Undefiled Queen

Merlyn’s POV

The excruciating rays of sunlight hit my eyes and an intense pain shot in my head. I stopped the rays with my hand and constricted my orbs.

I looked around and saw I was in the bedroom and yesterday’s course of events rolled in my head. My pools automatically hosted wetness. A single tear drop fell from the end of my right eye.

To what state had I brought myself too. I always wanted to stay positive but the more I challenged my willpower to reach my goal the greater were the obstacles in my life.

I raised my optics and ahead of me hung to the wall was our wedding picture. I was smiling so bright to the camera holding the bouquet of white roses and Stephen was looking at me with adulation as if his world vests within me.

Today when I recollect everything, I cannot stop but laugh at my stupidity. My first mistake was falling for the wrong man, then getting cheated by him and marrying the killer of my parents and now bearing with his deceit.

I raised my front body to squat on the bed and experienced a sudden spinning feeling as if the whole world was doing a mary go round. Shit! I turned to the side and got up slowly to sit. Stephen might have found me on the floor and brought me here.

Yesterday night after seeing those photos I think I had another panic attack. Just then the door knob tilted and inside walked Stephen. “You are already up? Good morning! How are you feeling now?” He asked cheerfully looking at the time on his Rolex as if everything going on between us is the best.

I tried to move my hand and hissed with pain. It was then that I noticed I was on a drip. “Careful” he called and placed the tray filled with food on the table.

“Does it pain you very much?” Worry evident in his eyes. He held my hand in his and looked at the needle insertion.

“Last night when I reached home, I saw you unconscious on the floor. I got worried and immediately called the doctor. He said you’re underweight and malnourished which is why unable to stand strain you succumb to panic attacks.”

I grilled my teeth in anger and impatience. “Well, for a woman who has a killer and betrayer as her husband these sort of panic attacks are quite common. It is not the question of malnourishment.”

“What are you talking about?” He looked alarmed. “After everything we had and after every explanation I gave, is this what you think about me?” He looked broken.

I bit the inside of my cheek to arrest the curse about to fall out. What superb acting skills. For best training in such fine arts my husband is the first person to be approached.

“What is your explanation about those photographs?” I locked my hands to my chest and came straight to the point ignoring his sorry ass excellent acting skills.

For a few seconds, he did not talk and just looked at me. Slowly his eyes dilated but he blinked continuously to stop them from falling. “Can we talk about it after you have your breakfast?”

I only nodded and took the tray from the side table. Truth speaking, I was very hungry. It was my favorite breakfast. He surely knows which nuts to tighten and which knobs to pull when the need arises. That’s how he became the top business man.

He continued to stare at me but with no words while I devoured the food with delight. When I lifted my eyes, he was still staring at me.

I squirmed under his gaze and cleared my throat before I drank the water. Noticing me getting uncomfortable, he averted his eyes. “I need to smoke. Since you hate the smell of cigarettes I will come back after a few minutes when you finish your breakfast.”

Walking out of the room, he took his phone from his pants pockets. I could hear his distant voice speaking to someone on the phone, initially the conversation was business-like which subsequently transformed to angry commands and snarling.

Minutes turned to hours and I did not see him come back. I couldn’t hear him either. Did he already leave the office? I tried to call him but his phone was either not reachable or my call went to his voicemail.

What is it with him? I wanted to discuss such an important issue and he simply left the house not even informing me.

I patiently waited for him. After all, it was not an issue to be ignored and he came back home late at night. His hair was disheveled, the tie hung loose across his chest and his coat was gone. There were brown ash marks all over his face. What happened to him?

Panic first reached me but when I carefully observed I saw they were only stains rather than burns and subsequently I exhaled an air of relief. Why do I love him in spite of everything he does?

“I’m sorry, I had to keep you waiting and left home without informing you. Fire broke out in one of the departments. By the time the fire extinguishers arrived it was too late so we had to cater for ourselves to save the most important documents. Two young lives were claimed and ten of my company’s staff were injured”

I nodded. “I understand. No need to apologize. My condolences to the lost lives.”

“Can we pay a visit to the hospital tomorrow to see the injured staff?” I went thoughtful. With the current situation prevailing between us should I still consider myself as his wife?

He sighed, removed his tie and pulled us to the couch. “I can understand the mental situation you are going through. Those were the photos sent by your ex boyfriend. I put him in prison for cheating upon you with another woman and obviously he is trying to get revenge upon me through you.”

