Sacrilege - Season 1 - Episode 34

4 years ago

Sacrilege - Season 1 - Episode 34

Chris hung his suit jacket around Laura’s shoulders as they left the bar in silence. He wasn’t a fan of suits, left to him, he would rather wear casuals to work on a daily basis, but now, seeing his jacket hugging Laura’s body closely, he might just order an entire boutique of suits. The noise of the bar accompanied them to the roadside where Chris’ car sat awaiting them. Chris pushed open the passenger’s door for Laura and she got in. Quick steps took him to his side as he got behind the wheels and set the car in motion.

Away from the bar, silence enveloped the car and Chris cast several glances Laura’s way. She looked so lost. He had stopped by on his way from work at the children’s shop to get something fanciful for his niece whose birthday was days away. He hadn’t even found anything appealing when he’d felt Laura’s presence in the shop.

She stared out his car window now, looking about as lively as a tree in the desert. She had barely said a word to him in the bar; all she had done was drink the water he ordered, replying everything he said with silence. “Where are you taking me?”
Chris kept his eyes on the road. “You need to eat”

Laura’s mouth thinned and Chris heard her gentle sigh. “Turns out everyone knows what I need lately.”

Chris glanced at her and opened his mouth to apologize. “I’m being nasty, I know” she cut in. “It’s the only thing I can be today, obviously”.

Chris smiled, keeping his eyes on the road as he shunted into another lane. “You could be nice and eat with me”
“Not a good idea”
He gave her a flirtatious smile. “You are an appetizing sight”
“Not for my husband anymore, obviously”
Chris’ smile faded as he swallowed. He always got his words right, it was probably one of the reasons why he had so many people around him who loved him, but tonight, he seemed to be saying all the wrong things. “You know Deolu does love you”
“Doesn’t love me enough to stay faithful though”. She swallowed, giving the road a pained smile. “Part of me doesn’t blame Deolu. Who could put up with a childless wife?”

“This is not your fault”
She slanted him a look rife with meaning. “Isn’t it?”

Chris took one hand off the steering, stretched it over to give hers a comforting sq££ze. “Don’t put this on yourself. You are not responsible for other people’s actions”

“A fine way of excusing your own faults” she countered, removing her hand from his. “The truth is, I am the barren wife who pushed her husband into the arms of his fruitful best friend”

Chris swallowed, glancing at Laura. “Self-pity doesn’t become you, Laura”
“What becomes me, then?” she snapped. “You know…” she laughed bitterly as she shook her head. “My sister said I’d be a great stepmother” she mouthed as she held back the tears that stung her eyes. “Maybe that’s what”
Chris felt his blood run cold. In a thousand years, he didn’t think he could understand Laura’s father and sister. “This is what she wanted, to hurt you. Don’t let her have that”

Laura nodded. “And if she’s right?” Laura looked at Chris with eyes swimming with tears. “What if ‘stepmother’ is the only thing I can be?” her lips shook.

Chris swallowed. His hands ached to hold Laura. He wouldn’t mind having her tears smear his shirt, all he knew was that he didn’t want to see so much pain in her eyes. It was the exact opposite of the lively lady he had known all these years. Even with the heat she faced in marriage, she still maintained a lively exterior. D--n you, Deolu! He swallowed, gripping the wheels hard, lest he give in to the temptation of touching Laura. “I don’t have answers to your questions, but one thing I know is that you are the best mother that any child could ever wish for.” He took his eyes off the road long enough to stare into her eyes. “You are loving, brave and strong, that’s how I know you would pull through this hurricane”

Laura stared at him for a moment longer before turning to the window, staring at the road. “You have too much faith in me”
Chris heard Laura’s words and remembered that he had spoken those same words some days back to Anita in his office. He swallowed, facing the road squarely. “You should eat and I know just the place”. Laura said nothing and he took the silence in affirmative as he drove to the nearest eatery.
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