THE BLACK MARRIAGE
© Ralph Angel
EPISODE 16
Jessica roused from her sleep with a lazy stretch. It took her some seconds to remember that she was in Andy’s room, and with the realization, she jumped out of bed. One quick glance told her that Andy was not in the room. She wondered if he had gone to work like he always did but hoped not because it would mean that she would have to do all the dramatic scenes alone with Andy’s father if he doesn’t leave early.
Last night flashed through her mind like lightening and she was struck motionless. She sat down slowly on the bed, remembering every single detail. She had flirted with him, wanting him to kiss her but not being bold enough to say it. She could still feel his lips on hers, demanding in a way she had never experienced. She had always known that Andy was a lady’s man, the kind that all ladies would like to have for themselves and the type of man that is not easily forgotten.
In fact, she doubted that any woman would be able to forget Andy.
Jessica’s scattered hair reminded her of how Andy had linked his fingers with her hair and she shivered. ‘This is a wrong move’ she thought, I need to get back on track.
Jessica entered the bathroom and saw new set of toiletries. She washed her face and brushed her teeth. Repacking her hair, she walked out of the room still in her oversized nightie. Andy was nowhere in sight but looking outside, she saw his car and sighed.
“Good morning ma’am” Ada greeted as Jessica entered the kitchen. Her mouth felt so dry and she needed water.
“Morning Ada, did you sleep well?”
“Yes ma’am”
Jessica filled a glass cup with water from the dispenser and satisfied her thirst. She loved being in the kitchen and having a maid was foreign to her. As a child, even though they had a help, she still did so many things in the house and in the kitchen and after she lost her family, she hadn’t lived in a house with a maid in it until now. Jessica felt the urge to do the cooking herself. She quenched the thought that said that Andy was part of her reasons for this sudden desire.
“Ada, have you seen Andy?”
“No ma’am but his car is outside.”
Jessica nodded. “He might be with his dad. I am starved. Please slice some tomatoes and onions for eggs, I would be back. Please don’t fry it till I get back”
Jessica left the kitchen and went straight to the guests’ room. She did not know if she ought to disturb her father-in-law. The sound of Andy’s voice in the room made her heartbeat quicken and she had to pause for some seconds to compose herself before she knocked. She heard the men’s laughter and almost smiled. She heard the ‘come in’ in between their laughter and she opened the door slowly, entering with a wide smile. Her eyes instantly collided with Andy’s and his laughter died down as he stared at her. The big gown Jessie was putting on was no longer unappealing; in fact, it gave him another kind of unfamiliar hunger and desire. The past night flashed through them and for a moment, the elderly man was forgotten. Jessica felt an instant heat wash over her as she tried hard to break the eye contact. She swallowed and turned to her father-in-law with a smile.
“Good morning sir” she greeted, going on her knees.
“It is nice finally being noticed” he had a mischievous grin on his face. “What are you doing? Come and give me a peck” he invited. “I have spent so much time abroad and actually fancy their own way of showing affection”.
Jessica smiled widely and went to kiss her father-in-law on the cheek.
She instantly remembered her dad whom she always kissed when he was either going out or coming in. She had to force away that memory.
“Did you sleep well sweetheart?” The elderly man behaved more like her dad by the minute and she became upset that she was lying to such a man. She had never been one to love lies, she always avoided it but now, she had become a potential liar.
Jessica resisted the urge to glance at Andy. “I slept well dad, hope this room was comfortable enough sir?”
“Yes dear”
They are doing it again, Andy thought. ‘They have forgotten about me’.
Anyone would think that Jessica was his father’s wife or daughter with the way they seemed to get along so well. Jessica hadn’t even said a simple ‘hi’ to him – her husband. He heard her ask his dad if he would love bread and eggs for breakfast and heard him talk of how hungry he was and how he could not wait to taste the inviting food.
He even called her ‘sweetheart’! Why should he?
“Don’t tell me you are jealous” Andy suddenly noticed the two pairs of eyes staring at him. His palms had balled into fists and he did not know that he was actually glaring.
“Why are you both staring at me like that?”
Mr. Williams looked at Andy and laughed. “Come on son, you don’t honestly think that this old man would steal your wife, do you?”
Jessica whitened and stood up. “Of course not” she murmured for Andy. Andy was just staring angrily at both of them, not knowing why he was angry. Jessica managed a weak smile, wanting to vanish. “I would see to the food” she was out of the room before anyone could mention jack……….
TO BE CONTINUED…
