I wake up the next morning and immediately take a cold shower. After I am done, I dress in a dark blue suit and head out to the kitchen. I have not seen a single helper in the house today. When I get to the breakfast table, I see no breakfast has been served.
“Ella! Doris! Amanda!” I shout, for the helpers.
None come in, I wonder where they all are. I watch as my “wife” comes in the kitchen, still in her silk night dress. The night dress is way too short, it exposes her beautiful white thighs. Her hair is lazily tied into a messy bun. Her eyes are half closed.
“Morning, Tania.” I say.
She glances at me, but doesn’t reply. This is highly unusual. Knowing Tania, she would have jumped at me, giving me multiple hugs and then try to steal a kiss.
“Tania, are you okay?” I ask. I feel a bit hurt, that she’s not reacting to me today.
She nods, and walks to the refrigerator. She takes out a carton of milk and pours cereal into a bowl, then pours milk, and she sits down and eats.
“Where are the helpers?” I ask her.
“Your mother gave them the weekend off.” she replies, without looking up from her bowl.
I nod, and glance at her. My stomach growls, I take a second bowl and make cereal for myself, then join her. We both eat silently.
“I would’ve appreciated a full English breakfast.” I casually say, hoping to ignite a conversation.
She looks up at me, then back at her bowl. I watch her as she eats. Maybe she’s sick, or tired.
“How was your night?” I ask her.
“Good.”she says.
“Okay.” I nod.
It’s very unusual to have Tania so quiet and reserved. We’ve been married for four years, but I’ve never touched her intimately, nor have I ever shared a kiss with her. She has been trying to get me to see her as an attractive being, but my heart already belongs to another, Natalie. Natalie is from Paris, France. I love her fashion sense, I love her accent, I love the way she carries herself, I admire her independence, I adore her stature and intelligence. Natalie and I met six years ago, and we immediately hit it off.
My parents and Tania’s parents got me and Tania into an arranged marriage, despite our protests. They had already matched us together before we were even born. Tania’s family, the Williams, knew they were having a baby girl, and my family, the McBride’s already knew I was to be a boy. So these two families, being opulent and influential, decided on marrying us together, so we could be South Africa’s most influential and rich couple.
Tania warmed up to our marriage after a year, but I found it hard. Natalie was the love of my life, and if it wasn’t for that stupid match making my parents and her parents played, I would’ve married Natalie, four years ago.
“I’m off to work. Enjoy your day.” I say, as I empty my bowl and take my briefcase.
Tania knows I work all day, everyday. I have to provide for the lavish life she is accustomed to, not that I have to work everyday. But, anything to get away from the walls of this house, from Tania.
She nods.
I turn back as soon as I reach the door, and I put my briefcase down. I sigh and sit next to her again.
“On second thoughts, I’ll just stay home today.” I announce.
I expect a reaction. I get none.
“Tania, I’ll be staying home today.” I repeat.
“I’ll go take a bath.”she ignores me, then exits the kitchen. Heading straight for the stairway.