Short stories

Misunderstanding

She cast a quick glance at her watch. Why was she surprised that he was late again? She really spent her life waiting! And she was getting tired. The more she thought, the more she despised him. He wasn’t paying attention to her. What had happened to him? What had become their happy years of marriage? She had forgotten.

Furiously crossing her arms over her chest, she moved away from the bay window with a sigh. It was getting late. It wasn’t his habit. Normally, he would have been at home. What could delay him at this point? Her imagination was working a hundred miles an hour. Where is he? She was really tired of waiting. She deserved much better than a spouse without any consideration for her. She needed to be loved. Not ignored as he was doing. She needed a real man. Her gaze fell on all luxuries they could have in this room. She chuckled. He dares to call those things souvenirs. I didn’t need all that stuff to remember. Sometimes, she had an urge to destroy everything that was around her. Reduce to pieces all his precious memories to make him react a bit.

It has been far too long they have spent time together without cell or computer. They were no longer a couple. Everything separated them. Good thing we didn’t have any children! Except that it might be able to save our painful marriage. She stiffened suddenly. Was he having an appointment with his lawyer? It was quite possible. Business always came before the rest for him. Even his beloved wife. She heaved a deep sigh. Well, maybe not as tender as I think. She had enough. Their life together was now painful to bear. But what could she do? They were not even a real couple. They were not in separate room. They rarely slept together. He often left the city for business or spending the night in a place she didn’t know.

She heard the main door open. How should she welcome him? Openly declaring war? Would he react? She strongly doubted it. Her husband never reacted to situations in which he found himself, good or bad. She went to the bar to serve herself. She filled her glass of vodka after putting ice. She heard his footsteps in the hall. She recognized his approach: he was upset or worried. He joined her in the boudoir.

“You’re still up?” he said to her, depositing his briefcase on the sofa.

He loosened his tie as he approached his wife. She took a sip before moving away from him.

“I wasn’t sleepy,” she replied, settling into the chair. “You’re home very late. Where were you? The office?”

“Some last minute meetings with clients.”

“Everything went well?”

He nodded, pouring a glass of whiskey. He turned to look at her face, burying a hand in a pocket of his trousers. He took a long sip, leaving a heavy silence wrap them. She stared at him silently, staring at his face. She sought any reaction betraying his mood. His approach was the only thing that showed some animosity. She wanted to know why. What do you hide? He held her gaze without flinching. Is he provoking me? She finished her glass, staying as calm as she could.

“We signed a huge contract.”

“Congratulations. And how much will it bring?”

He shrugged and sighed.

“I don’t have the exact numbers, but the amount is quite important.”

“And you’re out to celebrate?”

“The others went out. I stayed in the office to work a little longer.”

She stood up and walked to the window, crossing her arms over her chest. She hoped to calm down. If she didn’t see him, she has no reason to jump at his throat! Unfortunately, she was unable to keep her tongue.