3 C.R.I.M.E.S

Chapter 9

Jacqueline POV

I bit my lip, sitting silently on the bed as Joseph moved around the room. We weren't speaking to each other and the silence was... bad, but a lot of things were said last night and neither of us were willing to apologise because we knew what we said was the true.

He walked out of the room without saying goodbye, shutting the door behind him. I got up, glad he finally left and began my daily morning routine.

I went down for breakfast, to see only Natalya was sitting there. I was glad when Joseph didn't show up the entire time we were eating. She and I had a great time together. I gave her a bath and we played around in her room, doing everything we could. I tried to make sure that she didn't notice that things were different between her father and I.

I only made my way back to the bedroom after lunch whilst Natalya was taking her afternoon nap.

I made my way to my suitcase, which was packed haphazardly from the last time, and opened it. I packed my clothes away neatly into the wardrobe then pulled out my journal and pen.

Sitting on the bed, I set the journal down ready to pour out my feelings into words. A place where no one will judge me.

Dear Journal

I don't really know what's the difference between a journal and a diary. Call me stupid, I honestly could not be bothered at this point.

Up until this point I haven't been completely emotionally invested in this. At times I'd mince my words or swallow them because I didn't want this problem between Joseph and I to be fixed.

But I've come to realise that this just won't work anymore. I've only been going for more than a week of couples counselling and I can honestly say, that Angela, you know your s**t.

I don't remember the last time I heard Joseph yell, well, at me at least.

It's just the beginning and I already feel like it's been years. There's a kind of silence between us. We've never really spent time just talking about our problems with each other (pillow talk not included). So it's hard to hear it only when you're arguing and it's even harder when they don't even give an apology even if it’s to keep your feelings intact.

It's hard and it's draining, it takes you through an emotional roller coaster. I mean one minute he'll be speaking and I'll think to myself about what a wonderful man he is and that there is no one better out there for me, but there are moments when I just...I just hate his goddamn guts to the point where I can’t even imagine a second more with him.

However, it's about time we started sorting this out. It’s time we sat down and spoke and just be real with one another. Be completely honest and open.

I know it's going to be a long road but gosh...for Natalya. I'll do anything for her. Anything at all.

Jacqueline

I signed off the journal and looked up just in time to see Joseph enter the room. Without a word, we both went about doing whatever we had to. Mines was to continue packing my wardrobe and get out some arts and crafts designs to add some colour and life to my journal. I refused to continue using a bland book to convey all my thoughts and feelings in.

It was quiet, except for the noise coming from the TV. I breathed in deeply with my back facing his side of the room.

"Joseph," I called out softly, afraid to break the silence.

"Jacqueline," he responded, but his tone flat.

"We need to sort our issues out," I said turning to face him.

He silently stripped off his suit and walked to his wardrobe in only his underwear. Which was a damn sight, if I do say. That alone would make me jump him if I wasn't so mad. So I settled on my eyes roaming his sexy toned muscular body.

"We already are," he deadpanned as he put on a pair of sweatpants, coming to the bed shirtless.

"I know we are. I know we are," I agreed nodding, "but we need to start being more open. I mean, look at us, we're giving each other the silent treatment."

He sighed, finally looking at me.

"I want us to sort out our problems, not only for us but for Natalya as well. I want us to sit here next to each other and be honest with each other. Please, Joseph?"

"I'll do as much as I can."

"That's all I'm asking."

He leaned forward, planting a kiss on my temple, "anything for you, Jacqueline."

"Starting now?"

"No, I want to sleep now, but we can start tomorrow. Good night."

~~~

Angela POV

"We still didn't get to talk about the first date, did anyone write about it?" I asked the pair that had become my favourite yet most draining couple to deal with.

They both nodded. I noticed that today instead of their usual formal attire, they decided to go for a more casual look. Both sporting casual clothes yet still managing to look like a pair of models seated in my office. This led me to believe that they’d look effortlessly beautiful regardless of what they wore.

Joseph was in a pair of blue jeans and a white top that hugged his muscles in all the right places and showed off the tattoos on his biceps.

Jacqueline wore a pair of joggers and a white tank top with a simple pair of black Ugg’s.

This transition was something to be noted. I knew what it meant, but I was waiting to see if it was just only for today or if it’ll last for the rest of the week.

"I'll go first," Jacqueline said. Opening her journal.

