Restriction

Chapter 8

Henry dropped me home, then excused himself saying he had some errands to run.

Like the good wife I was, I kissed his cheek and wished for him to be safe.

The clock ticked 2:30pm, and I was bored out of my mind. I read, I watched reality TV, some cartoons, I even baked a cake.

I laid spread out on my bed, wondering what my next move would be.

Perhaps I would take a nap and hope to be asleep till evening.

That sounds fit.

As soon as I was about to properly fix myself of the bed, my phone rang.

Denzel is calling

Furrowing my eyebrows I click accept.

"Mr. Shear?"

"I just saw your husband on 44th street with another woman Cooper." He says immediately, sounding irritated and I frown.

"Really? What does she look like?"

"Oh, um, she has. . Brown hair, green eyes. . ."

"Is she white?" I tilt my head although he couldn't see me.

"Shes white."

Not that I had anything against white women, they were amazing, and beautiful at that too. But it just worried me a bit that Henry only seemed to be interested in them. Was that a sign?

"That must be his sister," I lied, biting my nails.

"Oh, I'm sorry. . .what as I thinking-"

"No, thank you for being such a great. . . Friend?"

"You're welcome. . ." It got quiet, and I pondered on what to say over the phone. "Well, I apologize for bothering you, I'll just-"

"Are you busy right now?"

"Well, I'm at the office figuring some things out."

"Oh." I say against the headboard.

"But some company would be lovely, to tell you the truth," he pauses. "I'm all alone. . And I'm scared."

For a moment, I took him serious until I heard the few quiet laughs that escaped his lips.

"Haha," I laugh dryly. "Are you hungry?"

"I could eat something." He says.

"Okay, see you soon."

After hanging up I check my appearance quickly.

I didn't look too bad in a plain black v neck, so i simply changed the denim shorts and threw on some black joggers. I shoved my feet in some champion slides before lightly touching my lips with lipgloss, and coating my eyelashes with mascara.

Practically flying down the stairs, I cut a slice of the chocolate cake I made and wrapped it in foil before grabbing my keys and heading out.

- - -

"You seemed like a meatball kinda guy." is the first thing i say as i lay the sub on Denzel's table.

"No way," he gasps at the same time that his stomach releases a loud growl. "I could cry right now." He grabs it up and immediately begins to chew down on it, quite aggressively too.

I meekly bite into mine and he grins at me with his sauce covered mouth.

"Thank you clumsy." I roll my eyes.

"You're welcome Denzel." As he ate, I noticed that he was once again in this casual attire. Soft cotton knee length pants and a plain white tshirt. It was a miracle that there wasnt any sauce on it. He looked really good, his jaw flexing everytime he took a bite.

My eyes lowered to his biceps that were contracted since he was holding the sub upright. They were so muscular. . And big.

Trying not to get carried away, I look down at the rug instead.

"So. . . Henry, hes a character isnt he?" He says, as he grabs our trash to throw away.

"I brought you cake." I tell him, avoiding the topic.

"I dont know anything about your marriage but . . . I can tell when something's up. You wanna talk about it?" He leans forward and I shake my head.

"Theres nothing to talk about, Henry and I are fine."

"Okay, I don't want to pry. It's not of my business anyway."

"You're right. It isnt." I scoff. "I made a mistake by coming here." I stand, ready to leave.

"You're leaving?"

"I am, your my boss, I'm your employee. We shouldnt be spending Saturdays together, its unproffessional." I recite and he raises his eyebrows.

"I dont think anything were doing is necessarily inappropriate. . ."

"I'm sorry Denzel- Mr. Shear, but my husband would be very displeased if he found out I was here with you, muchless that I brought you food."

"Where is your husband right now Mrs. Montigo?"

"That is none of your concern," I narrow my eyes at him.

"But it is yours, and you still dont know." He leans back in his chair, smugly.

"From now on this is a business only relationship Mr. Shear, dont call my phone unless it's related to employees or employee management. That's my job."

