Thea

Thea woke up alone as she did every morning. She was hoping Jamal would come to her when he got home but he didn't, maybe he would the next day. Work must be really hectic at the office.

She slid her feet into her pink, fluffy bathroom slippers then went to Jamal's room. His bed was well made as usual and she couldn't tell if he slept in or not. She checked the bathroom and inhaled the lingering scent of his shower gel. His towel was wet, he had spent the night at home after all.

Thea called her husband as she went to the kitchen. "Hey, baby," she greeted when he answered. "I missed you last night."

"Thea, you were asleep when I came in."

"You should have woken me."

"And stop you from snoring?"

They both laughed and her heart swelled. She was in love with Jamal and his occasional teases never failed to make her glow.

"What are you up to?"

"Fending for my family."

"Thank you, I'll be going to work soon to do the same. I'm thinking I should swing by your office later in the day."

"You're always welcome."

"I'll be seeing you soon then."

"Can't wait."

Thea wanted to spend all day talking to Jamal but he had to get to a meeting. She made herself tea before going to the bathroom. It was still so early but she needed to finish some jewelry she was working on at the office. Hank was going to arrive soon and she wanted to be set before that. Thea took a quick bath in Jamal's bathroom because she wanted his scent all over her.

She wore the new outfit she got at the boutique the other day. If Jamal preferred his women dressing more formally, she would give him exactly that. Her pale pink pants matched her white chiffon top and black stilettos.

She carried her shoulder strap, snakeskin purse and got the car key. Hank wasn't around yet and it was already past six. If she had his number she would have called to ask why he wasn't at work but her husband hadn't thought of sharing his number. If he was thinking of quitting or already did, she needed to know.

Thea left the house and stopped mid stroll as she saw Hank shirtless washing the car. She resumed walking and got his attention.

"Good morning, Thea. You look great today." He dropped the foam in the bucket and cleaned his hands with a rag.

"Morning. You don't have to clean the car by yourself, we go to the car wash for that."

"It's no problem. Give me few minutes to finish up here."

Thea stood aside in her heels and watched as Hank cleaned the car. It was funny that he had no tattoos on his chest or back. He was a bit taller than Jamal and his haircut was so different, it was a flat top cut with fade at the sides. Thea noticed his subtle sex appeal, she was married and not blind and could appreciate a fine specimen when she saw one.

She marveled at how easy it was for men to go shirtless. She hadn't seen her husband shirtless yet and it was something to look forward to. He wasn't as muscular as Hank but he wasn't flabby either, the office building had a little gym he frequented often.

Thea got in the car as soon as Hank set the bucket and foam aside. Hank took her to work and Thea invited him in. He had stayed in the car the day before and she knew how hot the weather could get, so it was better he was inside.

She worked in one of her dad's unused apartment, it was more like hers now since she staked her claim. The apartment was more residential than official and she liked it like that. It had three bedrooms and five bathrooms and she made use of the master bedroom on days Jamal travelled on business trips. She had turned one of the other bedroom into her work space and furnished it with comfortable chairs and a small table.

Thea went to her work space and dropped her hand bag on one of the soft sofas she'd gotten as an afterthought. She changed her heels to a flat then walked into the kitchen. She quickly made eggs and sautéed the frozen vegetables in the freezer. She rarely ate at work but now that Hank was around, she needed to buy more groceries. Thea plated the food to make it as appetizing as possible, it was probably too little for someone of Hank's weight but that was all she had.

Thea called Hank from the living room and saw him holding one of her guilty pleasures. It was an erotica she was still reading.

"Ha, you found that. A customer forgot it here and she has been calling me for it."

"Really?"

"If you're done reading it, leave it on the table."

"I wasn't reading it. Why torture myself reading and imagining when I could actually be doing it."

Some of us don't get sex at all, Hank. "My sentiment exactly," she said instead. "I made eggs, hope you like it."

Thea watched as Hank ate. Unlike yesterday, he ate like he had worked up an appetite. She scraped the remaining vegetables in the pan to his plate and was tempted to give him her plate.

"You like it?" she beamed as she asked.

Hank looked at her and nodded. "It's delicious, thank you."

Thea cleared the dishes and tossed them in the trash, the pecks of paper plates.

"There's juice and snacks in the fridge for when you get hungry later. If you have anywhere you want to get to while I work, you can do that."

"I'll be fine here."

"See you later."

Thea walked out of the kitchen to her workspace and set a reminder for her visit with Jamal before getting consumed with work. By twelve noon, she put on her heels and retouched her face. Thea cranked her neck before returning to the living room.

Hank was sitting upright when she walked in and he stood as soon as he noticed her. "Where are we going?"

"My husband's office."

"Cool."

Thea prayed that Jamal would be available when she got to his office. He was always busy, it was an attribute she had always appreciated but today she needed him free.

Thea used her key card when she entered the building. Hank was in the car and she hoped he found something to do with his time since she planned on staying a while with her husband.

Jamal was beaming as she entered his office. She wished he knew what his smile did to her.

"Baby. Did you clear your desk for me?" She hugged him tightly when she got closer to him.

"I have thirty minutes to spare."

Oh. "That can work." She adjusted his tie even though it was perfectly knotted. "Let's go have lunch, Hank is downstairs with the car."

"We can eat here."

"We can if you promise to take me out to dinner later."

"Promise. You're the best, do you know that?"

"So are you."

Thea waited for Jamal to notice her outfit but he didn't. Maybe, it wasn't such a big deal to him. She was the one that wanted to swap her casuals for formals.

"Do you like my outfit?"

"You look beautiful in anything."

"Thank you."

Jamal called the office cook on his extension and she came in with their lunch few minutes later. Ms Moji had been working as the office cook since her father was running it and you could count on her to come through with the most delicious carbs.

She hated the word diet and everyone had learnt not to use it around her. You just ate whatever was on the menu irrespective of the heavy calories. The large breasted woman didn't take complaints well and there wasn't much to complain about anyway.

"I've made for you some pounded yam and ogbono soup," she said before leaving them.

Jamal groaned when she walked out. "She's the reason I never eat at home."

Thea laughed and got the food on the plates, she passed one to Jamal and took the other for herself. As they ate in silence, Thea admired her husband.