Welcoming My Father In-law

As I got home, I got into my room as I sank on my bed, tears streaming down my eyes. What have I done?

Shortly, my room door was pushed open, it was my husband who had walked in. With his cold expression, he spoke. Didn't bother to ask me where I had been.

“My father will be arriving soon. Don't let your crocodile tears ruin things for me."

His words struck me like a cold shower. I sat up on the bed, wiping away my tears, trying to regain control of my emotions.

"Of course, I won't," I replied, forcing a calmness into my voice that I didn't feel."

His expression softened slightly before he averted his gaze.

“Don't give him any reason to suspect what ever had happened between your best friend and I. If not, you will bear the consequences of your action," he warned. And with that, he left the room.

After the shower, I picked out an outfit. A simple dress that clung to my curves in all the right places. I applied minimal makeup and combed through my hair as it poured down my back.

As I admired myself in the mirror, I would not allow my tears to betray my strength.

Once I was done dressing, I left my room and made my way to the sitting room. As I entered the sitting room, my eyes wandered to the sight of my maids carrying some luggages inside the house.

One of the maids turned towards me, her face filled with excitement. She announced to me that my father in law was already here, her words sending a delightful shiver down my spine.

Without wasting another second, I hurriedly made my way outside to greet him. As I stepped onto the porch, my eyes sought out his arrival. The driver opened the car door as my father-in-law emerged.

As my eyes met his figure, an inexplicable shock coursed through my veins, and my smile instantly faded. There he was. He was that stranger, the one I had a one-night stand with last night.

I swiftly turned on my heels and walked back into the building. I was so fast that he didn't see me as I made my way to my room.

The thought of how my husband would react once he finds out the truth shattered me.

My mind exhausted, I collapsed onto my bed, tears pouring down my face. I cradled my head in my hands, lost in a storm of regrets and fears.

A few minutes later, I heard a knock on my door, sending fear down my spine.

"Ava!" My husband, Cornell voice called out. I quickly wiped away any traces of tears on my cheeks. I couldn't afford to let him see me like this. I took a deep breath, steadying my voice as I replied, "I'll be out soon."

I could now hear his footsteps retreating backwards. I needed a few more moments alone, to gather myself before facing anyone. As I looked at my reflection in the mirror, I made sure my tear-stained face was not obvious in the eyes as I made my way to the sitting room.

There he was, sitting in the armchair, his eyes were fixated on the television screen, seemingly unaware of my presence. As I approached, my husband's voice broke through the silence, introducing me. "Meet my wife, father,"

My father-in-law lifted his face to look at me, his eyes meeting mine. For a brief moment, time seemed to stand still as he recognized who I was. He knew what had happened, shock obvious in his eyes. But then, he saw the fear in my eyes.

“My son has told me so much about you." He replied with a smile and then I smiled back at him.

Deep down, I could sense the turmoil in his eyes but he chose to bury it.

I took my place beside my husband, his hand instinctively reaching for mine as he smiled at me.

Ever since that day, having my father in law around me made me feel uneasy. I feel threatened by his presence, scared that he would want to expose me to his son someday. On several occasions, he would approach me and began to stay about our last encounter, claiming he enjoyed it.