~~~

Jacqueline POV

It felt like those good old times when Joseph and I would go on random dates, him watching me get ready and me taking forever to get ready.

He was always patient though, I think because I always told him that beauty takes time and after ages of him complaining under his breath he just learnt to accept it.

Now here I was, by my dressing table, my legs crossed as I delicately brushed on the highlighter and lipstick. As usual, Joseph sat on the bed and simply watched me as though he never got tired of me doing this even if it was the same routine every time.

"What?" I asked him, looking at him through the mirror. His eyes met mine and all he did was shrug. I rolled my eyes, smiling softly at his actions.

"It just amazes me," he stated, standing up and strolling to the other side of the room.

"What exactly amazes you?" I inquired as I looked at the time on my phone which sat perched against my make up brushes.

He walked towards me, holding my fur coat in his hands and as he slowly helped me put it on he said, "it amazes me what lengths you go to to put on all this make-up, when you look just as beautiful without it."

He placed a kiss on my neck, holding his hand out for me.

"Oh my god, you better not start with all that 'you look better without make-up talk again'," I rolled my eyes as he wrapped his arm around my waist.

He grabbed my phone and handed it to me, "is it such a crime to think that you look beautiful without all this make-up? Baby, you're an angel."

I smiled at him, looking down to pay attention to my phone.

"I need you to take a picture for me," I said to him as I got out of his arms and began to walk ahead of him, making my way down the stairs as fast as I could.

I walked towards the piano he had in one of the rooms at the bottom floor. Smiling as I entered that room I turned to see Joseph appear behind me after a couple of moments.

“Take my picture here," I instructed, handing him my phone and walking to the piano.

"Ok done," he said. I looked at him surprised.

"What? No, not yet, wait until I start posing," I said to him, trying hard to not roll my eyes.

"It still looks amazing," he said and I believed him. If I looked horrible in a picture he would tell me I looked terrible in it and if it's a good picture he'll tell me that it’s a good picture.

I shrugged, "let's take more."

"Ok, that's enough," I said finally after what felt like an hours worth of a photo shoot.

Though, I was the one constantly going on with him and asking him if I looked perfect and flawless with a certain pose. He just had to bare with me constantly telling him to 'take another one'.

"We should leave now, Jacqueline," he said, looking down at his watch.

I nodded, adjusting my dress as I walked towards him. I looped my arm through his and took my phone.

The house was empty and quiet with the only ones awake being the guards outside.

So maybe 00:45 was too late for a date, but this was the time Joseph and I always went out for whatever it was.

All he had to do was call and give his name and everything was set for him.

"Oh, I love this one," I said to him holding my phone up to show him the picture as we both got seated inside the hummer- limo.

He smiled as I showed him the picture, leaning in to kiss my cheek.

"So where are we going tonight?" I asked him as I looked outside the window and was met with nothing but the night lights which were a sight to see.

"Out," he began, pouring some whiskey for himself, "we'll be there in no time."

Angela had practically ordered Joseph and I to set aside certain days to go out together and bond. She said simple things like a picnic, but of course he's Joseph Hutcherson and I'm Jacqueline Hutcherson: simple is simply not a part of our DNA.

