(Leo)
My insides were still hard as I got off Doreen to answer the phone. It was my elder brother, Lawrence, on the line. He had told me he would call to brief me on the final arrangements for tomorrow. I knew it was him when the phone wouldn't stop ringing.
"Leo", his voice came on as I tapped the answer call icon.
"What took you so long to get your phone, man?" I knew he would be concerned about that.
"I am a family man, Lawrence. You keep forgetting that", I replied jokingly, holding myself back from telling him how he interrupted the good time with my wife.
"Oh, sorry, but we have an event tomorrow, and we want nothing but the success of it". He went ahead to tell me about the order of the occasion, the list of attendees and the last-minute product advert modification.
"Dad sent some files through your secretary. Get yourself accustomed to what you need to. Good luck to us tomorrow", Leo concluded.
"Good luck to us. You've worked hard, brother", I replied and turned to check on Doreen. She was sitting up on the bed now and fondling the sheets absentmindedly. I smiled.
"You've worked hard too, Leo. How is Doreen?" Lawrence's voice brought me back to the phone call.
"My wife is doing well. She will be coming tomorrow too", I answered, unable to hide my excitement about having my pretty wife at my father's company event for the first time.
"I can't wait to meet her again", came Lawrence's reply. I'm so glad my elder brother loves and cares for Doreen, just as much as I do. I was a bit worried that I, having to get married before him, would make him feel behind and unintentionally hate my guts.
He would often tease me about getting married earlier as the beautiful ones were not yet born, but he praised Doreen's beauty every other day. Lawrence is the coolest person.
After I ended the call with my brother, Doreen wasn't on the bed any more. I heard the shower of the bathroom come on. She was having a bath now. A bit disappointed, I went to find my clothes.
…
As usual, I woke up earlier than Doreen. Her face was radiant and her skin as beautiful even as she slept. Her curly hair was in a perfect mess. I reached to remove a strand across her face and tucked it behind her ear. She adjusted a little from her previous position.
Suddenly, I felt the urge to make us breakfast today, instead of having the kitchen staff do it. Quietly, I crept out of the bed and walked down to the kitchen, after carefully kissing her good morning on the forehead.
I prepared a quick breakfast of fried eggs dipped in cheese and toasted with fresh bread, made her italian tea and, for myself, a cup of coffee. I took hers upstairs. On entering the room, she was already up with her back leaned against the headrest of the bed.
"Breakfast is ready, served hot, just the way you like it", I announced, carefully placing the tray on her bedside table. I saw her face lit up. She stretched out her hands, inviting me in for a hug. I felt like the luckiest man to ever exist as I sank into her arms, burying my face in her hair.
"Thank you for cooking me breakfast", she whispered in my ear sleepily.
Doreen is the most beautiful and important of everything to me. I had been whipped for her long before our parents got us married. After just a week of being married to her, I feel even more insecure about her mingling with other men.
I do not want those men outside messing with my wife in any way. I get really jealous when her attention shifts from me. I do not want anyone getting to experience Doreen in the way I already do.
I love her that much, I can't control how loud my love for her echoes, and the jealousy that breeds gatekeeping her from outsiders, I don't want to tame.
I stroked her hair endlessly before freeing her from the hug I had allowed to linger for as long as I could. She got up to quickly brush before devouring her breakfast, and I proceeded to get ready for the event.
When I was ready to go, I kissed her goodbye after confirming she would still be able to honour my invitation, and then, I headed straight to the company.
As I drove through the streets of London, I recalled the incident from last night. Doreen, stop giving me reasons to doubt your love for me, I thought to myself.
Damn! I had completely forgotten about my cup of coffee on the dining table.
…
I revised my part of the product advertisement speech for the hundredth time in my office. I spoke to Doreen on the phone a few minutes ago, and she said she was on her way. I would love for her to be present and listen to my speech while I gave it, so I hoped she would make it on time before then.
My office door flung open after a quick knock, and Beatrice, my secretary, walked in with a pile of the product brochures balanced on her arm. "It's about to begin", she announced.
It was time to join the event. "Thank you. I'll be there soon", I replied, standing up to adjust my tie. Just then, I saw Doreen's car pull into the space through my office window.
The bang from my office door by Beatrice and the "sh*t! I'm sorry, sir" that followed didn't sway my attention from my wife as she parked and alighted from her car with all elegance and a beautiful demeanour.
She wore a shimmering golden-coloured flowing gown that accentuated her curves and complimented her fair skin so well. Her hair was packed in a messy bun, with some curls left to fall on her face. Her jewellery was bright and luxurious. I couldn't make out the exact colour of her shoes and bag from that distance.
Doreen looked simply breathtaking as I watched her walk towards the entrance of the office building with Rosie, I guessed, until she was out of my view. I smiled to myself.
I heard the sound of heavy clapping coming from the direction of the event hall. It was time to join the crowd now.
As I walked into the event hall, my speech in hand, I was surprised to see that the event had commenced fully. My elder brother, Lawrence, was up the stage, rounding up on the nutritional benefits and the health precautions that had been taken during the production of the new product.
After he concluded, the audience cheered and applauded loudly again. I knew his speech was a success. It was time for me to go up the stage.
I made my way towards the front of the crowd, one step at a time, intentionally walking slowly to give Doreen time to settle before I began my speech.
After what seemed like ages, finally, I was up on the brightly lit stage with the company banner in 3D fixed in the backdrop, life-size models of the new product placed at strategic positions where they would be visible to the audience.
As I raised my head to properly look at the crowd I'd be addressing, my eyes fell on Doreen, as if all of the other people present were invincible. I watched her sit down somewhere in the middle of the column opposite me.
That isn't her designated seat. She was supposed to sit in front, on the table bearing her name tag, amongst the highest recognized guests of the event. She was talking to someone. Her mind completely off the stage where I stood, about to give a speech.
I felt a tap on my arm. The anchor, with his funny-looking hairstyle, stood by my side. He whispered in my ear to proceed with my presentation before flashing me a smile that seemed too ingenuine and walking towards the back of the stage.
I looked at Doreen again, she seemed invested so much in whatever thing she was discussing with the man I had never seen before. What! He reached out and patted her on the head and she leaned briefly unto his hands. My chest tightened, and I felt hot; the well-air-conditioned hall didn't do justice. My fist clasped together and my breathing began to become unsteady.
As I read through my presentation, my attention was more on the interaction between the strange person and my wife. By the time I was done with my presentation, I was sweating so much. I had mumbled most of the presentation through, and I knew I was going to get an earful from my parents for this; I knew I had to come up with a good excuse for my brother, but these concerns were secondary to me at the moment.
I heard the mix of clapping and side comments from the audience, but it seemed distant. As I walked down the stage, my head was full and my teeth gritted on their own. My mind replayed how he patted Doreen's hair and her reaction to that and it sent cold chills down my spine. My throat felt parched and anger built up inside me.
On getting to where Doreen sat with the stranger, she stood up and was saying something that I couldn't make out as her words were like whispers to my ears. I was interested in only one thing. Teaching the stranger a lesson that would remain with him for a long time. How dare he touch my woman.