CHAPTER TWO — THE FUTURE IS UNCERTAIN.

Chapter Two.

THE FUTURE IS UNCERTAIN.

Alaric's POV.

I want to believe that this is where the phrase, ‘It is indeed a small world’ comes into play because who would have thought that I would come across my one-night stand on the streets of New York? But then, the look on her face just says it all: she doesn't recognise me.

However, I expected nothing less. It was a one-night stand after all and everything that happened that night meant nothing since we both went our separate ways.

“Yes, I am.” she said, narrowing her gaze at the words that seemed to drag themselves from her throat. “However, I don't think I know you.”

“Of course, you don't.” I said, barely breathing the words. “It has been such a long time.”

“Pardon? Did you just say something?” she asked, with a raised brow. “I don't think I heard what you said right now.”

“No, I didn't say anything.” I said, forcing a smile through my lips. “I shouldn't keep you waiting; you should be on your way.”

“Are you sure you're alright?” she asked, her voice laced with concern. “Or perhaps, do you know me? Your face looks a little familiar but—”

She tilted her head to both sides as if trying to weigh her options while holding me firmly in her gaze. But then, I was quick to figure out what she was trying to do.

“No, it doesn't.” I said, cutting her off as I dropped my face. “I am just like every other person you come across each day.”

“Alright then.” she said, with a smile on her lips. “See you around then.”

Even after saying those words, she glanced at me for a few seconds, trying to study my face. Then after a while, she turned around and went her way. But there I was, staring at her as she walked further away from me. Meanwhile, she glanced over her shoulder a few times, staring back at me as she continued on her way with that feeling that she'd seen me somewhere.

As I stood there, staring at her as her footsteps receded down the sidewalk, the honking of a van brought me back to the moment. Although, I wasn't standing in its way but perhaps a few others were and the driver, whoever he happened to be, needed to alert them that he was approaching.

I'd barely stepped out of my house to clear my mind but what did I get instead? An awkward encounter with my one-night stand from years back. Nonetheless, I attempted to take a step forward, but I couldn't. If at all I felt a weight on my shoulders before stepping out of my house, then it had become double. And so, rather than going any further, I turned around and returned home.

As I gripped the doorknob and turned it open, I met my wife standing beside the center table with arms folded across her chest defiantly, while resting her body weight on one foot and raising a brow. I knew exactly what that posture meant, but I was in no mood for arguments. Nonetheless, I froze, rooted to the spot.

“Where are you coming back from?” she asked, with an edge to her voice. “I stepped into the kitchen to bring your meal only to meet your absence. You had just one job to do: wait for me.”

“Yes, I know, and I'm sorry to have left to the way I did.” I said, heaving a rather depressing sigh. “However, my mind and my head was a cloud of thoughts. So, I needed to do away with some of them.”

“What thoughts?” she asked, with a tinge of curiosity in her voice. “Is it—”

“No, it's not.” I said, cutting her off before she would start getting the wrong thoughts. “Well, you know… look I just had to step out for a moment. I thought I could use the serenity of the night.”

“And you didn't think that there was any need to tell me?” she asked, with a raised brow. “Or don't you think I might as well have loved to use a good atmosphere; the serenity of the night?”

“It was just a quick thought.” I said, with a shrug of my shoulder. “And I acted upon it as it came. But I'm sorry. I'll put you in mind when next the thought returns.”

“Alright, but why are you looking like you just saw someone you've been trying to avoid?” she asked, shooting suspicious glances at me. “Is there something wrong? Or is there something that you aren't telling me?”

“No, there's nothing wrong.” I said, shaking my head as I ambled towards the sitting room. “And I am not hiding anything from you.”

“Alaric?”

“It is nothing, really.” I said, with a subtle nod of my head. “I just happen to come across an old friend. That's all.”

“Would your old friend put this look on your face?” she asked, cocking her head to the side. “It doesn't make any sense.”

“Well, I wasn't expecting to see him.” I said, perching up on the couch. “And I guess he wasn't expecting to see me either. Hence, the look on my face.”

“It still doesn't make any sense.” she said, shaking her head as she gazed at me with reproving eyes. “However, I won't say any more than I have said because I don't want us arguing again. Neither do I want you to step out because of me.”

As the words fell upon my ears, I opened my mouth to correct her. But then, she continued.

“Even though I know you didn't step out because of me.”

Well, it was necessary to correct her before she would have in mind that I actually stepped out because of her considering the kind of person she was: fragile at heart. It was best to always help her understand things so that she doesn't get the wrong assumptions which would begin to make her think that I'm doing a thing or two at her back.

“I wouldn't do that.” I said, shaking my head. “You ought to know me dear.”

“Of course, I do.” she said, flashing a smile across my worried face. “Now, before your meal gets cold, you should eat it.”

She bent over slightly, took off the covering of the meal, placed it gently on the tray and then lifted her gaze to me, expecting that I would start eating already. However, when I didn't respond the way she had expected me to, a look of concern masked her face.

“Is there something wrong?” she asked, narrowing her gaze at the words. “Are you certain it was your old friend you saw and not someone else? Alaric?”

“Come on, Stacy.” I said, expecting her to believe my words. “I'm not hiding anything from you dear. We've been together for the past twelve years, so trust shouldn't be an issue between us. Believe me when I say that there's nothing wrong.”

“You didn't need to remind me that we've been together for the past twelve years.” she said, her voice dropping. “It only reminds me that there's nothing to show for it.”

“Hey, I didn't mean it that way.” I said, righting myself from the couch as I took some steps towards her. “When the time is right, we'll have our own children.”

“I have been holding onto that word for a long time now.” she said, trying to steady her voice. “But do we even know when that time will come?”