My Wife

Chapter 4: Villains Are Made

A month passed before Henry felt confident enough to present himself. As soon as classes ended, he headed to the library. It had been far too long since he had last seen his goddess. In the meantime, his friends dragged their feet behind him, weariness etched into their bedraggled features and dark circles under their eyes. In addition to their already rigorous studies, they met every evening for a session of n***********g and discussion. The four youths being dragged along were the epitome of friendship. While Henry forced himself to sleep before the big day, his friends tossed and turned all night imagining every worst-case scenario and how they would help Henry clear each obstacle.

As they all stacked behind a bookcase, they eagerly checked the time. Like clockwork, Henry’s love interest appeared. Henry cleared his throat and was just about to take a step forward before he faltered. Right beside her was a young man with a dashing smile. Worst yet, her slender hand was tightly grasping his.

Ethan‘s jaw slackened and his eyes grew wide in horror. Zayn and Oliver averted their eyes from the disaster but just as Kevin rolled up his sleeves and took an aggressive step forward, Henry grabbed his arm and gave it a sharp tug.

“Let’s go back,” Henry whispered.

The others didn’t argue and silently slipped out of the library, each avoiding Henry’s grim expression.

***

That evening, Zayn called Oliver, Ethan, and Kevin over to his apartment. When they had all arrived and settled into his leather sofa, Zayn started the emergency meeting.

“We need to do something. I saw Henry back to his place and he seemed okay but I know he’s hiding his disappointment. Maybe we could still do something? Like a background check on the girl and that boy. What’s your take on this, Ethan?”

Ethan’s closed eyes shot open at the mention of his name. Slowly he lifted his head from the sofa and looked around at the expectant stares. “What? Now you guys think I’m the expert?”

Oliver shrugged. “You read more books on this subject than us.”

Kevin nodded in agreement.

Ethan curled his lips and leaned back into the sofa. “Yeah, do a background check on the bloke. If they just started dating then it’ll be easy to break them apart. I’ve already done a background check on the girl. Her name is Helena Jones. Let me sleep for ten minutes and I’ll tell you guys the rest.”

Kevin’s eyes flared at the name but before he could speak Ethan had already closed his eyes resolutely.

***

The next morning, Henry was eating breakfast when the doorbell to his apartment rang. Ignoring the sound, he mindlessly shoveled a spoonful of cereal into his mouth and chewed mechanically, his vacant eyes settling on the far side of the room.

The doorbell rang again followed by a thunderous pounding on the door. Slowly, his eyes drew back in focus, first on the white wall then to his plate of dry cereal. Heaving a heavy sigh, he pushed himself up and walked toward the door.

POUND POUND POUND POUND POUND

Henry could make out the muffled voices from outside: “Henry!?! Henry!!! Open this damn door before I break it down!! Henry!!! Damn this stupid love-sick bastard! For some shitty woman…”

The door opened slightly and Henry’s tired eyes glowered from the sliver of an opening. “She’s not shitty. If anything, my timing is shitty.”

Zayn leaned heavily against the doorframe, seemingly devoid of energy, his head drooped to one side.

“Just let us in.”

Henry stepped back and threw his door open. The four zombies marched in with leaden steps. Kicking off their shoes haphazardly at the door, they stockpiled and collapsed on Henry’s couch lifelessly. A collective sigh of relief resounded as the young men settled in and closed their eyes.

Henry stared at them with raised brows but they had all face-planted on his oversized couches. Wordlessly, Henry slipped into the kitchen and poured four glasses of water. When he came back, he was greeted with a chorus of snores. Setting the tray of glasses down as quietly as he could, he went back to his bedroom and snagged a few towels. After covering his friends, he went back to his breakfast, transferred his cereal to a bowl, and added milk. Sitting down, he heaved a sigh and resumed his meal.

***

It seemed as if only a minute had passed but when Oliver opened his eyes again the sun was already high in the sky. He tried to sit up but his back muscles tensed and he groaned like an old man. Turning to one side he supported his back with a hand and ever so slowly unfurled his legs, extending them to the floor. His constant groans seemed to awaken the group and they shifted and started to stir.

Noticing the water on the coffee table, Oliver snatched a cup and drank furiously.

“Awake?”

He turned to find Henry reading a book at the kitchen table. Closing the book, Henry strode over and sat on an armchair.

“So why did you all come so early?”

The young men blinked away their wariness and looked at each other, voting for a spokesman with their eyes. Then they all settled on Ethan who, in turn, glanced around fervently, blinking expressively as if asking for a revote. Much to his dismay, everyone settled on sipping their water and ignored him. Henry waited patiently as Ethan pursed his lips and cleared his throat.

“We talked last night…”

Ethan paused and scratched his nose. Henry’s impassive stare was unnerving and Ethan suddenly lost the will to continue.

After a long pause, Zayn sighed and took up the mantle. “We got some men doing a background check on the young man but we think you ought to know something about your love interest. Her family isn’t normal.”

“I know.”

Zayn stopped and the rest stiffened.

“What do you know?” Kevin blustered.

“Her father’s primary occupation. I like to know things about the people I hold dear to my heart,” Henry stared into Kevin’s eyes meaningfully.

Kevin’s pupils dilated and his face flushed a dangerous crimson but he held his tongue.

Ethan, oblivious to the tension in the room, rejoined the conversation happily, “Well then if you know that makes this conversation easier. We know you Farleys aren’t afraid of mobsters but dating the daughter of one would stain your good family name. If you insist though, I’m all for supporting this Cinderella story. I mean, it took quite a bit of digging and a few dead men to uncover Mr. Jones’ background so if the public doesn’t look deep enough no one will ever know. Right?”

Ethan smiled broadly at the others in the room, glancing from one to the other as if seeking affirmation but their silence and sullen faces made him clear his throat in embarrassment.

“Uh… anyway… I was thinking, if you want to pursue Helena Jones, we need a plan… like a really good plan.”

Henry rested his elbow on his knees and interlaced his fingers. Leaning forward he smiled as he met his friend’s gaze. “What did you have in mind, gentlemen?”

They shuddered, for the first time in their friendship, they realized how terrifying Henry’s handsome smile could be.