State of Love

Part 1 "What's love got to do with it?"

The Suspect

Darius spoke loudly, “I’m home baby.”  “Ah… babe where you at?” shouted Darius taking time to hang his jacket on the coat rack near the front door. Darius headed through the living room. Beige lace floor-length drapes covered a large picture window. Opening the curtains revealed a breathtaking view of the Tuscany Ocean Cove.  This was the one room in the house that Darius and Patricia used to set the mood for romance or a good dinner party.  The furnishings were handpicked by Patricia who had a keen sense of home design. Every sofa, chair, table, vase, pillow, or lamp was perfectly matched and placed by her.

As he walked through the room Darius switched the bag in his hand from his left to his right as if he was holding a football in the cuff of his arm.  He strolled slowly towards the kitchen area, wondering where his wife was and why she did not responded to any of the calls he had made.  The closer Darius got to the kitchen the more he was lured by the aroma of grits, biscuits, bacon and eggs cooking with a small hint of mocha in the air.  Just the thought of Patricia’s cooking made Darius hungry.

Patricia was taught to cook by her nana, who told her that cooking was the way to a man’s heart, and that much Darius could testify.  Patricia was a small framed woman standing 5 ft 5 in, with baby smooth skin and a caramel sweet brown sugar complexion. Most men in the community were smitten with her beauty they did not hesitation offer their assistance whenever needed. Patricia worked in a fast paced accounting firm, Milestone Accounting; she was one of cost accountants and analyst. Patricia had made her mark in the firm and was being considered for a position of Senior Accountant for the firm, handling all the reports and approvals of journal entries and account reconciliations.  

As he drew closer to the door he heard a second voice, a males’ voice, but he couldn’t figure out who the voice belonged to. He picked up his pace but just as he got closer to the door he heard a statement that stopped him dead in his tracks. He was so startled at what he heard that he stood frozen in place for two or three minutes before entering the room.

“There is a good chance that he’ll find out anyway!” said the deep masculine voice.

“I am trying to be so careful, I know this would upset him, if he knew how things are between me and you”  Patricia responded.

“Sounds like me being here is not a good idea.”

“I am going to go before he gets back from the store.”  Said the man as he rose from his seat at the table and gave Patricia a kiss on her cheek, before he walked towards the door.

The suspect was 6 ft. 5 in, lean and well-built with braids and a thin line mustache that made his mocha complexion and thug image look sexy. He closed the door behind him and left the house. Darius amazed at what he had just heard, pushed the door to the kitchen and entered without a sound. Patricia was still stirring the grits in the pot while turning over the bacon in the skillet.  Darius looked over to see his wife still in her silk spaghetti strap nightgown with robe that was slightly revealing the baby soft skin,  of her right shoulder, which he desired to touch and caress.  He had to control himself. He didn’t know if she was cheating on him with another man.  

Who was just in his kitchen?

He felt like reaching out and strangling her from behind.  He took in a deep breath and calmed down his thoughts.  He had to remember that he needed to stop and slow down because he didn’t know what she would have to say about what he just heard.

What could make her want to jeopardize what they had built together?

He decided to not let his thoughts get the best of him. He would confront her about it.