Inside a Tear

I missed him too much to argue

"I think this red would look absolutely gorgeous on you." My personal shopper, Clarisse said holding out a red dress.

I had zoned out about fifteen minutes prior and had no idea where the six or something clothes I was holding had come from.

"I agree." I said giving her a very practised smile. I knew it was her job and I didn't want to make it harder for her but this was the fifth store that we were buying from.

We had made three trips to the car to drop off shopping bags and we were already stacking up on baggage again.

"Look Clarisse." I said walking towards the check out. "I think we have done more than enough shopping for the day, I am so grateful for your help."

"But you haven't even tried on the clothes you're holding!" She said pouting sadly. I almost laughed. She really was enjoying this.

"I completely trust your fashion sense and I'm sure that they will look great on me."

I paid for the clothes and we made our way to car to drop of the bags. Clarisse was already putting on her seatbelt when I stopped her.

"What are you doing?"

"Buckling up." She answered confused.

"No you're not. We just came to drop off the bags. We're at the mall! There's plenty to do!" I said turning around and walking back towards the entrance.

Clarisse quickly got out of the car and followed me.

"Uhm, this isn't part of my job description." She said nervously. "I don't think Mr Clinton will be too happy about this."

I sighed and turned to face her. "Look Clarisse. I know this isn't your job or anything but I'm new around here. I have no friends and my husband, as you know is away on a business trip. I just want to let loose, unwind a little bit. You are officially off work duty, so you're free to go. But I was hoping we could just hang out as friends?"

She looked thoughtful and I almost thought she would leave but then she broke into a smile.

"Let's have some fun!" She finally said.

"Now that's more like it."

*********

"This is the most delicious milkshake I have ever tasted!" Clarisse said taking another pull at her straw and I nodded agreeing with her.

I felt completely pampered and thoroughly stuffed with food. We had gotten our hair and nails done. Full body massages. Eaten as much fast food as we could and watched a movie.

"It has been a pretty awesome day." I said stretching out on the seat. We were in the car on our way home. Clarisse had her car parked at my house so she would leave from there.

"What time is it?" Clarisse asked.

"Nine pm." Teddy, my driver answered before I could even check. We felt so bad for keeping him waiting that we bought him food and milkshake too.

"Wow, we really used up the whole day! We left your house at 12!" Clarisse said.

"I'm just sleepy, I want my bed. And my husband." I said yawning.

Some kind of fairy had to listening because as soon as the the house doors came into view, so did Charles. And he didn't look happy.

"Ohhh daddy's home!!" Clarisse said in a mock tone. "Teddy just take me to the garage so I can get my car, it's about to get hot in here. And personally, I'm a winter girl."

I rolled my eyes at her playfully and let out a chuckle.

"I'll call you." I said getting out of the car that stopped by the front door then continued to the garage once I got out.

I chose to ignore the steely gaze Charles was currently giving me and act on impulse by running to hug him.

I wrapped my arms around his neck and thankfully he hugged me back.

"I missed you so much baby!" I said smiling as I let go. He didn't answer, just grabbed me by the hands and took me into the house.

He led me to the living room and we sat down on the couch.

"Do you know what time I got back?" He asked me sounding so serious it scared me.

"No." I answered, my voice sounding small.

"No. No you don't. And why exactly is that?"

"Its just that after shopping I though I could ...."

"I'll tell you why." He cut me off. "Its because while I was excited to get home and surprise my wife who I had been missing the whole time, she was busy at the mall! Extending what was only supposed to be a two hour trip! Getting all dolled up for god knows who! Having fun while I waited!"

"I was trying to look prettier for you, no one else Charlie." I said in an attempt to calm him down. He was so angry, I could see it. It was really hard to tell with Charles because he was always so calm. He never rose his voice to the point of screaming. It would just sound very strained and extremely controlled when he was angry, like he was trying to keep his anger from erupting. Like now.

"Prettier for me?" He said eyes softening just a tiny bit. He held my head with both hands, caressing my cheek and pushing a strand of shiny light brown hair behind my ear.

Then suddenly his eyes turned steely again and his grip hardened. "I love you just like this. You don't need to modify anything at all. You are beautiful and you are mine. You will not live up to society's expectations of beauty, only mine. Understood?"

"I'm not trying to change anything. You wanted me to get new clothes, so I just wanted to polish my looks to match the clothes. That's it." I was so confused. I didn't understand his anger.

His grip softened and he kissed my forehead. "I just missed you. Just let me know next time. And don't come home after eight pm without warning me."

"Okay." I nodded, relaxing. He was acting really weird but I missed him too much to argue.

"When you're at home with me, you can wear your normal clothes." He said and I nodded again. This was still something that didn't sit right with me, but as I said, I missed him too much to argue.