When We Love

Chapter 8 - Him

I pack my things, even packing an extra outfit just in case. Once I've gotten that done, I go and check the cameras under the bed. I sigh in relief that the little light is green, meaning they are fully charged. That was pretty fast, hopefully they don't die just as quickly. But I know on the manual it said they lasted up to 20 hours. I check the clock and see that it's about to be 1:00pm. Yeah, that's plenty of time.

Taking them out from under the bed, I stuff the charger under my shirts in my drawer. Then, I look around for where to place the camera. I settle on placing it on one of the floating bookshelves I have across from the bed. Hiding it in one of the plants, I make sure to face it towards the bed. My anger flares up at the thought of him getting intimate on this bed with another woman. He better not, since our daughter sleeps here. Feeling disgusted, I dismiss those thoughts and move on to the guest room. I have to be more quick with this one, since I usually don't go in here. But I take the laundry basket with me to use as an excuse, just in case my husband walks in. This room is a little harder to find a hiding spot for the camera, since it's a little bare. My eyes dart around the room rapidly, trying to search and find the spot I need. There's not really much for me to hide this camera in, and I start to panic a little. For a second, I think about the curtain rod. It's a little high up and I would need to position it at the perfect angle to get the view of the bed. Plus, how should I stick it up there and make sure it doesn't move?

A lightbulb goes off in my head and I sneak back to my room to look through my drawers. Shuffling through the mess of loose change, receipts, and craft supplies, I finally find what I need. Glue dots, the best invention ever made. I stick one behind the camera and rush over to the room but run right into my husband at the doorway.

"What are you doing in my room?" A shiver runs up my spine and I feel a cold sweat coming on. I try not to sound nervous, in hopes he doesn't suspect anything. "I'm changing the sheets in all the rooms. I'm going to put some stuff to wash before I leave. Could you please move it to the dryer once it's done?" I make my request as polite as possible, not wanting another replay of earlier. He studies me for a second and just sighs. "I'll try but I'll be going out with my buddies tonight for a drink." He walks over to the restroom and shuts the door, leaving me in a mess of nerves. I feel dizzy and let out a shaky breath. That was too close. What if he looks at the room when we leave and finds the camera? I have to act quickly before he gets out, and decide to take that chance anyway. I grab the basket and put it upside down near the window to use a stepping stool. Then, set up the camera as fast as I can. My fingers are shaking and I hear the toilet flush. Done. I jump off quickly and move the basket, then started gathering the sheets. My heart is thumping wildly and I feel myself hyperventilating. Breath, Nicole. Just breathe.

My husband finally comes out but doesn't give so much as a glance in my direction. What was that he said earlier? He's going out? I hope it was just a cover up and that I get the evidence I need tonight. My mind is running in circles and I grab the basket with the sheets to put in the washer. I feel so burned out just by the last 30 minutes that I decide the 2 cameras I have up are enough for tonight. I'd rather leave as soon as possible. I head quickly to Alice's room and knock lightly on the door before opening it up.

"Alice, baby, are you done packing?"

She's on the floor seemingly engrossed in a picture book, but a quick glance over the room and I see her backpack is full and ready on her bed.

"Are you sure you have everything for tonight? PJs, undies, toothbrush?"

She nods without looking up and I sigh.

"Alright baby, well let's go to Aunt Clara's now then. She said we can go over early and have lunch with her, Uncle Damian, and Lily."

Alice finally puts her book down, adding it to her backpack and begins putting on her sneakers. I grab her sparkly pink backpack and head over across the hall for my duffel bag. Meeting her in the hallway, I notice she's being weirdly quiet, especially when I've told her we're going to see Lily. But all I care about right now is leaving, so I quickly rush us out, say goodbye to the asshole - who doesn't even question why we're leaving early - and make it to the car. After loading up our bags, making sure Alice is clicked in her seat, and finally starting the car, I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding in. As we're backing out of the driveway, I finally focus on Alice and her mood.

"Are you okay honey? You've been pretty quiet, aren't you excited to go to see Lily?"

I look at her disinterested face through the rearview, she's looking out the window with an unreadable expression. It's a little unsettling seeing her like this as she's usually an open book.

"Baby?" I push a little more, a feeling of dread filling my stomach.

Did she hear what happened between me and her dad earlier? Or worse, see it happen? She gives a half-hearted shrug, refusing to give a hint as to what's bothering her. My heart is torn for my little girl, I've never seen her look this down or be this quiet. I hope that once we get to my Clara's, her attitude changes and she forgets whatever it is that's eating up at her. I focus on the road, quickly checking my phone for the time. We have 20 minutes left to go, but something else catches my eye.

I have an unread text from an hour ago, I guess through all the chaos I didn't hear my phone ding as it usually does. I open it quickly, just to see who it's from and my breath hitches. I only read the first sentence, but my heart is already beating wildly and my palms are getting sweaty.

It's him. The gorgeous man from the fair.

And he wants to meet me.