I turn to leave.

"Do you always get this defensive when someone points out the obvious flaw in your marriage?"

"You said one thing that was very correct earlier Mr. Shear," I pause at the door, holding it half open.

"And what is that?"

"You know nothing about my marriage, so please keep your opinion to yourself because I surely will not value it." And with that I slam the door, and storm out of the building.

#

Henry didn't come home the next day, and I slept alone.

I didnt mope however.

Sunday morning I dressed up, and I went to church. I sang and sang, and then felt guilty to the bone because I was willingly allowing my husband to commit adultry.

I felt like a fool.

But this was my marriage, and no one would be able to understand how I felt, but me.

When I got back home I immediately started cooking, although I had left the beans to slowly pressure cook before I left. They should be quite soft by now. I also tied my weave up, and got cleaning.

I wasnt expecting Henry, not at all, but I was a bit happy when he walked through the front door.

"Hey honey," he greeted me, and I smile.

"When are you going to take a bath in your house for the first time this month Henry?" I ask, tilting my head at his state and he shrugs.

"It doesn't bother me, it shouldnt bother you." I decided not to comment further, I just went on with my day.

He went upstairs to freshen up, and thirty minutes later came back shirtless with a pair of sweatpants on. He walked barefooted into the kitchen and took a deep breath.

"It smells so good in here." He sighs happily and I smile. "It always does." He kisses my cheek, before retreated to the living room to watch TV i suppose.

"Are you leaving tonight?" Silence.

"No." He calls back, and my spirit has never felt anymore uplifted.

Sure, I felt really bad for how I spoke to Denzel yesterday, and how I left too. Hes my boss, i should have more respect than that, however, he didnt have much respect either so I guess it's a lose lose situation.

Either way, I will apologize and move on with life.

Less than an hour later, I serve Henry his lunch on the coffee table seeing that he was so enthralled with the TV. He thanked me and I was about to sit down when he spoke up again..

"Can you get me a glass of water?" He asks, not even glancing at me as he dove in. "And a beer also while you're at it."

"Thanks honey, I love you." He says as I walk away.

"Love you too."

- - -

Henry and I were actually cuddling.

I was tucked under his chin securely, and football continued to play on the screen. I felt really sleepy, and was already close to dozing off when his phone vibrated.

He ignored it, and so did I.

Until it vibrated over,

And over,

And over again.

Then the short vibrations turned into longer ones as the person began calling.

"I gotta take this." He sighs exasperatedly. I quickly move out of his way, as he goes outside and shuts the door. I grab our plates and his glass, trudging into the kitchen. I could barely hear what he was saying, but whatever it was it seemed serious as he made wild hand gestures.

Yawning, I drag my feet upstairs, and adjust the room temperature before sliding under the covers.

My phone laid idle on the nightstand so grabbed it.

Mom: I haven't heard from you in a while. You got a husband and forgot you had a family. Typical. (3:28pm)

Mira: Cooper? Do you even still use this number? How dare you forget about your bestfriend?? Call me child! Text me! Anything! (4:30pm)

Dad: Cooper. It.s d.ad. h,ow. Are. Y.you

Hes getting there I suppose.

I frown, as I notice Denzel's number being the latest message, with not one, but four of them.

Denzel: I'm sorry. (4:50pm)

that was as soon as I left the office

Denzel: hey cooper. . You're right I have no business in your business. Please forgive me :( I dont wanna stop being friends.

Denzel: I hope you made it home safely. . . Text me. . I feel like an idiot

Denzel: you're right, this is completely inappropriate and unproffesional, I'll stop now. Goodnight (7:30pm)

I shut off my phone and threw my head back onto my pillow.

I eyed my door, before eyeing my phone.

Dont text back Cooper. This is for the best.

Placing my phone back on the night stand, I turn on my side and clothes my eyes before slowly drifting off to a somewhat peaceful sleep.

It's okay, I forgive you. . Goodnight. ♡ - cooper.