Marie.
~
He was right.
We needed a night to ourselves. Yesterday was relaxing, but we never left Oli or my sister throughout the day.
" .. no.. no more.. don't.. I thought you said you can cook, women! "
We were inside the enormous kitchen. It took me 5 minutes to find random things like a cheese grater.
Asin was watching my process, playing the annoying critic who occasionally smirked.
" I swear Asin.. one more word..
" Alright.. I promised I ate it, didn't I? Also.. I sent the staff away, we our are own here, my love. " He reminded me.
I watched him playing with the butter. Couldn't help but smile how childish he looked at times like these.
I was making him mac and cheese.
Since it was easy and after saying I can cook just to get him off my back .. I had to make something a monkey could.
" Babe, don't this the wrong way .. but shouldn't the butter go in first? "
" You talk like a certified chef since making that damned sandwich. I should've said I hated it .. "
I felt his hand on my hips but pushed him away.
" I need to concentrate.. behave yourself. "
He smiled devilishly but stopped teasing.
I don't know .. it kind of annoyed me that he stopped.
20 minutes later, we were sitting at a table made for 2 dozen.
" This is so creepy.. " I looked around. " Without the others and the staff being gone.. it gives me a haunted house feeling. "
Asin was suspiciously poking my creation.
" Talk about things that might haunt you.. You know a little honesty goes a long way, hon. "
" You wanna talk about honesty, dear? "
He couldn't stand my glaring and went for the pasta.
Then, the plastic pasta taker broke into the dish.
We looked at each other and broke out laughing.
He stood up and took my hand.
" Let's see if they left anything in the fridge. You share it with me? "
I took his hand thinking .. there isn't a thing I wouldn't share with you.
" Hmm .. next time we order in. "
We ended up eating ice cream and some prepacked snacks.
He sat through one of my picks from yesterday's movie list.
" .. Do you like them? "
" I can take it or leave it.. it's good in ice cream and juice.. are you allergic? "
" No .. just find them weird. "
That was no reason to hate pineapples!
We were on the giant couch covered with pillows as the credits rolled.
" .. is that mean. If you find food weird, you just won't eat them based on looks? "
He shrugged. " It's not that weird. Everyone does it. "
" No dear.. most people eat what they can afford. " I tapped his face.
" So there is nothing you won't eat? "
" Yeah .. like weird..
" Ahha! .." He proclaimed.
" Stop.. weird tasting foods. I try them first. "
He shook his head in disbelief like what I said was strange.
My head was comfortably lifted and laid by his breathing, spreading across his stomach.
I couldn't believe how natural it felt. If someone told me about this a few weeks ago, I would've laughed.. and that's not counting his night activities.
I checked my phone it was getting late and they weren't back. Must be going well.
" What are you going to do with your family's expectations? About the company? " I asked.
He started playing with my hair as he took some time to think.
" It's unavoidable, that's why I avoided going to college overseas. I had to stay inside the country, and I had to do something in the public eyes after the summer. "
His explanation reminded me that we were both wearing that cap and gowns just a few months ago.
For me, it was already a depressing day. It was supposed to be a grand affair, but my family ultimately went broke just before that.
Left me feeling embarrassed, hated those pitying looks the others gave me.
He noticed my silence and nudged me with his stomach.
" What about you? New York is just 7 hours away.. "
I noted his tone. But all that changed, yes my plans went up in smoke just days ago.
That's a small lie as well. It began before.. my interest slowly waning away.
Oddly, I made my peace with it.
Quickly.. I mean, I can always just do music as a hobby now ..
Aunt Krista smug look floated in my mind, the certainty in her voice. As in by just taking one look at me ..
I knew I was silly. Shouldn't care about what she thinks. But I did .. more importantly, I wanted to look inside her mind and see her preferred choice for Asin.
He nudged me again.
" It's like trying to talk to Stoner.. hello? "
I fought his hand away, trying to play with my nose.
" Plans change, sweetheart. You changed them. "
He stopped playing and looked serious.
" I don't want you to give up dreams for me. Understand? I can't have you growing bitter over time. You can fulfil them and we can still be together. "
His words made relax even though I already knew this subconsciously.
I sat up so I could kiss him.
" I promise I won't turn bitter on you. Bitter people need be bored. We keep it interesting, you'll see. "
He smiled differently, relieved. Then he stole my lips.
We were getting closer, and I was fully aware of his wondering hands .. and I let my mine as well..
( BANG )
The door slamed open somewhere in the distance.
" God help me finally for fu.."
I jumped off him as he was busy cursing faith and some other known saints while reaching for the ceiling.
Just had enough time fix and put everything back in their place clothes wise when my sister strut away huffing.
Didn't even notice us.
Oliver was nowhere to be seen.
" Asin, get up.. get up! " I slapped his hand away. " .. Oliver is missing, go find him and will talk to my sister. Go,go,go .. "
He climbed down like a lizard.
" Should've locked the damn door and ..
" What are you murmuring for? Quickly. "
I left him behind and ran after Ayshe.
~
Found her inside my room, breaking things with great tenacity.
