"Here," I said and filled up Quentin's glass from the round bottle of wine in my hand.
"Thanks" they muttered simultaneously, sipping their wine. They dropped it on the table.
"So, you guys wanted to talk," I said, rubbing my sweaty palms on my thighs.
"Yes," Jude said and glanced at Quentin "You were friends with Elaine for a long time right?"
"Yes," I replied, confused at the question.
"How did she react when she heard about the marriage," he asked further.
"Is there something wrong?"
"No, we're just trying to help them"
"Ok... U hm, I wasn't with her when she was told about the marriage but when we spoke she wasn't happy at all" I said and studied their expressions.
"She has always wanted to be an independent woman and is serious with her studies. And she felt getting married that early and to someone, she doesn't know would hinder that"
"Alex has some issues from his past. Issues that won't let him move on if not forgotten"Jude confessed.
"I don't know but I strongly believe they would make a perfect couple. I feel like she'll do great in helping him forget"Quentin explained.
"And I'm to.." I asked confused.
"Yeah, we need your help in bringing them close"
"Ok, I love that idea. I've also thought of them to be great couples. But I don't see how we can get them together. We can't force love between them" I told him, gesturing with my hands.
"No, we can't. That's their job. We just need to try pushing them a little" he smiled and I nodded slowly.
****Alex****
I sat at the hand of the long couch and adjusted the head warmer on my head to cover my ears. The Tv was on and though my eyes were fixed on it, my mind was elsewhere.
I remembered the touches. The care and love from someone I was more comfortable with than my very own mother.
"Alex, are you okay?" I heard Elaine's voice and lifted my head to look at her.
My eyes slid down her body and I couldn't help but admire the beauty standing before me. She wore a pale pink robe and tied her hair in a messy bun. It looked wet like she just stepped out of the bathroom, giving her that seductive look.
She was spotless. And for the first time, I had the urge to want to touch her. It surprised me because I knew I had no feelings for her. None at all. Or maybe because I hadn't taken any girl to bed since our marriage. It was so unlike me and my body was confused.
"Alex?" Elaine called again and I wasn't sure if it was my ears or she just called my name in a whisper.
I looked back up at her and nodded "I am fine"
She looked at me for a while "I made lunch" she said and I nodded and stood up. I walked in front and she followed closely behind. I sat down and allowed myself to enjoy the captivating aroma of the fried chicken with sauce, white rice, and salad.
Elaine dished it out on our plate and all the while I watched her every move.
She sat down and I shook my head, surprised by my recent behavior.
We began eating and I couldn't deny the fact she was a great cook. That was surprising. She grew up in a wealthy family and honestly, the first time I heard about my marriage, I imagined a spoilt brat with no manners or qualities but someone who just depend on servants to do all their work.
But Elaine surprised me. She is beautiful and also possesses good qualities. It wasn't something I normally cared about or gave thought to, but now, I find myself admiring it.
"It seems you're well experienced in cooking," I said, trying to start a conversation.
She smiled and nodded "I am, it helped me feel less bored"
"Feel less bored" I was surprised"that isn't something I expected to hear from a young, pretty, girl from a wealthy family. Didn't you spend time with your boyfriends?"I added the last part, feeling a sting of jealousy afterward.
Her cheeks turned a light pink. Wow!
"Money isn't everything, you know" she rolled her eyes but it only amazed me.
And your boyfriends, I wanted to ask but stopped myself. I didn't want her to think I cared about her past relationship, even if I was. But she answered anyway.
"I didn't ever have a boyfriend," she said, causing me to spit out the water I was drinking back into the cup.
" What!!"I half yelled and she looked up at me and shrugged.
"You..didn't have a boyfriend, how do you expect me to believe that," I asked amused.
"I don't but it's the truth" she replied calmly.
I just started quietly at her for a while, before focusing back on my food.
****
We were done eating and Elaine cleared the plates while I watched her. I just could not bring myself to believe someone as beautiful and physically endowed as a woman like her would not have dated.
Or maybe she was the one to reject them? That I didn't know.
She walked into the kitchen and out of my sight and I found myself following her.
I walked into the kitchen and found her at the sink pouring a green liquid into a bowl of water.
"What are you doing?" I asked and stood beside her.
She looked at me and I felt she wanted to say something sarcastic but stopped herself and said instead "I'm washing the dishes" she replied.
I kept quiet and watched as she washed the plates and put them in a bowl of clean water. She was fast and I couldn't help but admire her skills. I was amazed.
I remembered my cousin Mitchy. She is as spoilt as...I didn't know, anything that was badly spoilt. All she could do was talk and talk and annoy me the best way she can. But when it came to anything concerning work, she would be as quiet as a dove.
Elaine reminded me of her mom. Hardworking, unique, and beautiful. She had tried her best to make her daughter change but couldn't before her horrific death.
"Uhh," I said as I stares at Elaine's confused face.
"Are you okay?" She asked looking worried and I nodded.
"I just.." I stopped talking and turned to the door when I heard a knock. I glanced at Elaine before walking to the door. I opened it and found Jude, Quentin and surprisingly Elaine's friend standing there.
I am so sorry for the delay. I'm a student and my schedule is so tight I'm choking. But currently I'm trying to write a lot of chapters so I'll have enough time to focus on myself and still upload at least daily or every other day. Thanks for your patience and I'm honestly so sorry.
Please vote and leave a review