My Husband's Boss

The Bargain

Sarah took her feet hurriedly to out and spotted her car without much difficulty. Sitting in there Max waved to her. She could tell the annoyance from his face and was quick to apologize. “I…I am really sorry. The elevator got stuck and…”

“Oh, are you fine,” Max asked while she tried to get her seatbelt settled, “Oh, yes,”

“Of course, not…look at your lipstick, Sarah…” And, this made Sarah recall the moment when Adam got her in his arms. But then she hurriedly took out a tissue to clean it all up. “Are you fine? First, you forgot your bag and now this…you are never this absentminded,” Max wasn’t driving the car and Sarah was already shaken with whatever Adam threatened with her.

“You are no one for me,” She told him and he looked sinister replying, “You are only Adam’s…always had been,”

“Sarah?” Max called for her again while Sarah got her seat down a little before she whispered, “My head will explode Max…I promise I can deal with it.” Max stared at her for a moment before he said, “Ok,…but if it is about work…you know you can always share things with me…” But then Max started the engine telling her, “…even if I don’t understand accounts a lot…I can hear you out,” Sarah nodded and Max didn't press.

Sarah went to take a long bath alone tonight. Her every instinct asked her to share everything with Max but it wasn’t that easy. She had already told him how she never seriously dated in the past.

And, now if I to tell him how after Adam I didn’t date anyone for years to come. It will tell him how invested I was in him. She groaned at how she found herself in this situation.

But he is your husband, Sarah. He had promised to stay by your side. And, when was the last time Max wasn’t absolutely understanding about something? You are only doing him wrong. He has every right to know who Adam is. Especially after how Adam has asked you to divorce him. Her brain tried to slap her with a little conscience.

And, this made her wonder on Adam’s nerve again. How the hell on the earth he can even suggest something like this. He was really not the Adam she used to know from all those years ago. He was different. He seemed pitiful yet someone she should avoid at all cost.

She got out of her bath and rubbed her hand against the mirror to wipe the steam off the mirror. “Don’t think much about it. He was drunk. In the morning, he will definitely regret every word he told you. It is Adam, Sarah. He is definitely not going to do anything stupid.” She huffed out and tried her best to get the courage to tell Max everything only to find that Max was sleeping already on the bed. Her nerves instantly got relaxed as she looked at him. Half disappointed for how she had to muster up all of this courage all over again the next time.

The next day was Sunday and she woke up a little earlier. She wasn’t able to sleep the whole night and waking up was still not difficult. This is how much she was ruined with the thoughts all night. She was relaxed it was morning already and wanted to tell Max everything about her and Adam. She sneaked out of the bed slowly and smiled looking at Max.

Walking out in the kitchen she started with the baking and the coffee only to narrow her eyes when she heard Max’s phone going off. She walked to the room only to find Max staring at the screen before he picked up.

“Hello,”

“Yes,…yes…what?...no…I…I didn’t…I am sure it’s there…what?...no,…God!” He looked distressed holding his head and Sarah wonders what it is all about.

“I am coming…yea…I am coming…you can’t really talk to me like that…when I said I didn’t…I am sure I didn’t,” He was now shouting to the end.

“Is everything alright? Honey?” Sarah whispered while Max tossed the phone on the bed cussing, “f**k!”

“What?” Sarah was concerned now while Max was getting his slippers.

“They think I stole the Ipad.”

“What?” Sarah shouted.

“Of course, I didn’t…I don’t know what’s got into my manager…and, I wonder what he is doing there today? He always prefers his weekend off…” And, Max had mentioned how most of the single and younger guys likes to work on weekend and take other weekdays off. But Max doesn’t do that because he likes spending time with Sarah.

Max got out of his bed and Sarah looked at his pyjamas before she whispered. “I will get you some outfit…you take the shower.” Max didn’t reply and Sarah wonders if it is Adam doing it. But Adam couldn’t stoop this low. He wasn’t like that ever.

Sarah got his shirt out and get the breakfast on the table. All of the morning bliss was now turned into this thick anxiety. “Don’t you worry, ok? And, get your breakfast…” Sarah whispered but Adam only got his tie right as he walked right out of the home without kissing her goodbye. Not that she was complaining but this alone was enough to tell her how much he was stressed. Of course, he loved this job and not to forget how difficult it was for him to secure this one. And, if it ended badly it could make things even more complex for him in the future.

For once again, how Adam could be behind it all passed her but she was confident Adam can’t do anyone this bad. She looked at the cup of coffee and got it before making a call to Seema. She really wanted someone to hear it all out.

“That f*****g bastard!” It was the umpteenth time when Seema cussed Adam and Sarah couldn’t help but whisper at the end. “I am so sorry for troubling your weekend, Seema.”

“This should be the least of your worries. Sarah…tell Max everything. He needs to know.”

“But…you know Adam…and, you know he can’t really pull a stunt like this.” And, this made Seema silent for a moment.

