Something Changed

The room was silent without the slightest sound even though there were several people there. Melody sat on the living room sofa with a cup of hot tea that had already turned cold and was accompanied by five workers around her. Everyone stood up straight, silently watching the boss who seemed to be brooding.

Melody was holding the magazine but her eyes stared blankly at the paper. Melody thought, 'Recently, Joshua often comes home late and sometimes doesn't even come home.'

Melody did not return home with her husband to this city for a long time but one week ago, everything was fine until Melody failed to get what she wanted. One day before the meeting, Joshua didn't come home and he did it more and more after that day. If in two weeks, Joshua has not come home four times and five times he has come home late.

Melody and Joshua's relationship may not be close but Joshua never doesn't talk to her and acts like they are two strangers under the same roof. Let alone asking questions, Joshua sometimes doesn't even notice Melody in the living room. Sit back and watch him step the stairs just like that.

Same as now. Melody looked at the clock on the television, the short needle indicated five in the morning and her husband had not yet come home. Melody read the magazine last night while waiting for Joshua, but in the end, she didn't read it nor sleep because she was busy thinking.

What keeps her husband so busy? Because all the legal inheritance belongs to him? That didn't sound like a valid reason in Melody's mind. Even though Joshua wants the treasure, Melody can bet that her husband isn't a money freak. He wouldn't spend all that money squandering or anything like that.

After tired of thinking, Melody sighed. She set the magazine on the glass table and touched her throbbing head. The woman was tired, she closed her eyes to rest for a moment.

However, the sound of the door she had been waiting for a long time finally sounded, signalling someone would soon enter. Maddie turned around and sure enough, Castelia finally showed the bridge of her nose. She didn't even look tired. Unlike Maddie, who wasn't excited and sleepy because she had been waiting for her all night.

"Cas, haven't you been out a lot lately?" Maddie asked curiously. They'd been spending time together all this time, but somehow Castelia didn't want Maddie to come with her. She didn't even talk about the reason, she just didn't want it.

"Sorry, I was just busy trying something new," Castelia said whatever she could because Castelia couldn't use family as an excuse. Castelia had no one and Maddie knew that well.

"Something new like what makes you have to go out all night and sometimes don't come home?" Maddie wanted to know to stop her brain from wondering, but Castelia didn't like to clarify it.

"Madd, I just don't want to talk about it yet," Castelia said with a pitiful expression on her face. "I hope you understand and don't worry about me. I'm really fine and happy."

Maddie doesn't understand. It is good that her friend was happy but Maddie being who wasn't happy in the here and now. "I thought we were distant lately." Maddie finally had a chance to say what had been on her mind since yesterday. "I understand if you have something you don't want to say or if you find some other fun and you don't want me to bother you. I completely understand. But Cas, don't you leave me alone too many times?"

Maddie continued, "We usually work together to get things done but I've been doing it myself. Three times."

"I'm sorry, Maddie. I won't leave the job to you alone again, I promise," she said to end the conversation.

After all, Maddie was tired of discussing this matter. If Castelia didn't mean what she said, Maddie couldn't force her but if Castelia meant it, Maddie would believe her. "Fine, if that's what you say." Maddie smiled wryly before adding, "You better get some rest. You must be tired from spending all day outside."

Castelia returned Maddie's slight smile and nodded her head. She left Maddie and ended up in her room. To be honest, Castelia didn't feel tired at all. She didn't do any work while away. What Castelia does is be with Joshua and enjoy time together. She even just came home after falling asleep with the man.

But lying to Maddie didn't make Castelia feel any better. She didn't complain because it was her choice. Castelia closed her eyes as she took a deep breath.

"You really won't talk if I don't start?" The question belonged to Melody who was tired of standing facing her husband in silence. All they did was stare at each other and keep their mouths shut. Melody didn't wait all night for this. She got to the point and asked, "Where have you been lately? You often don't come home and sometimes come home in the morning. You're not going to tell me anything?"

"What do you want me to say?" Joshua's response was calm. He asked back, "I'm busy because of overtime. That's what you want to hear?"

"I went to your office and no one was there. Don't lie to me," Melody said, but Joshua still reacted calmly as if he had a valid reason for causing his wife to worry.

"You came into my office? You checked all the rooms in the building?" Joshua asked, still with a calm expression on his face.

Melody took a breath and was ready to answer, but she closed her mouth again when she realized that she didn't. Melody just stood in front of the building her husband worked in, asked the security and left when the man told her that no one else was in the building, including Joshua.

Melody's silence, Joshua considered the end of the conversation. He left without a word and left everyone in the living room. Melody didn't speak, she turned around and watched her husband's back disappear on the second floor.

Melody looked around, realizing that the five workers who had accompanied her last night were still standing in their respective positions without daring to get tired. Melody gave the order, "Get out of here."

There was only one sound and everyone rushed off, leaving her alone. After the room turned quiet, Melody touched her closed eyes and took a deep breath. "Shit," she cursed in annoyance. Suddenly she opened her eyes and looked anxiously at the floor.

As something worrying came to mind, Melody mumbled, "Could those two bitches tell Joshua about what I did to snatch the inheritance from him?" The more anxious the woman thought that she might be right because if not, what else was Joshua's reason for changing?

"Oh shit!"