Proceed With Caution

Chapter 14

Warning: Physical abuse. Please don't sue me.

Mr Harrison's POV

It was 6 p.m. and I had just arrived home from work. I rummaged through my bag for my keys. Lately, I had not been very organised as I had many other things to do. Scheming students, disgruntled girlfriend. You name it.

Unlocking and opening the door, I noticed the lights in the living room were all on, but Anna was nowhere to be found. What a joy I would get when my electricity bill for the month comes.

I ascended the staircase, expecting to find Anna in our bedroom. I was prepared for her to be lying in bed watching television, and for her to blast me for "coming home so late".

However, as I came closer and closer to the top of the stairs, I heard a muffled noise coming from the bedroom. It sounded like someone was being choked to death. I dismissed it, thinking it was just the television.

I approached the bedroom and put my ear against the door. Strangulated moaning sounds filled my ears, which sounded like someone was actually being asphyxiated. In a panic, I turned the doorknob and flung the door open, thinking there was an attack going on in there.

There I saw Anna.

In bed.

With another man.

My jaw hung open and my heart sank right down to my feet. The two of them turned their heads towards me. They slowly peeled themselves off from one another.

"Richard, I can explain." Anna cried. I could not respond. Instead, I stood paralysed, gawking stupidly at my so-called girlfriend and the home-wrecker.

"Um... I'm just gonna... go. Yeah." the man said awkwardly, looking from Anna to me. Crawling out of bed and covering select body parts with his hands, he picked up his clothes, threw them on hurriedly, and rushed past me.

"No! Gavin, wait!" Anna called after the man, but I heard the front door slam. She sighed in irritation and grabbed her dressing robe, slipping it on. The whole scene ended in a flash.

"Richard. It's really not what it looks like." Anna said. I was finally able to speak.

"It's not what it looks like? Oh, so, what, you were playing Twister in the altogether, is that it?" I drawled sardonically.

"No! We were just talking!" Anna said. If there were a lying competition, she would not even obtain a certificate of participation.

"I see. Sometimes when I talk to people, I like to climb on top of them and gyrate."

"You see! That's the problem with you! You never believe anything I say!" Anna screamed.

"I don't believe you because I saw what happened!" I retorted. "How stupid do you think I am?"

"Alright! Fine! I had sex with him! Is that what you wanted to hear?"

"Oh gee, I feel better already! Call him back to continue, why don't you?"

"I only did this because you never spend enough time with me!"

"Yes. This whole thing is, indeed, my fault." I said, rolling my eyes.

Anna walked towards me until she was a mere three inches away. She reached up her hand and touched my face gently. I flinched and shrunk away from the poisonous contact.