Thea

Thea was in her workspace piecing a necklace together. Jamal had bailed on dinner last night and she was giving him another chance by inviting him to lunch. It wasn't like she was ever going to stop trying, he was her husband and she understood that he had a demanding job.

Thea used a plier to widen the hook of the jewelry she was working on. She was going to see her dad during the weekend for their Saturday lunch and she was going to bring up giving Jamal less responsibility. Hank was going to drive her since Jamal couldn't spare all day.

She skipped the song playing from her phone and bopped her head as a favorite came on. She sang out the lyrics and worked. She checked the time few hours later and saw it was past the time for lunch. Jamal didn't bother to call this time to inform her that he wouldn't be making it. She washed her hands in the bathroom then cleaned her face with wet wipes before going out to the living room.

Hank was lying down on the sofa. The first few days he began working with her, he'd sit up all through the day. It was as if he was expecting a criminal or fugitive to burst through the door. So ever alert that it made her nervous a little. Seeing him relaxed gave her an ounce of satisfaction.

"Hey?" she greeted on her way to the kitchen. She opened the fridge and shut it back when she found nothing appealing to her at the moment. "Should we go out for lunch?"

Hank sat up and shrugged. Thea always forgot he wasn't her friend but a worker. While she wanted him to be free around her, he probably didn't want to overstep his bounds.

"We're going out for lunch," she said in her bossy tone.

Thea got her purse and went out of the house, Hank was already waiting in the car. They went to a fast food restaurant closest to the office and Thea got them a table. She picked up the menu and ordered for herself, Hank ordered the same as hers and she took a sip of water as she waited for her food.

The waitress came with their food and was smiling at Hank. She filled his glass with more water and asked if he wanted anything else. Her question was so suggestive and Thea almost gagged. She didn't know women were allowed to be so at ease with their sexuality and Thea was almost turned on.

"Milkshake?" he answered and jolted Thea out of her thoughts.

"I'll be right back. Enjoy your meal."

Thea looked at Hank's plate and compared it to hers. "How come you have more fries and chicken pieces?"

"I don't know."

"Hmmm."

Thea also asked for milkshake when the waitress delivered Hank's. She was still lingering at their table and Hank wasn't paying her any attention. Thea kicked him in the shin and he looked at her.

"How's the chicken?" the waitress asked.

Thea noticed she had undone two buttons to get Hank's attention and now he was looking.

"The chicken?"

Men were such fools. "The chicken is fine," Thea answered for him.

The waitress finally left when she got called from the kitchen. Thea watched Hank as his eyes followed the lady until she went into the kitchen.

"Now we know why you got more of everything."

Thea ate her food and smiled when the waitress subtly slid her number towards Hank. At least, the lunch hadn't turned out boring, the waitress little flirtation was entertaining. Hank was avoiding her eyes and she couldn't stop smiling.

If there's one thing Thea learned that afternoon, it was to be forward with her feelings.

On Friday night, Jamal came home early and was surprisingly not exhausted. Thea on the other hand was tired and had bought take out before going home to avoid making dinner.

Jamal made noodles for himself and brought over caramel popcorn for Thea. She kissed him and snuggled her head into his shoulder as he ate. They watched a comedy movie together and whenever Jamal said he liked how someone looked, she mentally stored the information.

When the movie ended, Thea climbed on his lap and kissed his neck.

"Thea, I have to work."

"Can you not work tonight?" she grumbled.

"I wish I could."

"Thirty minutes then," she said and unzipped his pants.

"Don't," Jamal said firmly.

"Don't what? Touch my husband?" she asked in surprise.

Jamal lifted her off his lap and transferred her to the sofa.

"I'm not arguing with you tonight. I'll be in my room if you need anything."

Thea tossed the popcorn to the floor when Jamal left the room. She switched off the tv and also left to her bedroom. She changed into her night clothes and got into bed.

Jamal left home very early the following day. By four a.m. he was out of the house and she didn't get the chance to apologize or talk to him. She had thought about what happened last night and she figured he had possibly been in a terrible mood, she didn't want to add a fight to his troubles. She sent a text apologizing and also informed him about her visit to her dad's. He didn't respond until hours later.

Hank had asked if she was okay while they were having breakfast earlier and she'd brushed his concern off. There was no way to explain her troubles. People had it far worse than her and it was self centered of her to keep dwelling on her sexless marriage.

Hank dropped her in front of her dad's house but not before Ava caught sight of him. She almost pulled Thea's hand off trying to know why she was with the man from the club.

"He's my driver." Bodyguard sounded way worse.

"Really? You fucked him."

"Jesus, Ava. That's so crass, what is wrong with you?"

She stopped her from getting into the house and Thea folded her arms. "Tell me everything."

"I didn't fuck him, he's my driver."

"Driver, hmm. Was this before or after you saw him at the club?"

"Before, I didn't say anything because you're always so judgmental. Jamal hired him."

"Jamal hired him?"

"Yea. Can you like not say anything to dad?"

"Will you make him go on a date with me?"

"I can't make him," she almost screamed. "He's an adult."

"It shouldn't be a secret that you have a driver then."

Jamal was going to be unhappy if her father found out about Hank. He had asked her not to tell him. "I guess I can convince him to go on a date with you."

Ava screamed and hugged her. "I love you, cuz."

Thea rolled her eyes and went in. Her dad was in the kitchen and Thea hugged him from behind.

"Is that Thea?" Her dad's croaky voice asked. He was apparently still smoking cigarettes despite her warnings.

"Of course, do you have another daughter?"

Thea peeped over her dad's shoulder and saw pasta on the stove. "I'm hungry."

"Are you eating for two?" He took her to the dinning table and sat her down.

"Not yet. You always have my husband at the office working his ass off and he comes home exhausted."

"That's not good for newlyweds."

"It's bad, dad."

"I'll see what I can do about it."

"I knew I could always count on you." She hugged him and he pulled her nose jokingly.

"Where's your cousin, we have to eat."

Thea hugged her dad again and went to get Ava. Things were going to get better and she couldn't wait for Jamal to start spending more quality time with her.