It's Sad to Belong

It's Sad to Belong || His In Denial

Chapter Ten

James gets home and is greeted by Sibelle, who is just getting ready for bed.

Ericka kisses James and immediately she can sense that something is wrong.

She places one hand on his cheek, "Honey, are you alright? Is everything okay?"

"Yes. I'm just a little tired from work, that's all," he says; voice soft, almost inaudible.

"Sorry to hear that, hun. Would you like me to fix you some dinner?"

"No, it's okay. I'm not hungry. I'll just go upstairs and rest. Do you mind?" he asks, not looking at her.

"Of course not. Go ahead. I'll just put Belle to bed and I'll meet you there."

Ericka watches James climb the stairs. She can tell something is bothering him.

No matter how hard she tries to fight it, her mind still takes her to Nadine. Things have been great between her and James these past few weeks and watching James leave home this morning to go to work, made her feel scared more than anything.

Scared because she knows that the minute he gets to work, Nadine would be there.

And now, seeing James come home from work like this, worries her even more. She wonders if his current mood and behavior have anything to do with Nadine. She has seen firsthand the effect this woman has on her husband.

***

James steps out of the shower. He puts on a gray t-shirt and a pair of boxer shorts.

Even a long, hot shower cannot wash away the jealousy and terrible feelings he has been having throughout the night.

He sits in bed and grabs his cellphone. He dials Nadine's number, hoping that she'd pick up.

He calls but it just keeps ringing. He calls again, and again, she does not pick up.

He is getting angrier and angrier as minutes pass. He keeps imagining what she and the other guy are doing.

And when he imagines her getting home with that guy and ending up in bed, he clenches his fist in anger.

Ericka enters the bedroom and walks up to James. She stands behind him and massages his back.

James closes his eyes and tries to breathe steadily. He knows he has no right nor a reason to react the way he does.

In fact, he is even ashamed of it. But somehow, when it comes to Nadine, he loses control.

When it comes to her he loses his principles, his values and his morals. It's like being with her, being able to touch her and be with her, makes it all worth it.

As much as he loves his wife and kid, when he is around Nadine, nothing else seems to matter. Could it be because of lust?

Possibly.

Could it be for the thrill?

Maybe.

Could it be that he is falling in love with her?

No. No way. It can't be.

He just met her. He barely knows this woman. He cannot fall in love with this woman.

He just can't.

Ericka continues to massage him, then she slides her hands inside his shirt and tries to kiss his neck. He quickly pulls away.

"Ericka, please, I'm very tired," he says.

Pulling his shirt back down and crawls under the sheets.