Page 21 of War
Faith warmly smiled. He always knew how to compliment her without making it too obvious. “You were always fabulous to me.”
He smiled again. He thought about when things were innocent between them. They could never go back to that state, nor would he want to. But it would be nice to relive some of it. “I had to keep up with you. I didn’t want anyone to think you were messing with some slouch from the corner.”
“I never thought that,” she shook her head, “I loved you more than anything. I didn’t care what anyone thought.”
Eli wanted to interject and ask Faith if she truly believed what she just said. He didn’t want to ruin one of the few moments of peace they’ve had in a long while. For once there was no tension or snappy behavior between the pair. He missed this part of his marriage. “Same.”
The pair stared at each other for a short while longer, waiting for the other to make a move, any move. Eli went first. “I had a talk with Simone about some things. I didn’t know she confronted you before. I understand why you reacted the way you did and I apologize for getting angry with you about it. That was unfair of me.”
“It was unfair of you to be angry at me at all,” Faith retorted and Eli felt the chill in her words. “You took up for your former mistress but not your wife.”
“I didn’t take up for neither of you.” He defended. “You both knew you were wrong but I understand why you did it. She pushed you to the point of no return and you snapped. I get it. I apologize for not understanding before.”
Did he really understand? Faith wanted to ask. Eli put her into a very difficult situation and it seemed to not have any effect on him whatsoever. “Well, I guess I should be heading out now.” Faith began. “I have a long day at the shop.”
And just like that, a chance for a meaningful conversation was gone. Maybe it wasn’t a bad thing. Eli had a teleconference with his attorney, Sebastian, and his brother, Joey, regarding his assets and child support payments. “Okay,” Eli nodded, “I have a busy day ahead with many events coming up so I’ll be going over a lot of stuff here.”
“Okay.” A sensual air passed between them and Faith wondered if she really felt it or if it was just the chill factor from the changing seasons. “I’ll see you later, then?”
“Sure.” Eli nodded. “Have a good day, Faith.”
Faith picked up her keys and began heading out the door when she suddenly stopped.Faith. He called me Faith, not Faye.
She and Eli talked to each other like they were already divorced and having a cordial conversation, not a couple still very married.
Was their marriage already on its last legs? She couldn’t even remember when was the last time they made love. Eli relegated himself to the guest room and had been there for a few weeks. Though it was a busy time at the shop, it seemed Eli was taking on more requests and events; any reason to not be at home.
“Eli?” Faith turned around. He was still in the hallway. “What’s going on between us?”
Eli shook his head. His wife wanted a fight with him and after dealing with Simone and her bullshit all weekend, he didn’t have the care to participate in more drama. He wasn’t quite sure if his self-diagnosed ulcer was a legit thing. “Faith, I need to work and so do you.”
“You’re deflecting and that’s another issue between us,” she pointed out, “you don’t want to talk to me.”
If Eli doubted Faith was starting a fight, her attitude confirmed it. “Faith, I’ve been trying to talk to you for the past several months. I know I was wrong. I know I messed up. I know I’m asking a lot for you to stay with me if Elena is proven to be mine. But I don’t need a fight every time my eyes blink.”
“It’s unfair you want me to stay with you but you wouldn’t stay with me if one of our children wasn’t proven to be yours.” She replied. “Don’t act like you would, too, Eli. I know you. You would not stay.”
“I wouldn’t,” he admitted, “but that question tells me you already made up your mind on what’s going to happen regardless if Elena is mine.”
“And what’s that supposed to mean?” She folded her arms.
“Faith, don’t play stupid,” Eli matched her stance, “we both know you’re halfway out the door. You’re just waiting for me to slip up. It won’t even be another affair. It could be some bullshit like I didn’t take out the damn garbage and well, there’s your chance to file.”
“Fuck you, Eli,” she sneered.
“I wish you would, actually.” He sternly replied. “Maybe if I got some, things would be better around here.”
“And as always, you mess up and I’m the bitch,” Faith gave a sad chuckle, “a man just can’t be a dog. Noooooo….a woman has to somehow contribute to the reason he’s had an affair.”
“The affair was several years ago and you still bring it up in every fucking argument you can,” he grinned, “right on time, never late. That’s that bullshit I’m talking about.”
“I’ll bring it up as much as I want to and you will deal.” She stood her ground.
“I don’t bring up you and Darren all of the time,” he shrugged, “I could if I wanted to.”
“And you’re the reason why I met Darren,” she pointed out, “are you forgetting that fact?”
“Was I the reason you kept in contact with him for a damn year?” He retorted. “Funny how I can forgive you for that but you can’t seem to forgive me for messing with Simone.” A text notification went off on Eli’s cell phone and he checked it. It was from his close friend, Shanita.
