Chapter Four

#Chapter Four

"You deserve it," Frank told her as he rounded her chair to stand behind her, tucking her hair behind her ear and lifting her earlobe. He put the diamond earring on and she tilted the handheld mirror up to stare at it in wonder. "It's only been a month and you've been managing the estate so well."

"It's beautiful, Frank!" Serene beamed. Frank put the other earring on and she gazed into the mirror. She was smiling, and smiling wide. She looked between herself and Frank, who was staring at her with satisfaction. Returning her eyes to the mirror, her smile spread wider. She simply couldn't stop smiling. "Thank you so much!"

"Cute earrings for my cute wife," he said. "It suits you well."

"Oh, Frank," she turned her head side to side, looking into the mirror. "Do I look beautiful, my husband?"

"You look cute," he said before he smiled.

"Thank you."

"I hope you've been going out more," he told her. "Staying cooped up in this mansion for too long is not ideal."

"I will. I'll start meeting my friends again for tea time. I haven't been in a while."

"As long as you enjoy yourself."

She smiled at him and set the mirror down. "What have you been doing? You've been out late so many times. I miss you."

"Just work," Frank said. "Nothing interesting."

"I wish you would come home earlier," she complained lightly. "But I understand."

"Thank you for understanding. If you want, I'll have someone buy more books for you to read."

"Sure," she said. "Will you read to me in bed on the nights where you are able to come home early?"

"I'm not sure, I'm usually tired."

"Then read to me when you're not tired. Or in the morning, when we wake up beside each other."

"I'll try."

"I'm always asleep when you turn in for bed, when I want to be awake."

"You should sleep instead - " he said. "What are you doing, Serene?"

Serene tugged on the zipper on the back of her dress. It slid down quickly and the silk loosened from her body. It fell to the ground in a heap and she felt the cold air touch her bare breasts. She took Frank's hand into hers and put it over one breast, and she squeezed his hand.

He looked towards the ground. "We're not in the bedroom, Serene. This is inappropriate."

"I don't care," she said and neared his face. She put her lips on his and they kissed each other. She tried to kiss him harder, but he drew back a little. Approaching her hand to his groin, he grabbed her hand to stop her. "Frank?" Serene moved in to continue.

But Frank left abruptly.