Chapter 8 His Father Almost Caught Us

" Please don't tell me, he heard us?" Evelyn asked in a shaky voice.

" I don't know, damn it!" Martin said, pacing up and down the living.

" No, he mustn't hear us. No, this can't be happening. How are we going to explain this to him? He's going to be disappointed in us and he will hate me particularly for deceiving him all this while." Evelyn said, almost tearing up.

" So, you're scared. I thought you said you were going to tell him the whole thing. You're just pretending, I know you're very happy that he overheard us. I will never forgive you if my dad overheard our conversation because if you had kept shut and gone upstairs, all of these wouldn't have happened. You were busy fighting for a marriage that was never yours. You were only to act as your wife, but you've become so greedy to be the wife." Martin said angrily.

" You didn't just say that to me, right? Martin, tell me it was a slip of the tongue." Evelyn said at the top of her voice.

Martin quickly covered her mouth with his hand;

" I will say no such thing, I said what I said. You're being too greedy and self-centred, and it's not good for you." He said, taking off his hand from her mouth.

" How dare you!" Evelyn yelled and slapped him.

" Evelyn, you slapped me?" Martin asked, holding his cheeks.

" And I will do that over and over since you've chosen to be senseless and annoying. You made me fall in love with you, you ask me out, remember? Even when I asked you about Helen, you told me you were going to handle her, now it's my fault." Evelyn said as tears streamed down her cheeks.

The knock came heavier on the door this time.

" Martin! Evelyn!" Donald called.

Evelyn and Martin recalled that Donald was still at the door. Evelyn left the living room hurriedly and Martin went to get the door. He opened the door for his dad, looking so tense.

" Why are you acting like you just saw a ghost?" Donald asked as he walked into the house.

" No... ... ... thing... ... ... dad." Martin stuttered.

" Are you sure you're ok? You're acting weird." Donald said as he sat on the couch.

" Dad, I'm fine. It's just that I wasn't expecting to see you this morning." Martin said, trying to comfort himself.

" Oh! So I'm no longer welcome in my son's house? Let me take my leave then." Donald said and stood up from the couch.

" No, Dad, you know that wasn't what I meant. Ok, I'm sorry if it came out wrongly; please have your seat, Dad. How are you doing? It's been a while though." Martin said to him, still trying to figure out if he overheard him and Evelyn.

Donald sat back on the couch and began to look around for Evelyn;

" Where's my daughter-in-law? It's been a long time since I last saw her. Isn't she aware that I'm around?" Donald asked, looking around.

" She's still asleep dad, she ain't feeling too well." Martin lied, scratching his head.

" Oh, I see, I hope she's on medications?" Donald asked, looking concerned.

" Yes, she is," Martin said, nodding his head.

" Dad, what can I do ... ... ... ... ... ... ..."

" Good morning, Dad." Evelyn greeted, interrupting Martin.

" My beautiful daughter-in-law, good morning. How was your night?" Donald answered with a broad smile.

" It was good and yours?" Evelyn asked with a fake smile.

" Fabulous, how are you faring now? I learnt you ain't feeling too well." Donald said.

" I'm getting............ ting.........bet......... ter......... now thank you. " Evelyn Stuterred, looking at Martin who was winking at her to play along.

" Good to hear," Donald said, nodding his head.

" Has he offered you anything?" Evelyn asked.

" No, he hasn't; I guess he's not happy to see me," Donald said in laughter.

" Dad, you know that's not true, I was about to ask you what I can offer you when she interrupted me," Martin said with a smile.

" Oh I see, but she has asked me first now," Donald said.

" Really dad? Is that what you're going to say?" Martin asked jokingly.

" Sure, she asked me first," Donald answered, still smiling.

" Fine! Your daughter-in-law will attend to you then." Martin said and sat beside him.

" I'm not complaining," Donald said and they both laughed.

" Dad, hope you don't mind having breakfast with you?" Evelyn asked.

" Sure, I don't mind. I haven't had breakfast, I only drank coffee before coming here." Donald replied.

" Ok, then I'll go fix our breakfast," Evelyn said and headed to the kitchen.

" Such a sweet girl. Martin, I commend you for making the right choice." Donald said, looking at Evelyn till she was out of sight.

" Yeah, I know right?" Martin said, nodding his head.

" Yeah," Donald said faintly.

" Dad, I'll be right back, let me go check on her in the kitchen. You know she ain't feeling too well. She might be in need of help." Martin said and he stood up from the couch.

" Yeah, that's true; run along," Donald said, demonstrating with his hand.

Martin joined Evelyn in the kitchen;

" Thank goodness, he didn't hear us." He said with a smile.

Evelyn snubbed him, she acted like she didn't see him.

" Evelyn, I'm talking to you." He said softly.

Evelyn didn't respond, she concentrated on what she was doing.

" Are you still mad at him?" Martin asked pitifully.

She still didn't respond.

After so many attempts to get her attention, all to no avail. Martin left and went back to join his father in the living room.

Evelyn served the table, she called everyone to the dining area. They all have breakfast together quietly. After the breakfast, Donald spent a few hours with them and left.

The silent treatment continued; Evelyn wasn't speaking to Martin, and even when he tried talking to her or getting her attention, she snubbed him. When he realized nothing was working, he got dressed and left the house without saying a word to her again.

Shortly after he left, there was a knock on the door. Evelyn pondered on who it could be, the knock kept coming heavier on the door. She walked hurriedly to go get the door.

" Who is it.............." She said faintly as she opened the door because she was surprised at who she saw.