OPENED DOORS

CHAPTER ELEVEN

ONE CAN TELL HE IS IN SO MUCH PAIN BUT IF HE IS NOT ABLE TO LET ANYONE IN HOW WILL HE BE HELPED?

THE DEMON IS EATING HIM FROM WITHIN.

SINCE 17 THERE WAS NO TIME HE WAS GENUINELY HAPPY.

Who should it be? If not me?

No, it's just that your Nana told me you won't be home today.

Must have been news to you, you must have been at peace without me here right?

Wrong, Completely wrong.

She smiles but it fades in a striking light.

What now?

You are my husband the least you should do is open up, did I hurt you maybe with what I said during our argument?

It's Zero to ten that's what you are when you are next to me and you think your words could hurt me.

He starts walking away from her as he passes her his face again clouded by emotion.

With no hesitation, Claire walks fast to him and hugged him from behind.

I know your life is a turmoil, on one hand, you have to protect the people you consider family from the ferocious enemies and an additional burden which is me, but since Nana asked me to give the benefit of the doubt from now on I will be benevolent with you.

He remove her arms around him, gently turned towards her looked into her eyes and smile.

Should I applaud you for the new behaviour, wow.

I must say you know how to play reverse psychology.

What should I give you, ask away anything you want, like a divorce?

No, no Paniel I am genuinely trying to understand you, I am here as your wife but you still want to...

He holds her hand gi guides her to sit as he does the same.

I am sorry I know you meant well and I guarded my feelings for I do not want people to see me as a weak man, they will start to lose respect for me.

There's nothing in being weak its just show how human we are.

The reason people cry is to relieve themselves of the inner burden weighing them down, I wonder why you are still intact and didn't explode by now?

He laughed so loud and hard that Clair stared at him with a gleam in her eyes, she looks at him as if she is seeing him for the first time.

He is just a beautiful site to look at when laughing.

You look good with your teeth out when smile.

He stops as he just notices what he has been doing.

Instead of shouting and scaring everyone away.

Except for you.

Had I scared you I know you would be here trying to make sure I am not sad.

Well you know you took everything from me and left me with nothing I am a zero to a ten next to you.

Silly, using it against me huh?

I learnt from the master himself. Now come to bed for I am tired your altercations got me exhausted.

You want to share a bed with me.

No, you dummy I want to share the floor with you.

WHAT?

Had I not told you to come to bed?

Whispering

Now he is contemplating and questioning me fit asking him to come to bed which he has been going on about idiot.

What did you say?

Just that you should share the bed with me and that's all we share, you keep your side and so will I.

Cool, good night.

You to my Darling husband.

Not funny.

Was not meant to be.

You are impossible.

And you are infuriating.

Quiet and go to sleep now or I will make you.

She turns and silently covers herself.

IT'S FINALLY MORNING, CLAIRE GOES TO THE KITCHEN AND PREPARES FOOD FOR EVERYONE BUT PANIEL BREAKFAST IS DIFFERENT AND HEARTS AND SMILES ARE DRAWN IN HIS PLACE.

WHICH MADE EVERYONE AT THE TABLE LAUGH.

What the heck in the world is this?

Who made this?

Claire blows a kiss to him.

Why are you asking while you fully know who it is sweetheart?

Sweetheart?

What is wrong with you all of a sudden?

You acting as if you did not honey, honeymoon, sweetheart, kiki me last in bed.

Are you insane, why would I do that?

Should I keep telling them all the things you called me while you made love to me?

Huh, what are you?

Your wife that's what I am.

She pushes her eyebrows up, winks and smiles, but it's cut as Claine makes his entrance with armed men.

Everyone stands and looks at them in awe and shock.