Tueday Spice shop
Mr. Arroz was setting out two stools behind the samples table when Cara walked up.
"Cara, dear, good to see you again! At this rate, I am going to have to start paying you for being here! But it does our boy Conor good, and the customers love you. How have you been?"
Cara hugged the elder Mr. Arroz. "I am doing well. And if you are offering, I wouldn't turn down a cut of Conor's commissions. HA! But no, I just enjoy the chance to see everyone and people watch! Where is Conor? He is normally here by now."
"He should be around shortly. Said something about having trouble parking."
"Parking? Did he finally get a car?"
"Guess we can ask when he gets here. Ah, here he comes now."
"Conor! Driving today?" she called as Conor came around the corner.
"Well, news travels fast. Yes, I finally have enough money to get something. Nothing outrageous, but with a small down payment, it will be enough that I don't have to walk in the winter cold and rain anymore. How are you doing, Cara?"
"Conor, you would not believe what the sunrise over the ocean is like! It is so amazing!"
"Umm, ok? Is it any different from every other morning?"
"Gah, you are hopeless. Conor, seriously, it was amazing to wake up to the sun just cresting over the waves, the gulls floating on the ocean breeze. The photos we were able to get! Here let me show you!" Cara let out a squeal as she pulled her phone out and showed a series of photos as the sun began to rise.
"I take it things with Peter are going well?" grinned Conor as he bit into a chip.
"You could say that," Cara's grin could light up the darkening sky.
Conor sighed as he watched his friend's face glow. Cara looked over at him seriously then. "Conor, do you might if I say something... rather blunt?"
"Umm, Sure." He picked up a bottle of water and took a swig.
"We have been friends now for a while. I have watched you mope around and take so much... so, why don't you just leave the bitch already?"
Conor spit out his sip of water all over the ground, "Why? What are you talking about?"
A deep resounded chuckle sounded through his mind at Cara's words.
"Your wife, Conor. Just leave her. Find someone else, ANYONE else, and just start over. You clearly have a good job now. You and Peter have a great thing going with AperturePhoto and I am sure you are cooking up some other things. Look, I know it's not really any of my business, but I am just telling you what I see. Your wife is not a nice person."
"Are you expecting an argument on that last point?"
"Then why are you still with her Conor? She clearly makes you miserable. Why do you torture yourself like this? Just divorce her already."
"Cara, I owe her family so much. I almost destroyed their family business when Celia's Herbals went under. I am doing everything I can to pay her father back, and if I can, make her happy along the way."
"So what? She is just going to ride this out till the family feels you have exhausted your worth and then she will move on to Nyman or whoever else waves a dollar at her? She is just so charming, currying favor with the 'ladies' of town with all the money you don't have."
"She can't help that. Her mother's influence is strong and that woman is.... What is a nice way of putting this... well her mother is Azazel incarnate."
"Azazel the demon dragon of ruin and destruction? Good one. So do us all a favor and pray to Abrasax the protector to send his wrath spawns to rid us of her presence. Perhaps then you might actually seem genuinely happy for once"
"Not to Celia?"
"She can send her minions too but her revenge takes too long sometimes," she said as she popped a chip of Celia's breath salsa in her mouth. "Perhaps you could ask Miss. Lokir to handle it. She seems like the kind of woman who would know how to hide a body or two."
"And what would you know of Miss. Lokir?"
"Peter has met her a few times now about photos and such. Oh and there is the Gala this weekend, I heard them talking about it. Seems the Chamber was quite pleased with the results so they want to thank everyone. Peter asked me to accompany him. Think we will see you there?"
"I suppose that depends on if Abrasax or Celia were listening to your wishes for my wife's demise"
"Conor, seriously. I just want you to find someone you can be happy with. And that cold fish is not doing it for you. She clearly has it out for you and doesn't want to be with you, so why can't you see the signs and move on?"
"I suppose her chasing me out with a frying pan should have been a clear enough sign." Conor sighed. "I don't want to be the one to call it quits if there is a chance."
"And if she serves you with divorce papers?"
"I suppose I will figure it out if or when that happens."
Thursday
Conor worked in the kitchen, doing his best to prepare breakfast before Jessica could blast bast him. He knew things were rough, but so far, this week things were going well at work so he hoped it was all about to turn the corner. Jessica came in, ignoring the eggs he was making and opened the fridge to find food.
"Conor, this weekend is a Gala for the city. AperturePhoto is being recognized for their efforts and we are having many of the big businessmen gather. Nyman is going to be there, because of course the Banks family were big supporters of the Scavenger hunt. He has asked to take me." Jessica said, as if it was no big deal.
"And you told him no, I would be taking you right?" Conor asked, rather appalled at her audacity.
"I told him I would have to see if you were working. I haven't confirmed anything yet. Conor, I told you at the beginning of the month, we have bills. If you can cover them... yes, of course, I will go with you. If not... well Conor, I can't keep dragging you along."
"Working? You would go with him if I had to work? And if I told you the bills have already been paid, will you tell Nyman where he can shove it?"
Jessica frowned at Conor. "Don't be like that. While you may not like Nyman, he has been good to our family. His family bank is essential to our malls and each of our businesses depends on financing approved through their bank! Staying in their good graces is essential."
"Being on good business terms doesn't mean being literally in bed with Nyman Jess."
SLAP.
"Watch it Conor! I have already told you we are on our last leg. Don't go being a jackass just because you are jealous Nyman is more capable than you." Jess turned to leave. "The Gala is at 6 p.m. this Saturday. If you can behave yourself, it would be good to go and be seen as a happy couple. Try not to embarrass me."
Conor started daggers at Jessica," Do you really hate me so much?"
Jessica looked taken aback, "hate?"
"You must hate me if slapping me is your default reaction instead of refuting my statement. Clearly, I am not wanted here." Conor turned to head out the door.
"Where are you doing?" she demanded
"Out."
"What about the Gala?" she asked as he opened the door.
"Perhaps after we both have had a chance to cool off, we can pretend to be the happy couple. Don't worry, I will find somewhere other than the park to sleep tonight." Conor said and stormed off into the night. At least he now knew of a place he could stay at Vokrizin if he had to, even if it wasn't fully finished, it would be warm.
He couldn't believe that even with everything he had managed to do in the past few months, Jessica was still ready to go with Nyman at the drop of a hat. Conor had even made sure the bills were paid this money. Not to mention there would be no Gala if it weren't for him in the first place. If only she would give him the chance to show her how much he had been doing for her, but every time he tried, things just got complicated, and she would get mad about something.