Why are you difficult?
1161 Words
The next morning, Tam woke up with swollen eyes but a warm, lighter heart.
When she went downstairs for breakfast and saw Stone sitting next to Catie, she simply glanced once and looked away.
“Nice of you to finally show up,” Stone muttered, looking visibly irritated.
Tam pulled out her chair and sat down quietly, then her eyes swept across dishes on the table. Everything contained tree nuts. She felt nauseous as the aroma hit her nostrils from up close, so she quietly stood to leave.
“Are you leaving?” Catie asked softly. “Is my presence making you uncomfortable?”
The question didn’t sound unreasonable to Tam, so she answered plainly. “Not at all,” and shifted to go, but Stone’s voice stopped her again.
“You are leaving without eating now?” His voice carried the familiar tone that always sounded like an accusation. “What is it this time? You cannot appreciate food anymore? Or are you really uncomfortable with Catie's presence?”
Tam stared at him for a moment, her throat burning with unspoken words and hurt, but she pushed it down and reminded herself of her plans for freedom, plus she had her best friend to see and could not afford to let anyone ruin her mood before then.
Tam opened her mouth to speak when Mrs Chen, the head chef, entered, already apologizing. “I am so sorry, Mrs Carter. I did not set your food on the table. I can have Clara bring it out or you are welcome to eat in the kitchen.”
A bitter smile tugged at Tam's lips. She no longer had an appetite for food but saying that before Stone was not an option.
Stone frowned. “What do you mean her food is different? Since when?” He turned to Tam. “And since when do you get separate meals when you don’t even bring a dime into this house?”
Tam froze, even Mrs Chen couldn’t control her expression while Catie’s shoulders relaxed. For a second, Catie had thought Stone was defending Tam.
“Stone, calm down. I am sure there’s a reason.” She placed her hand over his own on the table and rubbed it slowly, more provocatively than gently. “Why not let Tam or Mrs Chen explain?”
Watching their hands, Tam felt her stomach turn. Their conversation from last night flashed through her mind and for a brief moment she wanted to put a slap across both their faces, but she didn’t.
Mrs Chen cleared her throat. “Mr Carter, Mrs Carter is allergic to tree nuts and most of the dishes were prepared this way because Miss Hayes requested it.”
‘So it was this sympathetic-looking woman who placed the order.’
‘Well, whatever. At least I can now leave.’ Tam mused, about to leave again but Stone scoffed.
“Why are you so difficult, Tam? Who on earth is allergic to tree nuts?”
Tam looked at him and wondered how she had stayed in love with him for so long.
What a senseless fool…!
“Tam, I'm so sorry,” Catie said, bringing Tam out of her shocking realization. “I only wanted to share a Parisian breakfast with Stone. I had no idea about your…”
“Come on, Catie, do not apologize to her. It is not your fault she cannot handle normal food.” Stone squeezed Catie’s hand gently, smiling softly until he turned back to face Tam with a straight expression. “You can go ahead.”
Tam exhaled slowly and walked away before any of them could find another reason to speak. She would eat properly once she met Alexia.
Hours later, Stone walked into their room, which he had abandoned long ago. His heart stirred at the sight of Tam quietly styling her long, ink-black hair.
Was he really finding her attractive? No way!
To him, Tam was too bland, but he had never denied her looking peaceful and beautiful.
Tam heard footsteps and turned toward the door. When their eyes met, Stone’s heart flustered, but he quickly shook his head like it could fix his scattered thoughts, then he stepped fully into the room.
“Get ready to escort Catie to the mall,” Stone said coldly.
“I have prior arrangements, so I will ask one of the servants to accompany her,” Tam said gently even though she was boiling with anger at Stone’s audacity.
Stone frowned. “You will ask one of the servants? What are you then?”
Tam’s eyes turned cold as she stared daggers into his, unflinching.
Stone added. “Catie is a guest in this house and you are my wife, so it’s your place to make sure she is comfortable.”
It was only after the explanation left his mouth that he questioned why he said it.
“I already have a lunch date fixed, Stone. I can’t go to the mall.”
A dark look crossed Stone’s face briefly before fading. “With who?” he asked. “You have no friends. The only one you had left on her own out of jealousy after you married me.”
‘Alexia, jealous because I married you? Not in another lifetime.’ Tam scoffed, and Stone noticed it.
“Something is funny?” Stone asked, flaring up. He could no longer contain the visible disdain in Tam’s expression since she came down for breakfast.
‘Is this her tantrum over the anniversary I missed? Or is it because of Catie? Or wait… is she seeing someone? A man!’
“Are you cheating on me, Tam?” His eyes scanned her body. “Have you gotten yourself a man on the side? Don’t forget you are a married woman.” Stone knew he had no right to say such things but he could not help the ache he felt at the thought of her cheating.
‘Is that someone's conscious speaking?’
Tam said nothing and this only drove Stone crazier.
“I know you can’t afford being the payer, so tell me, how much is he paying you?” he closed the distance between them, lurking over her like a hawk.
‘What a joke!’
Tam’s patience finally snapped. “Are you being serious right now, Stone? What is that supposed to mean?” Her eyes burned with anger. Stone, on the other hand, seemed almost pleased. Her earlier calmness had bruised him inside and getting a reaction out of her now satisfied him.
Without waiting to hear another word, he straightened and said, “Be downstairs in thirty minutes. Do not make me wait or think of going on that date, else I will make sure whoever you see today disappears by tomorrow.”
Tam stood there, her fingers curled at her sides. How dare he threaten her? She wanted to tear him apart and feed his flesh to dogs.
- Writer
