Norman watched the small sized woman get into his car and adjust to comfort on the seat. Her brown hair cascaded down her shoulder and her face displayed it's usual emotionless content.

"What do you want from me?" Elaine asked as her gaze was constantly fixed on the empty swaying swings and the perfectly mowed lawn of the park that adorned the front view from his stationed car.

A hearty smile rushed to Norman's face as he looked sideways to have a decent view of her. "Firstly, thanks for saving my life. I don't know why you did that, but..."

She rolled her eyes in disgust before finally turning to face him while giving her hair a gentle flip. "Really? I didn't save your life. You weren't going to die, Norman. That was sick joke."

Norman chuckled in disbelief. "How on earth did you come up with that?"

The woman before him just remained expressionless. "You can't fool me. You may succeed with your pawn but not with me."

He almost looked furious at her statement but struggled hard to keep the fading smile on his face. This woman did know how to bring out the beast in him and manipulate every bit of it.

"I know you're sick in the head and sick in the head. But, you're not suicidal. It was only logical for Leonard to show up at your house on his birthday and that was the right avenue to garner pity and make yourself into a victim like you always do. That was a lame joke." She let out a satisfactory smirk.

Norman chuckled. "Bravo!" He clapped his hands to cheer her. "Nice theory. You give me so much credit to the point that I just wish I could like you but... No way!" He said before letting out a fit of laughter and causing her to watch him disgust evidently plastered to her face.

"What do you want from me?" She asked behind gritted teeth.

"I think the question should be what do you want?" He asked causing her to stare at him, confused. "Why did you stop talking to Leo?"

She eyed him as her hand reached for the door but unsurprisingly, it was locked. "My relationship with Leonard is none of your business," she said defensively.

"I'm just concerned for my friend," he asked sympathetically.

"Your friend." She scoffed.

"Well... He sent me. His wife somehow found out about the both of you. She's threatening to leave him and take his baby along with her. Do you know what that'll do to Leo? It'll kill him," Norman said with a sad expression written on his face as he watched Elaine staring at him intently. "He's not slept for days, Elaine. This is killing him."

"H-how is any of that my fault?" She asked nervously as a hint of tears appeared in her eyes before she could hastily blink them back.

Norman reached for her hands and placed his above it. "It's not your fault. It's just that Leonard feels helpless. He's stuck between two women that he loves and cares about so much. Not to talk of his baby. He'd never be able to live with himself if he walks out on his family." He shook his head pitiably, maintaining a stern look on his face. "Elaine, you know that you are not good enough for him. He deserves better." He gave out a calm yet intimidating demeanor.

The conflict going on in her mind was visible through her large brown eyes and a stray tear drop had trickled down her spotless cheek. "I know that." It was obvious that this man never missed a chance to remind her that she was a troubled woman struggling but unable to outrun the emotional burdens from her past.

Norman lifted his hands from hers, he reached out for a file and picked it up, showing it to her. "This file contains everything you need. Travel documents, a flight ticket and a cheque signed by Leonard."

He watched her shift uncomfortably on her seat staring at him wide eyed.

"That is more money that you'd need to get yourself settled in, Elaine. You know how much Leonard cares for you. It hurts him to let you go and that's why he sent me. I hope you understand why he had to pick his family over you," Norman watched her struggle not to appear devastated but she was failing. It looked like she'd been hit by a bomb. He struggled so hard not to laugh.

She shook her head, grabbing the file from him as she stopped resisting the tears from coming out. He knew he was killing her and he enjoyed every bit of it.

"I'm sorry it had to end this way," he claimed as he brought a handkerchief to her eyes to wipe her tears off. "I'm so sorry."

Elaine sighed deeply. "It's okay." She smiled angry at herself for displaying weakness in front of her enemy. "Tell him to have a nice life." She pulled open his car door with more force than was required and hurried out.

Norman never washed his gaze away from her as she disappeared. "You both can thank me later." He smiled.

-----------------------------------------------------------

"Hey, Beatris. Hey!" She heard someone call her as she got out from her car about walking into her house. Turning firmly, she sighted Mac strolling towards her at an unavoidable pace.

She sighed deeply. How about two weeks of peace? Was that too much to ask?

"How're you doing?" He asked as he caught up with her.

Beatris scanned his appearance. He was dressed neatly as usual in his casual black outfit and his blue eyes didn't hold a hint of guilt for all the deception he'd intended towards her.

"I'm fine, Mac. What do you want?" She asked sternly with her hands folded across her chest.

He looked around. Well, he had to be cautious about talking to or rather trying to woo his brother's wife. "Are you back together with Norman?" He asked not making any attempt to hide the disgust on his face.

She chuckled astonished by his ridiculous statement. "He's my husband."

"Beatris-"

"No. Mac, you listen to me. I and Norman are happy. We might not be the perfect couple but we're not getting separated. We love each other. Something that might be too difficult for someone like you to understand considering how you treated your younger brother who was left in your care. He had no one else!" That particularly offended Beatris.

