07

Nicholas was on his way home he was hungry and cranky. His assistant had taken the day off, while he did have a temp help out him with the work she forgot to order his lunch. After telling her off he left the office in a bad mood. She had the nerve to break out in tears he thought. He hated that with a vengeance when someone was at fault and started crying for sympathy. Still fuming he called the head of the HR department from the car and told him to fire the temp immediately. As Nicholas pulled up the driveway going inside the house the smell of food helped him calm down a bit.

« What’s for lunch Misha ? » He asked her as he entered the kitchen.

« Oh Good Afternoon, Sir Nicholas » Misha greeted

« Really still with the sir thing. I told you Nicholas is just fine »

« Nicholas, I’ve made some spaghetti with a bolognese sauce »

« Fine put some on a plate and bring it to the living room. » Nicholas said leaving the kitchen.

When he entered the living room Nicholas was busy checking the messages on his phone but when he sat down he felt something weird. Looking down towards his hand he saw a decorative sequinned pillow. He was still holding it when Misha came in with the plate of spaghetti and a glass of water on a tray.

« Misha what’s this ? » He asked holding it up.

« It looks nice doesn’t it Nicholas. Theora has such good taste who would’ve thought a vase and a few decorative pillows will make such a huge difference » Misha said.

Nicholas didn’t say anything just stared down at his plate.

« If you don’t need anything else Roberto and I have to make a quick visit to the grocery store » Misha said

« Fine you may leave » Nicholas said solemnly. He waited till Misha left before going upstairs.

« Theora ! » He roared entering her room without knocking. Theora was fixing her bras and underwear in the bottom drawer. Holding a lacy bra Theora froze looking up at Nicholas.

Nicholas looked down at the bra and Theora quickly stuffed it back in the drawer closing it.

« What’s this ? » He asked holding up the pillow.

« It’s a pillow » she replied meekly

« I know that, what is it doing in my living room ? »

« Well I thought »

« You thought what ! Who gave you the right ! I told you on the first day do whatever you want with your bedroom but don’t touch anything else in the house »

« Actually you said not to enter your room » Theora said quietly « you said nothing about the house »

« Well I’m telling you now ! » Nicholas boomed so loud Theora flinched still crouched down on the floor. He threw the pillow across the room and left angrily. Theora could feel the hot tears forming and they started flowing as she heard the vase shatter loudly downstairs.

Nicholas was busy signing papers in his office when his father entered.

« Done for the day ? » Leon asked leaning back into the chair.

« Almost just a few files to go over » Nicholas said briefly looking up from his file.

« The Reichman party is today. You’re going aren’t you ? » Leon asked starting up the pendulum on Nicholas’ desk.

« Yes I am »

« Then take Theora with you » his father suggested. Nicholas stopped writing hearing this he cursed in his head. He should’ve known Leon’s questioning who’ve lead to this.

« After all you’ve been married three maybe four months now and you have yet to take her anywhere. I know you’re currently too busy to take her on a honeymoon but you can take her here and there to parties and events or maybe dinner once in a while »

« Sure, you’re right. I’ll take her with me today » Nicholas smiled making sure he sounded like he meant it.

« You know Nicholas somethings you should figure out on your own. I shouldn’t have to spell it out for you each and every time on how to take care of your wife »

« Yes father I’ll keep that in mind » Nicholas said solemnly. His father nodded and got up.

« Order some flowers and take them with you when you go to pick her up » Leon ordered as he left the room.

Once the door was closed Nicholas punched his desk rattling everything on it. Pinching the bridge of his nose before reaching for the phone he dialled the house number.

« Hello Nicholas Markopoulos residence » Misha’s cherry voice sung through the phone

« Misha tell Theora to be ready by seven we’re going to a formal business event »

« Really ? » Misha squeaked in excitement « I’ll tell Theora right away »

« You do that » he said before hanging up.

God did he hate Theora. He hated her innocence, he hated those doe eyes of hers how they looked like a deer in headlights when he got angry. He hated how everytime he was with her something inside of his chest clenched. He hated that for the past freaking three months he couldn’t be with another woman because he wasn’t able « perform » when with them because she consumed his mind. He hated how Theora crept into his dreams so when he’d wake up in the morning everything was fine and dandy ready for service.