“What is the difference between you and him?” Stephen’s eyes were flaring daggers at me with that question. Earlier there was remorse in his eyes which is now transformed to fury.

“Well, if you want to believe outside sources and those stupid pictures, I have nothing to talk to you, Merlyn and by the way pictures can be photoshopped too. I see you as an educated woman and capable of understanding things.” He was walking to the stairs ignoring my questioning stare.

“I need an explanation Stephen. I am your legally wedded wife and beating around the bush, talking in puzzles does not help.” I shouted behind him standing up from the couch.

He stopped on his tracks before reaching the staircase, turned around and looked at me. “I have already told you many times, I was not a saint before you entered my life. But whether you believe it or not, I am a clean person now. I have no woman in my life other than you. That girl you see in those photos was my past, my ex-girlfriend. Now she is happily married in another city with husband and kids.”

He walked back placing a business card on the center table not even sparing me a look. “That’s her contact number. She is an interior designer. You can find everything directly through her if you do not believe me.”

I was pretty surprised at his sudden action. It was so unexpected. However it led me to more questions. “That’s not required. I believe you.” I said standing before him blocking his way to reach the stairs.

“Finally” he huffed.

“But I want to know, how do you have her business card? And the date mentioned in the photos is just ten days ago.”

“You said, you believe me Merlyn, then why so many questions?” He looked at me tiredly. Nevertheless answered.

“I am opening a new branch in Dubai and she is my branch’s interior designer. And regarding the photos like I told you earlier, they could be photoshopped too.”

Stephen’s pov

I took a shower, got dressed and went to bed taking my wife into my arms. It felt peaceful. I kissed her forehead and she mumbled an apology. Her eyes were already shutting off. “Sleep sweetheart. Misunderstandings can always arise in any relationship but they should be solved before the date in the calendar changes between husband and wife. As long as this happens, no storm can separate us.” I kissed the forehead of my wife and allowed the sleep to takeover

That bloody asshole Max. How dare he rake questions in my wife’s brain? Until yesterday we were happy. Though after a long time and many challenges I thought I had my childhood love back but I was wrong. I have to ask the cops how he came back from the prison so early. The nerve of him to meddle with my life. No sooner he came out he started with the business of bringing chaos in my family.

Today I was busy because of the fire accident. But the first thing I would do tomorrow morning as soon as I reach my office is to teach the rascal a lesson.

*****

Stephen was not a clean hearted person. He can blackmail people, plan treachery, bribe and even can get people killed. But he is non dangerous to Merlyn because he loves her from the bottom of his heart.

“Good Morning sir! Due to his good conduct Max was released from prison six months beforehand. Normally cheating cases go on with the lock-up period of up to five years but Max obtained a good lawyer. He fought the case so well that his serving time behind the bars got reduced to one year which was further brought down to just six months because of his good conduct.” The senior superintendent of the police replied to Stephen.

Stephen did not like the cops reply. “Good conduct?” He called it sardonically to the officer on the other end of the line.

“How do I get him behind the bars again?” For a moment there was a pause. When Stephen thought the line went dead the cop spoke again. “Sir, it is difficult until he gets into a proven crime once again.”

Something struck and a devilish smirk crossed Stephen. “Thank you officer Daniel.” He greeted and cut the call.

His next call went to the most warranted number. “Good morning sir.” The man from the other side greeted him.

“I want you to do a deal for me.” The next few minutes went in Stephen explaining things on what the person has to do. And an hour later, he got the call from the same number. “Good morning sir, the work is done.”

“That’s great. One million will be wired to your bank account within the next half an hour. But, nobody should know what you did. Failing which you will meet the same end this man is going to have shortly.

The next day there was an article in the newspaper – a black truck dashed a baby stroller and almost killed the mother. The woman is admitted in the hospital with severe head injury and concussion while the driver of the car whose breaks failed is absconding. His picture in the insight beside the accident scene. If any person finds him anywhere should immediately inform the cops and can claim a huge reward.

Merlyn read the article aloud for Stephen to hear and showed him the picture in the insight. “I never thought Max would do such a thing.”

A sly grin crafted on Stephen’s features.Text content © NôvelDrama.Org.

You try to touch what is mine, I touch you, Max. Do not dare to meddle with me again. Otherwise next time it will not be the lady fighting between life and death but you.