I was excited though, I was really excited for tonight.

~~~

When we got to the place, all I could say was that it was absolutely breathtaking. It was what looked like a really big restaurant. Our table was set on the rooftop of this building with flowers, lights and decorations littered beautifully all over the place.

I smiled looking at Joseph who sat right besides me, I had made him move his chair so that he was seated right next to me.

"Now this is more like it."

He put his hand on the table, tilting his head in confusion, "I always do this for you."

I shrugged, "can I not just admire the beautiful place you have taken your beautiful wife to?"

He nodded, taking the bottle of whiskey which was placed on the table, pouring himself some.

"Oh whisky, my worst enemy," I commented, "I don't know which you love more between myself and your whisky."

He chuckled, "whisky...is whisky, but you... you'll always be my number 1."

I leaned in beaming in his direction, "aww my big bad husband is getting soft on me."

"I've always been soft when it comes to you," he said, smiling, as he caressed my cheek.

Even I couldn't disagree with that.

~~~

I yawned, leaning against his shoulder as we started making our way back down to the car.

"Gosh, is it just me or did that chicken taste like...a better chicken?" I asked him, laughing.

"I thought I was the only one," he replied, "it was better than any other chicken I've ever tasted till date."

I laughed at that, "we need to come here more often. Oh yes, and bring Natalya too, she'd love it," I said as he opened the door to the car for me to enter.

"Anything for you and her," he said simply.

It was quiet after that, as it always was with Joseph, he was never much of a talker, "I'm tired."

"We'll get home in 15 minutes."

I sighed, leaning against the chair and taking off my heels. I spread my legs comfortably in front of me so that I could sleep for a bit.

There was a sweet melody playing, mostly instrumentals, but nothing I could put a name to.

"Joseph," I called for him, softly, as I looked at him through my tired eyes.

His head looked up from his phone after he'd said yes but I didn't speak, "yes, Jacqueline?"

"What happened to my lawyer?"

"Why do you want to know?" He asked me.

"Because he was my lawyer," I said pointedly.

"Ok...so?"

"He hasn't been picking up his phone and-"

"Why have you been calling him?" He answered shortly.

"I knew you were going to do something drastic and I just want to make sure he's ok," I tried explaining.

He tilted his head to the side, his eyes looking all over my face, "detka, why do you ask a question you know the answer to?"

I blinked, "what did you do?" I asked him.

"What did I do?" He asked me back and I looked down.

"But why?" I asked, softly. Even though I knew the answer to it.

His response was silence.

"I'm assuming you've already killed half of the people who were there," I said coldly to him.

Again all I got was silence.

"You make me sick," I stated, "that man had a family, those people there on that day just wanted-"

"That man and those people knew exactly what they had gotten themselves into when they walked through those doors," his voice cut through mine, "just be glad they were able to get some time to spend with their families and loved ones."

I looked away from him, turning my back to him.

The car stopped and the door opened, Joseph walked out first and I walked out after him with my heels in my hand. I smirked at the guard as I walked into the house.

I could hear his footsteps behind me, following me wordlessly.

I stopped en route to our bedroom to check on Natalya. Walking into the room, I saw her little body sprawled across the bed and her blankets on the floor with her mouth wide open.

I smiled at the site, walking to her to drape the blanket over her once again. I knew that no matter which position I put her to sleep, she would always end up like this in no time.

"I feel sorry for her husband," I commented with a smile as both Joseph and I made our way back to our bedroom.

His jaw tightened, "she's never getting married."

I giggled, shaking my head, "I don't think you can control that. With her looks, she's going to be driving boys crazy."

He frowned, looking down at me, "I will lock her up in a tower with a dragon. She's not getting a boyfriend or a husband."

I smiled, slowly taking off my jewellery as I put it on my dressing table, "really?"

"Yes really."

I turned, walking to him, facing my back to him and indicated that he unzip my dress for me.

I turned after that, putting my hand on his chest, "you can't protect her from everything."

His hands held on to my hips as I looked at his eyes, "yes I can. It's a...cruel world out there."

I smiled, sighing, "what makes you say that?"

"Because there's people just like me out there," he said, his voice sending chills down my spine, "people who live off the pain of others."

"Not everyone is bad," I said to him, taking off his tie.

"But not everyone is good either," he said, running his hands up and down my arm, "and besides, nobody will ever be good enough for my little princess."

~~~