One Night, Contract Bound

Idina’s P.O.V. I stared at the handsome male lying beside me. Maybe it had all worked out. Maybe I was just deluded. But looking back, I should have known that betrayal always wore blue scrubs, had a moustache, and worked the longest hours at some big shot hospital. Oh and I forgot. Betrayal loved cookies, warm double chocolate cookies, to be exact. Betrayal was Francis. ~~~~~~~~~~~ THREE DAYS AGO “Good morning, Cis,” I said, leaning in to kiss him. He turned his head away sharply, quickly offering a greeting to cushion the awkwardness. “Good morning, Idina.” He said, carrying his white coat and suitcase from the large oak dining table before finally facing me again. I was too stunned to speak. “Morning breath. You haven’t brushed your teeth yet. That’s all. Don’t overthink it.” He defended. “What happened to the times when morning breath didn’t matter, Francis? When you’d steal every opportunity to kiss me whether I had brushed or not? Good morning Idina? Really? Idina? No longer ‘my love’ or ‘honey’ or ‘baby’ or ‘Dina’. Idina? “Please don’t start. I don’t need this so early in the morning. It’ll just ruin my day. You seem to enjoy doing much of that lately.” Francis replied. “I’m ruining your day? Pointing out cracks in our marriage that I have noticed, that we can fix, is ruining your day? Do you want me to be nonchalant and behave as if I don’t care? To behave as though if this marriage should end due to shortcomings we could have worked on it wouldn’t kill me? I’m sorry I’m just too invested. I’m sorry I love you enough to care. I’m sorry I-“ “Enough!” He cut me off. “Enough with the emotional blackmail Idina. I’m going to work. I don’t need all this negativity right now. Can’t you just support me? And not complain so much? You’d perfect that way. Goodbye, Idina.” I watched him walk out of the door, not even bothering to look back once. He obviously no longer cared how I felt. But he’s not always like this. We’ve had good moments. It’s just that sometimes he’s in a bad mood. Maybe it’s me. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ “What would you like to have sir?” Kathy asked the man standing at the marble counter, while I went to and from the kitchen, checking on my cookies, trying to be a good wife. I shouldn’t be in the bakery today, but here I was, making double chocolate cookies, because those were his favourite. The timer of the oven rang and I went to the kitchen to take the cookies out the rack oven. These cookies were my olive branch, my attempt at reconciliation. Hopefully, he’d accept it. “Your phone is ringing.” Kathy said, running into the kitchen. “It’s Anaya.” “Thank you Kathy.” I picked the call. “Hello,” “I need you.” She whined into the phone. “What happened?” I asked, worried. “I’m bored,” she said. “Seriously Anaya?” I said, laughing. “What? Can’t I ask for the company of my best friend anymore? You should be happy I love you enough to need you.” “Okay. I’ve heard you.” I managed to say through my laughter. “Let me finish up here and I’ll come see you okay?” “Okay. Bring something for me.” She said sweetly. “That’s really just what you wanted, isn’t it?” “Well…when you put it like that it makes me sound bad, Idina. But yes, that’s all I wanted.” “Do you love me or my cookies?” I asked, even though I already knew what her reply was going to be. “You. And your cookies.” “Is it and or because of?” “Okay fine. You got me.” I laughed again. “I’ll see you in a bit, Anaya.” “Bye, my love,” she chimed. I quickly packed up the cookies even though they were still warm and made my way to Anaya’s place, a 15 minute drive from my bakery. I would see her first then I’d see Francis. ~~~~~~~~~~~ “Hey munchkin.” Anaya said when she opened the door. “Let me in.” I said when she remained standing in front of the door. “Say the magic words.” “I brought your cookies.” “Why, thank you.” She gushed and then moved back to let me in. “You are such a drama queen. How does Charles deal with you again?” “He loves me. And my drama.” “I doubt anyone loves drama Anaya.” “Well Charles does.” “Congratulations