One of my people

I changed into my nightwear and waited in the living room for Luke to show up. He was rather surprised when he found me sipping on my Prosecco all alone on the sofa.

"Hi, Luke."

"Hey! I thought you would be in bed by now."

He took a seat on the arm chair opposite me.

"Yes, I would but I know my husband too well now. I knew he was going to send you to check up on me."

"Did you now?" I heard him mutter.

I smiled without teeth to let him know of my displeasure.

"So what did you do? He said you were acting suspicious and might be up to something... not good."

This marriage thing sucked. Did we have to be so aware of each other?

"I don't know what's wrong with him. He called and I asked if he reached alright and he replied 'I had my doubts but now I am sure you are up to something'." I tried a proper impression of Miraj's voice and it was such a flop. I just moved on with, "I just hung up on him because he was being a dirty bitch."

"I see."

"What do you see? Please share. Because I don't get what I did wrong. I am not a naughty child and he doesn't need to send you to babysit me."

"That's debatable."

I threw a pillow at him.

He caught it right before it hit his face and said, "Ah.. okay!" Then he continued, "You asked him if he reached alright and that was your mistake. You won't give a flying fuck if he gets in an accident as long as he is alive enough to stay in control of his power. When you show fake care like that, it's obvious you're trying to cover up something."

"But I really wanted to know if his flight was okay. And, of course, I would care if he gets into an accident. He is the father of my child. He is one of my people now, even if he has his own army sized set of guards to protect him. I care about my people."

"You really mean that? Or are you bullshitting me to make me leave so you can finally do what you want to do?"

"Yes, I mean it." And I really did but I also wanted him to leave so I could do what I wanted to do.

He narrowed his eyes at me and took a moment. In the end, all he said was, "Man, I really can't tell if you're lying. So you really don't have anything planned while he is away? Anything you shouldn't be doing?"

"Well, I wouldn't say I have nothing planned but it's not something I shouldn't be doing."

"Okay, colour me confused... what?"

Once I told him what I had planned, he just sat back, closed his eyes and said, "I can't believe I traveled all the way here from the city for this shit." He opened his eyes and got up. He continued to speak and started walking towards the door as he said, "Next time, when you guys are playing married, leave me out of it. I need sleep. I am leaving now and don't call me if you need anything."

He waved me bye with his back turned towards me and he totally failed to see the smug smile on my face. I was such a genius. Since there was no one to pat my back, I did it myself.

What I told him was the truth, I was planning a trip to London that Miraj shouldn't know about and it wasn't something I shouldn't do. But that wasn't my only hidden plan.

The thing that irked me was that people believed me to be such a cold hearted bitch that my own husband suspected me if I showed basic courtesy. I had wanted that image and I had, wholeheartedly, cultivated it but now that it was the reality, it annoyed me.

I took my final sip of my sparkling wine and made my way to my room to change. It was time to let my inner beast out so that Tatiana would never make the mistake of raising her voice in my presence again.

***

Miraj's POV

"You sure? Those are her exact words?"

I couldn't believe what Luke was telling me. Even if I heard it from my own ears.

"Yes! How many times are you going to ask me that? Do you want me to start recording my conversations with your wife?"

"Well, no... maybe when you're talking about me?"

"Shut up and go to sleep, Miraj."

"But you're sure she said it? I am one of her people?"

"Yes. And I am tired of this conversation now. I am going to sleep. If you have anymore questions about your wife, TALK TO YOUR WIFE! Goodnight!"

He hung up the phone but honestly, I couldn't care less. My wife said I was one of her people now.

Did that mean I was another step closer to having what I have wanted for years? I sometimes wish she was smart enough to figure out the ruse but sometimes, it worries me that she'll leave me if she knew.

That night, I went to sleep with a smile on my face.