Her head jerked around and Giselle squinted at her husband. "What do you mean, this ain't working! We've been together for eight fucking years!", she raised her voice. Her face burned with indignation. "Yes, we have, until you fucked it up!", Ian pushed a finger against her chest and met her volume level with ease. The neighbors might get wind of this. None of the two cared.
A deep breath followed. She tried to come up with an appropriate response and threw her hands outward defensively, "It was a mistake! I'm just human!". He was relentless and pushed her back into a corner, one that she wouldn't be able to get out of, "But you did not tell me! I saw how you look at her. You did not want to tell me, Giselle! It was your choice to do that! And don't give me that look. Had you asked me, I probably would have let you have that adventure. Fuck, but you didn't ask, you just had to go and fuck her on your own and then make a huge secret out of your affair like a teenager! Now live with the consequences!".
That left her speechless, because he was right. Especially since he only knew half the story. She had known it might be a bad idea, but she also thought she would get away with it. Somehow she would. Her eyes moved rapidly, her teeth bit into her lip, as she chased one thought after the next. It was over, there was no way out of this. "You're right. I thought I would get away with it. I'm sorry, love. I know you're mad. You have every right to be mad. I'll do better in the future. I promise!", she concluded sincerely. Determination was in that statement just as much as honesty. Somehow Annie was no longer on her list of priorities, now that her life foundations were shaken and possibly on the verge of ruin.
They stayed silent for a long time. Ian's face was a grimace. He was pondering about what to do now. She had gotten through to him, or so she thought. When he finally spoke up, his voice was soft, but unwavering, "I'll crash on my younger bro's couch for a few days. I don't want to break up everything that we built just yet, but I need my head clear. That won't happen while you're here and that neighbor is there". Giselle stared at him. The only positive thing about what he just unveiled to her was the fact, that he didn't break up with her right away. Her head fell into her hands and despite feeling horrible about herself, she also agreed to deserve some form of punishment. If that meant to be here alone for a while, she could live with that. Her reply came as a whisper, "Alright. Send me a text once in a while, ok?".
This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it
Ian pushed himself up and said, "We'll see. Just don't mess this up further and stay away from Annie. Or anyone else that wants to kiss you for that matter". He shook his head in disbelief and went into the bedroom again. She could hear him rummage through things and a little while later, he came out dressed and with a backpack. It was filled to the brim. He packed his toothbrush on top and some shower soap and his razor. Then he slipped into his sneakers and took the more elegant pair for work into his hand. "I'll take the car. I'll text you when I'll be back", he said and walked out. Giselle whispered a goodbye after him, but he had already left, without turning a single time. Without looking at her at all.
For a long time, she sat there in her dressing gown and stared at the entrance area that Ian had vacated. Her relationship on the tipping point of ending. Left alone to deal with her transgression. She pulled her legs to her chest and started humming the score of Goblet of Fire. It had been one of her favorite musical pieces on the soundtrack. Her thoughts centered and just when she was about to wonder what to do now, her phone beeped.
Laureen: "It's foreign film week. They are showing Undine. I think it's a German dark fantasy romance? It's supposed to be superb :slight_smile:"
Giselle: "Alright, how about I invite you to have coffee at the Green Apple across the cinema? They also serve light dinners"
The response came in before she could turn off the display and set the phone aside.
Laureen: "Pick you up at 3"
Giselle: ":thumbs_up:"
"Thank fuck, Laury has the worst and best timing of all times", she muttered and finally found a smile play around her lips. It was enough for her to leave the phone behind and get dressed. After putting on loose pants and a long-sleeve top, she had breakfast, listened to some groove salad on the speakers in the living room while munching on an apple and a slice of bread with butter and jam. The time flew by until noon. By the time her lunch arrived via delivery, she had cleaned the bathroom, dusted both bedroom and living room and was just about to clean the kitchen. She ate, changed dresses, put on some light makeup and fell back onto the sofa. Laury would be here in ten minutes. So she wiped the gloom off her face with a series of fake smiles and hummed the tune of the Goblet of Fire score again until the doorbell rang.