ANDRÉ

I arrive at my house a little earlier than expected today. The house seemed empty with no one in it.

I dial her number, remembering she went out this morning. I got no response from her end and after six more attempts, I stop calling.

I am hungry and don't know my way around the kitchen. I am very bad at cooking and she did not leave anything for dinner.

After what seems like hours, she comes in.

"Where the hell are you coming from?" I ask her. A look of irritation crosses her face and she masks it as fast as it appeared.

"I went out." She replies.

"It's obvious." Her reply is really pissing me off right now and I don't know why.

"Mr. Dumont, I went for a stroll at the park. I'm sorry I lost track of time." She replies, feigning apology.

"You lost track of time?!!" I shout, this time. "Do you know what loosing track of time is?" She visibly shakes at my change in tone, and I could see the surprise in het eyes.

"Where is your phone, damn it?" I ask, she opens her small bag and fishes out her phone.

"Seven missed calls. Seven. And you did not pick or return it!!"

"I'm sorry, Mr. Dumont." She says after a long moment of silence then looks down.

"What's with the "Mr. Dumont"? Call me André.!"

"No. I won't." She raises her head to look at me, glaring back as if challenging me.

"Sophia, don't test me. Call me André." I say but she just looks at me.

"I won't do that." She says and makes an attempt to walk out. Keyword; attempt. I drag her by her arm and place her back in front of me.

For a moment, I look at her eyes and I don't know why the sudden need to punish her for her defiance came but I find myself lean to her face and kiss her.

She struggles with me but I place my hands on her back and use my other hand to push her to the wall. She keeps on struggling and finally caves in, moaning and kissing me back.

"André..." she slurs, amidst the kiss. Something snapped in me, like the reality of this action dawned on me.  Don't mess around with the help, I remind myself and finally stop the kiss.

"So I had to kiss you to make you call my name." The jerk in me says, in an attempt to cover up what just happened.

"Jerk." I hear her mutter under her breath. I'll let that slide since I provoked that reaction.

"I am hungry." I say as she goes to her room.

...

"You mean you kissed your help?" Fabian asks as we entered the club's VIP session.

"Yes, and now she's not talking to me." I just shrug at the thought.

"Where's Halle, by the way?" Lucas speaks this time.

"She's out in Sweden doing her thing. She just landed a deal as the face of Oriflame this year so she's with them.

"Is she ever around?" He asks, looking at me.

"If you count being around for barely two weeks in a month, I'll say yes." I say to answer his question.

"You need to be like me. Explore the girls. Enjoy them while you still have the time. The girls love the money and I love the fun, so trade by barter." He laughs, doing a funny turn round move.

"Wait, what about Marianna?" She's our friend and the only female who knows what we actually do.

"She knows the drill, it's not like we are a couple." He shrugs.

"She's our friend. You shouldn't treat her that way." Fabian cuts into our conversation.  I actually thought he was not paying attention, he looks rather withdrawn today.

"What's the problem, man?" I tap him as we sit, waiting to be served by the waitresses.

"It's nothing. Susan's pregnancy is just  having a toll on me. Last night, she wanted pickles and ice cream. She specifically asked for Mint Chocolate Chip flavor. At 2am, I had to drive more than 20 minutes to get it for her. Arriving home, she saw the ice cream and started freaking out. Guess what? She said she's not taking it except it's Cookies and Cream. That's not all. I pleaded with her but she was adamant about it so I just had to drive back. I got there and they had no Cookies and Cream flavour. Now she's not talking to me. Pregnancy hormones." He sighs after practically lamenting before us.

"That's alot to take in. How long gone is she?" I ask.

"8 weeks. Seven more months before she gives birth. The doctor says the moodswings are usually in the first trimester. Hopefully it would get better soon. It will pass, definitely." He smiles fondly.

"Definitely." We all laugh and enjoy the remaining part of the evening.