CHAPTER 42: MEETING HUBBY'S FRIENDS IV
"Treasure," she said, her eyes sparkling, "If there's one thing I'll never get tired of doing, its cooking. It's my turn to indulge you, just as you indulged me with the clothes. Let me do this for you, mhm?"
Her plea, delivered with a hopeful flutter of her eyelashes, was almost irresistible. But James, wary of her fatigue, remained firm. "No, sweetheart. You're tired. Home it is. And you can always cook tomorrow."
Diana's smile faltered, replaced by a flicker of disappointment. But before she could protest, James gently took her hand and led her out, while the manager bent slightly as they walked out.
Immediately they walked out, he breathed a sigh of relief and thought to himself, since when did his boss become so soft and sweet.
Antonio trailed discreetly behind the couple as they walked out of the mall.
The drive home was laced with an unspoken tension. Diana's silence a palpable wall between them. James, sensing her anger and the distance, offered no apologies, no cajoling. He knew she needed her space, so he wisely kept his distance.
When Diana noticed he wasn't making an effort to apologize or talk to her, it only escalated her anger.
When they arrived, Diana, a silent storm brewing within was the first to disembark. She stomped on the stairs leading to the house, her hair flying behind her.
James followed, watching her climb the stairs with an unreadable expression as he thought. 'Did i take things too far?'
Stepping into their house, Diana was greeted by the sight of Jared sprawled on the sofa, phone in hand, emitting a contented sigh.
"Brother-in-law!" Diana's voice, sharp with barely suppressed anger, cut through the air.
Jared jumped up, a wide grin splitting his face as he hugged her. "Diana! My dear sister-in-law! I've missed you, especially your cooking. You have no idea but i've been hungry for the past 3 days. It's really been torturous for me."
Diana's face softened with pity, then hardened again as if remembering something, as she rolled her eyes at him. "Jared, weren't you here just two days ago?" she questioned.
Jared stammered and chuckled, scratching the back of his neck. "Right, right! Two days ago. My bad. You should see my chin, it's practically sunken from lack of your culinary magic." He flashed a puppy-dog grin, but the effect was lost on Diana.
She grabbed his chin playfully, a ghost of a smile touching her lips. "Oh, Jared," she sighed. "Alright, how about this: I'll freshen up and then whip something up for you. But your brother refused to let me go to the market."
Jared's eyes widened. "Why would my brother be so wicked urgh. we should teach him a lesson together what do you think?"
"He's my husband and your brother Jared so you will do nothing." Diana responded with a straight face.
James stood at their backs watching their actions and conversations with a black face. Jared fawning over Diana, whining about hunger. Every touch, every laugh felt like a thorn in his side. Finally, the anger boiled over.
James stepped forward, his voice low and dangerous. "Diana will not be cooking anything again tonight, and Jared get out", he declared, his voice clipped. James was barely trying to conceal his anger at the duo.
The tension in the room crackled. Jared, caught in the crossfire, hesitated. The last thing he wanted was to be the target of his brother's wrath.
Diana spoke up in a bid to save Jared. "No! He won't be going anywhere James, just pity him, He's a bachelor."
"Well he has been surviving just fine without you Diana".
"Well its a bit different now am here don't you think" Diana retorted.
"Diana" James called out wearily. There was no point arguing with his wife, he turned to his brother the rage in his eyes visible.
Jared staggered back and bent his head. Damn, if he knew his brother would be standing at the door, he would not have acted quite matey with his wife.
"Jared are you really sure you want to stay" James asked his brother.
Jared raised his head to look at his brother. There were a thousand threats written in just his glare alone. If he accepted to stay and enjoy himself, his brother will definitely torture him for it and he did not want that. before he could respond Diana cut in.
Diana, sensing his fear, intervened. "James, you're scaring him. How can he answer honestly when you keep glaring at him like that?"
She didn't think she did anything wrong few moments ago right, James wondered to himself as he glanced at his wife and turned his attention back to his brother.
Jared, seized by the opportunity, cleared his throat. "Sister-in-law, I think I'll be seeing you tomorrow then."
"Are you sure, Jared?" Diana asked, her face etched with concern.
"Yes, sister-in-law. See you tomorrow."
Diana leaned in and gave him a quick hug.
Jared wept in his mind. was she trying to put him into more trouble with his evil brother. Jared cleared his throat, before Diana released him.
As soon as Jared left, Diana turned to James, her eyes blazing with anger. Without a word, she stormed up the stairs, leaving James alone with the echo of her footsteps and the weight of his own actions.