His Dearest Gem

Chapter Two: Brains and Beauty

Dawn began to peek through the curtains of Amelia's ragged room she shared with Arthur. Her eyes fluttered open, well, one of them did. The other eye was too swollen to even pry itself open a crack. Amelia sighed and looked next to her, gazing at her wasted husband. She frowned as her eyes wandered across the room, seeing all the empty beer bottles that littered their floor. She always wondered what went wrong after she married Arthur. They had known each other for over ten years before they finally tied the knot. Her mind went back to those days in biology class when a fourteen-year-old her and sixteen-year-old Arthur would flirt constantly with each other. Arthur was a straight 'A' student, was on the student body as the treasurer, who came from a happy home with two loving parents, and never EVER partied. He was the classic nerd who was deadset on being a gentleman. He was fairly loved around the school and was respected by all his teachers. What happened that Arthur? Amelia didn't have an answer, but she definitely preferred that Arthur to this one.

She decided to get up and go make some tea for her husband before he was to go off to work. She scurried downstairs and put the old fashioned kettle by the stove with three bags of black tea. She turned the sink on and filled the kettle while the bags soaked and then turned the stove on medium heat. She then began to cook him some scrambled eggs and toast, wanting him to have a full stomach to help with the hangover. She quickly put some cream into the whisked eggs and poured them into the greased frying pan. She then plated the well done white bread and fluffy eggs, setting them on the table. She then began to pour his cup of tea just as he began to trudge down the stairs.

"Eggs and toast, with some black tea for your hangover," Amelia whispered as she turned back to the stove. Arthur took a sip of the tea and sighed in happiness.

"You truly are too good for me, my dear. Sorry about last night, I guess I had one too many. Does anything hurt now?" Arthur asked worriedly. Amelia simply shook her head and plated her food.

"Not anymore. It's fine dear, I know it's been super stressful at work recently. You need to release most of that pent up emotion somehow. We can't afford much at the moment, but maybe we can buy a stress ball or something until we can afford a punching bag,"

"That's a wonderful idea, love. I'll look for some on my break," Arthur finished eating and kissed Amelia's bruised temple, "I hate myself for always doing this,"

"It's not your fault," Amelia repeated with a soft tone. Arthur grabbed his coat and keys, heading for the door, "love you!"

"Yes, yes! Love you too, dear!" Arthur quickly shut the door and got into his car. Amelia sighed in relief as she heard him drive off. She quickly finished her scraps of food before going to her purse and pulling out the business card Ivan had given her. She picked up her cell phone and quickly dialed the number, putting it to her ear. After three rings, the phone picked up.

"Privet? Who iz zisss," Ivan slurred. It was clear that he still hadn't risen from bed and Amelia had to stifle her laughter.

"Mr. Braginsky, this is Amelia from yesterday. I'm calling to schedule the interview," Amelia quirked an amused brow as she heard a string of Russian curses, "is everything ok?"

"Da! Everything is fine! I just overslept! Be at Braginsky Infinity in one hour,"

"Uh, I don't have a car remember?" Amelia giggled as she heard Ivan shuffling to get his clothes off.

"I will send a driver, be ready in an hour! I'll text you the details from this phone!" a thud was heard and more curses came from Ivan's mouth, "stupid end table! I just stubbed my toe!" Ivan groaned as he continued to run around. Amelia laughed a tiny bit, making Ivan smile on the other end.