2 Some Husband

Under the protection of the umbrella, Histoire walked down the driveway and exited the property, crossed the street and stopped at the sidewalk of the next mansion. She had not entered the semi-circular driveway yet and was greeted by the sound of voices that could surprisingly be heard over the rain pelting on her umbrella.

She was not certain if it was the right time to approach the house, but when the front double doors were pushed opened, she took it as a sign to go nearer. She was a good thirty feet away when the unintelligible words quietened and two figures approached the door. When she arrived by the doors to stand before a female figure, she was able to see the other more masculine figure disappear behind another door.

Sullen, the woman relaxed her brow upon setting her sight on Histoire. She was absolutely pretty and Histoire was at a loss for words. While it could be agreed upon by many that she had a thin yet shapely figure, her distinct feature was her naturally golden locks. Once again it was proven that Histoire heard no exaggerations. The woman's appearance was somewhat daunting.

"Good evening," Histoire began with a hushed tone, but the woman barely heard her greeting and she had to repeat herself even louder. Her sultry lips curved as a smile hesitantly crept onto her face. It was apparent that it was forced considering circumstances.

"You're the Jaegers' new housekeeper, I presume?" She asked with an equally hushed and soft voice, one that would fail to convince a random passerby that she was shouting louder than the rain earlier.

She did not sound as a welcoming host would either. She was too emotionally preoccupied with her own affairs to be concerned with how aloof she sounded.

"I'm aware I could've shown up to introduce myself at a better time. It is raining heavily after all, but-"

"Please, come in. Enelda is just about to serve us dinner. There's no such as thing as a bad time for formalities," she interjected. Enelda must have been the cook or a servant. Something made you very nervous, and that was the blatant attempt to hide the anger laced in her voice. She was a terrible deceiver.

"Thank you, but all I came for was to deliver this..." Histoire reached for the envelope tucked underneath her arm and hesitantly reached it out for the woman to take.

"If it's so important we can discuss it over dinner. Come, my name is Ines Winter," her hand reached out and touched yours instead of the envelope that was too large to not be noticed. She pulled her arm along, however, Histoire stood with her feet firmly planted on the ground, which did not go unnoticed by Ines.

Ines clearly was not any Taylor. To Histoire, it was obvious now that the report and the message that came along with it was meant to be seen by her husband. Histoire was not so certain about handing the envelope to Ines now nor was she so sure about staying over for dinner. She could turn around then and abort her mission, but it seemed fruitless.

Could she pass the envelope on to the husband? No, that would seem too suspicious. She could not stay over for dinner either out of fear of being caught in a crossfire. The husband was unfaithful and Ines would by no doubt not take it lightly. Especially when Histoire considered that they were screaming at one another before her arrival.

"And mine is Eloise. About the dinner, I wouldn't mind on any other day... like I said, I came to deliver this. It was accidentally delivered to the Jaegers' and I was ignorant enough to open it without checking the address..." Because Histoire insisted, Ines released her hand and took the envelope.

Sure enough, she saw that one side was torn open, but she heard Histoire's explanation and nodded with a smile that almost seemed genuine.

Immediately after receiving it, Ines reached inside and pulled out the pink paper. A curious choice as that specific one attracted Histoire to view it first, too.

"I should be heading back now. It was nice to meet you," Histoire muttered nervously and turned around before Ines could say anything else. Not that she did. Histoire did not hear her voice as she walked off and assumed she was too bothered to speak to her without raising her voice.

Histoire crossed Carelsen Street once again and returned to the Jaeger property. She opened the door and closed it again, making certain that she locked it. It was out in the open now; a secret someone probably planned to take along to his grave. Histoire felt a cavity form in her chest. She might have just ended a marriage. She began to feel guilty.

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Author's Note:

'Ines' is pronounced as 'Eeness', as in 'Happiness'. This is the French derivative of 'Agnes'.