Page 48 of Wanted

A sigh comes from my lips. “That’s the cherry on top, but it’s not all.” I take a deep breath, because I need it. “I don’t know what’s going on, I really don’t. I feel like I’ve entered a parallel universe in which the man I married is a stranger. When Lionel and I met in Carrollton he was charming, romantic, and very loving, then it all changed. After our brief honeymoon, our relationship seemed like I was always walking on a tightrope. One moment we were fine, the next we were fighting, like cats and dogs. And now I find that he has changed once again. I don’t know what to think, Catherine.”

The truth in a nutshell.

She looks at me and takes my hand in hers. “I think you guys need time, maybe your husband is trying to redeem the mistakes he made in the past. Maybe there were many, I don’t know, why don’t you give it a chance. Or is he not trying hard enough?”

That makes me smile, this time for real. “He’s trying, believe me, he is. However, I can’t help but feel bewildered, it feels like I’ve been with three different men. Now I have this one in front of me, I’m just waiting for the mask to drop at any moment, and then my cold and calculating husband will return.”

And the worst part will be that by then, I’ll be so in love that I’d accept anything to keep him by my side. That’s the reason why I need to leave.

The sooner, the better.

“Look, Stella,” she begins to say. “What happened to him was a traumatic experience, he was on the verge of death, that puts things into perspective. I wouldn’t tell you this unless I knew for a fact that Lionel is a good man. Give him a chance, maybe you’ll be surprised to discover what he’s willing to do—for you.”

She has a point, I can’t deny it. What happened would change anyone’s life, perhaps Catherine is right.

“Or is it that the lies he told you were too much for you, and you can’t forgive him?” That is another important factor.

“No, we talked about it. I’m not saying his reasons were valid, but I can understand why he did it.”

“So? What’s stopping you? Be happy, Stella, don’t be afraid.”

Be happy, that’s what I was trying to do, but my path insists on not letting me rest, always taking the most unexpected turns.

The thoughts keep spinning in my head when she gets up and smooths her dress skirt with her hands. “May I use your bathroom?”

“Oh yeah, sure,” I reply absentmindedly, my head spinning with everything that has happened and what she just told me.

And who sent that message?

Could it be the person who attempted to take Lionel’s life is now trying it from another angle and maybe chose me as a target?

Shit, we’re in a very complicated situation. There’s no doubt about it.

The desire to leave is gone. I want to stay here and discover this new world, perhaps I’m not as alone on the journey as I thought.

“Where did you get that wonder of a product you have by the counter?” Catherine squeals as she returns to where I am. I have no idea what she’s talking about. “I need to get that soap right now. It smells delicious and I didn’t even need to moisturize after washing my hands. Spill the beans right now.”

That makes me smile. I’m sure she has the best of the best within arm’s reach, it’s a great compliment to my handmade soaps.

“I made the soap myself back home in Carrollton,“ I reply smiling. “I’m glad you liked it.”

She raises her eyebrows, pleasantly impressed. “Please tell me that you have more here and that you are going to sell me some.”

A light laugh comes out of my mouth. “No, no,” I say and her shoulders drop forward in a clear show of disappointment. “But I can ask my mother to send me some. There must be some at home unless she sold them all.”

I swear that from the chair I can see the gears in her brain starting to turn. The woman is a successful businesswoman, she’s already up to something.

“Can you make them here?”

“I hadn’t thought of that,” I reply. “I guess. I’ll have to go to a farmer’s market and get supplies, even though the honey is not from my hive, but pure organic honey would work. Also, I need to order the molds and the cutter online, which won’t be too hard. I’ve updated my phone with all my supplier’s information.”

She smiles again, this time mischievously.

“Does that mean you’re going to stay?” she asks. “I mean, you’re going to get all of those supplies. You have to be here to receive them and use them.”

I’m not going to give up that easy, so I play a little dirty.

“I don’t know yet, we’ll find out when I speak with Lionel.”

---