THE GAMBLER'S WIFE

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Patrick could not even gather the strength to turn his engine off and disembark his car. He has been parked in their garage and has been staring at their dark bedroom window.  He knew Andrea is already asleep.  She never stayed up to wait for him to arrive when he came home late.  She trusted him that much.

After almost an hour of deliberation, he got out of the car. He walked like a zombie in the well-lit path to their front door.  Just as he was about to turn the keys in, the double door opened and he was surprised to find his wife opening the doors for him for the first time at five in the morning.

Andrea stared at his husband as if waiting for an explanation why he went home late or rather too early for breakfast.  Without a word, Patrick hugged his wife and tears rolled down his cheeks without permission.

“What’s wrong?” Andrea asked.

Patrick could not speak.  His tongue was tied as he continued to weep on his wife’s shoulders.

“Tell me.  Please.” Andrea pleaded as she pushed him away gently to see his face.

She ushered him to the couch and as they both sat down, she was rubbing his shoulders as if it would help to calm him down.  Little did she know that there is no way she can pacify her husband’s crying.

“I am so sorry.”  He finally muttered in between his sobs as he covers his face in shame.

“Why?”  She was clueless.

“I am deeply indebted honey.”  He spoke not looking up at his wife.

“Why?”  She asked still naïve of the situation.

“I have been gambling.”  He finally admitted.

“How much?”  She asked calmly.

“Twenty million.”

“What?  Which bank?”  She asked alarmed.  They were rich after having the manpower agency operational for four years has gotten them more than just steady financially.  Before she handed the management of business to her husband she remembered splitting 30 million to each of their personal bank accounts and left another 10 million in their joint account.

Her mind was racing as she waited for him to reply. She mentally calculated everything. If he owed 20 million then that would mean he used up all the savings he left her. Her bank is still intact and holds the 15 million, she just uses the interests accrued for their expenses.

“It’s with a financier.”

“Which one?”  She was referring to which financial institution.

He did not answer and looked at her with bulging red eyes.

“Which one hon?  What did you place as collateral?”  She asked again.

He shook his head and bit his lips, unable to answer.

“Speak to me.  We can come into terms for amortization.”  She continued urging her husband to spill the beans so she can help.  Paying 20 million is easy for them, she can just withdraw all her savings out and get 5 million more from the earnings of their business.

“It’s with a loan shark and I did not mortgage any property.”  He finally added some information.

“When is it due then?”

“In three days.”  He still cannot speak of the whole truth regarding his ‘payment scheme’.

“Three days!”  Andrea raised her voice in surprise and shock.  But not much panic is swallowing her since she knows that they can pay.