HER OBSESSION

Three

Hannah's pov

I did not talk to Alex after our supposedly argument. I did not eat the food and neither did he. The food I took time and happily prepared thinking he would be happy for my achievement. I found him in the bathroom when I got to the bedroom, so I decided to sleep not ready to wait for him. Though I failed to get any sleep. I heard him come back from the bathroom, I decided we needed to talk so I got up.

"Look Alex, you know how I needed this job" I began but he did not let me finish as he cut me off. "Do not go for the job!" he said with finality in his tone and moved out.

My jaw hung open, was he trying to stop me from working?! I could not accept this. I got out of bed and rushed downstairs storming after him. "I'm not giving up my job just like that because you said so" I told him as I caught up with him.

"What did you say?!" he sounded angry. To be honest, this was the first time he got angry and the fact that it was only because I got a job, was so confusing. We had spent three years in this relationship and we had never had even one fight. But now I realized we were going to have one, over something like me getting a job.

"Are you serious about this, you are angry that I got a job?!" I tried to reason all this drama in my head but it never made sense. "What happened to supporting each other Alex"

He just looked the other way not ready to reply to me. "Or are you suddenly angry I'm getting independent, you want me always under you. Licking on your boots" I finally said what I thought was the only reason because nothing else made sense. And as if I insulted him in the worst way possible, he turned at once and awarded me with a hot slap, an angry one.

I almost did not believe what just happened, I looked at him like he was a stranger because at this point, I did not understand the man in front of me. My hand grabbed my cheek, eyes burning from tears threatening to fall. I did not know what to reply to him so I turned and ran upstairs to our bedroom. I heard him mutter something like 'im sorry' but I did not give him a chance to speak.

Seconds later I heard him open the door. "I'm sorry babe, I do not know what got over me. I'm sorry!" he apologized as he entered our bedroom. I did not turn to look at him, I was crying, not from physical pain but from emotional pain. This was new to me, did I say something wrong. But still did it deserve a slap. Never had anyone slapped me in my life, not my parents, not my teacher, not anyone. But Alex, he did it today.

"Babe_" he started as he got in the bed. I stopped him before he said more, "Don't, please don't say a thing" I said my voice broken.

That night, for the first time since I moved in with him, we did not sleep cuddling each other.

****

I woke up early the next morning, I did not feel like waking up the way we always did with kisses and smiles. I prepared breakfast for him as I did every morning and I sat waiting for him.

After an hour, he came walking slowly downstairs and moved to the dining and sat across from me. "Good morning babe!" he said slowly and softly as though he was scared if he raised his voice abit higher I might flinch. "Morning!" I replied, face devoid of any emotion. Alex reached his hand out to place his fingers above mine but I did not let him as I moved my hand away.

"Are still seriously going to do this?!" he said sounding irritated. So now he was irritated, I almost scoffed but said nothing in return as folded my arms to my chest. "C'mon babe I apologized" he complained. "I'm only forgiving you if you let me work!" I said finally.

"But I don't want you to do it!" he said almost yelling at me. "So this is about your feelings, what about me?!" I asked. "Look babe,..." he started but could not find an excuse so he stopped talking.

He ate his breakfast in silence that was any thing but comfortable. Afterwards he kissed me goodbye and left for work. So this is what he wanted, to treat me as a house wife. Who he was not even ready to legally marry. We had been dating for three years but every time I brought up the discussion about marriage he would dodge it, and say we were not ready. Or say that he was not financially stable, yet he was promoted at work two years ago. His salary was just enough to sustain a family. Actually we were already living together, all that was needed was making it legal.

****

I spent the whole day not settled wondering why Alex was not ready to marry me or allow me to work. I had rested my issue about marriage thinking he was scared of the whole legal ordeal, but now about work I could not get it. I had to find a solution for this as soon as possible. For some reason, I started to think he is the reason I was not getting all those jobs I applied to. Because, why was it that the only job I did not tell him about was the job I got.

Later he came back from work almost immediately after I was done with preparing supper. "Hi!" he kissed my cheek and moved upstairs. After some minutes he returned downstairs, his work clothes off. I started serving the food and after sat down at the dining which he joined. I was silent which was unlike me but you could not blame me.

"Babe!" he started and I raised my head to look at him, "I'm sorry for yesterday" he said but I did not answer. "And I've though about it, I think it is good that you got a job!" he said after realizing I was not going to acknowledge his apology. I was surprised but remained quiet. "I'm sorry I acted like a jerk, but I think it's okay. You can take on the job" he said finally. My eyes went wide as though I did not believe what I just heard, "What?!" I asked just to be sure. "I said you can take the job babe, I should not control your life like that. Especially with something you love" he said with a half smile. I rushed across the table and hugged him. "Thank you so much Alex. Thank you!"

††††