Chapter 11

At 7 in the evening, George and I were eating and dining in a fine Mexican restaurant. One of the best in town.

He ordered the best meal I've ever tasted. I won't lie, am a fan of Mexican dish. Maybe in my next life, I'll come through a Mexican family.

He knows how bad I am with alcohol so he ordered a soft vintage wine for us.

He was making me laugh a lot as he kept explaining stories about himself. A lot of things I missed when we weren't together in the past three years.

We talked about a lot of random things. I told him about my family – extended family. I gave him a brief story of my family background and how the farming started.

He just sat there across me, listening to me like an attentive student. I was already liking our conversation and the flow. I loved it when he laughs at how I raised Corey and how we celebrated his one year birthday.

"So, he'll be four next weekend." I say. "But with the situation of things right now….I don't think I'll be able to celebrate this year's for him. I'm still planning of changing his school from public to private."

"Our son goes to public school?" He gave me the 'What the hell' look and I just shrugged. "Next week, I'll register him in a private school."

There he goes again. Taking more responsibility.

But I think it's an opportunity for him to start Carter school. "Okay." I agreed. "It has been Corey's dream to go to his cousin's school." As he rose his brow, I continued, "Since you volunteer, I'll go with you then he can register in his cousin's school. It's private."

Am glad he agreed. "For his fourth birthday party, leave that to me. I'll take care of that."

That is how many responsibilities on the list now?

Are you even counting with me?

Am pitying for this guy but he's not pitying for himself.

We talked about a few random things that made us laugh. We even planned on going to the movies this weekend and bringing Corey to the latest kiddies park too.

Later, I settled at the passenger side of his black 2023 Cadillac Escalade SUV. He was driving me home.

I remember he asked some men to tow my beetle to the house earlier. He already warned me never to drive that thing again.

After all, my new car is coming on the way!

If it was to be a surprise on my birthday, I would have fainted.

It was so easy to convince Nadia to go home alone. I never disclosed my dinner with George to her or else, she'd tell Dad and Mom and that would cause another war in the house.

It was a silent ride and I was enjoying the comfort. We're nearly close to my vicinity. The lights in the houses in the areas are still on. People of my street barely go to sleep at this hour.

"When will you be leaving for Australia?" I asked him. The pain of missing him showed in my voice.

Without taking his gaze off the road, he answered. "On Sunday morning." His voice deep and low.

Hmph.

So sad.

I'll miss him so much. Today is just Friday. We'll only get a chance to go out tomorrow Saturday to have fun and then on Sunday he'll be gone for other business.

As if he reads my mind, he took my hand with his free hand and held it tight. "I won't be staying long, okay?"

I pouted my lips. "But I'll miss you. You said you'll be spending five days. That's almost a week. It's too long."

"Yes, I know." He look down at me for few seconds with a sweet smile in his lips then he faced the highway again. "And that's why I'll be returning before our son's birthday."

I faced the window and kept quiet. I don't want to cry in front of him.

He sighed, feeling my pain. Then his grasp tighten around my hand. "My love...you know this business appointment is very important and I really have to be there." I still kept quiet. "Okay, immediately I return, I'll come to see you."

I faced him abruptly. "Promise?" I asked hopefully.

"Yes." He was happy after seeing the joy in my eyes.

The next minute the car stopped in front of my house. The lights are still on, meaning, my family are watching another PG movie in the living room now.

He turned off the engine and turn to me but I was looking at my house. "Am sure my boy is fast asleep now."

I didn't turn to him when I said, "Yes, he might…."

"Very soon, you two will be in my house like a family and I'll have Melissa out for good." He assured and tilts my chin to face him and then, he kissed me sweetly.

I gave into his romantic, pleasurable kisses. A moan escapes my mouth as I rummage my fingers in his dark brown hair.

Suddenly, my corner eye sighted the pink 2023 BMW X7 parked in front of George's car. There was a familiar lady standing at the front hood with arms crossed, busy watching us kiss inside the car.

"George…." I broke our kiss and pointed briefly at the front whiskey.

"Shit. What is her problem?" He cursed and walked out of the car.

I took my handbag and my fancy basket of gifts from the backseat before hopping out too.

"You whore!" Melissa attacked us. But her attention was on me. "Husband snatcher! Prostitute! Cheap hag! Retired harlot! Professional slut!" She called me so many lewd names and I just stood behind George, afraid.

"Stop it, Melissa." George stood between I and Melissa. Protecting me from her fury. "What are you doing here? Who called you here?"

"Is that all you're going to say?" She snapped at him. Her face covered in harsh make-up and her dress….a blue denim short and white crop top that shows her bellybutton. Her red stiletto is bright in the dark. "You've been sleeping with your ex behind my back all these while, how could you do this to me, George!"

"Point of correction." He warned her. His eyes darting like fire at her. "She is not my ex. She is my wife, so watch your tongue, Melissa."

"Your what?" She fumed the more and pointed at me. "You call this cheap dirty smelling thing your wife? Then what am I to you?"

George let out a mockery chuckle. His eyes narrowed. "My mistress. That's what's you are."

"What? How dare you call me your mistress because of this woman? You two were long gone separated four years ago. You have no right to cheat on me with her. I can drag this to court."

"Take it anyway you want, Melissa. Just stop meddling in our lives. I don't want you. I never wanted you around me. You're not good for me."

