Revenge or forgiveness

Laila had tried to assure Noah that she did was happy about his call and he seemed to have believed her as he responded normally. He said, "Yeah I was afraid that if I waited too long that you would have arrived at Maria's house already and would forget all about me. Despite what I said, I did want to talk to you one more time before you get too busy and ignore my call."

Laila chuckled and felt a warmth in her heart that only Noah was able to give her. She responded, "I would never ignore you. No matter how busy I am, how much fun I am having, I will always have time for you. My joy can only increase from sharing it with you."

On the other side of the phone Noah let out a dramatic "Ah.", before he said, "That was a shot straight to my heart. Who knew my wife was such a smooth talker. Tugging on my heartstrings like it is nothing."

Laila chuckled and in a well-timed response, "Of course. How do you think I managed to bag a goof man like you."

Noah was speechless for a minute before he said, "I know you can't see this right now but I bow down to you. I admit defeat. I have no come back for that. You have earned your spot at the top."

After Laila let out another chuckle, Noah asked, "Where are you now? Have you gotten your luggage yet?"

While trying to conceal her anxiousness, Laila responded in her calmest voice, "Yes, I am in the taxi now, heading to Maria's place."

"Oh, that is good." Noah said. "Did you run into any trouble when you went to baggage claim? Did you get anyone to help you with getting it off the band?"

Laila suppressed a grumble of annoyance as the topic of their conversation managed to keep going back to what had happened between her and Jake. But she clenched her teeth and forced herself to smile through it before she answered Noah in a way that remained playful, avoided the most important and would hopefully change the direction of their conversation. "Nothing much. There was a kind gentleman who helped me with my suitcase before I even needed to ask him. Sure he asked me out after that but if that is the price I must pay, then so be it, right? Can't expect free labour these days."

The moment these words had left her mouth, there was nothing but a chilling silence on the other side of the phone. After a few seconds of that Noah said, "I see. It is good to know what the price for a date with my wife is. Say, tell me. Did you happen to catch the name of this 'gentleman' that you are supposed to go out with?" Laila immediately burst into laughter. "Oh my sweet gullible man. Even when it is put on this thick, you still can't sense the sarcasm."

With a hint of annoyance still present in his voice Noah said, "Well, sorry that I can't consider someone hitting on you as amusing. Enough of those annoying guys stare at you when I am by your side. Now that you are on your own, I can't help but worry about how many of them will dare to approach you and make a move on you."

Laila chuckled at her pouting and jealous man before she said, "Well, no need to worry. I rejected him promptly. I responded swiftly with pulling my dress closer to my belly with my left hand, revealing both of my weapons at the same time. One tactical glance at my belly and ring was all that was needed for him to get the message loud and clear. Just seconds later he was off into the crowd feeling different kinds of embarrassment. So, I would say I handled that pretty well. Efficiently and practically effortlessly."

Noah seemed to have reverted to his usual self from hearing this but did return Laila's jab as he said, "I see. It appears you are feeling pretty proud about what has happened. I guess that is why you decided to use that story to worry your innocent husband. I'll be sure to remember this the next time I wonder if I should show you mercy."

Laila didn't feel threatened at all by Noah's words and was instead very much amused, letting out another chuckle. "It appears that I am at your mercy at this very moment as you decide whether my actions deserve revenge or forgiveness."

Noah let out a soft sigh as he felt defeated by his wife and didn't know what to do with her as she was the only one he could not beat. At least not really nor without defeating himself in the process as well. So, instead he decided to continue the conversation he intended to have. "Let's drop that matter for now as you already know the outcome. Tell me about how it feels to be back instead. Did you run into anyone you know yet?"

Laila's eyes grew wide. Just when she thought she had steered the conversation away from the topic of Jake, each question Noah asked seemed to take them right back. It was as if the universe was telling her to stop avoiding the topic. So, Laila took a deep breath and prepared herself to tell Noah the news he wasn't expecting and his reaction to it.

Despite having done nothing wrong, her voice had clear signs of guilt as Laila said, "I did. I ran into Jake." Now that she had let the cat out of the bag, all she could do was wait to see how Noah would take the news, while her heart was going into overdrive.