Edie waited in the living room downstairs, pacing back and forth, wondering what would happen next. As soon as Stuart came downstairs, she anxiously walked over to him. She was so full of questions, she didnāt know which one to ask first, and they began to roll out one after another. "How did it go? Is Aaron all right? Has everything been resolved?"
Stuart seeing the real concern in her face, spoke very carefully. "Stop worrying! Itās all been taken care of. Letās go home." When Stuart spoke these words, he seemed to speak them indifferently. Then he grasped Edieās hand and started toward the door. He was holding her hand the whole time, and the sweat and grip were tighter than usual. The memory of the conversation still vexed him.
Edie looked at him with a worried expression on her face. "Donāt close yourself off to me. Tell what happened," she said, sounding concerned.
Stuart answered quickly, "I donāt want to talk about it. All I want you to do is go home and have you by my side." He turned and stared straight ahead, emotionless. Then he squeezed her hand even tighter than before.
Edie knew something was weighing on his mind. "What are you so afraid of?" she asked. He never answered and kept staring ahead. She pressed her lips, shoving to the back of her mind all the questions she wanted to ask him. She wasnāt going to force Stuart into talking to her if he didnāt want to. She knew he had secrets from his past that he couldnāt tell her, but she didnāt care as long as it didnāt interfere with their relationship. He had so many virtues that Edie never understood until now. She respected his strength and character, and more than that, and she loved him. āEveryone has secrets, and everyone needs their own space. Heāll open up to me in time,ā Edie thought.
After getting into the car, Edie looked at Stuart and noticed he still wasnāt in a very good mood. "Would you like me to drive?" she suggested.
Stuart knew Edie was worried about him, and he struggled to keep all of his emotions buried inside of him. He gave her fingers a gentle squeeze. "The rules for driving in Britain are much different than the United States," he explained. "For example, you need to sit on the right side."
"Potato, potato. Tomato, tomato. Iām a woman driver. Iām sure Iāll be easily forgiven if I make a mistake," Edie replied.
"You never cease to amaze me," Stuart smiled.
Edie was somewhat relieved to see him smile, but she knew the agony and torment he was going through. She looked into his eyes and saw nothing but sadness. "You look so tired! The decision had been made. Iām driving," she said.
Stuart burst into laughter. He took his hand and rubbed her head, messing up her hair. "Iām fine. Stop worrying about me," he said in a low voice.
Edie gave a quick nod, but said determinedly, "Okay, but Iām still driving."
When they arrived home, it was noon and neither one had eaten. "You must be hungry?" Stuart asked.
"Yes, Iām starving! Iāll go get the maid," Edie said.
Stuart took Edie in his arms. "I think Iāll make us something," he said as he cleaned off the counter and set Edie on it. "Here I have a tomato," he said, putting it in her mouth.
Edie watched him scurrying about the kitchen, preparing the food. "Are you making spaghetti and meatballs?" Her eyes widened when she asked him.
"Of course! I know itās your favorite," Stuart replied.
After he was finished cooking, Edie was about to jump down off the counter, but Stuart stopped her. "Allow me," he said. Then he picked her up and gently sat in the chair. "Taste it and tell me what you think."
Edieās face began to get a little red. "Youāre treating me like a queen. Iām not used to that!" she said with a tone of embarrassment. She took a bite and said, "Mmm. You could be a top chef in any restaurant."
Stuart relaxed when he saw the look of satisfaction on her face. "Iāll cook whatever your heart desires," he said in a deep and charming voice.
After they were finished eating, Stuart started to clean up, and Edie tried to help him. "No, Iāll do it. You go upstairs and get some rest."
Edie shook her head and replied. "No, Iām staying with you. Let me help you?"
"If youāre so determined to stay with me. I want you to sit down and relax," he said in a soft voice.
His words touched Edie, and her eyes lit up as she watched him. "Iām a very lucky woman to have you for a husband." Then she looked at her phone to check her messages and emails.
Just then, Stuartās phone rang. He glanced at the number and became a little nervous. āOh, no! Itās him," he thought to himself. He looked at Edie, but she was still looking at her phone and didnāt seem to suspect there was anything wrong. He quickly reached over and turned on the tap. The noise of the water covered the sound of his voice. "Has everything been taken care of?" Stuart asked in a very low voice.
"Yes, sir. This is the first time Iāve worked for you. It was done discreetly," said a distorted creepy voice from the other end. "I let her go, and she has no idea what happened to her. I destroyed any evidence that could have implicated you. That was a gift to show my appreciation. I look forward to working with you in the future." He paused and continued. "Welcome home!"
"This has never been my home," Stuart said in a cold and cutting voice.
On the other end of the phone, the man sat on the sofa with his legs crossed. In his right hand, he held a long, unlit cigar, which he gently rolled between his fingers. None of the other rooms had any lights on, and all the curtains were pulled shut. He was surrounded by darkness. He flicked his lighter and fired up his cigar. He rotated it slowly over the flame, then blew a great cloud of fragrant blue smoke at the ceiling.
He laughed at Stuart. "How can you say such a thing? Donāt you know weāre the same?" Hearing the sound of water, he stopped talking. "Do you have a shower?" he asked, sounding confused.
"No! Iām washing dishes," Stuart said in a cold tone.
Suddenly, there was nothing but silence on the other end. "Youāve never washed a dish in your life. Why are you doing it now?" he asked, and suddenly, he thought of something. A grin appeared on his face. "Does this have something to do with your beautiful wife?"
Stuartās body began to tremble. "Donāt you touch her, or Iāll kill you," he replied in a sharp tone.
The man wasnāt alarmed by Stuartās threats or his fierce voice. He just leaned back in the chair and sighed.