Eric got down from the car as he waited for them to get down also.
"Should I get up? If I do, he will know that I have been awake. I'll wait for him to wake me up." Ava fought with these thoughts within herself.
Maxwell watched her as he waited for her to get up.
"I know you are awake so get up." Maxwell said to her.
"Oh no! He knows I'm awake! I better get up now…no…if I do, he will know I was pretending to be asleep all these while. I'll wait a little longer." Ava convinced herself again.
Maxwell flicked her on her forehead with his fingers.
"Ouch…" She groaned in pain as she rubbed her forehead. She then realized that she just moved! She tried to pretend but he gave her another flick.
"Get up!" He said to her, She got up slowly as she rubbed her forehead and looked away. They got down from the car through opposite doors. Eric opened the boot and unpacked a small box with a suitcase. He took it into the building.
"Where is this place?" Ava asked as she admired the house. It was dark but the moonlight was bright enough for her to see it.
"This is my house. No one knows about this place so you better keep shut." He said to her and walked in.
"Why is he acting so cold?" Ava asked no one in particular.
"Will you come in or stand there for the mosquitoes to feast on you?" He asked her as he was about to go in, holding the door halfway. She hurried up and went in then he closed the door.
Eric had put the lights on already. He had dropped the bags off in the room and came downstairs to meet them.
"Congratulations to the both of you. My blessings be with you two. I'll be leaving you for today. Maxwell, I'll see you tomorrow?" Eric said to them but directed his last question to Maxwell.
"Sure. Take the car with you and be back by seven." Maxwell instructed.
"I will. Goodnight." Eric said to Maxwell.
"Goodnight our wife." Eric waved at Ava.
"Point of correction, Mrs. Evans." Maxwell corrected Eric as though he made a mistake. Maxwell was pretty jealous as Eric knew what he said.
"Goodnight Mrs. Evans." Eric corrected as Ava smiled back at him. Eric left the house and Maxwell locked the door.
"Isn't that your best friend? Why were you harsh on him?" Ava asked him.
"Stay out of my business." He replied back.
"I'm your wife…your business is now my business." Ava pointed out.
"Then get a job or start a business of your own. Stay out of mine! The fact that we are married doesn't mean you have the rights to everything. You only have the right to bear my name and that's all." He said to her,
"Why are you so mean?" She asked him.
"My pride is none of your business." He snapped her.
"Oh…so he even knows that he has pride?" Ava thought to herself.
"I would have gotten a decent job if only I had my degree completed." Ava snapped back at him in a sad voice as if she would cry. He stopped in his tracks on hearing her. He turned halfway as if looking at her from his side. That soft spot was there.
"Come and wash up." He said to her in a calm voice as he proceeded up. He sat on the bed, thinking of what she said.
"Didn't she complete her education? What happened? Was that why she worked as a waitress? I thought she was finding it hard to get employed in some good companies.
Does this have to do with that loan shark again?" Maxwell was deep in his own thoughts as the door creaked open.
Ava opened the door gently as she stood there.
"Come in." He said to her, She came inside and closed the door behind her.
"Go in and shower. I want to put some things here in order." Maxwell instructed her. He was referring to arranging his clothes. The bed was made with rose flowers, sprinkled on it. A love shape was formed with red flowers. There was a candle burning up brightly on each side of the room's table.
Ava admired the room but she suppressed her excitement. On seeing the bed, she was nervous…of having her first night with Maxwell. She tried to unzip her gown but it hooked.
Maxwell was folding his suit and tie when he noticed her struggling with it.
"Let me help you." He said to her as he moved closer to her. She felt relaxed that he wasn't too harsh on her but also nervous of him touching her bare skin as he tried to open the zip. His hand came in contact with her soft skin. She felt shrills running down inside of her. This wasn't his first touch but she felt so different.
He removed the zip as he removed the handle of her dress. It was almost revealing her full chest when she stopped him.
"Thank you." She said and he let it go.
"There is a towel in there, you can use it." He said to her, She went into the bathroom with the gown to change. She was feeling shy of him all of a sudden. He wanted to say something on seeing her go in with her dress but he just smiled.