Chapter 25 Realization
Zachary invited himself for a coffee at Cindy's apartment which the latter scoffingly agreed.
Stepping out of the elevator, Moriah and Zachary were chuckling at Cindy's antics when she spotted Ethan. He was standing there like a ferocious lion ready to pounce on his prey.
"Hey pal," Zachary draped his arm over Ethan's shoulder.
"What are you doing here?" Ethan asked with a grim expression. He somewhat envied him that his wife seemed to enjoy his company.
"They invited me to have a coffee," Zachary answered, looking smug.
Cindy and Moriah simultaneously rolled their eyes and giggled as they walked past them.
Ethan noticed that Moriah's thick and waist length wavy auburn hair was now straight and shorter, several inches were trimmed and it was in v shape.
Ethan clenched his teeth, she had a makeover because of Shaun. He knew exactly what Shaun liked. He preferred straight hair, not too short and not too long.
Cindy went straight to the kitchen to make coffee when they entered her apartment while Moriah and Ethan and Zachary remained in the living room.
Not wanting to be a third wheel, Zachary followed Cindy into the kitchen.
"Why are you here?" Cindy was infuriated to see him.
"I don't want to be a third wheel," he grinned while he ran a hand on his head and then sat on the chair next to Cindy.
Moriah took off her knee length coat, revealing her sexy outfit.
"What are you wearing?" Ethan asked in a tone laced with anger.
The black leather mini skirt and a form fitting long sleeve turtleneck top matched with knee length boots were way too sexy for his liking. He didn't like his wife wearing clothes revealing her ravishing body.
Moriah pretended not to hear him and sat on the couch. Her skirt came up, her thighs that make men drool were displayed.
Ethan swallowed hard and removed his suit, covered Moriah's thighs and sat next to her.
"Why on earth are you dressed like that?" His hard and icy tone turned Moriah's heart bloody cold.
"It's none of your business," she answered.
"I'm your husband, it's my business," the way he put a stress on his every word disgusted Moriah.
She scoffed inwardly, he can switch from being married to a bachelor and vice versa whenever he likes it.
"Coffee is here," Cindy sauntered to the living room, Zachary in tow.
"Did you like your wife's makeover?" Zachary teased him as he saw Ethan's suit laying on Moriah's thighs.
Ethan sipped his coffee as if he had not heard Zachary's question.
"I was the one who chose their outfit," he said to goad Ethan.
"You really have a bad taste," Ethan sneered at Zachary.
Moriah flinched at Ethan's comment. So, he reacted badly because she didn't look good. She didn't pass his standard. In his eyes Hazel is the epitome of beauty and perfection.
"You mean, your wife didn't look good in her outfit today?" Zachary didn't know if he would laugh or cry at Ethan's remark.
He was an expert in choosing outfits for women. For all his women, he had been choosing clothes for them and they were always praised for their outfit. This man is spouting nonsense.
"Man, if you only saw every man's reaction towards your wife when we were at the restaurant," Zachary nodded his head while chuckling and continued, "you will be tempted to gouge their eyes"
That is exactly why he didn't want Moriah to dress like that. He preferred the innocent Moriah clad with the scrub suit, the Moriah, who wore non provocative clothes. The only time he wants her dress provocatively is within the four walls of their bedroom. He is the only one who has that right to see her body - his eyes feasting on her beautiful body.
"Mr Brown and Mr Miller, I don't want to be rude to you, but my friend and I need our beauty rest," Cindy said after making sure that both Ethan and Zachary had drank their coffee.
"Alright, I got it," Zachary stood up.
"Thanks for the dinner and coffee," Zachary said as he walked to the door and halted in his tracks when Ethan didn't stand. "Buddy, the ladies wanted to have a rest, we have to leave."
Ethan stood up, looked at Moriah and said in a commanding tone, "Get up!"
"Cindy will send you to the door, I'm already too tired to walk," she handed Ethan's suit for him, which he swiftly put on before he picked her up in his arms.
"Hey, what are you doing?"
"Carrying you in my arms," the corner of Ethan's lips curled up ever so slightly momentarily.
"Put me down, I want to rest," she said.
"You'll have your rest while we're in the car," Ethan walked to the door.
"No, I'm going to stay here for the night," she squirmed from his arms but Ethan wouldn't let her go.
"I'll be away for a business trip two days from now. You can stay here when I'm away," Ethan said to convince her to go home with him.
"How many months?" Moriah carefully concealed the sadness in her heart by asking him gleefully.
She felt ashamed of what she had become. She became a great pretender.
"I'm sorry to burst your bubble, wife, I won't be away for too long. It's just a one week business trip," he answered.
Is she that happy when he is away that long? She never complained to him when he was away for nearly four months. She never throws tantrums when he comes home late or never comes home for days and weeks. Ethan gritted his teeth, knowing that he was never that important to her.
Moriah was bewildered that she was rejoicing that he won't be away too long.
"Alright, I'm going home with you. Please put me down," Ethan put her down, he quickly took her coat and helped her put on the coat.
She turned to Cindy and said while hugging her, "I'm sorry."
"It's alright," Cindy patted her back and added, "I'm looking forward to that day you'll stay here with me for a week." "Me too, I'm excited," Moriah said before leaving.
From Cindy's place until they arrived home, not one of them initiated a conversation. Inside the car was a spine chilling silence.
At once, Moriah got out of the car when the car came to a full stop in front of the mansion. George was already at the door waiting for them. Moriah took off her coat and handed it to George.
She felt an intense gaze boring her back and she needed not to turn back to know who it was. She was sure that it was her husband.
As if she was chased by a ghost, Moriah quickened her steps. She had a hunch that something she didn't want would happen. And the impression she had was confirmed when Ethan pinned her against the wall right after they entered the room.
He kissed her savagely, not giving her a chance to protest. Right then and there, Ethan had his way on Moriah. "Expect me to do this to you if you dress yourself like that again," he said while he catches his breath.
Moriah broke down as she felt the incredible pain of realization, recognition, and resignation. She had fallen for him. She loved him now, but at the same time she hated and resented him because he doesn't love her and only uses her for his carnal pleasure.
The only certainty she had in their relationship was the awareness that Ethan hated her more than she ever could imagine, and she had no idea how she was going to protect her vulnerable heart from the woe that he was so capable of inflicting on her.
Sobbing uncontrollably, her knees gave way, Ethan gathered her in his arms and laid her on the bed and covered her with a sheet.
He took pajamas for her and wet towels to clean her. After cleaning her and putting her in pajamas, he tucked her under the duvet. He watched her closely as tears flowed nonstop until her breathing became even a sign that she fell asleep. Then he proceeded to collect their clothings that were strewn across the room, afterwards he freshened up before heading to the study.