CHAPTER 54: MISSING HUBBY II

CHAPTER 54: MISSING HUBBY II

Work resumed for Diana on Monday, but an unexpected visit shattered her routine. Her secretary entered her office and announced, with barely contained excitement, that Henry, London's most famous actor, was there to see her.

Diana smiled at her friend's unabashedly open admiration for Henry. "Let him in Vanessa".

Vanessa smiled and left.

10seconds later, Henry walked into her office.

Diana beamed radiantly as she saw him and stood up. His presence sparked a glimmer of joy amidst her worry.

"Hello, brother in-law," she greeted him with a forced smile, hugging him tightly. "It's been too long."

Henry smiled and returned her embrace, a flicker of concern in his eyes. They settled onto the sofa, and Diana asked, "tea or coffee"

"Coffee will be good with enough sugar and milk" Henry replied smiling.

"Sweet tooth huh" Diana chided softly as she poured him coffee.

"You could say that", Henry said and accepted the cup she stretched out to him

"So," she began, clapping her hands lightly, "what brings you here Henry? Don't tell me it's just to admire my pretty face."

A flicker of discomfort crossed Henry's face before he smirked and laughed heartily. "It's always a pleasure, Diana. But I came to check on you. How are you... really?"

"Well, what do you think?" Diana smiled. "I'm okay. Better, even."

"How about your husband, any word yet?" Henry probed.

Diana shook her head, a bitter laugh escaping her. "The truth is, I'm done worrying about him. If I was that important to him... scratch that. If I actually held a little bit of meaning for him, he would have texted me or said something. I don't know, probably tell me not to worry about him, that he's fine." Tears threatened to spill again, and she fought to hold them back.

Henry watched her reactions and felt pity for her, as his gaze softened. "Diana, perhaps he has a good reason."

"His reason better be extraordinary," she retorted, her voice catching. "And to think, I ran into Cassandra yesterday. Imagine her audacity - calling my husband her boyfriend and me a husband-snatcher!"

"She said what?" Henry sounded genuinely shocked.

Diana scoffed. "And what exactly is their relationship?"

"Diana…" Henry began, his voice laced with caution.

"Why all the secrecy Henry? Someone tell me something," she pleaded and broke down, her voice a mix of desperation and frustration. "I want to talk about this, but I can't! I don't share my problems, don't trust easily. Now I'm trapped, trying to solve this mess alone! Why won't anyone tell me anything? Is this the kind of man I married – one with so many secrets? I give him space, and this is what I get! How the hell did I even wind up with a man so secretive, unwilling to even share the smallest thing? How am i expected to solve all this when no one will give me answers? I barely ask questions, because i try to understand. But when i do ask questions, it becomes a problem" Her voice rose, echoing her bottled-up emotions.

"Sorry," she choked out

Sobs escaped her as she retreated to her office bathroom.

The door closed behind her, leaving only the sound of muffled sobs.

Henry, concerned, called out her name, but she needed a moment alone.

"I'm fine, Henry," she answered weakly. "Just give me five minutes."

Diana looked at the mirror in front of her, she had reduced slightly over the past few days, worrying over a man who didn't even care about her at all. This is the worst way he could have treated her, ignoring her like she meant nothing.

Diana cleaned her face, applied powder and came out.

She emerged from the bathroom, her face drawn but her eyes filled with a newfound resolve. "Henry," she began, her voice hoarse, "can we please table James and Cassandra for now? You've seen how am doing, am a wreck. So if there's no other thing, i will like to get back to work. You can make yourself at home and leave whenever you want".

Henry held her arm before she could stand. He reached for her hand, concern etched on his face. "Diana, I—"

She squeezed his hand gently. "I'll be alright. Right now, I just need to focus on work."

Seeing her determination, Henry nodded. "Of course. But before you get back to it, there's something you should know about James."

Diana studied him, a flicker of hope battling with lingering hurt. "What is it?"

Henry leaned forward. "Cassandra... well, they weren't ever really serious i.e she was never truly James' girlfriend. More like friends, albeit close ones but nothing more. She never meant anything to him, that's why he got married and she was not aware. And whatever fling they had ended a long time ago, its been almost two years."

"Cassandra decided on her own to leave the friendship between the both of them, saying she wanted more. So, James let her go. They have not spoken to each other since, until that day at the restaurant and she wasn't even supposed to be there. She found out somehow from one of the people that works for Harry and trust me Harry sacked the person with immediate effect. That person is currently going through a law suit for breaking an NDA contract he signed with Harry's company.

Diana absorbed this information, processing the relief that mingled with a tinge of confusion.

Diana leaned in, a flicker of hope igniting in her eyes. "He never mentioned this."

"You see, if there's one thing your husband is not good at talking about, its himself. James doesn't share easily, especially with women, he abhors it" Henry continued.

"He's been burned pretty bad in the past and he has never recovered. Why he even talks to us in the first place is because we're his only confidants, the friends who've been there since childhood. That's why our loyalty to him runs deep. We've seen his demons, his flaws, but also his strength and despite everything we still stayed. We helped him grow emotionally while he helped us grow financially with his wisdom and intellect. So if you ever feel like he doesn't trust you or see you as important that's his nature and its going to take a lot to change him. You just have to be patient."

A spark of understanding ignited in Diana's eyes. James' silence wasn't about her; it was a defense mechanism built from past experiences.

A pang of sympathy shot through Diana. "He seems to carry such a heavy burden."

Henry nodded. "He does. But trust me, Diana, from the moment I met you, I knew you were different.

Diana felt a warmth spread through her. "Different?"

"You make him happy, Diana. Believe it or not, he hasn't had a single nightmare since he met you. He's had nightmares his whole life," Henry revealed, his voice dropping to a low whisper. "Only four hours of sleep a night. But since you came along, they've stopped."

Diana's heart ached. James had been suffering in silence, his fear of vulnerability pushing him away from the very person who could ease his pain.

"He wouldn't tell me that," she whispered.

"He wouldn't," Henry agreed. "He doubts himself, Diana. Fears you'll leave if he gets too close hence why he doesn't say some certain things. Gaining his trust takes more than just asking. You need to be more assertive of your position as his wife. You need to be there, a steady presence. Show him, through your actions, that you're not going anywhere and that you are in it for the long haul. Do you understand this much?"

Diana nodded, a newfound determination hardening her resolve. James might be a puzzle, but she was determined to solve him, piece by piece.

"I think I understand," she said, smiling into Henry's gaze.

"Just don't breathe a word of this to James," Henry chuckled, a nervous tremor in his voice. "He'll have my head."

Diana grinned, a genuine one this time.

Henry chuckled. "Good. Now, how about we discuss something a little lighter, like...business?"