It was the evening. Work had closed. It was time to go home. Marcus called Belle in. “Belle, work is over for today. Do you have a place to stay already?” “Yes sir,” she replied. “All of that has already been provided by Miss Juliet.” “I have been arranged to live in a hotel not far from your home sir. So I would be close by if you need anything.” “Alright then.” Marcus replied. Do you have a car to drive there, or would you like to ride with me till you get a car?” “I was going to get a car before tomorrow. You shouldn't worry, Mr Krafth.” Belle replied. “It's no worries. I'll just drive you to the place, you'll sort everything out by yourself.” Marcus replied. Marcus did not have any hidden agenda on Belle. In fact, he still loves his wife, Chantelle, a lot. So, he decided to respect her. He was just asking Belle out of goodwill, and so everything was done efficiently. He did not want anything to lag behind. Marcus got ready to leave
Marcus was still reminiscing on everything that had happened today while he walked to the front door. His turn around in life, how he won't be bullied again at work. He was happy. All that was left was meeting his wife. As Marcus got to the entrance of his house, he realized something. He had forgotten his key, again. Marcus did not like stressing his wife after he got home from work. He didn't like knocking, though it seemed like it was slowly becoming a habit. It was likely the excitement from what was going to happen that made him forget the key in the morning. He was about to knock, when he noticed a paper at the entrance. It was stuck on the door, by the side. Marcus picked it up. It was likely from his wife. He wondered what it was about. Chantelle went out. She was invited to a social gathering by her parents along with Richard Banks. Marcus was stunned. He knew his wife understood what she was doing. She understood that he didn't
Chantelle had the best time. Today was the most fun she had had since right before she got married to Marcus. She remembered picking her dad's call. “Hello Dad.” “Hello Chantelle,’ he replied. “Let's go out tonight. It's going to be me, your mom, your sister and Richard.” “But dad, I don't think Marcus is going to be happy when he finds out Richard was there with us.” “Don't even. Don't even bring Marcus, that good for nothing man up. When he finds out, there's nothing he can do about it.” Her dad replied. “I mean, what tangible thing has he offered you since you married him? Tonight is just going to be a calm night. There's no need to overthink what you'll wear. I'm sure you'll look really good either way.” Chantelle sighed deeply. Her dad was still her dad. He knew how to convince her fully. Besides, Marcus also took his key out, she thought. Chantelle went to check. She saw Marcus’s key inside. She shook her head. What was always going on in t
Richard and Chantelle had been smiling throughout their dinner. After her Dad had made her understand the situation, Chantel realized she didn't have any other choice at that moment. She gracefully adapted to the situation. They both ordered Italian. It was a four-course meal that started with appetizers. They were both served, Insalata della Casa. This was an appetizer made up of; Mix greens, carrots, tomatoes in extra virgin olive oil and balsamic dressing. Chantelle was beaming. Both of them were maintaining small talk during this. It was the regular how her day was, what she had been doing and what she was up to. Richard was also smiling a lot while trying to maintain his gentleman aura. Every second he spent with this woman made him more attracted to her, he thought. After this, they were served the second course, which was pasta. Pasta was a fully acknowledged meal in Italy. They were served Pappardelle Al Brasato along with a Red str
Richard was still driving. He was stealing glances at Chantelle still. The lights from other cars on. The road flashed on his face constantly. Chantelle thought he looked good. “Chantelle, I know countless people must have told you you look good. But I'm still going to say it. You look good. Really good.” “Sometimes, I just stare at you and smile,” Richard said. “You make me want to keep staring. Your smile, the way your lips turn up anytime I talk and we just look at each other and smile.” “It's magical, I can't even lie.” Chantelle was still silent. Her heart was pounding. There were two voices in her head. One was telling her to fully believe and fall for Richard. The other, more tiny voice was reminding her. She had a husband. Marcus loved her fully. She knew too. Chantelle was lost. She did not know what to do. Choosing Richard with his wealth meant cuckolding Marcus. She still did not have the resolve to do that. How painful that woul
Richard and Chantelle had been talking at the front of Marcus’s home for over thirty minutes. Marcus and Huncho could not clearly make out what they were seeing. But, judging from their body language, it was not anything they could not guess. Chantelle was still holding her bags of clothes while looking like a princess that had just walked out of a Disney movie. If not anything, one thingarcus and Richard would agree on was that Chantelle was drop dead gorgeous. Chantelle started getting wary. She was a smart woman. She already figured out that her husband was not back yet, but had been putting that at the back of her mind for a while now. They had taken over thirty minutes here, it was time for Richard to leave, she thought. “Richard, thank you so much for today… Thank you for…” “Chantelle, I already told you it was nothing. If you keep thanking me like this, I'll feel somehow,” he replied. “I think it's time I left also,” Richard got the clue.
Marcus had watched Huncho drive out of the street. He waited a bit, until he could not see the taillights of the car anymore. He walked slowly as he came up to the door of his home. He wondered what his wife was doing inside right at that moment. Marcus paused briefly at the place where Chantelle and Richard had just stood. He stood rooted at that point. His mind was wavering. He stood for a while until he decided to be firm in his heart. He had a plan and he was standing by it. He would watch it play out, and hopefully it was going to turn out well for him. Marcus smiled at that moment. He was still going to trust his mind. If his father and sister were there right now, they would have shook their heads at him. Marcus, though smart and mature, had always had a soft spot for his wife. This had been obvious through the way he had lived with her before his status changed. He was bullied by her parents and he didn't even stop him from still loving her.
Chantelle remembered the last time Marcus lost his job, and the considerably long time before he got another one. Marcus had been working in a hotel. His work was helping to clean up after people left their rooms both temporarily and also permanently. He also helped bring up things that people who lodged in the hotel wanted, like food and other items. Marcus has always been a hard worker. His colleagues did not like him because of the energy he put into the work. They all believed being lackadaisical was the way out, so they were surprised at the amount of energy Marcus put into it. Marcus had always been like that in all his previous jobs. Working hard, while his coworkers did not like him for one reason or the other. The only different thing this time around was that his boss, a lady, did not have any problem with him. In fact, she even liked him. Marcus was the most consistent hard worker in the hotel. She liked him because he could always be co