Just and once

Chapter Thirteen

Arianna was undressing in front of her mirror when the door opened , and Richard strolled inside the room.
His shoulders broad and wide in the grey fitted suit, showing how manly and muscular he is.

" Hey ", she muttered softly but awkwardly, things have been so awkward for some days now.
They talk and do things together as usual but something just do not feel right.

She knows her husband well, he definitely has a lot of things to say to her but just doesn't know how to go about it.

" Love " , he forced out a smile, moved closer to her and peck her on the lips affectionately.

" How was your day" he asked as her caressed her Cheek with love.

" Manageable. Been preparing for my current case session, it's in a week time ", she replied, intentionally bringing up senator Fabian's case.

Whatever and whatsoever he want to say, he should just say it.
She is tired of living the same roof witg her husband and acting like nothing is going on.

She need him, she has always need him anyways.
But she needs him more now.

Richard's jaw clenched tightly, he retracted his hand slowly from her face and moved away from her towards the closet and started to take off his clothings.

Arianna sighed tiredly on his expression, the Richard she knows we never keep an issue quiet and unsolved, he will rather say it out.
What is happening?

Is he really angry she went ahead with the case.?
But there is no going back anymore, she is deep into it already.

" Richard, what is going on? ", She blurted, not running round circles.

" What do you mean by that, I don't understand ", he asked, not bothering to look at her.

He wore a simple dress, then hop into the bed with his laptop to start working.

" Richard what is wrong with you? Why are you acting up like this? ", Arianna half yelled, throwing her hands into the air.

" How and what are you even talking of love? ",

Acting as if he doesn't Know what she is saying annoyed her.
Why acting all like this? All for what?
He doesn't want her involved and she is already then why the unnecessary fuss?

" Richard if this is all about me getting involved in that case, then just say it ",

" What is there to say anymore? You are already involved and that is all. It doesn't matter anymore, my opinion never matters anyways. ",

He said calmly but those calm words did have a tonnes of effect on her.
Those were calm but harsh and spiteful words for Arianna, it did break her hurt.

Ha has always matter to her…always.

" Richard you know that is not true", , she whispered her voice strained and shook a bit at the edge.

" I know ", he replied simply, focusing more on his laptop than her .

" Richard please let's talk this out, like adults….. matured adults…please ", Arianna pleaded earnestly.
Anything can happen to her but hell, she can never lose her husband. Never.

" Yes. We are talking right now "

Arianna sighed," Richard please, what do you want? Just tell me what? ",

Richard paused on what he was doing and looked up to her.
I think this conversation is going to the right direction, he finally looked at her.

" What I want? ", He asked again and she nodded firmly.

Abruptly, he stood up from the bed and walked closer to her, but leaving a tangible distance of more than five steps in-between.

" It doesn't matter, what I want doesn't matter… to you " he said maintaining eye contact with her.

Oh no, seems this discussion won't end anytime soon.

" Richard please,. I'm sorry ", she blurted.

Richard scoffed" you know what Arianna ", he said his voice rising in pitch.
For the first time they have gotten married, he called her by her name…. Her real name.
Her heart fell.

All in their marriage long-run she has been the one calling him by his name sometimes, but he doesn't.
He would not.

" I don't care if I get hurt or anything, I sincerely don't care because trust me I will do anything for you..,.. I can die for you", he said , his face red in anger and disappointment.

Tears begin to cloud Arianna's vision, she has always know Richard's love for her is great and intense…. .. but die for her.
He really loves her greatly.

" What if… ", he continued his voice now at the highest pitch.

" What if something bad happens to you, what if you at the long-run get hurt and in the worst way I don't even wanna imagine, what do you think will happen to me? What will I have done? . Like Arianna don't you even think about your safety at all??"

He stopped, his breathing uneven, while Arianna was sobbing quietly.

" I don't care if I ended up getting hurt , but what about you? I won't be able to bare it and you know that ", he added and Arianna covered her face weeping.

" Richard please no one will get hurt, I promise.  I'll make sure to win the case … please Richard don't leave me ", Arianna sobbed, her voice cracking.

" Winning the cases is a minor but still I hope so Arianna, I hope so . Because Fabian will never go easy on us ", he said and just then his phone rang .

On Checking the caller's ID , his expression changed from anger to that if panick but he was quick to conceal it.

With a second glance, he scurried out of the room to pick his call .
Leaving Arianna to ponder on his last words.

Fabian will never go easy on them?

That word definitely held so much meaning or wait????
Is he receiving those letters and texts as well? Has he also been receiving those threatful texts?

With this thought, her heart fell .

In as much as she loves to stay focus and win the case, the tension and circumstances isn't just helping.
And somehow, she is kind of feeling uneasy with all of this.
More like a gut feeling.
Like something big is going to happen…

Arianna sighed as these different thoughts float in her mind, the only thing she can do at that juncture is to just focus and do all her best to win.

At least to make things better with her loved ones.
And thanking her lucky star, they have the upper hand in the case and that gives them more probabilities of winning.

So , the only thing to do is focus and ignore the stupid gut feeling and as well those useless threatening texts.

They would not dare hurt her. They would not dare.

© Adira H.

Please guys, I know we aren't even that much or in any way massive, but I beg of you just after reading please and please vote and drop a simple comment.
Even if it is just a word.

I'm not being desperate, but it will help the book grow and motivate the writer further.

Thank you ♥️