Harold tapped his foot impatiently. Christine had been feeling uncomfortable, so mere minutes ago he had managed to persuade her to go home. He had found an employee he could tolerate – the silver-haired female, Misty – to take her home, and arranged for one of the cars from their car service to collect her. Esther would also be at home when she arrived. From next week, Christine’s mother and younger sister would also arrive to take care of her. He had nothing to worry about, and yet he did.
If he wasn’t with Christine, he couldn’t be assured of her safety, and that rankled. But, he had a meeting that he had been postponing for a month now, and their clients were starting to get just a wee bit impatient. Christine insisted he stay, though he was already considering leaving and she probably hadn’t even made it to the ground floor yet.
He looked up expectantly as his door opened, hoping to see his lovely wife. No, it was Nora. He growled slightly and stared at his computer.
“I brought the letters you asked me to type,” she said brightly.
So, what did she want? A medal? He grunted and pointed at his desk. He expected her to leave immediately, but she didn’t.
“What is it?” he asked impatiently.
He heard some rustling and looked up to find that Nora had stripped to her underwear.
“What the f…”
“You’ll thank me later,” she cooed before leaping on him.
*
“Ah, Christy.”
Harold Sr. oozed to her side as she and Misty waited for the elevator to arrive. Misty gave her a comical look.
“Harold.”
“I’m glad I caught you, my son needs you back in his office – now.”
Christine frowned. Five minutes ago he was practically carrying her out of his office. She had a few twinges in her back and stomach, and Harold ordered her to go home. Then he asked nicely, and she agreed.
She wrinkled her nose. “Are you sure?”
“Of course – he said he needs you.” He looked down at Misty with a sneer. “You can run along back to your job.”
“I guess I’ll do that,” said Misty with sugary sweetness. “See you later, Christy.”
She gave Christine a sympathetic look before scarpering. No wonder either - Harold Sr. was smiling so widely he looked as smug as if he was going to huff and puff and blow her house down.
“Come along.”
He took Christine’s arm, and while she didn’t like him touching her, if her husband needed her, she would go.
*
“Harold!”
Harold looked up from the lady-shaped octopus trying to maul him.
“Christine.”
He tossed Nora to the ground who growled, and he faced his wife who was gaping at him from the doorway.
He was not prone to violence of any kind – particularly to women, but when Nora came at him, all half naked flesh and fishy lips, he had forcefully pushed her away. Unfortunately, she was like a she-wolf possessed, and no matter how many times he knocked her down, no matter how many bruises she took, she got back up again. He was about ready to wring her neck.
But given Christine’s arrival, some of the verve seemed to have left her. Now his underwear-clad assistant was merely grinning.
“Christine, this is not what it looks like,” he snarled.
His wife stared at them both in shock.
“We’ve been having an affair for months,” cooed Nora.
“What?!” he snarled, training blazing eyes on Nora.
She flinched, but it didn’t stop her.
“Every chance we got, we’ve been together,” she lied remorselessly.
“She’s lying!” howled Harold in disbelief.
“We laughed about how you had no clue,” sneered Nora.
Christine closed her eyes, and a look of pain crossed her features.
Harold growled. “Christine, I promise you, she is lying.”
Christine bit her lip.
“Christine, I…”
“Yes, Harold,” his wife interrupted sharply. “I know she’s lying.”
“No I’m not!” hissed Nora.
Christine opened her eyes and looked at Nora dispassionately. “Sweetie, my husband adores me, and for the record, no one else makes him laugh but me – so you just royally slipped up with that little detail.”
“You little…” started Nora.
Harold stepped towards Nora. “Enough,” he snarled, glaring at her until she looked away from him.
Pain crossed Christine’s features, and Harold growled at Nora to get dressed and get out before rushing to his wife.
“Christine, I assure you, nothing she said…”
“I know!” she virtually yelled. “I have one or two other concerns right now.”
“Christine?”
She looked at him with fear and worry in her eyes. “Pretty sure the baby’s on her way.”
“Oh. No! It’s too early!” Harold’s whole body went into panic mode. “I’m not ready.”
“Luckily, you’re not the one giving birth,” she said wryly before letting out an “ooh!”
“What do we do?”
“Well, I’m no expert, but maybe we should go to the hospital.”
“Yes, yes, good idea.”
Christine let out an eep as Harold swung her into his arms and ran to the elevator.