When Samantia awoke she had the worst headache ever. She felt Oscar’s arm still around her. The vague memories of the previous night started coming back to her. Some associates of her manager asked her to have a drink… and then another… and many more. She groaned knowing fully well that she’d need a valid excuse or lie that Oscar would believe. He would definitely get mad if she told the truth about the fact that she had no idea what happened after about the fifth glass. She didn’t want to disappoint him by telling him the truth. And besides… it was harmless enough right?

  Her mouth felt dry. She moved Oscar’s arm from her, replacing it with a pillow which he gladly hugged instead. She observed the habit over the years they’ve spent together. Her husband couldn’t sleep well without hugging something. And she didn’t want him to wake up just yet. He looked so peaceful like that. His dark hair was messy and his features were calm. She smiled to herself admiring for a moment.

  She then got up feeling slightly nauseous and headed towards the bathroom. Samantia looked in the mirror seeing the smudged makeup which she didn’t bother wiping down last night. She cleaned her face before deciding to have a bath. The hot water washed over her tangled hair and aching body. She felt the tiredness lift from her eyes. Her throat was aching which was often the case after gigs, she had a few more to do during this weekend. She already dreaded the feeling of singing with a sore throat.

  Saturdays and Sundays were always busy but Friday was supposed to be a compensation. Well this time her manager decided against it. The asshole didn’t care about family, not when there were gigs to book. Well nobody told her the way to fame would be easy. Still Samantia was as determined as ever. She wasn’t going to let anything hold her back. Hopefully she could balance her career with having a family.

  She got out of the bath, wrapping herself in a towel and putting a smaller one on her hair. She brushed her teeth and started to think of a believable story of what happened last night. She went back to their bedroom walking in quietly. Oscar was still asleep, it seems like the pillow trick worked again as it has for the past forty five years she’s known him. Samantia fished out a shirt from her drawer and lazily put it on along with the leggings she usually wore at home.

  She felt way more refreshed and quietly checked on Alian. Her daughter was still asleep too which was a relief considering the fact that it was 6 am. Her room was a complete mess with toys and drawings thrown everywhere. Samantia reminded herself to make Alian clean that up later.

  The stairs creaked as she made her way downstairs into the kitchen. She got started on making breakfast, nothing big just toast and jam. She heard the stairs creak again and turned around only to be met by Oscar who had an unreadable expression.

  She stayed quiet not really knowing what kind of reaction he was about to have. He walked up behind her gently slipping his hands on her waist. So he’s feeling affectionate, that's a headstart for her.

  “So what happened last night?” He sounded stern.

  “There were a few associates, club owners, and other singers... Basically the type of people you sorta have to hang out with in this business. And I got invited for a few drinks and well you can’t really say no to that so I went with them and we talked, I met some really interesting people and time went by way too fast.” She explained, glad that she didn’t have to look at him while saying all this.

  “That seemed like more than ‘a few drinks’ to me” Oscar replied mumbling in her ear. His voice was a bit lower in the mornings and she couldn’t help but blush.

  “I know and I’m sorry. I got a little carried away…” Samantia replied quietly. “It won’t happen again okay?”

  “Sure…” His expression softened and he tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. “Is your throat sore? Your voice sounds hoarse.”

  “Yeah very much.” She replied glad that he was back to normal.

  “I could scratch it for you.” He said, pulling away with a cheeky smile. Yep definitely back to normal.

  “Shut up and make me a tea!” She replied laughing and playfully pushing him away. He pretended to stumble, towards the cabinet where they kept the big box full of tea bags.

  “Yes ma’am” Oscar replied also laughing. He set the kettle and got out a small bag of Samantia’s go-to tea for a sore throat. It was a chamomile tea but she would swear the only kind that worked was the one she bought from a specific stall at the market.

  He handed her the mug and pressed a kiss on her lips. Every time when they had a fight he kissed her once he got over it. It was a sweet gentle kind of kiss signaling peace, everything was back where it belonged. She was back in his arms again. She loved it so much. Samantia placed a hand on his face deepening the kiss. He pulled back only when he really had to catch his breath.

  “Out of breath already?” She asked, teasing. “See? It’s all those cigarettes I told you!”

  “Yeah, yeah I know you told me so.” He said, chuckling. “You also told me once you’d never kiss someone like me so…”

  “You were very persuasive… but the begging helped your case too.” Samantia giggled.

  “I was not begging!” Oscar insisted.

  “Oh sure you weren’t!” Her hand slithered over to his lower back making him blush. “But it was pretty damn close compared to the tough guy act you had going on.”

  “Oh gods don’t even remind me.” He groaned.

  “It wasn’t all bad though… I liked the mullet.” She whispered, leaning in close. “It was good for grabbing onto.”

  “What’s gotten into you?” Oscar asked, shuddering as Samantia ran her lips softly against his neck. She took the mug from his hands and pressed a kiss on his neck making Oscar suck in a harsh breath. Then she pulled back completely, walking over to the couch and picking up her book from the coffee table. She sat down, took a sip of her tea and looked up at him.

  If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  Oscar was still standing in the kitchen blushing and looking absolutely confused.

  “What the heck was that?” He asked.

  “You’re gonna have to work a little harder.” She replied with a smirk.

  “I made you tea!” He protested.

  “You have a whole weekend, we’ll see.” Samantia shrugged while giggling. It was funny to tease him. She loved the confused little face he made.

  ??...??

  The weekend came and went faster than he could notice.

  And soon he was back in his office now shared with a currently very frustrated woman.

  Sylir was pacing around in annoyance while Oscar casually looked up at her from his desk. He knew the look she had on her face as he’s experienced the same exact thing. She got annoyed at a few students and was now wishing she could either quit or do something else she’d regret later.

