It's been a week since the Parker's came visiting. Tessa couldn't but get bored, still struggling to decide on what to do was another challenge. Another was the fact that Ken had started with his usual habit of beating her up again.

Reading, they say, took many to different worlds. So was Tessa's, that had become one of her favorite hobbies. From reading fairy tales to reading many story entries of different genres. It was wonderful.

Ken spent most of his days in the office. He often came home late. Never ate any of the meals she had prepared, rather he spent the night coming up with different presentations in the study room. Tessa spent most of her time in the library and didn't mind because since she had peace , what she desperately craved for.

    Gemini helped with the chores but Tessa noticed the way she looked at her with pity, as if she had something she wanted to tell but had to hold  back.

They sometimes baked cookies just for fun and spent their afternoons watching movies.

Most times, Ken was on the phone with his employees and sometimes, voices came from the living room. When it was probably quite late at night, all chattering and drinking coffee.

One of those days when Tessa woke up, one morning, she rolls out of bed with red hazy vision, and bits of crusty sleep still lingering in her eyes. She had never been a morning person, and waking up was always been difficult.

Although waking up was a tedious task, there was one thing in particular that never seemed to fail. This was the strong and distinct smell of freshly brewed coffee. Someone was making coffee.

  Her obsession with the scent and coffee itself started when she was young. Her parents were the instigators. As long as she could remember, her parents had always brewed a fresh pot of coffee in the morning. The coffee would always be in different flavors from French vanilla to strawberries. The sight of the coffee always seemed inviting but the taste was awful.

When she had first awakened, the smell was faint as it has dispersed itself throughout the house to the room. It was a wake up call, and has always managed to lure her eagerly into the kitchen.

Ken was snoring heavily and someone else was making breakfast. That was evident due to the smell of baked pastries and rich pancake syrup.

As she poured the liquid into a coffee mug, the mug instantly grow warmer and you could see the hot vapor of steam trailing out of the cup. She spiled some, and the touch was scorching hot! When this happened, Tessa definitely got a wake up call, When someone screamed.

A slender lady with jury brown hair was standing in Tessa's kitchen. She was adding cream and sweetening sugar to the cup. Just when she turned to leave, she spotted Tessa watching her kinly.

It turned out to be Ken's new assistant, Valerie. She had been appointed about two days after she came visiting the Shaw's.

"Her job description stated sorting papers, scheduling appointments and helping out at the office not  at home." Tessa thought before Valerie interrupts.

"Good morning, Ms. Shaw." She said carrying a tray holding coffee pot and two cups.

"Morning Val." Tessa replied with a fabricated smile. " Hope all's well. If I may ask what's with the early morning visit ?"

" Sorry but we stayed over night in the study room. We were working on a project." Valerie said anxiously, with left hand brushing through her scattered hair.

" By we, you mean ........." Tessa said softly, hoping to get things clearly.

"No, no ....... No." Valerie said in other to clear all doubts. " By we, I meant all of us at the office. We came by last night to prepare for our presentation but others left quit early. Sir, told us you were a bit under the weather. So I decided to take care of you and everything here, till you felt better again."

Tessa sighed in relieve, " Oh, am sorry. I made you feel uncomfortable. Hope you forgive me ?" She said feeling remorseful.

A male voice interrupted, startling Tessa. " Babe, you there." It turned out to be Ken.

" Oh ladies, sorry to interrupt." Ken said grabbing a cup of coffee from the tray beside Valerie." Thanks Val, for yesterday."

" No worries. Ken .... Sir." Valerie said, taking awhile before spelling out the word ' sir'.

The situation was practically awkward, they were speaking about business related stuff leaving Tessa out of it.

Awhile later, they moved over to the study room. No voices were heard and just later, Valerie came out. Bidding Tessa good bye. Turns out she headed home, to get ready for the meeting two hours away and some minutes later, they were off to the office together.

" Its difficult to see my husband with another female. I admit, I am jealous maybe because I still love him somewhere in my heart. I don't know, I want to forgive him but he keeps breaking my heart." Tessa screamed at herself hoping she'll be fine one day and her husband will love her the right way.

She was almost done taking her bathe when the sound of Ken's Car entering the driveway jerked her back to reality.  In a hurry to finish her shower, she dressed into a brown  gown.

