36. The Poisoning

**Bianca**

**Over one year ago**

“You’ve gotten quiet,” Conroy said. When I didn’t answer, gingerly removed the dishcloth from my hand.

I sighed and glanced up at him. “Maybe I just don’t feel like talking.”

“We both know there is more to it than that.”

I picked up another dishcloth, dried a new freshly washed plate and placed it in the dishrack.

“Are you still thinking about what that woman said?”

I nodded. After considering it, I turned to stare up at his concerned face.

“Is it possible that there’s some truth to what she said?” I asked. “That you would fall for some werewolf girl because ‘no self-respecting man would want a woman stronger than him’?”

Conroy frowned as he furrowed his eyebrows. “I know a bunch of people, including werewolf women, who I’ve met long before I met you. What do you think, Bianca? Why would I choose you if that were the case?”

I tore my gaze away from him and stared down at the sink, not saying a word. He sighed.

Conroy’s right hand gently held my waist as his other hand cupped my cheek.

“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said that. Regardless of who I know I get why that thought would fuel your fears. I’m not leaving nor am I going anywhere near another woman, Bianca. I’m not so insecure that I’ll look for another woman to tend to my ego. I love you, so you’re stuck with me for life.”

It made me smile when he said that, so much so that I buried my face into the crook of his neck. “I’m really blessed to have you, Conroy.”

“Same here. You married me when your family opposed it. I’m very lucky to have a wife that loves me so much.”

I nodded in agreement, simply enjoying the feeling of being in his arms and being near him. He pulled us apart, leaving just enough space for me to have a full view of his face.

“Will you be going anywhere today?” Conroy asked.

“My sister wanted to go out, but I have a feeling she’s just going to annoy me with some gossip or talk about her boyfriend non-stop, so I told her I was busy and that I would be busy for the whole day.” I shrugged. “I’m sure I can find something to occupy my time here. That way it won’t be a lie.”

Conroy chuckled. He kissed me. “Sounds like a plan. My assistant accidentally scheduled a meeting for me. Seems like he made a mistake in checking the dates. Looks like I won’t be here for a couple of hours, but I should be back in time to enjoy the rest of my day off with you.”

“Yeah, yeah. I know.” My hands reached down to squeeze his butt. “Just don’t stay out too long, okay? I don’t know if I’ll cook, but I wanna eat with you before it gets too late.”

“Thai takeout?” He asked with a smile. A similar smile surfaced on my face.

“Thai is a great idea.”

With another kiss, he told me that he was leaving and to relax for the day. I waved farewell. After he left and the door closed behind him, I took a look at our apartment. The dishes are done but I wanted to get the apartment tidied up before he came back. Then I could relax and have a snack until it’s time to order.

While he goes to work, I usually stay here. In my mind there is no reason for me to go out unless it’s important. For the longest time I wanted to go to a restaurant and chill while enjoying myself with some good food, but I didn't want to go out alone. What if someone I knew saw me and thought that I didn’t have any friends to spend time with? I hated to admit it, but I was pretty sensitive to how I was perceived. The most I would do is stay for a while at a cafe or a fast food joint.

But I’m breaking out of it. WIth Conroy’s encouragement I’m sure I’ll stop caring what people think. My parents can’t whisper in my ears anymore. I speak my mind more often than I used to, so that’s an improvement.

The thing is, what now? I’ve graduated college but I have no specific career path in mind.

Conroy had taken over his family’s business a long time ago.

Nickoya will no doubt take over our family’s main business.

But what about me?

I couldn’t imagine a career that I could stick with, but I didn’t want to stay home all the time either.

It’s not like we needed the money. Just by looking at the setup of our apartment alone anyone could tell that I didn't need to work at all for the rest of my life.

There is no way in hell that I’m asking to work under my parents. Should I follow my grandmother’s lead and become a landlord?

That’s a thought for another day. All I could think about was the chocolate pudding waiting on me in the refrigerator door.

I aimed the remote at the stereo. Soon, pop music started to play. I changed into a long flowing skirt and picked up the little pillows off the ground to be returned to the couch. Conroy cleaned the bathroom near our bedroom. That being the case, after a little vacuuming I should be done.

That’s when the doorbell rang.

I turned off the vacuum cleaner and listened. It didn't ring again.

My ears weren't playing a trick on me, were they?

To be sure, I went straight to the front door and peered through the peephole. There was no one there. Yet there is a faint scent.

I opened it and looked both ways. No one. But there was a large bouquet of flowers on the outside side of the hall, just outside the peephole's line of vision.

I recognized the wrapped around the flower stems and smiled. It's a bouquet from the flower store Conroy usually purchased from.

With my anxiety gone and my guard lowered, I approached it and picked it up. Conroy must have ordered a delivery on his way to work as an apology for having to leave. I brought them into the apartment, my nose buried in fragrant roses.

If I had given it some more thought, I would have wondered why the delivery man left the flowers here without confirming if someone was home. I would have realized that the faint scent I picked up was now coming from the apartment.

If only I had taken those little things into account, then maybe I could have avoided the syringe heading straight for my neck as soon as I stepped through the door.