was just like every other day…
Well, except for Christian!
Along with his wife, Antonia, they had just arrived at the luxurious restaurant. He gently helped her out of the car, offering his hand to assist her.
For whatever reason he couldn’t get his mind over the way she was looking, quite alright she was looking quite dashing still there was that hint about her that left him bewildered, she had that look that made it seem like she was onto what he was about to do.
“Your Majesty,”he said, smiling.
She looked briefly at him in a rather surprising manner.
Christian then led the way as they walked towards the grand entrance, his wife still looking surprised and curious about their ‘special’ outing, as he had called it.
As they approached the host’s podium, a few of the staff immediately recognized the couple.”Mr. and Mrs Christian, we are honored to have you here today,”the host greeted them warmly.”Your table is ready, right this way.”The host grabbed a pair of menus and gestured for them to follow.
“You still haven’t told me what we are here for, Christian,”Antonia asked him, briefly looking in his direction, as her curiosity heightened.
“My love, a little more patience, and you will know,”he said, sounding assuring, as he gently grabbed her hand.
Weaving through the elegantly dressed patrons, the host guided them to a secluded table in the corner of the dining room.”We’ve kept your usual table ready for you,”he explained as he pulled out the chair for the wife.”Your server will be right over. Please let me know if there is anything else I can get for you.”
“Thank you,”Christian said. Turning to Antonia, he said, “Isn’t this place beautiful?,”he asked, smiling.
“Why do you ask?,”she asked, looking unimpressed.
“This is my dream come true.”
“You own it?,”she asked, finally paying attention to him.
“I’m a co-owner.”
“I see,”she just said and turned her attention back to her phone. She didn’t look happy.
“Hey, I’m sorry I hid it from you,”he quickly said, realizing that her countenance had changed.
“It’s okay, Christian. I’m used to your lies,”she said and smiled at him.
Christian helped Antonia settle in, taking her coat and draping it over the back of her chair. She looked around, still amazed at the lavish setting and the attentive treatment they were receiving. She was growing really impatient, as she asked the question again.”Christian, what’s the occasion?,”she asked, her eyes shining with excitement and curiosity.
Christian simply smiled and took her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze.”You’ll see,”he replied, his tone hinting at a wonderful surprise to come.
As they settled on their meal, Antonia couldn’t help but notice her husband’s distant and preoccupied demeanor. Suspicion grew within her as she observed him pushing around his food, lost in his thoughts. It felt like he was really worried about something. Finally, unable to contain her curiosity any longer, she mustered the courage to ask him about his troubled state.
“Christian, you seem so off today,”she remarked, her tone laden with concern.
“Oh, no, my love, I’m not,”he said, as he quickly readjusted his posture, even feigning a smile.
“Don’t lie to me, Christian,”she said, unimpressed.”What’s bothering you?,”she added.
Christian’s gaze shifted nervously, and then he took a deep breath. This time, he knew he couldn’t fool her.”Antonia, there’s something I need to discuss with you. I need a favor,”he responded, his voice heavy with hesitation.
Antonia’s eyes widened with surprise, already feeling an unwelcome sense of dread. She leaned in closer, her heart racing, and softly inquired, “What kind of favor, Christian?”
“It’s about Laura,”he paused.
Her eyes filled with disgust, Antonia swiftly asked, “What does that dimwit want from you this time?.”
Taking another moment to gather his thoughts, Christian finally revealed his secret.”I want Laura and our twin children to come live with us. I want them under the same roof as our family. Would you let them, please?.”
Antonia’s jaw dropped in shock, and anger surged through her veins. The restaurant ambiance felt suffocating as she struggled to process his request. Her mind filled with a whirlwind of emotions, ranging from hurt to betrayal. How could he ask such a thing? Was he serious?
The anger inside Antonia built like a rising tide. It became apparent to her that their relationship had been significantly compromised. Her hands trembled, her voice quivered with rage, as she spoke through gritted teeth.
“You want Laura and those children where? In our home?,”she seethed, her incredulous glare fixed upon Christian.”How could you even think I’d be okay with that? This is beyond unacceptable!”
“Please, you must understand that I owe them a duty, to protect them.”
“You must choose between us now!,”she said, almost raising her voice at him as she struggled to keep her emotions in check.
“I can’t do that, and you know it,”he said, sounding firm.
“Then I will make the choice for you, Christian.”
“You can’t do that, please. We can live together,”he tried to appeal to her. He tried to hold her, but she quickly pushed his hand away.
Stifling her fury, Antonia quickly pushed herself away from the table, her chair scraping loudly against the floor. The attention of nearby diners turned in their direction as she stood tall, her eyes ablaze.
“I refuse to be part of this madness,”she declared, her voice filled with a mix of fury and hurt.”You’ve clearly made your choice, Christian. But I won’t stand by and watch you tear our family apart for your own selfish desires. I shall find my path.”
“Come on, baby, it hasn’t gotten to this,”he said, trying to downplay her reaction. He was worried that she was creating a scene.
“I can’t believe the things you said! I thought you were over her, you told me!,”she let out, her anger steadily rising.
“I didn’t mean it that way! I am only trying to protect them,”he said, sounding defensive.”Please, you…”
Antonia’s face contorted with anger as she abruptly interrupted Christian’s explanation.”Save it, Christian! I’m done listening to your lies! I see I mean nothing to you.”
Antonia’s hands shook with anger as she reached for her glass of water. Her grip tightened around it, making her knuckles turn white. Her eyes flashed with determination as she looked directly into Christian’s pleading gaze.
Without a moment’s hesitation, she lifted the glass, her arm moving swiftly through the air. The water splashed across Christian’s face, soaking him from head to toe.
Shocked and drenched, he blinked rapidly, water streaming down his face.
“What the fuck did you do that for!?,”he asked, still looking dazzled.
“That’s what you get for betraying me!,”she said, her words hitting hard.
Without another word, Antonia stormed out of the restaurant, the heavy door slamming shut behind her, leaving Christian behind to grapple with the consequences of his ill-advised request.
“Fuck!,”he let out, struggling to comprehend what had just happened.
******
On her way home, she could feel that feeling of animosity starting to creep into her soul, what does he take her for, a fool?
She couldn’t get her mind over what had just happened, In a way it felt more difficult for her to comprehend as she could feel that heavy ache in her chest from all of this-
She was engulfed in a plague of thoughtful silence, while she was desperate to know what could prompted him to act this way, she
regret having experienced so many feelings all at once, still within the turmoil, she stared at the cab man that had one hand on the wheel, turning the car she muttered softly.
Her stop was at the usual park, she hurried to get down while making her way to the edge of the path that would lead to her destination.
She settles to a bench and cries again, all while waiting for the man’s arrival.
He did arrive, but was very late stealing a quick look at her watch and she gave him a scornful look .”You are late.”
“I don’t know much about you but you Know how hard it is to get a car in this city around this time.”
He sat beside her on the bench and smoked, she didn’t want to think about it.
“Do you have it?”She stared at the man that looked ostentatious but still carried an hint of his darkness profession reflected in his eyes
.
He sat back against the bench.”My Money.”
She stared across the dark street as she took the pill from his hands, her focus was in the moment as she swallowed.
She couldn’t think about anything else, nothing at all she just wanted to forget the pain she felt as though he moment, she wanted it gone.