[ Rain ]
"Nich..Nicholas, you're getting us wrong." I try my best to sound confident but the coldness in his eyes dares me to defy him.
He walks toward us with heavy footsteps. My heart starts beating frantically, the anger radiating from him seems to burn I and Xavier down into ashes but unlike me, Xavier is all cool and unaffected by his friend's fury.
"When did you come, Xavier?" He asks his friend totally ignoring me.
"Hardly ten minutes ago and found Rain in my way from the kitchen to your home office." Xavier answers him very normally.
Nicholas briefly glances at me and again focuses on his friend," And what were you doing in the kitchen?" He cocks his brows.
In response, Xavier lifts his coffee mug.
"To have this and your wife being the generous hostess, she prepared me a cup of coffee. If your interrogation is over, can we discuss business now, of coarse, in your study room." Xavier says.
Nicholas doesn't say anything and his silence is killing me more than his words.
"Okay, let's go in my office." He replies after seems like two minutes.
"Alright, let's go." Xavier places the empty mug on the kitchen counter and jumps off from the high stool. Turning to me he passes me his best smile," I am expecting a delicious meal prepared by you, Rain." He says at last and walks out of the kitchen, now it's only me and my cold husband left in an awkward silence.
"He was only asking about my career choice." I say though I don't need to justify myself to him.
"I don't care what you do behind my back, Rain but remember one thing," He inches closer, his heavy breathing falls on my face causing my blood pressure to rise in fear," Do not cheat on me because I can't afford a scandal from my very own wife to ruin my image in the society and daint my business relationships." Saying this, he withdraws himself and storm out of the kitchen.
His words sting me like sharp thorns. Why he insults me every time he gets an excuse? Does he really think that I'd do such horrendous act behind his back?
Well, he actually think of me as an unfaithful slut. Dragging my legs in the kitchen, I dismiss the main cook and maids except for a young maid to help me in preparing the dinner as per Xavier's request. He's a gentleman in every sense who showed me only respect.
For next two hours, I cook french bread, chicken curry, steamed rice, vegetable stew and Cesar salad for dinner and apple pudding for the desert.
"Judy, please set the table and ask Elle to call Nicholas and Mr. Xavier for the dinner while I freshen up." I instruct the maid and leave to clean myself to look representable at the dinner table. I don't want to give him another chance to ridicule me and humiliate me in front of his friend.
After fifteen minutes, I walk into the dining area, refreshed and changed into a fresh pair of clothes as the other had gotten a few stains even though I wore an apron.
"Hey, you took long to come back and here I can't control myself from invading this lavish meal." Xavier comments as I drag a chair for myself at the other corner of table, far from the men.
His commment made me blush.
"If you're done praising my wife then shall we eat? We have to resume our work, please don't forget." Nicholas says in a pissed off tone.
I lower my head and let the maids serve us. Nicholas hates when I do the chores myself. He thinks it would downgrade his image and his employees wouldn't respect him as much as he deserves.
How propagandist he sounds but he thinks they're unsaid rules in a rich household. I must act like the lady of this house and orders around his house staff.
But I am not him nor my morals segregate between poors and rich.
"The food is delicious. Thanks for taking efforts for my request, Rain. I owe you a payback now." Xavier says after taking a bite from his plate.
"Thanks, Xavier and please you don't have to do anything in return. I love cooking apart from photography." I say and politely tries to refuse him.
"Xavier, eat fast. We have a lot to discuss on the beginning phases." Nicholas, who is eating in silence, interrupts him.
"You can't expect me to swallow the whole plate like a cartoon character. I am eating like a normal human." Xavier gives him a weird look and resumes eating.
I notice Nicholas clutching his fork tightly. What's wrong with him? I didn't ask Xavier to praise me and there's no mean I'm flirting with him. Nicholas needs to change his narrative about me and my character.
"Should I serve you some bread?" I ask Nicholas who hasn't touched the bread and also taken a very small portion of rice, barely two or three spoons.
"No, I only eat gluten free flour and I can see, you used normal flour and I eat brown rice if you have ever paid attention on my meals." He replies rudely.
I feel humiliated and foolish to even offer him my generosity.
"Sorry, I didn't know you avoid certain foods. I'll keep in mind from the next time I cook." I say and try to eat my food but my appetite is long dead.
"You don't need to cook anything for me. I hired one of the best cooks who are trained at best culinary schools." He says and rises from his seat.
"Where are you going? Please eat your dinner first. You're a fool to leave as you barely ate anything." Xavier tries to stop him.
"I am full and going to work on the project. I hope you enjoy your rest of the meal and join me soon." He answers not caring if his words hurts me badly.
He left the dining table and goes back to his study.
"He loved the food. I can assure you, Rain and please don't let his words effect your passion. You love cooking, cook for me, for our other friends and others who really appreciate your passion.' Xavier says with a smile.
"You're a sensible man, Xavier and thanks for lifting up my mood. I really needed a friend who shares my thoughts." I say with gratitude.
His mystic eyes stares at me for a moment like he's searching for something. It makes me feel tingles on my skin, I don't know what's happening with me. Why am I feeling in this way around another man? Xavier is just a friend who truly respects me as a person, right?
I didn't dare to look at him again but I could feel his stare on me entire time we ate our dessert.
"The food was very delicious. I bet Mason will be hell jealous when I'd be telling him about it tomorrow." He says once we're ready to go on our separate ways at the top of the staircase.
"Thanks again for your kind words, Xavier. Good night." I wish him and turn to retire to my own room.
"Good night, Rain." I hear him murmur in a faint voice before the door to Nicholas's study opens and shut within a few seconds.
I enter inside my own room and shut it close. Leaning on the door, I clutch the left side of my chest where my heart is beating crazily. I feel goosebumps on all over my skin.
"No, it's wrong. I shouldn't be effected by another man. It's unethical and a sin as I vowed my loyalty to my husband under God's blessing. I can't cheat Nicholas when if it's emotional." I whisper to myself and drag my exhausted body to the bed and lay back. I didn't change my clothes as the new hurricane of several thoughts keep swirling in my mind.
"I hope this honeymoon will bring him close to me. Please God, show some mercy on me. I love my husband and I want him to love me back. Please God, I've never wished for anything but I am yearning for my husband's respect and affection." I pray in my heart before the sleep takes me in a dreamless slumber.