Denise rushed home and met Harold coming out of the house. She wore a frown when she saw him while Harold welcomed her with a smile on his face.
"Hey, baby. How did your outing go?" he asked and hugged her but Denise did not hug back.
Harold looked at her with worry in his eyes. He had noticed the change in attitude Denise was displaying and he was not happy about it.
"What's wrong Denise? Is everything okay?"
Denise looked at him, arms crossed with a frown on her face. "Tell me something, Harry. Have you been seeing Karen behind my back?"
Harold was shocked by the question. "What do you mean by that?"
"You tell me. I met Karen today and she said I should say hi to you for her. I never knew you were friends with her to the extent of telling her about us."
"I still don't understand what you are talking about. I and Karen are not friends. And besides, why are you fighting with me all of a sudden?"
"You have not answered my questions," Denise demanded.
Harold sighed. "I met Karen on my way out of the supermarket the last time you sent me on errand. That's all there is. I did not say anything to her. I don't understand why you are suddenly angry with me,"Harold explained.
Denise stopped frowning. She tried to find a lie in what Harold was saying but she felt none. Yet she was still not satisfied with what she wanted to hear. Karen had told her a lot of mean things even though she had behaved it had not gotten to her, it had affected a great deal. She knew Harold would never cheat on her, much less with Karen but she was so insecure. She did not want to be alone again. She was already tired of that.
"Denise, believe me. I did not tell you about Karen because I did not think it was important. I am so sorry for not telling you about it. I swear to you, I did not say anything to her about us. She already assumed it."
"Are you sure that's all that happened?"
"Look into my eyes and tell me if you think I am lying to you. I will never in my entire life dream of lying to you. I love you and just you. I don't see any girl apart from you, Denise. I don't know why you doubt me." Harold held her in her arms.
"I don't doubt you, Harry. Is just that I met Karen today and she said some things that got me thinking."
"So Karen is the reason why you are like this? Karen is the reason why you are suddenly doubting my intentions towards you. Listen to me Denise. I don't know what Karen said to you and I don't really care. But, I will do anything I can to make you believe that my love towards you is real and that I am not like the others," Harold said and walked away.
Denise tried to call him back but he did not turn. He just walked until he was out of her sight. Denise sighed and entered the house. She placed her small bag on the chair and sat down with a thud. She exhaled loudly as her mother came out of the library.
"Hello baby girl. How was your day?" Mrs Wilson asked and sat down.
"Fine, mother. Just that something happened which made me fight with Harold," she answered.
"Wait? You fought with Harold? Why dear, what happened?"
"I had gone to meet with Mrs Sandy at a restaurant today. But then, I ran into Karen. And she told me a couple of things that made me doubt Harry. I don't know how it even happened but when I saw him I felt betrayed all of a sudden. And now I think I have hurt him."
"Karen told you something and you used that to fight with the man you love? What exactly did she say to you that made you think that way about Harold?" her mother asked, looking confused.
Denise went ahead and explained everything that happened between her and Karen to her mother. Mrs Wilson listened quietly and did not talk till Denise was done before she spoke.
"My daughter. I understand how you must have felt when Karen said that to you. But you must understand that Harold is not like the other guys you have met. He is a good man and I know he will not cheat on you or betray you. He genuinely loves you and everyone who knows you two can see that. I have a feeling Karen did that so that she can cause problems between you and Harold. My dear girl, let down your insecurities and freely love your man. Don't let anything Karen says to you bother you, okay?" her mother advised her.
"I don't think he will be ready to listen to me now. Especially now that I managed to make him angry with me," Denise said sadly.
"Harold might be angry with you but he can't stay mad at you for long. Go to him and straighten things out with him, everything will be fine."
"Mother, are you sure he won't ignore me?"
"Positive. Go to your man," her mother said and smiled at her. Denise hugged her then ran out.
Harold had changed his clothes into a red polo shirt with black jeans and was looking handsome more than ever. She stopped when she saw him as did he. Both of them stood there staring at each other, without saying a word. Then, Denise finally broke the silence.
"Harry I am sorry about earlier. I did not think Karen's words had affected me that much. I am very sorry," she apologised and walked towards Harold, closing the gap between them. When she was close enough to him, she stopped and stood in front of him, looking him in the eyes.
"It's okay Denise. I understand how you feel. I am sorry I got angry with you. I was just disappointed."
Denise hugged Harold. "Please don't be angry with me. I won't be able to stand it."
Harold just laughed.