The new Normal

Today, Val was out and about. She had to pick up groceries for the house, get her car to its wash place, pick up her dress for the business party she was attending in few days time with Seb.

It was a few days after he arrive from his Paris-escapede like she calls it. That night, she had returned home to meet him locked up in his study. She remembered having a shower and climbing into bed, sleeping off almost instantly.

The next day, and some days after, Seb avoided her like the plague. He didn't sleep in the bedroom, and will be out of the house before she woke, only to return late in the night.

Valeria tried everything in her power to not allow his actions get to her head, but she was only human, and by the time she climbs on the bed, under the comfort of her covers, she'd find her mind wondering off to her situation with her husband.

Not like much had changed since then, he was still cold and acting distant, but he at least nods towards her in greetings whenever their parts crossed.

It wasn't until three days ago when he wanted to inform get about the business party she had to attend with him, that he spoke more than two words to her.

She was in the living room seeing another episode of 'The Vampire's Diaries' when he stepped out from his study, cleared his throat and said, "I need to to clear your schedule for Sunday's evening, I have to attend a business party, and you have to come with me as my plus-one" and left before she could even say "okay".

That was on Wednesday, it is Friday already, and she still doesn't have a dress still.

According to the invite that was thrown on her earlier this morning by Seb before he left from work, the theme was 'Black Tie and Diamonds'.

The beeping of the car behind her brought her out of her reverie. She had picked up groceries after leaving her studio and was currently on her way to pick up her dress for the party.

After the events of the day, she got back home and was ready to ease into her comfort zone- her bed- and call it a day. Seb had other plans.

She was almost dozing off, when her husband made his presence known by knocking loudly on her door.

"KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK".

Springing out of her bed, she rushed to open the door without giving it much thoughts, thinking something bad had happened.

She opened the door to Seb's raised fist, he was about knocking again she opened the door. His pupils were dilated and he looked tipsy. From his stance, she could see that it was nothing serious.

"Hey, wifey. I only wanted to check if you have your dress already and to let you know that there will be people of high calibre present and I need you to not embarass me with whatever you are planning to wear". His words were slurred out, an obvious indication to his drunken state.

"WHAT THE FUCK, SEB? You could not knock lightly? Val's anger couldn't be contained. She knew he was drunk, but waking her from her slumber state only to tell her to dress well, was unacceptable.

"I will have you know that this is my house, and I cam knock however I want" was his response to her.

Deciding not to pick fights with him, she turned back to lock the door and left him standing outside her door, while she tried desperately to go back to sleep.

She turned, tossed and did all sort of things but, she was not able to fall back asleep until the sun appeared in the sky.

By the time she got out of bed, it was eleven, and she was too tired to do anything, but she had to go to her studio to wash her hair and have it in a good condition before the styling for the party.

Sighing heavily, she did her stuff and went to the studio.

It was noon when she finished and headed for her lunch with Lila downtown. Just like her tradition with her husband- which has undoubtedly been washed down the drain-, she had one with her friend too.

They eat, gossip, laugh, talk about whatever it is that bothered them and over all just have a great time in each other's company.

After pulling into the driveway of the restaurant they were meeting at, she killed her engine and went inside to wait for her friend.

"See who it is! Your husband came back and you forgot all about me. Was the sex that good, to the extent of leaving you incapable of reaching out to me?.

That was how her best friend decided to acknowledge her presence when she walked in. As much as she loved Lils, she sometimes was a little bit too much for her.

"Shhhhh, we are in a restaurant for fuck's sake, Lils. Keep it down, there are kids around".

Sure enough, there were glaring mothers around that covered their kids ears after Lila's outburst.

"Let them be, they will be fine. C'mon, talk to me? Have you gotten enough sex to make you forgive him? Answer me, I am dying here"

"Damn, girl, calm your horny ass self. There was no sex and there is still none. Man came back with blazing guns and was trying to play the gaslighting card".

"Wow. Why didn't you call to tell me all these? I specifically told you to call me if anything happens, and you didn't? Lila pouted and crossed her hands over her chest, pouting like a kid whose ice cream was stolen.

"I just didn't want to bore you with my issues, besides, I handled it. Now, I just have to prepare for Sunday's party and move on. I am genuinely just tackling the issues as they come".

"Let's order, and talk as we eat"