The Ties of the Soul (The Ties Book 1)

4: Wondering Thoughts

Daniel

As I sit in my office finishing up some paperwork, all I can do is think about my Isabella. It’s been three days since she left for Vegas with her sister and friends. I’ve been missing her terribly. Now that she’s away, I realize how much her presence means around this house. I can’t wait until she gets back. My work load lately takes up so much of my time. I barely spend time with the kids or her. She’s stuck by me for so long. I must do better by her.

“Daddy, can you face mommy so I can tell her good night,” little Benny asks after walking into my office.

He may be five years old, but the fact he still can’t say FaceTime is so cute.

“Sure bud,” I smile at him. “Let’s call her.” I pick up my phone for the Facetime call and realize how late it is. “Wow, bud. What are you still doing up?”

Ring, ring, ring, ring. No answer. This surely isn’t like Isabella to not answer my call. She knows better than to ignore me. I try again.

Ring, ring, ring, ring, ring. Nothing. Instead of Facetime, I do an audio call.

Ring, ring, ring, ring, ring, ring, ring. “You have reached the voicemail box of Isabella Lopez. Unfortunately-”

I slam my phone down on the desk. Why the f**k is she not answering my calls? What the f**k is she doing that she can’t answer? I’ve called five times and no answer. Two Facetime calls and nothing. Not even a text back. My blood is boiling. Is something wrong? Or does Annabelle and her w***e friends have my wife being slutty in Vegas? I’m on the verge of losing my mind. Before I can catch myself, I angrily slam my hand down on my desk; scaring Benny.

“Daddy, wuss wrong? Is mommy okay,” he asks with tears in his eyes.

Shit! I completely forgot Benny is standing here. He’s the reason I’m calling Isabella and she can’t even have the decency to answer the phone. Now I’ve scared Benny because her ignoring me is pissing me off.

“Mama’s not answering the phone,” I calmly tell him. “And I don’t know why not. Let’s call her one more time and this time I want you to leave her a message, okay?”

“Okay.”

I call again and get the same results. I hand Benny the phone after the beep for her voicemail.

“Hi, mommy. I mish you. I juss wanted to tell you good night. So... good night, mommy. I wuv you.”

Such sadness in his voice. He wants to see his mama and tell her good night. I wish he wasn’t such a mama’s boy. I leave my phone on my desk and put the little guy to bed.

“Alright, bud,” I stand and clap my hands. “It’s 11:30, and it is way past your bedtime.”

Isabella normally puts the kids to bed around eight. I’ve been so focused on my work that I didn’t even see how late it’s gotten. How can I run this house and family without her? I put Benny to bed and check on Maya, who is soundly asleep in her crib across from Benny’s bed, and then return to my office.

Back to back calls and still no answer. It’s infuriating me so much that my wife isn’t responding. I’ve already left three voicemails, including Benny’s. In a moment of clarity, I remember Isabella is with her sister and friends. Let me call Annabelle. She’ll know where she is and what she’s doing. I call Annabelle and she claims Isabella is asleep.

After talking to Annabelle, I call Isabella one last time. I feel very uneasy about her not answering my calls. Did something happen? After calling yet again and not getting an answer, I leave an angry voicemail. I’m probably overreacting. Annabelle said she’s asleep and when she’s sleeping, Isabella is knocked out cold. It makes sense. It’s the only explanation why she’s not answering my calls or texts.

Despite Annabelle’s words, something still feels off. Isabella has called each night since she left to tell Benny good night yet tonight, he has to call her, and she doesn’t even answer. Even if she got drunk, she would’ve called before passing out. She always calls before she falls asleep. I know my wife. What’s really going on in Vegas?

Annabelle

Oh my God, I can’t believe my little sister is hooking up with that hot guy! I know she’s married, but Daniel is an asshole and she deserves to have her world blown away tonight. Plus, that guy looks like the kind of guy who knows how to satisfy a woman. I truly hope she has the time of her life tonight. She’ll probably have a few choice words for me tomorrow, but I hope he f***s her so good that she can’t even be mad at me.

Now maybe I can find myself a hunk of a man to sweep me off my feet! Off to the bar and dance floor I go. Before starting my hunt for a man, I grab my phone. When I went to check on Isabella before the hottie took her away, I left it on a nearby table. Daniel’s name flashes on the screen. Why the hell is he calling my phone? I have three missed calls from him. I’m having so much fun and this weirdo calls. Why? Buzz. Buzz. He’s calling again. I step into the bathroom and see what his problem is.

I try my best to mask my annoyance, but fail miserably. “Yes, Daniel? What do you want?”

“Where’s Bella,” he asks anxiously.

“That’s why you keep calling me,” I scoff. “Bells is more than likely asleep in her room. She did a lot of drinking tonight. Ya know she’s a lightweight.”

“Alright then.” Click.

Did he just hang up on me? Rude motherfucker. Bells deserve some happiness tonight, and if that means lying to my brother-in-law to cover for her, then so be it.

Now that I’m sitting in the bathroom, I think it’s time I call it a night, too. I don’t feel so good and, unlike Bells, I didn’t find myself a hot, sexy man. At least there’s always tomorrow. I walk to the table and let Jess know I’m heading to my room. She’s found her lover for the night since she can’t stop staring at him. Typical Jessica to find some blonde-haired and blue-eyed man like herself. I pat her on the back and make my way to my room. My room is adjacent to Isabella’s, so maybe I’ll check on her before turning in.

I get to her room door and there’s loud moaning. Oh boy. No need to knock or disturb her. She’s clearly occupied and more than fine. I enter my room and lay on the bed. These premium sheets feel nice. I roll over and hug my pillow but still faintly hear moans from my sister’s room.

“Oh, Mateo... si papi! Don’t stop! Oh, yes!”

“Oh, mami,” he moans back.

Damn, he’s f*****g her real good! A sense of pride befalls me. I go into a giggling fit. No more guilty feelings about lying to Daniel. I never thought she’d cheat on Daniel, especially while on this trip. Daniel’s done his fair share of s**t to her, so she gets a pass this time. Besides, a good lovemaking session is good for the body, mind, and soul. I have to be the devil’s advocate. She deserves this. I can’t wait for all the juicy details in the morning.