Chapter 08

• *BAILEY*
• I wake up with a pounding headache, I am thinking it’s the change of environment that is causing it because I haven’t been sick in a very long time.
• Today I force myself to prepare Garvin for work, I mean if it were up to me I would let him do it on his own but I am not about to ruin Lee’s marriage without her permission.
• I look at his closet and I am shocked to see that most of the clothes there are actually worn out, Lee gave me access to everything and I know he gets good money so why in God’s name would he be wearing such clothes?
• I pick out a navy blue worn out suite, well it looks like it is the only one better looking than the rest. A crisp white shirt and a pair of black shoes, the suit though looks like it could use some ironing. So I iron it a bit, the shirt too then polish his shoes. All the while he is sleeping.
• The heater was left on in the night so I know we have hot water, when I walk into the kitchen I prepare him some French toast for breakfast, add some baked beans, bacon, mushroom, tea and juice. All this I had to buy because it looks like the only food that was being eaten in this house is cereal.
• When done I clean the kitchen and go back to the bedroom, I find Garvin dressing up.
• ‘Good morning babe.’ He says with a smile, obviously happy that I have played wife
• ‘Good morning.’ I respond with a smile
• I am no in the spirit to argue with him today, besides my headache won’t allow me.
• I help fix his tie then escort him to the dining room where he has his breakfast, he makes light conversation as he eats and it’s only then that I notice just how good looking he is. I don’t blame my sister for falling head over heels in love with him because Garvin is a very good looking man and I am sure he knows it hence the way he behaves.
• ‘I will try to get off work early today, I miss spending time with you.’ He says as I escort him to his car once he is done.
• ‘That will be nice.’ I respond
• He kisses me lightly on the lips and walks off, I walk back into the house and look through Lee’s things for pain killers. Lucky for me I find some.
• I write a list of things that I need and ask the house help to go with the driver to town to get them for me, I am going to make this house a better place to live in because I won’t sit around with my skills doing nothing about it.
• I have been doing some planning and today I am going to start with the living room, then move to the dining room, kitchen, the bedrooms then lastly the master bedroom. That is the task I have put on myself for the next coming weeks and Garvin will have to finance it whether he likes it or not.
• I start working when the house help gets back, I have engaged some guys to help with panting and others who are carpenters have come to change the material of the couches. The room is painted a pure white, the lights are changed to something brighter. The couches are changed from the worn out black to grey with turquoise pillows, the curtains have been changed to grey too and I have bought a carpet to put beneath the table that is turquoise.
• By the time I am done around 6PM I am worn out and it is only then I realize that Garvin isn’t back from work.
• I take a bath and settle into my pajamas, I would have loved to just sit in the living room and watch movies or go clubbing but my current life can’t allow because I have to play wife and keep the marriage going.
• So I decide to cook something for dinner, I am not as good as Lee in the kitchen but I took an English class and I got quite a number of lessons that I hope will come in handy now. I decide to prepare Lancashire Hot Pot but instead of using lard I use beef because that is what is available, I serve it with steamed vegetables.
• After setting the table I wait almost an hour for Garvin before I decide to call him and yet my calls go unanswered. This has me pissed, I spent an hour in the kitchen preparing a meal for him only for him to go quiet on me.
• I decide to call Lee hoping she picks up.
• ‘Hey B' She says sounding sleepy
• ‘Good morning Lee.’ I say, happy to hear her voice.
• ‘I just woke up.’
• ‘I figured, considering the time difference.’
• ‘You don’t sound happy.’ She says
• I sigh, 'Who is Garvin’s side chick?’
• She laughs,
• ‘Lee I am not joking.’ I reply
• ‘I thought he would change after calling her.’
• ‘Just tell me her name and give me her address and contact number.’
• ‘What do you want to do?’
• ‘Lee give me the damn details!’ I yell
• ‘Okay fine, yeesh’
• ‘I have sent them.’ She says after much silence
• ‘Thank you.’
• ‘You know, you actually sound like you like him.’
• ‘Lee bye.’ I say cutting the line
• I look at the address, enter it on Google maps and it will only take me twenty minutes to get to her place. I go to the bedroom, pack his clothes in a case and ask the house help to put it in the car for me. I just throw his shoes in as there is nowhere to pack them. I try calling his line again and it still goes unanswered and that is when I decide to drive there, for a minute I am almost lost but I find my way there. She stays at one of the flats in the Island, not sure of which one is hers, I decide to call her on whatsapp using a different number and luckily she picks up.
• ‘Cynthia good evening.’
• ‘Good evening.’
• ‘I have a package to deliver to you but I am not sure which one is your flat.’ I say
• ‘Okay.’ She responds hesitantly before dropping the line
• A few minutes later she comes out clad in a bum short, just looking at her from head to toe I fail to comprehend why Garvin would go for a girl like her.
• I come out of the car and go to where she is, I had made sure to change into a maroon body con dress and black heels. My blonde hair has been tied into a bun and I am smelling really nice.
• ‘Good evening.’ I say as she looks at me, obviously shocked to see me
• ‘Haylee what do you want here?’
• ‘Mrs. Mwamba.’ I correct
• She swallows hard
• ‘I believe you have been harboring my husband whilst I stay home and take care of our home.’
• ‘I don’t know what you are talking about.’
• ‘Please call him to come outside.’ I say looking at her phone
• ‘Garvin is not here.’
• I grab her phone and luckily for me it is not locked, I go to the last dialed numbers and find his number saved as hubby.
• ‘Hey baby.’ He says
• ‘Garvin come outside.’ I say cutting the line
• A few minutes later he comes out, dressed in comfortable pajamas. Looks like he has been keeping clothes here.
• ‘I brought you something.’ I say going to the car
• I open the back door and remove the case which I drop to the ground, his shoes too. Then drive off without another word leaving them speechless
• ..