A COLD WAR
815 Words
CHAPTER 16: A COLD WAR
KIMBERLY:
I've always hated spiders but not enough to scream the way I just did.
It sounded raw, loud, and panicked. I was naked, dripping wet, and cornered in the bathroom.
The spider on the wall was black, hairy, and huge and had no business existing, let alone existing near me. But I could've squashed it with a single blow. But I had something else on my mind.
Grandma had made me an irresistible offer last night and I want to start seducing my husband.
The bathroom door burst open.
Damien stood there, wide-eyed, slightly disoriented, but instantly alert. His chest heaved like he’d run a marathon to get to me.
“Kim?” he barked. “What happened?!”
I made my hands tremble as I pointed a shaky finger toward the wall.
He followed my gaze. When his eyes landed on the spider, he groaned.
“Seriously? That thing?” he asked, half amused, half exasperated.
I didn’t respond. I pretended like I was shivering in fear. Don't forget I was still naked.
Damien stood in the doorway and stared at me.
For a heartbeat, he froze. His eyes dipped low, trailing over my body before quickly snapping back to my face. His expression shifted. It was subtle, but I saw it—the sharp breath, the way his jaw clenched, the way his hands twitched at his sides like he wanted to reach for me.
And for a second—I wanted him to.
His gaze lingered just a moment too long before he exhaled and looked away. “Hang on.”
He turned and left the room.
My heart dropped.
He came back with a shoe.
One swift smack and the spider was history. Squashed into oblivion. He didn’t say anything else, didn’t look back at me.
He just dropped the shoe, turned on his heel, and walked out like nothing had happened.
The silence that followed felt louder than my scream.
I stood there for another minute, wet and confused. Then I picked up the towel and wrapped it around my body. The towel felt heavy, like it had absorbed more than water.
I felt disappointed.
I had expected him to make a move.
Was that stupid?
Probably.
I sighed and grabbed my robe, slipping it on before stepping into the bedroom.
He was already sprawled on the bed, one arm behind his head, the other across his stomach. His eyes were shut, lips slightly parted, breathing even.
He was already sleep.
Just like that.
I could perceive the smell of alcohol.
He had gone out to drink. Probably with Claudia. What the heck have I gotten myself into?
“Right,” I whispered to myself.
I sat on the edge of the bed, pulled my phone out of the nightstand, and opened Messenger.
Beth: You awake?
I smiled faintly and typed back.
Me: Yeah. I just got out of the bathroom. I screamed over a spider.
Beth: Classic. And Damien?
I stared at him for a moment, his face so peaceful, as if the whole day hadn’t been a whirlwind.
Me: He killed it and walked out. Didn’t even look at me twice.
Beth: Wait… you were NAKED?
I paused.
Me: Yeah.
Beth: And he did NOTHING?
Me: Not a thing.
Beth: Girl. Either he’s got iron self-control or he swings the other way.
I chuckled quietly.
Me: He looked like he wanted to. Just… didn’t.
Beth: Men. Always doing the opposite of what you need them to do.
Me: I don’t even know what I need right now, Beth.
She took a minute before replying.
Beth: Do you like him?
I stared at the question.
Did I?
I didn’t reply. I locked the phone and placed it face down.
My chest ached, as I felt frustrated and confused.
I laid down beside him, careful not to disturb him, and stared at the ceiling.
The space between us felt colder than it should have.
Eventually, sleep found me.
The faint click of a door stirred me.
My eyes fluttered open just in time to see Damien closing the bedroom door behind him.
It was already morning.
He was dressed. Slate-grey suit, matching tie, polished shoes. The kind of look that made heads turn.
But he didn’t even glance my way.
No “good morning.”
No “I’m heading out.”
Not even a nod.
The door shut softly.
And I blinked in silence.
I sat up slowly, the bed sheets slipping off my shoulder.
No note. No message. Only the scent of cologne lingering where he’d sat.
That same scent of cologne that had made me turn around and see him at the restaurant with the blonde girl.
My heart thudded.
Are we doing this? I wondered.
Are we really starting a cold war just two days after we got our marriage licence?
- Writer
