The Man She Married

13.

_____13_____
The Funky Two Step

-•-

Antrell exits the airport and wheels his luggage to the car pick up station. He waves down a cab and one sees him, pulling over. The driver pops the trunk and Antrell sits his bag inside. After closing it, he gets in the backseat and closes the door. The driver takes off after Antrell informs the driver of his destination. He just had a long two weeks on his team building retreat. Every year around this time, his job go on these trips for better progression. It helps the work environment and build healthy relationships with the employees. This was Antrell's first time being there on the other end. Usually he'd be the one taking orders and running the courses. This time he was calling the shots. The cab driver arrives at his house pulls over to the curb. Antrell glances at the meter and pays the fee while getting out. He grabs his bag out the open trunk and closes it and the driver takes off. Antrell enters the house and closes the door behind him. Once he locks it, he travels up the stairs and spots Yelena in the living room. She has in her earphones with her computer in her lap, accompanied by a glass of red wine. Antrell thought not to bother her as he travels to the bedroom. He sits his bag down and removes his jacket. Once he's comfortable, he returns to the living room. From behind, he hugs Yelena around her neck while removing her earphones. She jumps then relaxes when she realizes who it is.

"You scared me." She breathes as he kisses her temple.

"I thought I come home to surprise you. It smells good in here." He says, kissing the side of her face.

"You might be smelling the breakfast I had earlier." She informs while scrolling through an article she continues to read.

"What did you have?" He questions, beginning to tease her spot. She tilts her head a little for more access while biting her lip.

"Grilled salmon, grits and a toasted egg muffin. I treated myself to a little low salted butter and grape jelly." She says and Antrell pulls back with a smirk.

"You didn't think to save me any?" He questions.

"Well I mean it was breakfast and I knew you weren't going to back that early." Yelena says while shrugging. Antrell laughs and frowns.

"I mean you knew I was coming home eventually though." Yelena raises her eyebrows and brings her glass of wine to her lips.

"Did I?" She shades while squinting a bit. Antrell exhales a breath and nods as in touché.

"I deserved that." He sighs, heading to the refrigerator.

"Yep. How was the retreat?" She questions, sitting her laptop on the coffee table and grabs her wine. Antrell grabs a bottled water.

"It was different. You know I'm usually running the races but I got a chance to run things. I built team exercises and helped people out along the way." He smiles. Yelena nods while pulling the glass away from her lips.

"Mm. That's nice." She responds while mentally rolling her eyes. She found it amusing that he could situate problems at work, but not on their marriage. Since their argument a month back, the two had made up but Yelena felt they needed help. She wanted to talk to him about it, hoping he would agreed to it.

"Yea. What did you do for your birthday?" Antrell figured to change the subject because Yelena seemed the least bit interested. He always talked about work so he thought to change the subject. Focus on her for a while.

"Milyah and Cherokee threw me a little party at The Red Room." She smiles while bringing her knees up to her chest. He takes a seat beside her while laughing.