Runaway Wife

CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 1

LIBERTY stepped back from the dining-table and surveyed it from a little distance, smiling at the sheen of highly polished silver, the scallops of lace on the cloth, the crystal bowl of dark red roses in the centre. Siguradong masusupresa ang asawa niya ditto, she pulled a simple surprise party for her husband today at sana magustuhan nito ang ginawa niya.

“Looks really romantic, doesn't it?” Mrs. Hile said beside her, cramming her apron into her carrier bag as she spoke.

“Yes, doesn't it?” Liberty agreed, her dark blue eyes switching to the other woman's face and smiled.

“Thank you for staying on so late to help me get everything ready,” aniya dito, napabait talaga ng katulong nila, she help her and guide her all the way up to where they are now.

“That's all right dear. It was a pleasure and I hope you have a lovely evening. That duck smells delicious already, I’ve left the cherries on the side to be reheated in the microwave, oh and the oranges in Grand Marnier are in the fridge. I think that's everything... ooh, I nearly forgot...” Mrs. Hile rummaged in her bag again and pulled out a large envelope. “Happy Anniversary, Mrs Ransom.”

Matamis na ngumiti si Liberty sa katulong saka nag pasalamat. “Oh...thank you...you're so kind,” Liberty pulled out the big, glossy card and smiled, very touched. Mrs. Hine observed her expression with satisfaction.

“I'm glad you like it. Now, sure you wouldn't like me to stay and serve the dinner, and wash up afterwards? You don't want to be rushing in and out on a special night like this,” anito sakanya habang nakangiti.

Liberty laughed softly and a glint of mischief in her eyes. “Mrs. Hile, when we were first married I couldn't afford to have anyone to cook or clean for me. I did it all myself, and i enjoyed doing it. Thanks for offering to stay. I appreciate all the help you give me, but tonight I'd like to have my husband all to myself. I won't even bother about the washing-up tonight, it can be done tomorrow,” aniya dito.

Mrs. Hine winked at her with a mischievous smile on her lips. “I get you, Mr Ransom's always that busy, isn't he? Be a special treat to have him all to yourself for once. Well, enjoy yourselves.” She bustled out the front door, and when she had gone Liberty carefully placed the card among the other cards that’s standing on the white marble mantel piece above the fireplace.

Few people had sent them anniversary cards, few people knew it was their anniversary, and she was quite content with that because the cards which had come were all from people she loved and knew loved her. She did not want an avalanche of cards, like those which came each Christmas, from business connections of Meir; customers or suppliers. People who worked for him or bought from him, or had met him socially, or wanted to-all the hordes of London acquaintances her husband seemed to have. Meir apparently knew hundreds of people, most of whom Liberty had never met. His secretary usually dealt with the straightforward business cards sent to his London office, but there were still many who wanted to receive more personal relationship and sent their cards to his country house, to be opened and gazed at blankly by her. Each year there seemed to be more of them and it keeps in increasing.

There was no anniversary card from Meir himself, but he had sent her the dark red roses she had arranged so happily on the dinner-table, although she often received bouquets of flowers from her husband, for once she could be absolutely certain it had been Meir himself who had chosen these, not his secretary, the super-efficient Miss Sylvester. Only Meir knew that the first flowers he had ever sent her were dark red roses, which had cost far more than he could afford at the time. She had scolded him with tears of pleasure in her eyes, because they needed every penny of his salary for more essential things than roses, but he had kissed her and said, 'One day I'll send you so many red roses you'll be smothered by them.'

Her eyes fixed in that memory at hindi siya ito makakalimutan kaylanman, she stared at the mantel piece for a moment then suddenly, she focused on the Victorian clock standing between the cards and gave a cry of horror at the time. Meir would be home any minute and she wasn't dressed yet! She flew up the stairs, unbuttoning her blouse as she went, turned on the shower as she shed the rest of her clothes, then carefully fitted a shower cap over her blonde hair and stepped under the lukewarm jets of water. She had timed this whole operation perfectly, and now she was running late and she have to hurry over this very important part of the evening.

