Cream Soda

Chapter 2

You and your husband have gotten on each other's nerves lately. You two have been tied up in each other's hair, inseparable, but at the same time, you two also wanted the other person on the other side of the room. Some say you two had reached the roommate stage of your relationship, and there have been some nights he slept on the couch. In a few weeks, your husband's tour would start. You helped him pack his things, making sure he didn't forget anything. Once he was packed, he thanked you, but when he left the next day, there was no hug or kiss goodbye. You thought this was odd, but maybe it was for the best–this tour would give you two some time away from each other and give you the space you needed.

Or so you thought.

————

While your husband was gone, you practically renovated the house, taking weeks to clean the whole house spotless. If any of your guy friends asked to come over, you said no, afraid urges would take over and you'd slip up somehow. While you were cleaning the bathroom one day, you noticed an extra set of jewelry on the counter. With a closer look, you saw it was your husband's wedding band and promise ring you bought him, custom-made to match yours. As much as your heart hurts, you think nothing of it as he could've taken them off for numerous reasons. Instead, you walk over and put them in his jewelry box atop his dresser. You set them in nicely then shut the small drawer, attempting to clean your mind. You continue to clean the house.

An hour or so passes and you're finally done. Accomplished, you open yourself a bottle of soju. Just then, you remember you wanted to get your husband gifts for his return. It was only a day before he came back, so you put the soju in the fridge then grab your keys and walk out the door. Your relationship with him wasn't underground, but it was also unusual to have roughly 20 paparazzi outside your door. You got in your car, ignoring them all. One of them tried to talk to you, getting cut off by you shutting the door in his face.

"How are you and–"

You pull out of the driveway and drive into the city. You parked in a communal garage and then walked to each store. You picked up your husband's favorite snacks from the grocers, flowers from the local florist, and other things like a new jewelry set, a watch, and other things you knew would make him happy. Once you spent over a good $500 on him, you went back to your car and put all the gifts in the trunk and the flowers on the floorboard of the passenger side. You drove back to your house, met with the same paparazzi as when you left. You got out of your car swiftly and made it into the house, locking the door and shutting the blinds behind you. You set up the gifts for your husband on the island, displaying them nice and neatly for when he walked in. Now you could only wait for when he came home.

The next day rolled by, almost 3 o'clock when you heard keys jingling at the door. You stood up from whatever you were doing on the couch, walked over to the island, and sat at one of the barstools. Your husband finally walked in, propping the door open with his foot as he dragged his suitcase and black Louis Vuitton duffle bag in behind him. You sat there giddy, fighting the urge to jump out of your seat and hug him. Once he turned around, he saw you sitting there. It's almost like he froze up, but you didn't think anything of it, assuming he was surprised at your presence or the gifts. He smiled at the gifts slightly, then turned to you, putting his bags down and holding his arms out. You jump up and run to his arms, hugging him tightly.

"I missed you," Chanyeol says quietly. "But I need to talk to you."

Your stomach dropped. Chanyeol wasn't even home for 5 minutes before saying he needed to talk to you. He guided you to the sofa, sitting down with one leg tucked under him, and turned to the side to face you. You sat there, leg shaking and biting your nails out of nervousness. Suddenly, you remembered an afterparty at a rented-out club. You let your husband talk about the tour, but you cut him off just wanting to know what happened.