I watch her fist clenched. And out of nowhere, she bypassed George and came to me.

The first thing I was expecting from her was a slap of which she almost did when she lifted her hand in the air. But George got hold of her wrist immediately and gave her a resounding slap instead.

"Aahhh!" She almost lost her balance. Her hand still holding her chin where she just got the hot slap. "George, you slapped me because of her?"

My feet was turning cold from fear before but now that George soothe her with a slap, my fear turned into victory.

That's good for you, bitch.

"And I'll do it over and over and over again if you don't disappear from my presence this instance."

Her eyes piercing 'You'll be so dead, bitch.' At me for a while. Then she drove off in a high speed.

George turned around to face me and saw that I was still stunned from the scene. "Are you okay, Honey?" His hands on my shoulders.

I nodded with a weak smile. "You shouldn't have hit her for me."

"You are my woman." He stated firmly. "The only one I'll love till my last breath. And if anyone crosses my path with you, I won't hesitate crushing them into fine pieces."

I fell into his embrace and he pecked my forehead. "I love you, George. Please forgive me I was ignorant when I left our marriage."

"Shh…" He strokes his fingers through my blonde hair and pulled away. "Get inside, it's getting cold and late."

I nodded and he kissed me goodnight. He waited for me to enter the house before he drove off.

…..

GEORGE POV

Next day...

I was in the study room, busy updating some of my works I'll be representing in Australia next week. I need to complete them before taking Diamond and Corey out later.

Then, the door opened and my parents marched in uninvited. Melissa was standing beside them. I don't know what she put on her cheek that made it turned so red.

But one thing I know, that slap of last night wasn't a mistake neither was it a regret. I loved it only on her. I don't hit women and it turns out that she's the first woman to enjoy a taste of my slap.

I adjusted my reading glasses and continued what I was doing. Sometimes you just need to pretend like you didn't see anyone even if there are living souls in front of you.

I was getting so close to rounding off the project draft so I can call it off and take my real family out for fun. Diamond must be getting prepared by now. She called me few minutes ago that she was going to bath our son, Corey.

"George!" My father's voice escalated the room. "How dare you lay a finger on your wife?"

My wife?

I lifted my eyes up the thin peek-through space above the glass. "I never flick my wife talk much of hitting her." I think am mistaking Melissa from Diamond.

Diamond is the only woman I acknowledge as my wife so if anybody is talking about my wife, I feel that they're referring to her. But if they're talking about my mistress, then I know it's Melissa.

Mom and Dad faced each other then turn to me.

"If you claim that you did not touch her then what happened to her face?" Mom interfered.

When she pull Melissa from the corner, that was when I knew they mistook my mistress from my wife.

I sat relaxing my back on the chair. My fingers drumming on the desk like the rate of my pulse.

"You could have just gone straight to the point by saying, 'George, why did you hit your mistress?' other than rephrasing."

My Dad almost exploded in anger. "Are you crazy? When did Melissa became your mistress, George?"

I stood up abruptly and slammed my fist on the table, "Since the day you forced me to marry her, father."

Am not scared of my father, John Stewart. Neither am I frightened of my mother, Catelyn Stewart either. These two have been a pain in my ass since the day they brought in this woman to my life.

"She's your perfect match, George Stewart!" Mom lamented. "No matter the argument between you two or the fight, you still have no right to hit her."

My eyes drifted to Melissa who was busy wiping her fake tears and making up bitter sounds.

"She's a thorn on my flesh. I'm fed up of this marriage. I want a divorce." I simply requested.

"He is lying." Melissa chimed in. "He simply want to end things with me so he could go back to his ex. I saw them last night making out in his car. And because of her, George hit me."

"What?!" Dad turned to me. And my eyes narrowed at Melissa. "So all these while, you've been seeing that nobody?"

"Diamond is not a nobody, Dad." I warned firmly. "She is my wife. So you all should mind how you talk about her….."

"For what, George?" Mom snapped at me. "I told you before that we don't want lowlife women in this family. Their blood is full of poverty and affliction. I can't allow myself carry a grandchild from such people."

"If that's what you think, Mom, then your mentality is still old-fashioned."

"What?"

I shut my laptop and prepared to leave the room. But Dad stood on my way. "Listen to me, son. I am still your father and you have to respect that. This is not the first time Melissa is laying a report about you to me." He turn to her, "Just look at her. Beautiful and young, isn't she enough?"

I intently stare at Melissa for a while, then I shook my head. "Of course she is pretty and gorgeous. But still not my type."

"George –"

"You see, Dad." I interrupted him. "Looks fades away. Am not after beauty in a woman. I follow character, soulmate chemistry and what the other person needs to offer in the life of the other. I've always been the obedient child you wanted me to be. I follow your commands without protesting. Be it right or wrong, I do them all. You asked me to marry Melissa, I did. So whatever happens in the marriage, I'll advise you stay out of it. Don't put asunder and please, you and Mom should stop coming to me whenever she lays a complaint about me to you. You're not a judge. You two are happily married for years now and you both have peace. So let me have one too."

Without waiting for him to say anything, I made my way to the door.

Just when my hand held the doorknob, I heard Mom say something behind me.

"Is that the reason why you refuse to impregnate her?" What kinda question is that? "Melissa told me you've never touched her without a condom. If I may ask, Mr. Stewart. Why?"

I paused for a while without looking back.

I refuse to answer.

I opened the door and left them in deep silence.