AFFECTION

TWENTY FIVE

HOPE WELLINGTON

I smiled to myself as I spread the butter on the toast and served it to him.

"Hopeless! You can stop smiling now or I will put a tape on your mouth."

That only widened my smile and i looked at him and winked.

"Are you 'jealous' of my smile??", I said stressing on jealous.

My dear husband scowled at me, but stayed silent. From days, he has been following me, asking me about my 'lover' and at the same time trying to convince me how he was an asshole, a bastard, a coward, a chipmunk and what not, for not reciprocating my love. It was today that I realised he was actually jealous. I'll not name it anything with my hopes held high, but ofcourse some husband instincts had him feeling so. Whatever it was, it amused me alot, and now I love how much it is irritating him. It's rare I get an opportunity to irritate. It is always the other way round.

"Fuck off!"

I laughed and served him another toast. Begrudgingly, he kept on eating whatever I served him. And I liked it that way. Even the fruit salad.

"Oliver is coming after his vaccination. Eric and Erica had to take Evie, so they offered to take him too."

I nodded and ate my own breakfast. Once we were done, he went to take a shower, while I arranged some stuff in the closet. I don't let the servants enter in my closet. I keep a lot of important stuff here, and I like a corner of my home dedicated to myself. Yes, I do share this closet with David, but he's harmless. He never remembers where he puts his own things, so it is hard for him to meddle with mine.

Once I had arranged my clothes, I moved towards the jewelry part and then my eyes fell on a purple box. When I opened it, I saw a beautiful butterfly charm, hanging from a rose gold chain. This has to be my second most favourite piece of jewellery. First is that little ring my father brought for me when I was still one. It doesn't fit me anymore but I wear it in a chain on my important days.

"What are you looking at?", he whispered near my ear startling me.

I sighed, "Behave!"

Then to startle me more I feel him hugging me behind.

"What are you wearing David?"

He chuckled making me aware that I am not going to like the answer, "Nothing, just a measly, slippery, and barely hanging towel."

That had my body turning stiff. This guy has no shame left. He has probably sold it all to afford the alcohol that damaged his liver. I tried to wiggle out of his arms but who am I kidding!

"Wear some clothes David!"

"See Hope...if you move too much, my towel is definitely going to fall."

That turned me stiff as a rock, and I stilled not wanting to make things worse.

"Ohh! You are looking at this.", he rested his head on my shoulder and looked at the box in my hand, "...I never see you wearing this. Don't you like it?"

I cleared my throat, "I like it."

"Then wear it.."

He moved back, thankfully, and pulled the chain out of the box. Then removing my hairs from the back, he clasped the chain and then pulled be aside, where the mirror was.

"Look how beautiful it is. I got it with a Ruby because of your red hair. And they told me, Ruby brings love."

My heart skipped a few beats as I stared at myself in the mirror. I wore this on my wedding day. At the reception. Not after that.