Stella woke up to the sound of cluttering of plates. She turned over on her side and saw Richard's side of the bed was empty. She took her phone to check the time, it was seven in the morning. Her brows furrowed, this man better not be trying to burn down her kitchen.
She got out of bed and threw on satin robe over her nightie before going to the kitchen.
A pleasant aroma teased her nostrils as she got closer. There in her kitchen, stood her husband whistling to some tune as he whipped up some pancakes. A smile graced her features, how could she be so lucky to land such a handsome man for a husband?
His hair was still black and thick though it had started to gray, unlike other men at his age, he didn't have a beer belly, Richard always kept his chin clean shaven which brought out his dinstict features. Probably sensing a stare, he turned around and smiled when he saw her.
"Good morning darling", he greeted.
Stella was all smiles as she walked up to him and nestled in his embrace while looking at the pancakes. "What are you up to? It's not Valentine's or mother's day."
"Can't a man cook for his wife?" He hooked a finger under her chin and gave her a chaste kiss.
"Well, make sure you add a share for two more people. I'm not sure but I'm going to check if Emily will skip the gym as well. I don't think I can handle exercises today", she patted his chest before she left his side.
"And if she wants to go?" He arched his brow.
"Then we'll go", she spoke as a matter of fact.
"You spoil her too much."
"That's what you said about your other daughters. Look how well they turned out! I'll be back in a few", she smiled at him before turning to leave.
She was sure to remember to get her spare keys. Because of her excessive worry over Amy and her pregnancy, Amy gave her spare keys for when she wants to check on her or in case of any emergency. She walked over across the street and went to unlock the door.
Judging from the silence, it seemed the young woman was still sleeping. 'I guess I should let her rest', she mused as she turned back. She had barely taken two steps when she heard a giggle. It was coming from Amy's room.
Curiosity got the best of her so she tiptoed toward the bedroom door. Placing her ear against it, she heard a deep voice that sent a pleasurable shiver down her spine. It was a phone voice but it still gave her goosebumps.
"I'm sorry", Amy said whilst trying not to laugh but failing at the same time.
"How could you laugh after what you did last night? I didn't know my wife could be so heartless", Zach complained over the phone.
"I was tired. I was not deliberately avoiding you", she could not help her smile even as she spoke.
She was seated in her bed getting some work done over her laptop while talking to Zach. After the party last night, she felt extremely tired she could not keep her eyes open for long, she didn't even shower before going to bed. It could be her pregnancy that contributed to her fatigue and the late nights she had been working for her clients.
However, Zach expected them to talk after she got back only to be hit by:
'I'm tired, talk tomorrow, have a goodnight.'
He thought she was running away after the stunt she pulled on him. Even after relieving himself at work, thoughts about her body covered in nothing but lingerie plagued his mind especially during the night. He hardly got a wink of sleep because of her.
"Uh-huh", he responded dryly.
"You're never going to let this go, are you?" Amy was clearly amused by his behavior.
"No, unless you do something about it."
"Like what? What could I possibly do to appease this whiner baby?"
He chuckled, "Did you just call me your baby? And here I thought I was moving too fast for you."
Amy rolled her eyes. Yup, it was official. Zach suffered from selective hearing. "Whatever helps you sleep at night."
"Do you want to know?" His voice grew lower and deeper it seduced Amy right then.
Goosebumps graced her skin from the effect and she had to cross her legs and squeeze her thighs. 'How does he do that?' Amy mused in irritation towards her body for being so reactive.
She wasn't the only one to detect the suggestive atmosphere Zach had created, Stella did too. She almost squealed when she heard the change in his tone. 'No doubt, this is Emily's husband', she mused as she rushed out of the house.
She remembered to lock it before running towards her house. 'I need to tell Richard', she thought with clear excitement. Amy's husband could be ugly as the girl claimed but that voice, how can someone sound so attractive!
"Richard!" She called out excitedly.
"Still in the kitchen!"
"Oh! Richard!" She run out to meet him.
He frowned when he heard the sound of her footsteps. "Don't run! It's sli-"
"Richard you won't believe what I just- Argh!"
Thud!
Richard's eyes widened in shock as he run out to his wife who was lying in soapy water on the floor. Her face was contorted in pain as she groaned.
He had just finished making pancakes and wanted to make eggs too. So he got a bottle of cooking oil and unscrewed it whilst in his arms. But the thing became slippery and fell to the floor releasing the liquid inside.
He cursed and quickly picked up the bottle before screwing the lid back on. He put the bottle away and got a mop to clean up but because it was dry, the thing just smeared the oil even more. So he got soapy water and dipped the mop inside. He didn't wring it as much and threw it to the ground to mop when he remembered he left the stove on.
He had just dashed to switched it off when Stella came in while calling his name. And now, here his wife lay on the floor in a pool of soapy water.
"Are you alright?" His tone spoke volumes of the worry he had. He knelt down to help her up.
"I'm fi- Argh! My hip!" Stella had stopped sitting up mid way and lay back down. Her face had grown red when she cried out in pain.
Without a second thought, Richard scooped up his wife in his arms, whilst being careful not to add too much pressure on her hip. Stella's face grew pale as she tried to suppress the pain. He grabbed the car keys from a tray on the counter with his mouth and went outside.
Stella got the keys and unlocked the car. He placed her at the back where she could lie down before he jogged to the driver's side. Once he sat down, he froze. His hands shook as he reached out to the steering wheel. His breathing quickened and a layer of perspiration started to form on his forehead.
An image of his hands covered in blood and flames building up around him flashed on his mind. The man's face started to loose color as he fought to stabilize his breathing and shook his head to get rid of the image.
He suddenly felt a cold breeze glaze his skin and soon realized how door had been pulled open. That instantly snapped him out of his reverie. Standing by his door was none other than:
"Emily", he called out in disbelief.
She was panting hard as she spoke while holding the door. "Do you mind if I take the wheel?"
Updated from fr𝒆ewebnov𝒆l.(c)om