Chapter 07

"Mum, please. Get me out of the marriage. I don't want it, please," Rhoda pleaded with her mother. She had decided to go to her parents' house since they were the one who could get her out of the mess she was in.

She could not bear to lose her boyfriend. Not after building a strong relationship with him for years. Not after their plans to get married. Not after everything they had been through together.

She understood him. She could have done worse in his shoes. He would come to his senses and take her back. She knew he would. He was just angry at the moment. He wouldn't just throw away everything they had just like that.

Her mother hugged her and patted her back. "I am sorry, Rhoda, but there is nothing I can do about this. We talked about this and you agreed to it, remember?"

Why was she talking as if she agreed because she wanted it? Did she even care about her happiness at all? "How about dad?"

"His business is just starting to do well, my dear. We're also doing this for you."

Rhoda wiped her tears. She knew her mother was not going to do anything about it. She knew it. She didn't care about her happiness. What mattered was their business.

Her father walked in with a stern face. "What are you talking about Rhoda? You know divorce is not an option. And you can't be whining to us to get you out if the marriage because your boyfriend broke up with you? Don't you think that was a good thing?"

Who was this person again? The man who just talked couldn't be her father. Her father wasn't that cruel with words. Or maybe he was. She just didn't know him well enough.

She sniffed. "I'm sorry, dad, mum. Coming here was a mistake. You're right. I shouldn't be whining to you about my problems. Good night." She rose to her feet, carried her bag and walked out.

She needed to get herself drunk and forget everything.

★

Jeff walked out of the kitchen with the glass of juice he was taking to Karen in his room. He had insisted they stayed in his room since Rhoda wasn't home and he didn't want her to see her. She was still unaware of his marriage and also had no idea that he wasn't living alone for a month now. It should stay that way.

The door opened and his eyes immediately widened, knowing who it was. He rushed to his wife with the glass of juice one hand and a finger on his lips. "You should walk as quietly as you can. My girlfriend is in my room," he whispered.

Rhoda looked at him with swollen face from crying and disheveled hair, but said nothing. She walked past him in her heels which was making a 'top-top' noise.

Jeff rushed to her and dragged her into the kitchen, pinning her to the wall. "You don't look okay. What's wrong?" He asked as he peeped out the door to watch out for his girlfriend. He had told her not to come out, but who knows?

Rhoda said nothing. She just kept staring into space.

Jeff sighed. "You…"

"Babe?" Jeff heard his girlfriend say and footsteps down the stairs.

"Fuck!" He muttered. After the stairs was the door to the kitchen. And she was getting closer. "Stay here," he said. He made an attempt to go out and surprisingly Rhoda did the same.

Were women generally deaf to instructions?

He cussed and pinned her back to the wall with his body. He seemed to mind the closeness but he had no choice. He peeped out the door and smiled at Karen, holding out her drink for her.

Karen smiled and collected it. "What's taking you so long? Do you need help? Why aren't you coming out?" She asked and was about to walk into the kitchen when he stopped her with his free hand.

"I am fine, darling. I just need to sort something out here and I'll be right with you."

Karen stared at him for far too long than normal. "Are you sure?"

Jeff nodded and thankfully, she obeyed and made her way up the stairs.

"Rhoda…" She breathed out with her mouth and he squeezed his face. "What the! You reek of alcohol! What happened to you?"

She said nothing.

Jeff sighed. "Okay. Fine. I know we're not friends or anything, but I can't see you looking like this and not do anything about it. So, tell me what happened to you. Did you get beaten up?"

And for the first time since he started talking, she gave him a reaction. She glared at him, but said nothing.

"Okay, not that. You know what? Let's get you into your room quietly and we'll talk after Karen's gone, okay?" Without waiting for her reply, he continued. "Now, let's get those heels off." And he did, then took her quietly up the stairs.

As they were about to walk past his bedroom, the door creaked open and Karen emerged and became shocked. "What in the earth is going on? Who is this?"

Jeff bit his lips. Just what he has been trying to avoid. "She's a friend," he lied.

Karen chuckled. "And you think I'll believe you?" She said and face Rhoda. "Hey, who are you?"

Rhoda said nothing, but looked at her from head to toe. She was putting on Jeff's shirt. She decided to walk away, but Karen grabbed her shoulder and turned her around.

"I asked you who you are. Don't you dare walk out on me."

Jeff grabbed his girlfriend. "Stop it, Karen. Leave her alone."

"Really? Are you kidding?" Karen asked angrily.

Rhoda looked at the two of them. "Hold on! Why should I be the only one with a broken relationship?" She muttered to herself.

But he heard her. And he realized what was wrong with her. Her boyfriend had broken up with her and she wanted to ruin his relationship as a result of that too. "No, Rhoda. Don't talk like that," he said but she pretended not to hear him.

"Who are you?" Karen repeated.

"You want to know who I am?" Rhoda asked and without waiting for her reply, she wrapped her hands around Jeff and locked lips with him.