2 TWO

They both stood up at the same time from the step and as if sync gave the each other a proper introduction.

"Elaine Violet."

"Jonathan Reece."

Their harmonious interaction brought about another fresh peal of laughter from the both of them, not only Elaine this time. However, they both deliberately omitted their last names, of which if they hadn't they could have already realized that their meeting wasn't in the least bit uncanny and sooner or later they could have met again.

They made small talk about where they should have their drinks and they both agreed to visit the club nearby, Poppy, so that they didn't have to drive there, otherwise Jonathan's suspicions about her being rich could've been proved earlier on.

The two had met when it was close to four in the evening and spent the rest of the day, downing drinks and talking about what not in particular. The entire time they avoided topics that delved into their personal lives, careers and other information they considered would reveal much about each other.

They instead chose to discuss lighthearted topics like the weather, fashion, movies and songs. At some point, even different types of alcohol. Their lighthearted banter had gone on until late into the night, with no signs of ending anytime soon. That is until Elaine's chauffeur arrived, unexpectedly.

Unexpectedly, because she hadn't called him and she wasn't done having the time of her life with good old Johnny boy.

The chauffeur also came to her reluctantly. He didn't want to be a party pooper, spoiling her fun. He could only follow the orders of the young sir, who to inquire about his wife, called him multiple times. A first in his marriage.

In the beginning, he decided to cover up for Elaine. After several incessant calls, he couldn't drag it on anymore. That's when he told him about her visit to the club with a male counterpart. Following this, he was commanded to bring her home and if worse comes to worse drag her all the way.

Poor, old Charlie was caught in between his two bosses. He made a choice to go with the lesser evil, the young miss, rather than offend her husband who seldom got angry. Furthermore, no one had an idea how he was when he did. They did say better the devil you know...

"Turns out my guess was right, you're someone's spoilt little wife. 'Hic!' " Jonathan commented when he saw the chauffeur approach her.

Elaine was too drunk and tired to argue with him about it. Instead she gave him a wry smile. She believed they'll be more time to explain, to her new friend how things came to be, but not today.

Today was a night to drown their sorrows with booze and celebrate a new friendship. According to her, they had only one plan, 'to go big, then go home.'

When she arrived at the mansion, she was met by a pair of inquisitive eyes belonging to her husband, who was seated on the seat closest to the door looking pensive.

Immediately their eyes met, his gaze turned on the driver, who had one of her arms around his shoulder for support. Tonight, Elaine had exceeded her limits and drunk to a point she couldn't walk properly, stumbling whenever she did. So the chauffeur offered his support, which clearly someone did not appreciate.

Seeing that he couldn't solve anything by staring them down, he walked over to them in quick strides. He pulled Elaine to lean on him, dismissing Charlie with, "I got this." What he left behind was the 'Your services are no longer needed here' part.

Elaine was struck by his cold tone towards the poor driver who wasn't to blame for anything. Perhaps if things were different and she was in an alternate universe, she would have been happy he was jealous. Pity, this wasn't the case.

He helped her walk up the stairs to her room, which was initially theirs after their marriage. Later on, he moved out after his grandfather went on a vacation, shredding all pretence of a happy couple.

On the way up, he suddenly stopped to ask of her whereabouts that night. Even though he already had an idea of her nightly escapade. To him it was more of a test, to see whether she would open up to him. However to his disappointment she failed when she angrily snapped at him.

"What! So you can come back late by I can't?"

He decided not to push it further upon seeing her cheerful look change into an aggravated one. He was relieved to see her happy after a long time, but didn't like that it took a bottle of alcohol to get her this elated. He always yearned to be the reason for her joy. Sadly, he had never appeared pleasing to her eye.

While still consumed by his thoughts, they had arrived at the end of the stairway and were headed inside her room. Initially, Elaine planned to stop him from coming inside but her body had a mind of its own. She allowed him to help her change out of her work clothes and into her pajamas. He even tucked her into bed. But before he could head out, she felt the sudden urge to throw up.

She threw away the covers and dashed past him to the bathroom where she puked her guts out. He rushed in behind her, holding her hair up in one hand, with the other rubbing her back soothingly. Once she was sure she was done, she walked to the sink to clean herself up.

Surprisingly, he beat her to it and carefully cleaned her mouth with a wet wash cloth. She was taken aback by his actions. From the moment he took over from the driver till now.

'Why the change in behaviour all of a sudden? Was he worried about me?' She didn't voice her suspicions out loud and

Until when he tucked her in for the second time of the night. "Jake, I consent to your demands. I'll give you a son if that is what it takes for you to leave me alone."

Jake halt his actions and looked at her in shock but said nothing. He took her words for a drunks' rambling, which she would probably forget about tomorrow, once she regained her rationale. He didn't take it to heart and had no reason to hold it against her. So tomorrow, he wouldn't bring it up.

Contrary to his thinking, Elaine hadn't been speaking carelessly, she had regained some of her senses and meant every word. She wanted to restore her (last) life to normal and maintain her newly sourced chance at freedom. For which, she was willing to do anything so as not to lose it.