Mac only stared at her persistently. He was obviously enraged by her statement but he was still conveniently trying to pretend. That was it, he was nothing but a pretender and a liar. Leaving no reason for her to still be involved with him.

"Are you going to say nothing in your defence?" She inquired.

"My relationship with my brother is none of your business!" Mac snapped causing her to laugh which made him all the more irritated.

She smiled in satisfaction. "Norman wouldn't exactly want to see you here. You have to go."

"Stop doing this, Beatris. You have to leave him before he hurts you. You don't know Norman."

"No. I don't know you." Beatris yelled out pointing accusingly at him. "I trusted you." She chuckled. "You know what, Mac? Just go. Just leave us in peace." She turned to leave.

"You know deep down that what I'm saying is the truth. You're only trying to believe that Norman is a changed person. But, that is not true. He's gonna hurt you, Beatris. Run away while you still can," Mac said, causing her to halt on her track though she still had her back to him.

The thought of turning to face him occurred to her. She knew that he was probably correct. Even though she'd chosen to see only the positive side of her husband and be blind to his vices, she knew it wasn't going to be easy at all. How long could her resilience last?

Rather than turn to answer to any of Mac's concerns, she hurried away to her house.

-----------------------------------------------------------

Norman walked into his bedroom at exactly 9:15pm. He was rather amazed to see Beatris sitting there and reading a book. She'd looked up as soon as she noticed him, with a hint of anger complimenting her beautiful face.

A part of him was happy that she was actually making an effort to improve their relationship just as another part was cross she was literally invading his privacy.

"Hi," he greeted casually as he took off his jacket. He was feeling particularly hot. Did it have anything to do with this sudden invasion or had she tampered with his air conditioner? This woman had her own bedroom for crying out loud.

"It's 9:15," she replied.

He was bemused by her utterance. "Of course. What happens at 9:15?" He asked noticing she wasn't exactly in the best mood.

"You're casually strolling in by 9:15pm and you weren't with Leonard or in the office. I checked. Where were you?" She asked.

"Oh. So invading my privacy is not enough for you you're now stalking me too?" His face lit up with a smile because he wasn't about to show Beatris how pissed he was.

"Let's talk about stalking, shall we?" It seemed like she was up for a battle tonight but he just wasn't in the mood.

Not after the success of his meeting with Elaine. He was too happy to get angry by his wife's unnecessary rant.

"Calm down, Tris. You can be rest assured that I'm not cheating on you." He walked forward so he could be closer to her. "You don't have to check up on me, okay? You don't even have to worry about me because apparently, I've been taking care of myself since I was born," he said.

He watched Beatris relax slowly as she looked away from him.

"Why are you here?"

She scoffed. "Because we're supposed to be a couple. Should I leave?"

"No... That's not what I mean. It's just... I hope I didn't kick at all last night," he asked as he sat beside her. "Or snore?" The memories of all that transpired the previous night had sent a blush to his face instantly.

Beatris laughed, flipping her short black hair over her shoulders. Seeing her smile just gave him an unusual feeling of satisfaction.

"I'm not the lightest sleeper so you can be rest assured I didn't hear a thing," she said flirtatiously. "So, I went to check out the place today. I'm so happy about it, Norman."

He smiled as he sat on the bed beside her, taking her hands in his. "You deserve it."

"Thank you." She said looking down and he wasn't able to decipher the expression on her face. "I actually wanted to ask you something," she said smiling sheepishly.

He nodded, slipping his hands away from hers gently. It was making him feel more uncomfortable than he could afford. "What about?"

"Since we've made up now and all of that... Norman, don't you think there's something missing?"

He swallowed hard at her statement. With his bile rising, he knew that he wasn't going to like her next sentence.

"What do you think about having a baby?" she asked. "I've always wanted to be mom. I want to know what it feels like." She looked up and stared into his eyes.

The earnestness and hope in her large brown eyes almost caused him to shiver in fear. This could not be happening. This single thing he dreaded the most.

"No." Norman couldn't control himself. "We can't have a baby. No." He shook his head as he rose to his feet.

She stood up, disappointment and confusion evident on her face. "Why?"

"B-because we... We're not ready." That was precisely all he could come up with.

"How?" She asked her perplexity never wavering.

He turned away. He couldn't afford to face her now. No. She'd read his insecurity right off his face. "This conversation is over. I thought you moved in here because you actually cared for me."

"I-I do," she replied almost immediately. "I wouldn't have a baby for you if I didn't."

"Go away. Just go!" He yelled and he could tell she would be shaken up by his reaction. How did she just manage to ruin the moment when everything was perfect?

"Norman-"

"I said leave!" He snapped and a few seconds later, he heard his door open and close before he turned to face it with a sigh.

Norman regretted all that happened last night. He would never allow that kind of intrusion into their lives. This was the exact reason he'd sent Brianna away. He couldn't afford to share his wife's affection and above all attention with anyone!

A/N

Hello dear readers. Thanks for your support so far ❤.

What do you think about Norman's reaction to Beatris' request?

Don't forget to vote! 💕💕