Chapter Seven
Dwayne showed up at Opal's door the next day. He had a big bunch of roses and a card with a generic poem, which was in there when he bought it. "At least you signed your name yourself," Opal said after she skimmed over the cheesy poem.
"That's how I really feel about you, dear. You have to know that. I'm sorry if you think I'm boring, or that our relationship isn't enough for you. Please, give me a chance to make things up to you."
"That's it, Dwayne, you didn't really do anything wrong. You don't have to make it up to me. I just wish I could get you to understand, y'know?"
"I know what? If I didn't do anything wrong, what's the problem? Can I come inside?" They went into Opal's living area and sat on her sofa. Dwayne always had a hard time getting comfortable on it, since he was used to placing his well-to-do butt on something much more expensive. Maybe it was just that he didn't like being at her place at all. The building was quite nice, by most people's standards. It wasn't too far away from the city, and even in a quiet, safe area. Still, it wasn't as good as what Dwayne had been used to his whole life.
"Why do you think I need to change?" he finally asked her after shifting about for some time on the sofa.
"Are you uncomfortable?"
"No, it's fine. I just don't know why you chose this particular sofa. It's not exactly great."
Opal sighed. "See, you are uncomfortable. If you have a problem with something, why don't you just say so? I know you're a nice guy, and I love that about you." She took his hands and looked into his big, caring eyes. "Sometimes a woman just needs a guy to be more controlling and take what he needs. You can appreciate that, right?"
"Of course. But if you wanted that sort of guy, why the hell did you end up with me? I'm not going to start acting like a jerk just because you're bored with our sex life."
"I love our sex life, I really do. You're more than adequate, you know, down there." She motioned toward Dwayne's crotch with her eyes and smiled. Wishing that they'd ended up having sex the previous night instead of starting this whole stupid argument, Opal considered giving it another go. This time, however, she would be less random about her approach.
"Do you really want to take care of me while I live a life of luxury?" she asked.
"That's what I want for you. You don't have to put up with that boss of yours, or do anything you don't enjoy. I think it's a nice thing. Besides, if you want a guy who's in control, why did the idea of being a house wife upset you so much?"
"I don't want someone to dictate my whole life for me, sweetie. But there are certain times when I need you to tell me what to do. It's fun to roleplay, after all."
"I'm glad you're not mad about losing your job any more then."
"Oh, I didn't tell you—I think I might have some evidence that someone else at the agency was messing with my accounts. They were at least looking at it"
"Alfred printed them out so he could show you, to be fair and transparent."
"What? I didn't tell you that. Have you been talking to Owen or something?"
"No, I mean, well I did speak to him yesterday while you were outside." He sat up straight and looked ahead, not making eye contact.
"You talked about that? You're lying. I can tell when you lie because your eye twitches. Like it is now, there." She leaned over and pointed at Dwayne's minutely twitching eye. "If you know anything and you're hiding it, I will fucking leave you, I swear."
"Okay, okay, Owen knew about a problem with money missing from some accounts weeks ago. He was talking about it anyway, I overheard him while he was on a call. So, what does it matter?"
"Those accounts weren't even funded then. What the hell?! You have to talk to him and find out what's going on."
"I can't," was all Dwayne said to that.
"You what?" Opal stood up and started to pace around on the carpet in front of the sofa. "You don't want to upset your little buddy, Owen, is that right? Shit, Dwayne!"
"Please stop using such trashy language. And no, I don't think it's worth making any more trouble. You said that you want to be a homemaker anyway, so I didn't think it would matter what the circumstances were when you left your job, dear."
"Except I didn't leave my job, dear. They fired me for something I had nothing to do with. Now I find out Owen knew about what was going to happen before it could have possibly happened? Oh no, he's going down. You can either help me, or you can get the hell out of my apartment. I know how much you hate being here anyway."
"I never said that, Opal. You're being completely unreasonable! It's not like I sat back and let them do anything to harm you. I had some information that I didn't think meant anything, and I didn't tell you. What difference would it have made?"
"I understand that. But right now I'm asking you to help me, and you won't. You care more about staying in Owen's good books than helping me clear my name. Even if I ended up leaving to have kids and be a housewife, it doesn't mean I need to have my reputation ruined over something I didn't do! Will you help me or not? Please …"
"I, I, I just can't! I'm sorry but you're really asking me to do a lot of harm to all the social circles that I've been working so hard to build up since high school. It would put a lot of pressure on my future, Opal, our future."
"My future's fucked if I can't clear my name, as far as I'm concerned. You need to go now. I think we should take a break. Oh, and Owen talks shit about you behind your back; I just never had the heart to say."