"I can join and clap some cheeks; I don't mind," he smirked.
"You should at least let me finish!"
"Well, I didn't say you should stop. Why did you stop?" he replied, his eyes drifting to Aurora, who quickly picked up her uniform and started dressing, her face flushed red with embarrassment.
"No need for that. I'll step out so he can finish," Richard told her and walked out of the room.
I sighed heavily.
"Way to ruin the mood."
I had to do a quickie, and afterward, he returned to the room and Aurora went home.
"My apologies, friend. I didn't know you'd be clapping cheeks this soon after the tragic death of your little sister-in-law."
He stepped further into the room, an amused smirk playing at the corner of his lips.
"Young kitten needed to be filled with my milk; I couldn't turn her down."
We laughed together.
He took a seat in front of my desk.
"What the hell happened? When I received your text that she took her life, I was shocked to the bones. Why did she do that?"
I let out a frustrated sigh, rubbing the back of my neck.
"Richard, to be sincere, I didn't expect her to take such a step," I said, "She was a sweet girl, you know. I am as confused as you."
Richard gave me an exaggerated look of disbelief.
"When you say sweet girl, do you mean...?"
He teased.
"You son of a bitch, you know what I meant," I snapped at him. "She's both sweet at heart and in the middle."
"Charles, you are one unrepentant brat."
"I learned it from the best-you."
"Well, you're the leader here because you're older, and also, I'm not married. It's different."
"Who made the rule that I shouldn't fuck after marriage?"
"You can, but only your wife."
"Well, that's bullshit,what lame man does that?" I replied.
He laughed.
"You still ask why I don't want to get married yet. You're in bondage, man."
My expression hardened slightly.
"Talking about bondage. Richard, I think my wife Aurora has something up her sleeves."
Richard raised an eyebrow.
"What the fuck are you talking about , man, what's going on?"
I leaned back on the chair and sighed.
"You won't believe it. Margaret left a note that says I was in a relationship with her."
"That's fucked up, bro."
"Not as much as her sister Eleanor, defending me rather than believing her sister's note with a smile on her face."
He paused for a second.
"Okay, now this is serious. That behavior isn't normal," Richard said, his tone concerned.
"I know! The whole thing is driving me crazy. I've been drinking, trying to figure her out, but she's so good that I don't even know what she's thinking. She acts like she has no idea what happened, yet it feels like she knows."
"And if she knows, you're a dead man, bro," Richard replied.
I ran my hands through my hair again.
"I don't know what to do, man. I can't have peace of mind in my own house. I have to be sure she doesn't know anything about her sister and me."
"You need to think this through. I suggest you get rid of her," Richard replied.
My eyes snapped wider at that statement.
-------
That night, I returned home.
Walking into the lounge, everything was sparkling clean as always.
Eleanor had been busy cleaning like she used to. I doubted she knew something. I hoped I was right.
"Honey! I'm home," I said as I walked toward the room.
Just then, I heard moans coming out of my matrimonial bedroom.
I was traumatized by the idea of my wife hiding a man in our room and another man riding her. I clenched my fists as my adrenaline skyrocketed.
I dashed into the room only to find her masturbating with a sex toy and moaning loudly.
I was furious and felt disrespected.
"What is the meaning of this nonsense, Eleanor?"
I slapped her and pulled the toy, flinging it away.
"This is the woman I got married to? Look at how you're behaving like a slut! How dare you insult me in such a manner? How can a married woman live like a street whore?"
Eleanor turned to me, still holding the cheek I slapped her on.
I expected a sad or angry face, but her face was full of smiles, even with my finger marks red on her cheek.
"Are you sure you're an okay, woman? What are you smiling for?!"
"Your sister lost her womb because of her street lifestyle in college. She had many abortions. I wanted to marry another woman, but I changed my mind the moment I saw you. Maybe we can have a baby through you-do this for your sister."
My heart skipped a beat, and I had to breathe out through my mouth.
Those were my words! When I was trying to convince Margaret.
How did she... could it be her sister left her a note she hid from me and confessed all that happened?
Could it be that my wife knew all this while-she knew from the moment I had an affair with her sister?
"What... what... are you saying? What does that even mean?" I snapped back.
"Doesn't it sound familiar?"
She smirked, staring at me dead in the eyes.
I had to keep calm and try not to snap. I had to act very convincingly.
"What the hell are you talking about? What is familiar?" I replied.
Then she chuckled.
"Oh, baby, it rings a bell now. I remember-it's from a movie I watched. A Netflix movie. Look at you; you look so tense. You need to chill." (laughs) "I apologize, my sweet, sweet husband."
I slapped her and she apologized?
I stood there, unsure what to say.
"That prank isn't funny. I was confused as hell," I said, forcing a chuckle.
"Trust me, you are not."
That statement made me question my hearting abilities.
Then she kissed me.
"I'll take a shower now,love" she whispered and walked toward the bathroom.
I dropped on the bed and carried my aching head in my palms.
This is getting out of hand.
I can't keep living like this. What is this manipulation? What game is she playing?
Richard's words came ringing in my head:
"You have to eliminate your wife. She's dangerous. She will punish you more than death. Like you said, she was at the top of her class as a law student. Do you think she's just dumb? I think she's playing a game with you, Charles. You need to act fast."
"I need to eliminate her."
I muttered under my breath.