" Ayshe .. N-no, not that .. Ayshe! "
She was in MY room. Breaking MY things.
( CRACK )
My tablet blew up on impact, taking down a lamp.
" .. As if I couldn't handle being your girlfriend! You do not know me, Oliver Aster! "
As she was going through my things one by one, I decided I let her vent now. Maybe she would calm down a bit.
I did grab my perfume from her during a mighty struggle.
Asin loved that, and it was made and sold by an old lady in Konore.
10 minutes later, she sat down on the bed, looking noticeably better.
And it only costs a small fortune.
" Ayshe, sweetie?.. what happened? "
I carefully sat behind her.
Then she told me ..
——
Asin.
~
He wasn't anywhere on the estate around the house.
Had too send out the security, and a few came with me.
The night was filled with the rich and drunk. Dangerous combination if he has one in his moods.
Had to find him.
Called Leyla and asked to turn on his location.
A microchip placed inside our arms, he was nice enough to surprise me with that, one day with a doctor and a small procedure.
" Boss, he is at .. Northbound, it's a nightclub 2.1 click from you ..
" Thanks, Leyla. I know the place. "
I headed there, hoping no one was unconscious yet.
The Northbound was the place to have a few drinks outside the waters.
It was packed to the ceiling, but everyone was dancing and having fun, meaning he didn't cause trouble yet.
The man pushed the people aside who didn't have the common sense to stand aside themselves, and I found him at the bar .. making out with some random.
God damn it, Oli.
I let the security spread and walked behind them.
The girl noticed me first.
" A-aren't you ..
" Pardon me dear .. I'm taking him for a minute. "
Oliver let himself lead outside without struggle.
" What exactly are you doing? What happened? "
He wiped his face and turned to me.
" She isn't SURE! "
" Okay ..
" Brother, she isn't sure .. not sure about us. As in the things we do turn into some .. a a .. a bathtub! "
How did he get this drunk?
" .. a bloodbath? " I tried.
He pointed at his noise, stumbling a little.
Damn it ..
I don't know. Marie took it so easy, I saw the worrying, but still, that determination in her eyes was ever present.. I figured Ayshe would be the same.
Instead, she looked into some hypothetical future.. and ran with it those horrible fictions. She watched too many mafia films.
I wasn't trying to justify what we were doing or deny the people we partnered, but we managed for a long time now.
Is it a lack of faith? Does she have clarity? I hated to think in hypotheticals.
" Alright now.. come here. "
I pulled him into a bro hug as he lamented about her on my shoulders.
" I told her it's fine .. she couldn't handle it anyway, and I hate TO waste MY TIME! "
How do I fix that? Can it be fixed?
~
I took him home as he kept insulting everything she stood for.
Turned out he didn't even mention the surprise, couldn't get there.
With everyone given the day off, I dragged his 178 pound of sadness all the way to the bed.
He was sleeping by the time I took his shoes off and pulled a blanket over him.
" Damn it, brother.. Tchtch.. "
Switched the light off and let his nightlight take over.
The house was quiet.
She was right, like a haunted house.
In my room .. there were 2 people in my bed.
Of course..
Took a look at my wife and sister in law. They look so peaceful.. also why everything we own is in pieces?
Found myself outside the pool looking over the celebrating crowds.
Texted Leyla to calm down. She was worried after asking for the locations of her boss.
Sat down the sunbed and looked at the stars.
Ayshe reaction was a surprise to me. Maybe she just got scared for him? Talking about bloodbath and such..
Wasn't this in the cards, though?
I waved those intrusive thoughts away and took the bottle left by us earlier.
" What if Marie feels the same after this? "
My question wasn't answered by the night .. but it was pointless to worry about such things.
She won't just turn on a dime and leave me.
" She wouldn't... "
The night was filled with voices, but again, no answers.
~
Woke up when someone gently closed my nose, and the terrible cold feeling of imminent death grappled my very soul for a second or two ..
Oliver, on the other hand, was smiling like he had nine lives.
" I mean .. yeah, okay. W-what's going on? "
I contemplated insulting him but let it go.
" We going home! " he jumped close and played with my cheeks. " Thank fuck .. I can't wait to jump back into work and create our greatest stunt yet! .. you with me!? "
" Yeah .. totally. Whe..waffles..let get some breakfast first. Come on champion! "
I almost asked where are the girls at but realised how volatile such questions were at present time. Thank my lightning fast morning brain.
The girls were suspiciously absent and after Henry got my signal he let me know in a note with my eggs.
* EARLY MORNING SHOPPING.. THE EGGS ARE BENEDICT. ENJOY IT, YOUNG MASTER. *
I looked at the funny looking thing on my plate and covertly thrown the note away.
Oliver was hungry and already finished the eggs and now were buttering his 3rd toast.
" Brother..
" I take the eggs, you'll just hate them. "
He took my plate and sandwiched it between two toasted bread. I looked at Henry and asked for more food for this vacuum of my friend.
I decided to keep him happy and started brainstorming about our next race, he so desperately wanted to host.
30 min and a lot food later I got a text from Marie.
* Ayshe and I are coming in 5. Do something about them or forget about continuing last night...xoxo. *
I closed my eyes thinking she was predictable..xoxo my love, to you as well.