Damn! She stiffened as the phone began to ring. “Sino ba iyon?” She had intended to set the automatic answering machine; she must do that as soon as the phone stopped ringing. Thank heavens Meir wasn't home yet. It would almost certainly be for him-at weekends calls were mostly for him-and she did not want anything to distract him from her tonight. Stepping out of the shower, she took off the plastic cap, shook her long hair free, and wrapped herself in a loose white robe, ignoring the insistent ringing until it stopped, and then rushed downstairs and switched on the answering machine. Any further calls would be re-routed and could be dealt with tomorrow.

She went back upstairs into their bedroom and gently toweled herself, putting on the white silk lingerie she had earlier laid out on the bed; a lace trimmed bra, a lacy teddy, suspender belt, matching slip and a ultra-fine stockings. She was quite tall and a slightly built girl with pronounced cheekbones, large, deep-set blue eyes, and a wide and finely cut mouth. Viewing herself before she slipped into her dress, she sighed over her lack of curves. She was too thin, her breasts small, if rather nicely shaped; she lacked the sort of s*x appeal she would love to have.

People always said blondes were sexy, but they didn't mean her type of blonde. Her hair was so pale it was almost silver; she wore it long because Meir had often said he preferred it that way. For years now she had wound it on top of her head in an immaculate chignon because Meir said it made her look elegant, and if she couldn't look sexy she could at least look elegant for him. Right?

The reflection she was staring at was too familiar; she had been looking like this for so long, she couldn't remember the last time she had made any changes to the way she looked, and it had been Meir's preferences which dictated her appearance, although it had been an age since he had paid her any compliments, or indeed made any comment on how she looked.

Was that what was wrong with their marriage? Maybe she should have her hair cut in a new style? Buy totally different clothes, change her image? She turned her head this way and that, imagining her with short hair, in vivid, flamboyant clothes... then laughed and picked up her white silk dress to step into it. This, too, was elegant, a classic design which clothed her slender body in Grecian folds and suited her hairstyle to perfection. Meir hadn't actually picked it out, but she had done so with his taste in mind, knowing he would approve. Now she wryly considered it.

Well, it wouldn't set the world on fire or make men gasp with desire at the sight of her, but it was very suitable for the wife of a very wealthy and important businessman. Was that how she wanted Meir to see her tonight, though? She put her head to one side, grimacing. Maybe she should take off the dress and just wear the undies? They were sexier, at least! She pictured Meir's expression if she opened the door looking like that! Namula ang pisngi niya sa ideya na pumasok sa utak niya, hindi niya ito magagawa, alam niya sasarili niya na mahiyain siyang babae, if only she’s too wild to do something like that.

“Happy tenth anniversary, darling,” that’s what she could say while putting her arms round his neck. On their very first anniversary, actually, he had found her in the bedroom getting dressed, taken one look at her in see-through black undies, he had swept her off her feet and carried her over to the bed. They had never bothered with dinner in the end, just snacked at midnight on cold chicken and salad, but Liberty knew that was very unlikely to happen again tonight.

The fire in their relationship had gone out long ago. Well, ten years is a long time, she thought, then looked at her watch, frowning. Meir should be here maybe leaving London had been heavier than usual, besides he was driving himself home. In town he usually had a chauffeur, since parking was such a problem, and it saved time for someone else to drive, drop him somewhere and come back for him when required, but when he came home he always drove his cherished vintage Jaguar that is now fifty years old but kept in perfect condition with loving care.

Mukang matatagalan pa ito kaya naman ay umupo siya sa dressing-table at nag apply ng foundation saka nag lagay ng dusted powder over it, she added a little blusher, painted her lids with mauve eyeshadow, brushed her lips with coral pink then assessed herself again before adding some jewellery: a gold torques around her neck, a matching bracelet for one wrist, small gold stud ear-rings. Well, she looked rather more striking now! She sprayed herself generously with Meir's favorite French perfume, which he always brought her back whenever he went abroad, and hurried back downstairs.