Daniel also felt guilty, he had made a breakthrough with her and then took two steps back. He didn't know how to contain the flood of emotions he felt towards Deanna. He didn't know how to approach or treat her in the best possible way, he was caught between his feelings and his logic. He denied himself what he felt, because in his head a relationship with a woman like her was out of the question.
With the singing lessons it seemed that Deanna was smiling more again, maybe he should release her a little from the "obligations" and be flexible with the rules.
He found her sitting outside, covered with a blanket and listening to music, he walked over and without a word sat down next to her. They had already developed that habit.
- I'm sorry about what happened the other day with your classes -
- Don't worry, I understand what you said to Harry -
- But I'm glad you found another teacher -
- I wanted to ask you something... Do you think I could go to Jonathan's kindergarten in the afternoons? -
- I can bring him -
- I know, but I'd like to be able to pick him up some days and maybe take him out for ice cream... I know it's not in the rules and they have a routine, but -
- It's okay...
- Is it really? -
- Yeah, do it. Just tell me what days not to go pick him up -
He could do that, he could be more flexible and in return he could sit next to her quietly for a while. He always approached it that way, silently; he could stay by her side and then leave in the same way. But as the weeks went by in the house they began to comment more on the boss's coldness and the lady's distance. They were supposed to be a newlywed couple, she was young and pretty and he should not be able to keep his hands off her. And yet they slept in separate rooms.
It didn't take long for the rumors to reach Camila and she decided to check it out for herself. But since she hadn't been on good terms with Daniel after he introduced her to Deanna, she didn't show up at his house again even after the wedding. Perhaps it was time for the new couple to open their doors to friends.
Somehow she convinced her son that he should throw a dinner party to introduce his new wife socially, something small with close friends without a lot of pomp. She had to see up close if it was true that they were an estranged couple, if they were that meant it wasn't working and if it wasn't working why not speed up the process?
That night several acquaintances and friends of the whole family arrived, Deanna was cordial and reserved, as she was expected to behave. And Harry was still worried and feeling guilty.
- Tell me, my dear, what did you do before you married Daniel? - asked one of Camilla's friends, as if she didn't know.
- I was studying at the University with Harry and Laura.
- So you gave up your studies to get married. What did you study? -
- Singing.
- Deanna sings very well - Harry remarked.
During the rest of the dinner, every time Deanna was asked a question or she had a conversation with someone Harry always had a comment along the lines of "Deanna is very good at this" or "Deanna is very clever with that". He had guilt and sought to atone for it somehow, but it seemed to Daniel that he was flattering her too much, as if she were his wife and not his sister-in-law.
The children said their goodbyes to go to bed and Deanna stood up to join them, somehow and without realizing it, it began to become part of their routines for her to walk them to their rooms and tuck little Jonathan in. It was a few more minutes of talking, the walk to their rooms. Her relationship with them was growing closer and closer.
Jonathan almost jumped into her arms and clung to Deanna's neck without further ado, as if he had done it all his life. Internally, Daniel looked forward to that moment in the evening every day, watching the four of them say goodbye and walk upstairs together. It was an intimate family moment and he enjoyed it.
When she returned Harry was waiting for her. He needed to talk to her and make sure she was okay, that Daniel was treating her well. The rest had already moved into the living room for coffee so he was able to intercept her earlier. They went out into the garden and stood chatting like they used to do on campus.
- Where is your wife, Daniel? - Camila asked him.
- She must still be with Jonathan.
- They are outside talking to Harry," said Laura.
Daniel stood up silently, sober faced, he had had enough of Harry; but he would take it out on Deanna.
He found them laughing loudly.
-Your wife is looking for you - Harry just looked at him and went back inside.
But when Deanna was about to do the same, he stopped her by holding her arm and closed the door.
- What's the matter? -
- Haven't we talked about this before? -
- About what? Can you let go? -
- They're all inside waiting for you and you're here with Harry. How come you're always with him?-
- We were just talking, now can you let go of me? -
- I don't know how else to tell you, Deanna... -
- First let go of me - She struggled a little and he let go.
- He's your brother-in-law now, you're not college friends anymore. All these meetings you're having on the sly have to stop -
- There was no meeting in secret, you can't forbid me to talk to my friend whenever I want to. You know what? You can't forbid me anything.
Harry went back to the room where everyone was, but Daniel and Deanna didn't come back. Suddenly there was a very loud noise, as if something had crashed against a wall. Harry became uneasy, the sound was coming from outside. They all stood up to find out what had happened.
They went to the window and saw the two still outside and it was clear they were arguing. Deanna was waving her arms and pointing at Daniel angrily, while he was apparently yelling at her. They couldn't hear what they were saying, but it was more than clear that the situation was out of control. Daniel could be very threatening when he lost control of his anger, but Deanna wasn't backing down, she was confronting him.
- Wow, the newlyweds are arguing- Said Camilla.
Harry knew his brother and he knew Deanna, he had to stop them.
- Daniel, stop it! - Harry shouted at him.
- Daniel, stop it! - Harry shouted at him.
- I told you the other day to shut up! -
- Your brother is insane! - Deanna turned to go back into the house.
- I'm not done talking to you! -
- I don't care! Fuck you! -
No one spoke to him like that, no one dared. All the guests froze, Daniel Crusher was known for being a cement block who imposed himself with or without words and now his wife was telling him to go to hell in front of anyone. Camila got a small smile on her face, it was true that they didn't get along.
The noise they had heard came again, Daniel threw one of the ornaments on the table outside against the wall for the second time. Harry stepped in front of him, blocking his way into the house for fear that he would follow Deanna inside. He knew his brother wasn't losing any arguments. If he didn't stop he was going to keep climbing, because Deanna wouldn't back down either.
- Daniel, calm down - Susan's voice was heard behind Harry.
- You've gone too far, brother - Harry told her.
- This is all your fault. Stay away from my wife -
- Your wife? -
Daniel locked himself in his office and Deanna in her room. It would be Camila's turn to dismiss the guests and apologize. She had been right to insist on dinner, not only did she get the doubts out of the way, but she did it in front of everyone. Now it would be known that Daniel and his wife were getting along badly, which would open up the "market" for their son again. His divorce was eminent; Daniel would never allow a woman to make a fool of him.