MARRY MY HUSBAND

CHAPTER FIVE(the first seed )

The rain had started early morning, drops sliding down the office window in uneven lines people chatting about ruined umbrellas, about traffic but I barely heard them . The steady tap of rain against the glass felt like a drum , marking time I couldn't waste .

At lunch , Claire grabbed me by the arm , her nails grazed my sleeves , the touch too familiar, too possessive.

“Sophie “, she said brightly, come sit with us .

Us.meaning her and Henry. Her eyes sparkles, testing me again . I let her lead me to the table , my tray balanced neatly in my hands .

Henry was already there , leaning back with the proudness of a man convinced he owned every seat in the room . That the world revolves around him .

“Sophie, he greeted, his grin too wide .

Finally, you've been avoiding me .

I set my tray down carefully “ not avoiding. Just busy “.

“Always busy “ Claire echoed, sliding into her chair beside him . Her tone was playful, but her eyes were sharp moving between us .

I stirred my soup with my spoon watching the steam move upwards .

Then lightly I said , Claire you're lucky, you've always been able to handle everything without looking tired . If Henry were smart , he'd learn from you .

The word dropped like a bomb in Henry's ear

Claire smile froze for half a second before she laughed “ what do you mean ?

I met her gaze evenly “ just that you always seem capable. Even more than most men here .

Across the table Henry shifted .his posture straightened, his spoon clinking against the bowl , he left out a fake laugh so loud , too quick as he allows his ego overshadow him

“Don't compare us I'm the one taking care of things she just tags along .

Claires nail tapped against the table one, two, three , her smile didn't slip , but the rhythm betrayed her .

I took a sip of my soup , pretending not to notice “ if you say so “.

The storm outside increased , wind rattling the glass , by late afternoon most of the office was restless , eager to leave before the streets flooded to avoid traffic, I delayed, double checking my files , waiting

Sure enugu, Henry approached, his tie loosened , jaw tight

“Don't say things like that at lunch “ he whispered low enough that no one else could hear .

I looked up slowly “ like what?”

You know what . About Claire being more capable than me . Don't embarrass me in front of people.

Embarrass. that was the word he choose

Not hurt , not confuse ,EMBARRASS.

I leaned back in my chair, crossing my arms

“If you're that insecure maybe it's not my words you should be worried about.

His mouth opened, and dropped as if he just saw a ghost , he stared at me , lost , as if I had spoken in another language, finally he hissed “ you've changed”

The word again . Always the same .

“ Maybe I have , I said softly

He stormed off, his footsteps heavy against the tiles .

That evening Claire called , her voice came through the phone sweet but manipulative

“Sophie , are you free this weekend?

I stared at the dark window , as the rain kept drizzling “ defends. Why?

“ I thought we could go shopping just us ,like old times .

We haven't done that in a while . Her attempt at closeness was visible a test , a leash .

“ Maybe I said after a long silence, I'll let you know .

When I hung up , I let the phone rest in my lap , my fingers firm around it . She was worried. Good.

But as thunder rolled outside the uncertainty in my chest increased. I hadn't just pulled away .I'd push, and pushing too hard could make them strike sooner .

I opened my dairy , the pen shaking slightly in my hand .

“They're cracking “I wrote. But cracks can split both ways .

The page blurred for a moment the rain reflection showing across the ink i pressed harder . Underlining the word

Stay in control.