Noah was out of the picture because she didn't want to see him. His driver too, had to be ruled out because he might meet his master on his way out and Noah would find out where he's going. She finally called a cab to take her home.
Noah was seated in the sitting room, all alone with his laptop. He was engrossed in what he was doing but that didn't stop him from hearing the noise the servant made when he entered the room. He turned and saw him carrying his wife's travelling bag.
“Is she back?” he asked in confusion.
“Yes sir,” the servant answered and carried the bag upstairs.
Noah was confused. How did she return without telling him? He could have gone to pick her from the airport as was the usual routine. Emily opened the door and entered.
“Hello sweetheart. You are back,” Noah greeted, a wide smile spread across his face.
Emily stared at him, torn between two things. She wanted to run into his embrace, kiss those juicy, soft lips and tell him how much she missed him, and also cry on his shoulders while another part of her wanted to rush at him, slap him and lash out at him for deceiving and cheating on her with his ex and assistant . The two parties inside her reached a conclusion and that she did. She ignored him and went upstairs. Fortunately for them, their son, Liam wasn't around to witness this awkward moment for he was sleeping peacefully in his room.
Noah swallowed as he watched his wife walk past him and go upstairs without as much as a ‘hi’ or even waving at him.
No? This was too much. What was the reason for this recent behaviour? To the best if his knowledge, he didn't wrong her before she travelled and even when they spoke over the phone, he didn't offend her either. Did something happen in France? Did anyone tell her something? Even though, he was very sure that he hadn't hidden any single thing or detail, no matter how insignificant from her.
He waited for sometime, availing her the opportunity to rest and have her bath before he went to their room. She was just stepping out of the bathroom and wrapped in a towel when he entered. One look at his beautiful wife and his body responded. He moved towards her and made to touch her but she shifted.
“What is it?”
“I'm sorry. I'm sorry. What's the problem? Why are you acting unusual?”
“Noah, please, leave,” she stated flatly, her voice devoid of emotions.
“I should leave? Common sweetheart, it has not gotten to that. Tell me, what's the matter? What happened? Did I do something? If I did, I'm sorry, but can you at least tell me so that I don't do it again?”
“Can't you see that I just returned and I'm tired? Can you let me rest? What's wrong with you?”
“I'm…I'm sorry… I…”
“If you are sorry as you claim, then, get out.”
“Okay,” Noah answered and left the room. On his way out, he met his son, Liam.
“Daddy? I heard mummy's voice. Is she back?”
“You are awake. I hope you slept well?”
“Yes daddy.”
“Yes. Your mummy's back.”
“I heard her shouting. Was she shouting at you? Did you do anything to mummy?”
“Oh no. Not at all. She wasn't shouting at me. She was complaining about something and I was there, that's it,” Noah lied, hoping and praying the smart boy doesn't discover anything.
“Okay. Can I go and see mummy?”
Noah thought about it. Emily was pissed off and he didn't want her to vent the anger on the little boy, he didn't deserve that.
“You will see mummy later. For now, she's tired and she's sleeping. When she wakes up, you will go and see her, okay?”
“Okay daddy. But why didn't you wake me when you wanted to go to the airport? We could have gone to pick mummy together.”
Noah thought of the answer to give him but before he could come up with a good one, kind fate gave him an excuse. His phone chose that perfect time to ring.
“I'm sorry baby. I have to take this call. You will see your mum in the evening,” Noah patted his shoulders and hurried down the stairs.
Save for the caller, how would he explain to the boy that his mother didn't inform him as well? She came home in a cab and walked past him without a word!
“Good day sir. Please, sir. I…I… wasn't able to get the right one sir,” the secretary who called Noah stammered. Noah had been on his neck all day, and even threatened to fire him if he didn't come up with the right product. He searched very well and in all possible and impossible places but he didn't see the brand his master wanted.
“Please, sir. Don't fire me sir. I'll do my best to look for it…”
“Forget it.”
James Sullivan, the secretary trembled. His master only said two words, and it meant dismissal for him too.
“Please, sir. I'm sorry. I don't want to lose my job sir. Give me a second chance sir, please…”
“Who’s taking your job from you? I said, don't bother looking for it. I'll get it myself,” Noah spoke into the receiver and the line went dead.
Fire him? How could he do something like that when the secretary literally saved his ass just now?
Noah tried talking to Emily but she didn't spare him a glance. She still acted in her usual friendly manner to her son, but was hostile to Noah. While they were having dinner, she ignored him totally and chatted away with her son. Noah played the bigger person and kept quiet. He didn't want to make Liam know that something was off. He finished his food and stood up.
“Daddy, you haven't said anything. Won't you join us for a chat?”
“Liam dear, I have work to do, so much calculations and talking will make me forget it. Let me quickly go back so I don't miss out.”
“But daddy. This has not happened before. We always chat after dinner. Mummy, can you tell daddy to stay, please?”