He watched the color drain from his wife’s cheeks and felt his stomach drop. What the hell was this wanker doing here? Had she told him where they would be? Perhaps she had fooled him all along. It took him a moment to register what was happening.
Cyn, meanwhile, hopped off the counter and tied her dressing gown quickly, with a strong and angry knot.
He watched his wife walk over to her ex-lover. Karma most certainly had a sense of humor.
“Roberto,” she sighed. “What on earth are you doing here?”
“So yer the bloke who’s been fuckin’ me wife,” he spat, finally turning around to face both of them.
“John, please…” she gave him a pleading look and began rubbing her temples anxiously before turning back to Roberto.
His heart began to pound fiercely. The adrenaline was quickly taking over. His wife standing before him – with the man she ran away to. It was staring him right in the face; it was all he could see.
Roberto, despite his intimidating stature, seemed nervous and small to John. He knew nothing about marriage, or children, a decade-long relationship or worldwide success. He was a child compared to them.
“I love you, Cynthia,” he muttered, looking to the floor before directly at John. “I’m sorry I’ve turned up like this. I am, truly, but I had to tell you the truth. I phoned your mother and –“
John’s cackling interrupted him. “Good ‘ole Lil. Is she outside as well? I’m sure she’ll enjoy the show. You should call her in.”
Roberto turned to Cyn. “You don’t have to put up with this anymore. I’ll take care of you and Julian. I told you that. Haven’t you had enough of him treating you like this?”
That was it.
“You’ve got a lot of fuckin’ nerve!” He couldn’t see anymore, surrendering to his rage. Suddenly the young Italian was thrown up against the wall, and John’s fist was throbbing.
"Stop it, John!" He felt Cyn behind him, nails digging into his shoulders. Did she honestly think she could hold him back?
**
“What the fuck’s the matter with you, Powell?” The eighteen-year old licked his fingers and ran them through his DA hairstyle, adjusting the few hairs that had fallen out of place during the altercation.
“You!” She crossed her arms and stared at him. The night air was chilly and she was shivering. “Have you gone completely mad? That bloke was twice the size of you!”
“You two alright?” His best mate, Stu, stood in the doorway of the student flat with a concerned expression on his face. The music from the party above, as if on cue, began playing again and he exhaled a sigh of relief. “Thank Christ for that.”
“Just peachy, Sutcliffe. We’ll be back at yer flat.” He called back to his mate, taking Cyn’s hand.
“I’m going to stay awhile longer.” Stu eyed them suspiciously and clearly wasn’t convinced. John knew he had a soft spot for her. “You sure you’re okay, then?” This time he looked directly at Cyn.
He watched Cyn force a smile. “Yes. See you later, Stu, and sorry again.”
As soon as Stu went back inside to the party, she yanked her hand back and gave him a disgusted look.
“See you later, Stu! Sorry again!” He mocked her in a posh accent and rolled his eyes as they began walking down Hope Street. “I don’t need ya apologizing for me, girl.”
