Wife Swap - S01 E07

Story 6 months ago

Wife Swap - S01 E07

Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 7

I stick my head out and lean on the car’s door as Rome drives. The wind blows my hair soothing my head from the tight ponytail. This is what my body needed. A smile is on my face that i haven’t felt in a while.

I turn my head when i feel his eyes on me. A bad habit he has. Does he always stare at people and when they turn to look, he too turns away like he didn’t initiate it?

Maybe he finds me strange and so do i.

My phone begins to ring, and I look down at it on my palm, my face falling as I realize it is my mother. It’s as if she can tell when I’m happy. I press the red button, which sends her phone call to voicemail. I’m afraid that if I answer her call, I’ll end up spilling the beans about what’s going on in my marriage and be blamed for it.

I take a deep breathe and lean back unable my find the smile on my face again. It is quickly replaced with guilt of being happy, the guilt of enjoying the previous night with another man. No matter how many times i remind myself that he cheated on me, i do know that i can’t become a thief because i experienced theft. I am not a cheater, he is. I believe you should not do unto others what they have done to you. It sounds naïve and weak, but it gives me sleep at night... not entirely true but my conscience is clear.

“Is that him?” Rome asks. He must have noticed how hard i am trying to suppress my tears.

“Why would you assume that?” I ask.

“You always cry because of him.” He states.

“How would you know?”

“The first time i came over to watch a game with Mason, your eyes were red, i put two and two together because that week he had been complaining about his boss and job. Knowing Mason too well, he came home and dump his stress on you. The second time....”

I shake my head, “That’s enough.” I state hating to be reminded of what i have been through, “I thought you said that we stop thinking or talking about them.” I remind him of his deal.

His gaze flickers to me before returning to the road that leads to the Donut World parking lot. “I know.” It is a mere whisper. He stops the car and turns to gaze at me. “I don’t expect you to just forget about them. It is not a light switch. What I meant is, think about yourself. Turn the faucet and let the shit flow out. Eventually you will start to see the clear water. ”

I nod in agreement.

He is right, moments ago i was feeling alive and free. Yesterday night being on that dance floor was the first time in years where i only thought about myself and the steps to take on that dance floor to build my own dance rhythm.

“I will go park the car and i will be back.” He says as i alight. “Feel free to choose where you are comfortable to sit at.” He adds before i leave.

I walk into the familiar environment. There is something about this place that i love. It’s green theme that reminds me of nature and how calm and child friendly it is. I imagined spending days here with my child as she savored their glazed donuts. But that is all there is, just imagine.

I opt for the area with the polycarbonate sheets since it has the advantage of the natural light and it offers the roadside view.

Rome immediately spots me when he steps in.

“How did you know i love this place?” I ask after he is seated.

“I asked Lia.” He says.

“Do you always ask people what they want, like...” I trail because it is new to me to have someone ask for even the a minute detail like where i would love to sit. My mother said that a child could not rule her and my husband says he is the man and leads the way.

With Rome is the opposite,

“Yes, but i have a limit.” He answers.

“And i don’t?” I accuse him.

His phone rings, and he answers it, diverting his attention. I can hear him directing the caller to our seats, and I’m curious who it is. This morning, he simply asked if I had a swimsuit and then told me not to bother making breakfast because he had our day planned. I don’t recall him indicating that we would be meeting with anyone.

He swivels his head since the entrance is on his back and he is seated directly opposite me. I spot a girl walking towards us with a smile on her face. She is an extra. She is dressed in a tiny black cut-out mini dress that only covers her breasts on the upper body and has strings that crisscross her torso. What makes her extra is her long lashes and nails that can barely be used to grab anything.

“I have never been in here but I have driven past it several times.” She comments as she bends to hug Rome, pressing her breast on his face.

I look away uncomfortable feeling like an intruder.

“This is Athena.” He pushes her away and introduces us, “This is Senna, Esme’s bestfriend.”

When I learn she is Esme’s bestfriend and how inappropriate she was, I nod awkwardly. As we become acquainted, she extends her hand to meet mine.

I had choose a table with two seats and we have to move to another table. There are only tables with even number of chairs so we opt for the one with four seats. She is quick to sit beside Rome while i sit opposite them.

We make our orders as i go with my usual, Shawarma and fries on the side. Rome orders followed by Senna.

When i turn i find her silently gazing down at me. I lick my lips and look away. I still feel like a stranger around Rome and now add that to another stranger on our table.

I don't catch what he says to her as she giggles turning her gaze to him.

"Have you spoken to Esme?" She asks her nails brushing over his arm in an unintentional way.

I see Rome's body tense and clench his jaw. The girl seems to be impressed to have gotten a reaction out of him. I am also curious to know if still talks to her. He barely says anything about himself or her.

"I would prefer not to talk about it." He says after a long consideration.

"I understand...you know she is my friend." She says and even the word friend from her mouth sounds shallow like she doesn't understand its meaning. She openly flirts with him throughout our meals. After we are done Rome decides to go pay using his card and i am left with her.

"So you are living with Rome?" She asks assess me. I am dressed in a white and blue wrap sundress.

"Unfortunately." I state.

"You are okay being swapped?" Her eyes fall on me as i remain silent with no attempt to answer her. Instead i reach for my glass of water sip its content slowly hoping for Rome to get here quick.

she sighs, "I am sorry that was inappropriate of me. We don't know each other." I can tell she is not sorry.

"It is okay." I say hoping she will stop talking to me.

"She didn't deserve Rome and she told me she hates living with your husband and his family."

"Change is not easy." I state with a straight face. I don't know if it is evil of me that feign disinterest of the news while i am dying of smiling of relieve that she wasn't also having a good life while i was wailing in misery.

I look over at where Rome is, he at the cashier. He looks over at us and smiles in acknowledgement.

"Don't get attached, he is a wound healer." Senna comments.

"What?" I shake my head in confusion.

"Did he tell you about Becky?" She asks.

"No." I mutter in a low tone.

"He is considerate but not that innocent." She says.

I feel a cold chill down my spine as she repeats what Esme said to me days ago in this same place.