C2 Wife

It was a chilly evening. The moon was shining brightly bathing the houses, flowers, and street in its cold silver allure. The stars were twinkling like beautiful gems in the clear oblivion. Captivating all who looked up.

Dressed in a washed-out jean short, black tank top with a charcoal cardigan coverall, she stood slightly leaned along the porch and looked out at the lights blinking in the near distance.

The tiny village looked peaceful from where she stood. She shifted her gaze to the left slightly and looked at the blinking lights of the neighboring island and wondered at what was happening with the blinking lights along the horizon.

So lost in thought that she was slightly unaware of the company that just joined her.

"What's on your mind?" he watchfully asked.

Shaking her head, she responded quietly, "Nothing."

He stared at her wanting to push but he knew that would be futile.

"Why am I here?" She asked out of the blue.

He wondered at the various reasons and chose the one that would go straight to the heart.

"Because I wanted you here."

"Why do you want me here?" she asked confused, "Weren't you happy to have not been in communication with me these last five years?"

He inhaled and slowly exhaled the retort that was on the tip of his tongue. She was the one that cut all connection with him, yet she was quick to lay blame at his door. He chose carefully his answer to avoid further conflict.

"You're still my wife," he said stiffly, and he saw her flinched. He couldn't help the coldness that came to his eyes. She just knew how to push his buttons. "Me wanting you here with me should have told you that."

She was his wife but she never felt like she was. Five years ago they'd got married but that was only a business transaction. Why now of all time did he have to come back? Why did he suddenly want her here with him?

He watched her hide. She slowly put on a mask of un-concerned and before she could utter a word he told her, "we've been married for five years and I have given you your space and independence to do what you want. Now, it's time for you to take up the role as my wife and do your duties."

She squinted at him, "what duties am I neglecting?"

Lifting an eyebrow at her, he asked, "You really need me to brief you on them?"

She had a feeling he was baiting her. So she ignored his statement and waited for what he had to say.

"Lately, it also seems that you have been dating a man. Have you informed him that you're already married?" he asked coldly.

With unease, she looked him in the eye and asked, "what nonsense are you talking about?"

"Are you really going to play naive with me?" he asked in a low voice.

She could feel the tension from his body and she racked her brain to try and understand what he was talking about.

"There is no man!"