Remarried to the Scorned

Morning after trouble

Brian.

I felt anger rise inside me at the sight awaiting me in the living-room. I met Sandra and another cop standing there while he asked her questions. I heard the cop outside walking behind me as I entered the house. He had stopped me with his gruff voice but I identified myself and he eyed me skeptically for a few moments before allowing me through.

“Sandra,” I said and she turned around to face me. Relief appeared on my face and she walked towards me. I opened my hands to receive her and she walked into it. “What the hell happened?” I asked.

“I didn't see their faces so I don't know who they were or what their intentions were,” she said. “I'm not sure if any was stolen yet so I can't tell if they were thieves or not.”

I directed my gaze at the cop. “Good evening………”

“Officer Matthews,” he offered.

“Officer Matthews,” I repeated. “Can you tell me what happened here? Did you catch the people responsible?”

“No. But we'll find them,"he replied. “I can assure you that.”

“How exactly did everything happen?” I asked. One would think two angry bulls had locked horns inside the living room. The chairs, television, paintings and many other things were scattered about. Whatever the intruders had been looking for, they certainly went to great trouble to find it. The fact that nothing was missing attested to the fact that they didn't fulfill their aim and I found myself wondering what exactly it had been.

Sandra narrated everything to me but there was only a little difference from what she told me on the phone. The cops stuck around for a while, assessing damages and asking a few more questions, before leaving. I heard their car drive away as I returned to the house.

“Are you okay?” I asked her.

She nodded and said, “what are we gonna do now?”

“There's not much,” I replied. “The cops said they'll find them so we have to trust that.” I went towards one of the paintings and picked it up. It was one of a man standing on a mountain looking out over the city. The intruders hadn't been aware of the value of the paintings they had tossed about in their search.

“How was your party?” She asked. “Sorry I cut it short.”

For the first time since I got home, my mind went to Sylvia and I found myself missing her company. But I couldn't entertain that kind of thought now that I was with Sandra and I thought of something else to try to kick it out, only that the next thought that popped into my mind was worse. Feeling guilty about imagining Sylvia's naked body, I turned away from Sandra as if my thoughts would spring to my face and be exposed.

“I'm going up to bed. Let's go get some rest,” I said and started walking towards the stairs.

“How about this?” She asked, indicating the living room with her hands.

“That would have to wait till tomorrow morning,” I replied. “I'm very tired right now.”

“Alright,” she said. “You go ahead, I'll join you shortly.”

I heard her going through the mess as I headed up the stairs. There was a mess in the room, too, but it was small, compared to what was in the living-room. Sighing, I rearranged everything as best as I could and I slumped into bed afterwards. I was already dozing off when I heard Sandra come in some minutes later. I heard a click and I turned to face her.

“Why are you locking the door?” I asked.

“I suddenly don't feel comfortable sleeping with the door open,” she replied. “What if they came back or another group of people did?”

I could see that shaken by what had happened and I couldn't blame her. “Don't worry about that, Sandra,” I assured. “I'm here now. You're safe.”

She hesitated for a moment, watching me as if checking if I might disappear any moment, then she returned to the door and unlocked it. I turned back on my side and closed my eyes. The bed dipped a little when she climbed in and I felt her hand snake under mine afterwards. Her breasts pressed against my back as she snuggled against me. I turned and wrapped my hands around her tightly and we fell asleep like that.

She woke up first the next morning and I met her in the kitchen preparing breakfast. She looked better than she was last night and she even smiled at me when I walked into the kitchen. I went to kiss her and I stood and watched as she continued making breakfast. After eating, we cleared the living room together and I went to have my bath afterwards. My phone rang as I was returning to the room and I answered it after seeing that it was Larry.

“Good morning,” he said in a more cheerful tone than usual. Larry was mostly a serious person and can't remember seeing him having more than three emotions.

“What's up, Larry?” I said. “You sound really excited this morning.”

“Man, I am. I might have just landed the biggest client in the city,” he replied.

“Uhh, shouldn't that be me?” I asked. I put the phone on speaker and placed it on the bed, then I continued drying myself with the towel.

“Not to me,” he replied. “Anyways, I was able to add Lancecorps to my account and I might have to represent them in the case they have next week.”

“Hold on.” I stopped what I was doing and stared at the phone as if it was Larry himself. “Lancecorps?”

“The one and only,” he replied. “They ar—”

“Larry,” I said, as if he had just done something forbidden.”

“Yes, yes, I know,” he said. “They are among your competitors for the market and all but this is too big an offer to pass up, Brian.”

“I already offered you a chance to be my lawyer but you refused,” I reminded. I went to my closet and opened it, my eyes resting on a deep blue suit I seldom wore.

“Come on, Brain. That wouldn't work out so well, us being close friends and all. It's too close to home,” he said in an appeasing manner.

“Who cares?” I asked. “People are doing it, Larry.” I decided against the suit and settled for a T-shirt and jeans instead.

“I can't, Brian. Let's just forget it," he said.

“Alright,” I said. “The case you want to represent them in, does it have anything to do with the lawsuits piled against them?”

“Mostly,” he replied. “To be honest, I was surprised when they reached out to me, considering the type of lawyers they had on their payroll.”

“You're probably better than all of them,” I said.

“Yeah, Maybe. Where are you?” He asked.

“Just about leaving home. I got a few things to settle at the office. How about you?”

“Heading to Lancecorps right now. They requested a meeting,” he replied.

“Breakfast is ready.”

I turned around to see Sandra standing in the doorway.

“Okay,” I said to her. “I'll be down soon.”

She blew me a kiss before disappearing and I returned my attention to the phone.

“Was that Sandra?” Larry asked.

“Yes,” I replied. “Who else?”

“Who knows? You might be back to your ways,” he said.

“f**k you,” I said and he chuckled. “I'll see you later.”

“Yeah, sure. Call me.”

“Oh, I forgot to tell you,” I said, “the house was invaded last night.”

“What do you mean invaded?” He asked.

“I'll tell you about it when we see. Later, man.” I ended the call and started buttoning my shirt. My phone rang again a few minut

es later and I moved towards the bed to pick it up. I took a glance at the caller ID and all I could do was smile.