The shuffling sounds made from Seb's preparing for work was what woke Val this morning. Groaning, she reached out for her phone on the bedside table to check the time. 

"It's just 6am, why are you up this early? The sun is not even out yet". Not like she was over-reacting, but her husband has been spending less time at home and with her generally. 

Even yesterday, he came home late, looking rough and for the umpteenth time, blamed it on work. He was the goddamn boss, he could miss a week of work and would not be persecuted for it. 

"I have to handle things at the office, some documents came in that needs my attention. Go back to sleep, I'll be out of your hair, soon" was Seb's response to her. He didn't even look towards once till he finished cuffing his shirt, briefcase in hand and ready to leave. 

"That's the thing. I don't want you to be out of my hair. I NEED you to be in bed with me, cuddled up behind me and rubbing my back. When was the last time that happened? It's been too long, babe. I miss you and I want you". 

Sebastian, who was already by the door, turned back, scowled and left without uttering another word. 

"Hmph!

Huffing, Valeria got up for the bed and headed for the bathroom, not like she could go back to sleep after the whole interaction and exchange with her husband. 

Valeria Monroe, a self-made entrepreneur, married to one of the city's wealthiest businessman, believed she has it all. Money, a man to fund her lifestyle- a luxurious lifestyle, might she add-, and her seemingly perfect husband. 

Though the perfection has been morphing into imperfection of late. 

In the society, they were the 'power couple'. An established entrepreneur and a not just respected, but also wealthy businessman, they would break down walls and achieve the 'in-achieveable'. 

It was not the people's fault that they thought like that, what they didn't know overrides what they do know. 

The couples have been married a little over two years, but they've been together for almost six years. Seb proposed after three years of dating, they were engaged for a year and got married a little bit later. They were living together the whole time, and the marriage was just an icing on the cake. Safe to say they've been married for six years. 

Sebastian Cross, her husband, the fine, sexy, hot man she said 'Yes, I do' too. If you asked her, she didn't believe she'd be in a relationship, talk more of being married. 

Recently though, he has been acting all cold and distant, not wanting to come home and even when he does, refuses to spend time with her and instead spends it locked up in his study doing God-knows what. 

The loud ringing sound her phone made brought her out of her reminisce and back to reality. She got out of the hot tub she had gotten into before, took a towel from the shelf and wrapped it around her body before going into the room to answer her phone. 

'There better be a good reason why you're calling this early, it's not even 10am. I leave for how many days and I can't even be left alone? Can't things be done without me there? Yes, she was transferring her aggression to whoever the unfortunate person on the other end was. 

'Woah, woah, woah. Calm your nerves, Mrs. Cross, it's just me'. 

The voice of her best friend, Lila Harrington, answered back to her. 

"Damn, girl, you had me worked up for a second there. How are you? What's good?

"I'm as fine as it can get. These couple trying to get a divorce are sucking the life out of me. But, I'm fine and I'd try not to murder them" she responded whilst laughing. 

Lils, as she calls her, is her best friend and a lawyer, a badass one at that. She is her confidant, adviser and advocate wrapped in one person. 

"Okay, girl. See ya soon. Bye"

"Bye, my love"

After dropping the call, she continued prepping for work. She had her own studio and few staffs that worked for her downtown. She was a certified cosmetologist. Her studio was often patronised by her husband's associate and people of high calibre, thanks to his status. 

Soon enough, she was ready for the day's activities and in mo time, was on her seat in her office attending to crucial matters that couldn't be solved by her staff. 

Immersed in the files in front of her, the time went by quick that she didn't notice. It was until her assistant knocked that she was reminded of her surroundings. 

"Ma'am, it's past seven and it's your weekly date night with Mr. Cross. Would you like me to make your usual reservation or you would like to try out a new location?

"No, Stella, thank you. But please, make the reservation at the usual place and do well to inform Seb's assistant about this as a reminder". 

'Alright, ma'am. I'd do so".

Furrowing her brows at the honorific, Valeria had to remind her about not using it. 

"What did I say about calling me 'ma'am', Stella? 

"You said not to use it, 'ma, oh sorry, Valeria" smiling, she answered.

"Good. Stick to that and we'd be friends in no time. Please, remember to let Seb know about the arrangement. Have a great day, I'd be stepping out now, to prepare".

The weekly date was a ritual that the couple decided to carry out weekly, to ease the stress of the whole week and have a better mindset for the coming one. 

Of late though, it's either Seb gets stucked in a meeting or has to go to dinner with an associate or is to tired or forgets, or comes, eats, and leave. The last time he was present during the date, it ended in an argument, because he wouldn't stop being on his phone. 

Like any woman, Valeria has her suspicions. I mean, what woman would nor after their husband starts acting distant. But for the life of her, she hopes her suspicions were nor true. 

Getting out of the elevator at the last floor, she walked to the parking lot, re-touched her makeup and headed to Ben's Dinner. 

The couple had chosen that dinner place because it was where they met each other.

"Hello, ma'am. Do you have a reservation?

"Yes, reservation for Mr. Cross, please?. Whilst responding to the waiter, she hung her coat on the trench and followed her to their secluded sitting area beside the fireplace. 

"Do you want anything before your date gets here?

"Just get me water. Hold on the food for now".

Few minutes later, she was sipping on her water and waiting for her husband. Soon enough, minutes turned into hour, and Seb was not there yet. She called earlier and was told to 'hold on a moment, Mr. Cross is in a meeting".

This was not the life she had imagined. She was getting tired of the bullshit he kept dishing out and he would definitely get a piece of her mind when he shows up.