to you both then,” I replied in between laughter. Anaya somehow manages to always make me laugh. It’s one of the reasons I love her. “These are so freaking delicious Idina.” She moaned after another bite. “You say that every time.” “Well, I mean it every time.” “Francis is so lucky. He can have this whenever he wants,” she whines. “So can you, Anaya.” “Well true,” she agreed. I hear the ping of a notification and check my phone. “Oh my gosh, we are going. We are going!” I screamed. “Going where?” “To the Maldives.” I blushed. “Really? Yay!” Anaya screamed, dancing and skipping about. And then I realized I said ‘we’, but I actually meant Francis and I. “Uhmmm… Anaya?” “Yes?” “Actually I meant Francis and I, not we. Like the ‘we’ wasn’t you and I. It was-“ “I get it,” she said, stopping me mid sentence. “I would have loved for you to come with us but it’s for our anniversary and we really need this time together. You know how it’s been.” “I understand Idina.” “I’m so excited,” I squeal. “Ohhh please. Must you rub it in?” Anaya asked, rolling her eyes. I laughed. “What? Shouldn’t you be happy for me?” I asked. I knew she was happy for me. She just wasn’t happy that she wouldn’t be following me. But this vacation was special, it was to celebrate our fourth year anniversary. “You’ve never taken me on a vacation Idina. And I’m your best friend!” Anaya whined, pouting her lips. “We’ve been on three vacations this year, Anaya.” I stated matter-of-factly. “Well none of them have been to the Maldives!” She was so dramatic. When she’s like this, I wonder how she’s 26, because she can be so childish sometimes. I just shook my head and stood up to leave. She’ll get over it. “I’ll see you later Anaya,” I chimed. “I need to drop off these cookies for Francis and then go grocery shopping for the dinner I have planned for him tonight. Wish me luck.” “You didn’t even bring me cookies.” “Anaya, your cookies are right in front of you.” “Whatever.” “You won’t see me off?” “No. Bye” “I love you,” I bribed. “Go away,” she said. I laughed. Yup, she will get over it. I skipped down the pavement, feeling giddy about the vacation I planned. A romantic dinner tonight to celebrate four years of love and then the vacation at the Maldives to sweeten the pot. What more could Francis ask for? We haven’t really been to do anything special due to Francis’ job but thankfully I checked his schedule and he has two days plus the weekend free. And that’s exactly what I need. Four days in the Maldives will most definitely rekindle that spark we have been losing. ~~~~~~~~~~~~ I walk into the large building— Johnson’s Private Hospital. This was the place where Francis spent 14 hours of his day, if not more. The sterile white walls and tiles, the distinct smell of death and the quiet atmosphere were not at all foreign to me. Neither was the familiar face of the receptionist. “Hey, Liz.” I greeted. “Hi, Idina. You look happy. Tell me, are you pregnant? I know you two have been trying.” She asked excitedly. “Ohh please.” I roll my eyes. “We haven't been trying for anything. And no, I'm not pregnant. I have a surprise for Dr. Francis though,” I replied to her, blushing like a high school kid who saw her crush. “Well, I won't keep you any longer. He should be in his office.” “Thank you,” I said, blowing her a kiss before skipping away. I took the elevator and then walked my way through a maze of wide corridors now committed to memory. Finally arriving at his office, I calmed myself. I was excited to tell him the surprise, but I had to be calm enough to speak coherently. I raised my hand to knock, then froze. “Ohh yes, Francis. Right there!” A moan. A name. His name. My heart slammed against my ribs, my hands trembling. No. No. I couldn’t be. Surely, my ears had to be deceiving me. I pushed the door open. And there it was. Betrayal. Francis was kneeling, head between her legs, worshipping her. The box of cookies slipped from my fingers, falling to the ground in a mess. People say love makes you blind, but I think it just makes you stupid. Otherwise, I would’ve seen it coming.