" .. and started thinking about working on your car as well, we need to keep up with the police. "
Oliver was working overtime.
" Absolutely.. it's the next obvious step. Listen brother I need your ear for a second. "
" Tell.. tell, tell.. "
" Marie just texted me ..
He nodded and stopped me immediately.
" Asin we made careful plans to avoid being clichés in this world. I won't start with this trope. I'll be civil, no problem.. who you looking at my son? Hahaha.. "
" Hahaha..yes. " I took a sip of my water.
No, God damn it.. I never touch Marie again.
~
To his credit.. and hers, they did kept it civil.
Too civil..
It did create problems with the seating arrangements right away.. On the SUV to the airport,on the plane ride toward home..
And even now on another damn car driven by our chauffeur towards my house.
I was seated facing my narrow eyed sister in law for almost 5 hours.
Plus .. Marie had to take her sisters side .. my side was obvious as well so there wasn't much room for conversation.
We couldn't even text, because of the proximity problems.
After such a .. silent and awkward journey I jumped into my mother's open arms like I came back from the front.
" My sweet boy. Haha .. my darling how was it? " She patted my back.
A nightmare mostly.
" Great, but you know the old saying everywhere is good but best at home. "
My father gave me a hug. " That's not a saying. I think.. "
" I believe it is dad.. come here you. " Yary stepped in.
My brother was quick to defend my nonsense, I missed being around people who talked and loved each other.
Dede and my aunt was at the company which I contemplated joining right now .. just to avoid another minute with the mute squad.
Oliver quickly greeted everyone and went to see his own mother.
I was hoping.. praying really to make it inside our room without my shadow in-law but .. life is like a .. I can't even.
" .. did you saw his indifference? "
Ayshe sat down the couch and Marie catered to her sister.
" He showed his true colours."
I wanted to defend him but .. I was just too tired.
Besides as long as they leave me out..
" Asin .. how can you friend be so cold, unfeeling and insensitive? "
Ayshe voice suddenly sounded like some cartoon villains. Also .. aren't all those synonyms?
" You know what was warth warth .. "
" What was that? " She asked.
" He doesn't want to talk about him, Ayshe you promised. "
My wife voice never sounded more musical, more sweeter.
Sounds like she made arrangements for my peace.
" Fine .. I guess I'm just disappointed in him. Your husband accepted you, crazy and all. "
" Hey! .. I'm hardly..
" .. and Oliver flipped out at our first roadblock instead of a single attempt to talk first. "
I was facing down on our bed so I only heard her punching what sounded like a pillow.
She neatly avoid her own crazy spilling out everywhere, affecting others like when she poured oil onto Marie and set her on fire with our budding romance .. but I digress.
By the way .. you can breat just fine fully facing down. Smelled like autumn..
Is this the new new?
Marie asked me to fix it but .. Maybe time will fix it am I right?
In the meantime.. I just won't touch my wife.
Who cares!?
——
Oliver.
~
I asked a driver from my aunt, I couldn't concentrate.
Gave my mother a quick glance at the office and had coffee before I left safely without probing questions.
Maybe she saw through me and understood my mood.
Last night was so beautiful.. and comfortable.
How did we ended up there? We been talking, eating ice-cream.. talked more about disgusting stuff doctor do to save lives, she asked how we created GOD Coin ..
Why did I started drinking?..
I can't really recall how but I do remember the fear in her eyes, the body language, her facial expressions .. all screamed doubts.
Doubts are the last thing people should have when starting a new relationship.
I remembered being hurt, said things that hurt her .. the situation reminded me of bad memories with Desiree as well.
What's my problem picking these type of girls?
Maybe its just too hard .. and relationships like Uncle Ivan and Aunt Kristas or Asin and Marie's...are just rare.
Woman who can cope with such a lifestyle.
I never felt more alone in my own house. So I stuck to the plan..
Sat down and made a comf office around myself.
Had to call everyone just to check in, talk to Kol and the twins, Leyla, Old Ivan..
I got to the notes Ayshe made last time when we slept in the same bed.
Put them down carefully and grabbed my phone.
Let the sweet feeling of problems and others feelings of concern wash away these bitter ones left after our trip.
——
Marie.
~
My sister was unrelenting.
We were finishing the 3rd bottle of French wine with sister Zerile joining us at some point.
I often glanced at my husband who hasn't moved for hours.. I checked, he was just sleeping.
Face down my love? Really?
He was stuck between a rock and a hard place. We both were.
I remembered last night and him touching me .. that was nearly 24 hours ago.
Finished the glass and gave my little sister an annoyed look.
She didn't noticed.
She was deep in conversation about the inner workings of man with sister Zerile who, though had limited experience with such situations being with her husband since they were children, did her best.
Ayshe was mad at Oliver, Asin .. their blindness, my blindness.. it's not I didn't understood her concerns .. I just didn't share them.
I looked at Asin again .. I saw him angry when we were at the sanctuary. But that anger showed how much he cared.
At the very least he will do whatever he can to avoid those imaginary bloodbath my sister thought they were heading towards.