks, like he'd slept in them overnight and rushed into them in the morning. His hair fell back in waves, the blonde strands messy as well. Stoic, his face was shuttered, there was nary any iota of expression written on it. Those deep blue eyes that I could drown in, glittered with a cold light, bleak and wintry. A key and a briefcase swung from both hands.

"What is the matter?" I asked softly, cupping his cheek. The bristles on his jaw felt rough on mine; he hadn't shaved.

Kian said nothing. Rather in reply, his lips thinned, nostrils flaring wide in fury.

Okay. . .

I lifted my hands away. "Fine. You're in a bad mood, that much is obvious. And I should be biting your head off for leaving me this worried and not even checking up on me but I'm too glad for that."

He averted his gaze, jaw ticking. My merry feelings soured but I ignored that action. He was probably tired, that was it. Also, today was his birthday so I wouldn't scream or shout at him. Yet. I had no idea where this soft part of me stemmed from but I embraced it.