“Look,…he could be drunk but nothing gave him the right to kiss you. And, at the pace, things are going?… Max really needs to know. I am only asking you one thing, Sarah…tell Max everything.” Sarah bit on her lip and wondered how Seema can’t understand her.

“He…he is his boss. I wonder how he will react knowing this? If I was working under someone who was Max’s ex…I was going to leave the job. And, try my best to keep that woman out of our lives…and,…”

“Listen to yourself…and, this is what Max will do too. He will protect you and keep his family guarded if he knows there is something. Trust him, Sarah…please trust him.”

“I…I will tell him everything,…today.” It was easy saying this to Seema but she couldn’t help but try to think of a situation where it better never came up in their lives. Too bad the reality was different now.

How Max might be fired from this job didn’t leave her mind too. And, if this happens she knew they won’t be required to see Adam then…and, then she might not need to tell anything to Max.

It was almost noon when Max got home and the aura he bore could tell a lot. “What happened?” Max looked at her defeated before he whispered, “I don’t want to talk about it.”

Max walked to where the sofa was lying in their living area and threw his suit jacket with quite a temper. “Hey…” Sarah ran to him and hugged his shoulder only for him to heave heavily before he held Sarah too.

“It will be fine…everything will be fine…I swear.” She got her hands on his waist now and kissed his shoulder before she felt him holding onto her too.

“Everything is finished…I might never land a job like that…with this…reputation now…I am a failure…an absolute failure for sure…”

“No, you are not…you are not. You didn’t do anything.” She pulled away and looked into his eyes. “We…we will eat your favourite pasta now and don’t talk about it ever…should I…should I set you something? You must be hungry,” Sarah asked but found him lost into something. She wondered what he had to hear and endure and was quick to leave for the kitchen only to hear him, “I am leaving…I am going to Jones’”

“You…” Sarah tried to say something but then didn’t, thinking if he might want to join his store job again.

She almost got to her phone and wanted to call Adam to give him a piece of her mind but then got static in her action. She knew it was so mean of her but a part of her tells her that maybe it was for good. Adam won’t be his boss anymore and they will definitely be free in their life now. After seeing Max’s condition all of her plans to tell him about Adam and her vanished. If anything it didn’t even seem necessary seeing how Adam won’t be a part of their lives now.

Sarah tried to do the laundry and cleaned the fridge before sorting their pantry. She tried to keep the home clean before Max comes. And, if anything…she expected his friends will be home too for the dinner. But when it was past midnight and Max didn’t come she tried for Jones’ number who didn’t pick up.

Contemplating her options she walked out in her coat and planned to walk to jones given Max had taken the car already. She only walked a block when in this eerily silence she felt someone following her. And, the moment she turned around it was only creepy silence. Only around four cars passed her but she buckled up her courage thinking she will get to the road soon.

She was still getting onto the road when she noticed their car coming up and waved to the car. The car was pulled right beside her and she noticed Jones at the driving seat while Max seemed to pass out on the passenger seat. “I was coming to you…”

“Get in,” Jones smiled and she got into the car.

With Jones’ help, she got Max into their bedroom and thanked Jones for the help. She showed him to the door and was hurt seeing Max trying to avoid her. She knew he almost had it all sorted and now it was going too hard for him to start again. She knew she was somewhere responsible and was ready to stand beside him.

In the morning, she woke up beside Max who was still fast asleep. She woke up and stared at him sleeping before getting out to set breakfast for him.

“Honey,” She went to wake him up and he groaned. The moment he seemed a little in reality Sarah could tell he wasn’t in a good mood. “Come on…I have the breakfast prepared. Let’s have breakfast together…”

“You can leave…I will sleep a little more.” He said and Sarah nodded her head seeing him trying to get under the covers again.

She did her breakfast alone realizing how it was the second day in a row when they were not eating together. Something that never happened before. She left the home and was sure she could make things right with her patience. It was Adam who tried to destroy her husband. And, she was responsible for that. But now with him out of the picture, things were bound to go normal in no time.

Sarah got home earlier to notice the place was empty. Max had seen to take his breakfast but the dishes were undone. Things like these were never a problem between the two and she didn’t give much thought to it knowing she can deal with it.

It was again past midnight when Jones came back with a very drunk Max. It took Sarah only four days to realize she has to intervene in this routine with something. This time in the morning she woke Max up, “Max we need to talk before I leave. Get up!”

“I can’t…my head is ruined,” He groaned taking another pillow over his ear.

“Really…then maybe you don’t drink every single night. Max…listen to me. Don’t come drunk tonight…can you do that?” And, he didn’t reply. She was running late and left for her job only to find herself waiting for Max again at home. Today, she was adamant to break the cycle and got to Jones’ place in the evening,

“Hello,” Jones’ friend open the door and gave her the way very instant. The place was a disaster. The paint was the only good thing about the place that was ruined with pizza boxes and beer cans literally everywhere. She was quick to notice Max sitting beside a sofa and found him busy on the playstation with his friend Jones. For a moment, she wonders how a guy like Max who can’t stand mess sit in a place like this before she said,

“Max? Can we talk?” And, this made Max look up before he said in shock, “What are you doing here?”

