Once His Wife

That Green Emotion

"The greater the love, the greater the tragedy when it's over. Those two elements always go together."

-Nicholas Sparks, Nights in Rodanthe

Nathaniel

I gritted my teeth as I watch the car roars off with Chassie and her new found beau in it. He's probably the airy-fairy bastard who looks good upon his horse and a cape blown by the wind as he gallops in the woods, searching for a damsel in distress.

'Francesco was the name.' My mind enunciated in a way that had me tasting the acerbity in my own tongue.

I rolled my eyes in vexation of the inner voice. The guy looked like he just came out of an old fairytale book - the kind that doesn't interest Chassie.

Besides, with a skin too pale, he's mostly likely to be the one randomly taking apples from a stranger then foolishly putting himself in what they fictitiously call a sleep like death; not that mighty prince i***t to break the shitty spell.

The fact that I don't have anything to be feel irated about, irks me. I shepherded the thoughts to the furthest outskirts in my head, environed by high voltage barb wires which my mind wouldn't dare to trek through.

"Penny for your thoughts?" A woman's voice swerved me away from my trace of mind.

"My thoughts are not cheap, Kathie," I jested.

She laughs softly and strides over to my side. "So, what is in this view that you engrossed yourself into? You were staring at the road?" She nudges my arm playfully with hers.

"The lampposts are looking good." I shrug insouchantly.

Kathie's incredulous brow shoot right up. "Judging by the scowl on your face, the lampposts don't look good at all."

"Just leave my scowl alone," I muttered.

She giggles, her hazel eyes glinting to a lighter shade. We've been friends ever since I can remember and in those years, Kathie have always been the girl who always carries with her a basket chock-full of hugs and vibrant smiles for everyone in need of it. She walks around with a wreath of gold floating just inches over her head.

"Okay, then. If you want to look more wrinkly than an old hag," Kathie teases.

I chuckled, shaking my head at her.

"So," she mutters as she looks around the parking lot. "Where is my stubborn little sister? I thought she'll consider getting a lift home from you."

"She's with her boyfriend."

"She's with her boyfriend?" Kathie parroted, brows knitting together. She let out a heavy sigh. "I'm starting not to like this guy."

You shouldn't be liking that scumbag in the first place.

"You were saying something?" She turned to me.

I cleared my throat, unaware that I voice out the thought. "Nothing. She calls the guy Francesco."

Kathie nods slowly as though absorbing the tiny information I just spooned to her. "Hmm. Francesco," she mumbles, tasting the name.

Her shoulders drop down a little. Disappointment erodes the bubbly shimmer on her eyes. "Why didn't she tried talking to me about him?"

"Hey. It's okay. Chassie tells you everything."

She forced a smile. "She used to, Nathaniel. I don't know when she became so secretive."

Needles poke my left chest. I never told her when I saw Chassie in Italy. I knew I should but I remembered Kathie told me Chassie just wanted to be left alone. It made sense.

"What's he like?"

I blinked, shoveling the thought off. "Who?"

"The Francesco," she answers with a snort.

I rolled my eyes. "He looks a lot more like your type."

"And what do you mean by that?" She prompted.

"You know," I shrug. "A charming prince too immersed in looking good on his horse that he got hit by a branch."

Kathie flings a glare my way. "That is so not like my type."

"Really?" I chuckled. "Funny though. He looks like one."

"He's lame. That's what you're trying to say," she bites back.

I raised a brow at the accusatory tone in her voice. "No. Why are you turning the hot seat on me?"

She tsked and shakes her head in the most mocking way. "I know you, Nathaniel. I've known you for a really long time I'm surprised I didn't got bored of your face."

"You liked my face."

"But I knew someone who loved it so much," she says in a sing song voice as she wags her brows.

I laughed. "Okay, you gonna have to stop right there."

She fall into fits of giggles. "I better go. I'm going to be late for my date." The genuine smile crawled back to her lips.

"Date with your billboard guy?"

She purses her lips and folded her arms over her chest in extreme annoyance. "Don't make fun of my boyfriend. He is Owen Brenner. Not billboard guy. He's a fashion model, you dork."

I chuckled and put my hands in the air as if in defeat. "Fashion model it is then. You need a ride?"

Kathie snorts. "I have a car. Thank you very much," she mumbles, pointing her thumb over her shoulder.

Her VW is parked beside my black Audi along witn the assortment of cars arrayed like troops for battle.

"Your car will be fine. You'll save gas if you go with me."

She tilted her, contemplating my offer. "Okay."

I grinned victoriously.

"Let's go already," she shrugs. "What are we waiting for? Christmas?" Kathie grasped my wrists and started to drag me with her. Clearly, it was a futile attempt since I'm more built and her being petite is not a tad bit helpful.

So, I just let her led me to my car herself - right through the ample gaps between the neat lines of cars in the parking lot. We hopped in right away.

I turned the ignition to life and drove off the parking lot.

"Let's check out Italia del gusto," Kathie suggested after strapping herself in. "Owen is still on his last photoshoot. A little detour would be great to kill the time."

I cast her a glance and replied with a shrug.

She smiles broadly.

We were comfortable with the silence but she turned on the stereo for some music. I didn't mind though. I could use some music right now.