She was just putting her towel to dry when Ken kicked open the door and ran in with all the joy in the world visible on his face.

Tessa flinched out of fear but he simply overlooked it by giving her a hug which caught her by surprise.

"Babe, I am so happy. You are looking at the new mangering director of Preston Globals." Ken said with a beaming smile. She knew how much he wanted the position so she was happy for him.

"Congratulations Ken, am so happy for you." She said giving him a friendly pat on his shoulder but unfortunately the fool she called husband didn't understand it was in the stranger-i just met zone.

He gave her a  dirty kiss caressing her body with his hands, carrying her in his arms. She was about to speak when she noticed the lipstick markings on the collar of his shirt. "I'd swear I saw the lipstick mark but as quickly as I saw it." She thought. It  vanished so quickly she simply waved it off.

"Babe, my boss hosted a party for me and he wants you to be there since he has never met you." Ken said while changing his clothes.

"Okay, when do we leave." She asked impatiently.

"You have an hour to get ready, we leave by seven." Ken said, yawning probably because he hadn't slept in days.

  She simply dried her hair since she just had her bath, after  she had curled her hair and applied just enough make up.

This took her back to the days when her and Ken were still dating, she used to dress up alot but ever since he turned into the monster he become she stopped caring about how she looked . Tessa put on a blue dress that stopped just below her knees and afterward she went down to Ken, who was already dressed.

"May we go." she  asked to gain his attention.

"Of course! you look amazing. " He said, slinging his arms around her waist after which he gave her a peck.

Soon they were on their way to 'Preston Globals' .

Tessa had just one thought on her mind,"  Please God,  let there be no drama. Am loving this new Ken and I hope it stays that way, forever. Please." She whispered her prayers.

~~~~~~~~~~~~•••••••••••••••~~~~~~~~~~~

They arrived at the venue. It was a big deal, cocktail attire and catered for. After dinner, everyone moved to the dance floor. Tessa was with Ken alongside most of his colleagues. Even Valerie was present all through.

Ken got drinks for them. And as the band started to play, others joined in to dance.

" Ken, I want to use the ladies'. I'd be right back." Tessa said heading over to the restroom. " Please excuse me."

A few minutes later, Tessa was out and back to their stand but Ken and Valerie were absent.

Turning to the dance floor, they were both dancing salsa, arm in arm, together. Its was awkward seeing your husband dance with someone else while you were still present. Tessa thought.

" Hmmm," a young charming man approached Tessa. " May I have this dance ?" He asked with a gracious smile.

Still contemplating, Tessa, who wasn't feeling good tried to make the best out of the situation. She didn't really want to stand there all night.

" Hey, come on." He said urging Tessa to come dance with him. They were salsa dancing as well but at arms length.

Ken must have spotted them dancing after awhile. He came running in between them, stopping the young man from coming any closer to his wife.

" Hey chill man. We're just dancing." The charming guy said trying to explain to Ken.

" Don't tell me to chill. You chill and go dance with some other woman. This is my place." Ken said angrily.

" Not cool man. Just dancing." The other guy said turning to leave.

" You, son of a bitch." Ken said slapping him. " You want to misbehave with my wife and you expect me to be quiet."

The other guy who appeared much angrier turned around, slapping Ken across the face.

They got into a fight, punching each other where they could hit. Everyone trying to pull them apart. Finally, Ken was dragged out of the premises. Tessa following behind, covering her face in shame. It was embarrassing.

" Am sorry. But ......." Tessa said hoping to explain her and escape his thrashing. She was wrong.

Almost immediately, he gave her a tight slap. Holding her by the neck. " This is all your fault, you know. If you had just said no, maybe this wouldn't have happened."

Throughout their drive home, Tessa kept feeling guilty. Truly maybe she was at fault. If only I had said no, but a few drinks and the desire to dance maybe clouded my judgements.
Everything has been going so well, and now I just feel like I ruined it. Tessa thought.

The facts remained, Ken was too possessive. It was unfair for him to dance with another lady while Tessa had to stand alone, watching in agony.

So here we are again!

I don't know if you can take this much humiliation, but I can't.

Tessa has been too accommodating, will she take more ? Or is she done taking all this abuse ?

What do you think she should do ?

Or just wait to find out. Watch out for the next chapter. " Perfect strangers."

🥰🥰❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️