“Max…let’s go,” And, this made Max look at Jones before he looked at her. “Fine,” She didn’t let Max drive and he was quick to say, “You should haven’t come here,”

“What are you doing? Why are you avoiding me? If you don’t know we hadn’t talked this whole week, Max…for this whole week.”

“You are not my mom, Sarah. You better start acting like a wife…and, stay out of my affairs.”

“You are destroying yourself. I can’t see you doing…”

“I am destroyed. There is literally nothing that can be done from here. The company will make sure how I don’t get the job anywhere…stealing…stealing isn’t easy, Sarah. How they didn’t make a case on me was their favour…and, I am hating everything right now! And, I wonder what Adam must be thinking about me. I couldn’t have the courage to go talk to him.” He punched the dashboard and Sarah screamed. “God, don’t hurt yourself…” Sarah pulled the car on the curb and looked at his hand.

“God,…I love you Max…at least, don’t avoid me. If you are passing through a hard time…talk to me. Stay with me!” And, Max only smirked before rubbing his hands over his face.

“You…have got a job and life…and, today or someday you will realize how marrying me is the worst decision you ever made.”

“Is this why you are avoiding me?” Sarah whispered and try to hold his cheek.

“Don’t…” He slapped her hand away. “…Don’t say a word…I know what I am…so the last thing I want…is to look into your eyes…do you get me? This is how bad I want to avoid you.” And, before Sarah could react he opened the door and left.

“Max! Max!” She shouted after him but only find him taking the long strides away.

It was the first Saturday when Max didn’t wake up excited to spend the day with her. She woke up and could only hope for him to talk to her. And, sort things out with her. She made the breakfast for two and got him his breakfast in his bedroom.

“Max?...Max?...”

“What do you want? Really…what do you want? Do you want me to not come home altogether?”

“Why are you doing this to me? What did I do, Max?” She seemed horrified at his words.

“You will eventually…you will leave me. Won’t you? You know what…you should…do it now…”

“What?” She was shocked,

“Don’t irritate me, Sarah…get out…if I want a breakfast…I will set myself one. You don’t need to babysit me. Ok!” He shouted getting out of the bed and was getting to the bathroom when his cellphone rang.

He got to his phone and picked it up instantly,

“Who?” He asked,

“We are calling you from Cross Inc, Mr Dawson. We are highly ashamed of what you need to get through. Mr Cross has managed an appointment with you in person too. We are looking forward to seeing you.” Max was silent for a moment and looked at Sarah before he whispered, “I will be there,”

Max pulled in front of the building and got in to be told how Mr Cross is waiting for him. He already knew that HR is not active on weekends but Mr Cross does work on weekends too. So, it didn’t come as a surprise to him.

“Really!…you were fired and you didn’t think it was of any use to give me a call…or text!” Adam complained the moment Max walked into his office and he huffed out.

“I was accused of stealing. The last thing I wanted was for you to see me…”

“Cut the crap…you know I know…people,” Adam had a little smile as he said the last word and motioned Max to have a seat in front of him.

“I…I didn’t steal.” Adam nodded his head and let a puff of cigarette burn his lungs while Max got settled in front of him.

“I know…” Adam said before crushing the cigarette butt on the ashtray and smiled wider. “…and, you aren’t here for just anything…I personally looked into the matter. It wasn’t you…but I fired the manager who wronged you…”

“What?” Max was a little shocked,

“Of course, it was his duty that all of you are treated well. He obviously wasn’t competent enough.”

“I don’t know what to say…but you are right…under him, we all felt pressured and he didn’t have any right to treat me the way he treated me…”

“Yes, you are right…and, after all, you are my friend. He should have known to whom he was talking to,” Adam said with a smile while Max gulped shaking his head.

“Don’t make it sound like this…but…this is true. It is not what you know…it is who you know.”

“Great…now, let me make it up to you. From this moment on, you will be the in-charge of your floor…and, I am sure no one can be competent enough than you.”

“What?” Max seemed surprised. He couldn’t believe his ears.

“You didn’t see it coming…did you?" Adam laughed a little and Max couldn’t help. “I really can’t…I wonder if I drink a little too much in the night and…”

“No, it’s true…this position is all yours, Max…and, if you kept like this…even the head of customer support.”

“What?” Max gasped a little. He knew it wasn’t possible and this is exactly when he noticed Adam seemed a little different too. He wanted to point it out but then didn’t and only asked, “I can’t believe my ears. I…I should have come to you about this matter.”

“Yea…this is what you exactly...should have done instead,” Adam got up from his boss chair and walked to the wall-sized window at the left.

“Max…I told you once you are meant for the bigger things…didn’t I?....”

“Thank you, for believing in me, Mr Cross…” Adam nodded his head and turn to him slowly.

“Max? Nothing here is for free, brother…and, I want something out of you too.”

"Really? What?"