The drive back to our house felt like the longest of my life. Richard had been a brooding pain in the house ever since I brought up the conversation of us being more. The house though not as big as the Numero mansion loomed ahead, cold and imposing.
I wasn't sure what my plan was going to be, but one thing was certain: I was going to break the icy barrier between us. I wasn't going to live the next year of my life feeling like a ghost.
When I arrived, I found him in his study, with the faint smell of whiskey in the air. I closed the door behind me firmly but he barely glanced up.
"What do you want, Nita?" he asked, leaning back in his chair.
"I want you to stop treating me like I don't exist," I said, stepping closer.
His jaw tightened, "We had an arrangement. To stay out of each others' way. We might have forgotten that for a while back there but nothing has changed."
"But it has, Richard," I said, "We're not just two strangers playing house anymore. I consider you to be a good friend and yet you treat me like I am just furniture, Look at me, Richard. I'm here and I miss our conversations even though we spend half the time bickering."
"You don't understand, Nita."
"Then make me understand," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.
There was a pregnant silence like we both had something to say but didn't know how to say it. I wasn't sure what my end game was going to be or even if it would work but I had to try. I moved over to his chair, leaned down, and kissed him.
At first, he didn't respond, his body tense but in the blink of an eye, he grabbed my waist and sat me down on his lap, deepening the kiss. He kissed me with a desperation that stole my breath. When we both needed some hair, it took him a few seconds to attack my neck. Instinctively, I threw my head back to give him more access. His hand touched me everywhere all at once. I turned to mush in his arms. At some point, my dress slipped down my shoulder, and my exposed flesh invited him in. I gasped as his lips went lower but it seemed like he thought I was unsure and just like he had begun. He stopped,
"I knew this wasn't a good idea," he said, his voice hoarse as he maneuvered away from the chair.
"Richard…" I called, my breathing ragged and my face flushed.
He didn't answer. Instead, he grabbed his jacket from the chair and left the room without a word.
*****
On Sunday morning, I texted Mrs. Numero, asking if she could offer some help in shopping for work clothes. She arrived at 10am prompt to whisk me away. When I stepped into the limousine, Mrs. Numero greeted me with her usual warmth.
We arrived at an upscale boutique in the city, the kind of place where there were no price tags. If you had to ask for the price, then you clearly couldn't afford it.
We got to the formal section, and the various elegant designs were overwhelming. "You need to exude confidence and power but still be sexy. I mean you're working in the same building as your husband."
I couldn't help but laugh. She grabbed a navy blazer from a rack. "Try this."
We spent the next hour assembling a wardrobe that would make me both revered and delicious. Mrs. Numero was good and I learned she used to be a model when she was younger and that's how she had met Mr Numero. Once we had bought about five boxes of clothes, she turned her attention to… well… you know what.
"Now, for the pièce de résistance," she said, winking at me. "Something specifically for Richard's eyes only,"
"I don't think this is necessary." Lie. It totally was but I didn't want to give her any clue about what was going on in our marriage.
"Nonsense!" she said, holding up a sheer black nightgown that made my head reel.
"There's barely any material on this!" I exclaimed.
"My point exactly. Men are visual creatures," she threw many more sheer materials at me excitedly. By the time we left the store, it looked like I was about to open my own clothing store.
*****
I woke up early Monday morning, excited about my first day at work. I didn't want to wake Richard or bother him and I didn't want us to arrive at work at the same time to avoid too much familiarity at work. Everyone knew I was his wife but I would rather people see me as more than his wife. I wanted to maintain professionalism.
I made breakfast and put some in the microwave for him. By the time I was dressed in one of my new outfits, I felt like I could conquer the world. I grabbed my bag and checked myself by the entrance mirror. I looked like a million bucks and I am very sure everything I was wearing was worth a million bucks. I can't believe a few weeks ago, I was whining about how a five thousand dollar shoe was ridiculous and wasteful. Thanks to Mrs Numero and her numerous bank cards. Richard gave me one but she has never given me the chance to use it.
*****
Stepping into Numero Corp as an employee was intimidating. This was a job for sharks, I knew that. I knew people would kill for a job here and I also knew I had to prove that the job wasn't just dropped in my lap even though it was.
The receptionist told me what floor my office would be on. It was on the ninth floor, while Richard's was on the tenth. Sam was waiting on the floor when I arrived.
"Well, well, if it isn't the boss's wife, here to show us how it's done?" he drawled.
"Good morning Sam," I said sweetly. I saw my name plastered on a door and I entered through it.
"Morning to you too Nita,"
"Don't call me that," I said sharply, setting my bag down on the pristine desk. "It's Mrs Numero to you in the office – Mr Crawford, is it? Now, leave me alone, I have work to do."
"Relax. I'm here to help you settle in. Your assistant will be resuming next week, in the meantime; you can call your husband's assistant to help."
"Thanks and noted. Now leave me alone," I muttered.
"you know, you don't want to make an enemy out of me, at least not here." He warned. "I am still your boss also and I can make your life hell,"
"Also noted. Now get out!!!"