  “I mean how can someone be this stupid it’s simply unbelievable to me!” Sylir yelled out. “ I mean there’s no way!”

  “Hey I get it just-” Oscar attempted to calm her down but quickly got cut off.

  “No, no you don’t! All I asked for was a simple dodge. I showed them how I explained how! And yet like half of them just outright refused to do it!” She threw her arms in the air dramatically. “ Heck I could probably even teach you this shit it’s so simple!”

  “Okay… you got any more lessons today?” Oscar asked calmly.

  “Fuck no!” She replied.

  “You want a drink?” Her eyes lit up a bit and a sly smile was drawn across her features.

  “You can do that here?” She asked not really caring for the answer.

  “No but… If you manage to walk straight they won’t notice.” He replied, reaching for a cabinet on his desk and fishing out a bottle of whiskey along with two glasses.

  “Shit I didn’t take you for that type…” Sylir muttered letting him pour her a glass.

  “Well clearly you need it. And besides it’s monday that should be reason enough.” Oscar replied laughing. He got up from his desk and walked over to the tall windows, opening one and leaning on the window sill.

  “You’re weird… We’ve known each other for like two days now you’re offering me a drink.” She said tilting her head to the side. “Or did you just need an excuse to drink as well?”

  “Don’t ask me that please” Oscar chuckled.

  “I get it, don't worry… trouble in paradise or something?” She asked.

  “Sorta… Well it’s nothing too bad, at least I hope.” He replied, deciding to change the topic. Sylir didn’t need to know his wife came home completely drunk and lied about what she did. “So tell me about those students”

  “Oh gods… They outright refused to do the exercise properly. Laziness I guess but still! If you wanna be a rouge you have to know the dodges first! Or else how are you gonna start training with a knife?” She rambled, talking fast and wildly gesturing. Oscar could tell she was talking from years of experience, but she probably didn’t know much about training techniques. “Literally the first thing I was taught!”

  “Well maybe you just need to give them some time.” He tried to reason while taking a small sip of his drink.

  “Time? I could learn this shit at six! They’re adults, this shouldn’t be that hard!” Sylir buried her face in her free hand immediately taking a big sip of her drink after looking back up at Oscar.

  “Maybe you didn’t explain it properly…” Oscar suggested.

  “Are you saying I suck?” Sylir asked back sarcastically.

  “Not at all! I’m just saying maybe they didn’t get it” He corrected.

  “What? Like that’s my fault? Gimme a break.” She playfully pushed his shoulder. “So what happened to you today huh?”

  “Nothing much… when my students misbehave I get to send them outside and not deal with them anymore… that usually fixes it.” They both laughed at that. Sylir sat at the edge of her desk which was next to the window Oscar was leaning on.

  “So where are you from anyway?” She asked, changing the subject again.

  “Arias… gorgeous city, have you ever been there?” He replied.

  “No… I lived in various parts of Amohyl all my life. I was mostly on the road though. Nothing interesting about that swampy country.” She replied. That explains why she didn’t act like most elves did around tieflings. Elves from their home country of Fylholon tended to be much more difficult. “I grew up on the roads, I was part of this caravan you know? It was a travelling circus but other than performances I was taught how to steal and fight. Pretty creative if you ask me.”

  “Wow… So how’d you end up in Leamore?” He asked, his curiosity taking over.

  “Well I moved here with my boyfriend about a month ago. He got me out of that place so we could be together.” She explained. “How’d you end up here?”

  “My wife and I moved here after we got married. She’s a singer and thought there would be more opportunities in this city then Arias.” He said leaving out a few details. It’s not like he wanted to open up too much to her, at least not yet.

  “Really, she sings? Is she any good?” Sylir asked.

  “She’s the best. I could listen to her for days honestly.” From her point the man in front of her looked like a damn lovestruck fool. It was kinda cute though. She downed the remainder of her drink bitterly. She felt like she could never get so lucky. She could never think of anyone like that. Certainly not her current boyfriend at least.

  “This tastes expensive.” Sylir concluded.

  “It was a gift from someone a while ago.” He replied. “Don’t feel bad for drinking it, the guy was a complete idiot.”

  She laughed and placed her glass on the desk. Her red lipstick left a small mark on the rim.

  “Well this was fun, thank you for getting my mind off those stupid kids.” She picked up her bag and started packing up her things. “I’ll return the favor somehow okay?”

  “Oh please… You don’t have to, I needed this just as much as you.” Oscar chuckled watching her fling her bag over her shoulder. “I’ll clean the glasses, you get home safe!”

  Sylir smiled up at him showing her pearly teeth, her cheeks a bit flushed. She waved back while walking out the door. Oscar cleaned the glasses with a bit of water from his flask, simply splashing it out the window then started wiping them with a small cloth. He didn’t want to risk taking them out to the teacher’s kitchen because he didn’t want Elanor to catch him. That woman was probably the only one who cared what the teachers did to blow off steam so it wasn’t exactly good for him to risk being seen.

  He put his own glass back in the cabinet and picked up Sylir’s noticing the red lipstick mark. Oscar smiled, he liked it when this happened it was a feeling he couldn’t really explain. He almost felt bad wiping it off making the glass look bland again. He realized that Sylir took his mind off things too. He hasn’t taught about why Samantia lied for the first time today.

  Well those thoughts were now making their way back to his mind.

  He didn’t want to assume the worst. But it was pretty hard to assume anything else when she clearly lied. She probably thought he wouldn’t notice. But they’ve been married for so long it was obvious to him when she lied.

  It was nothing new.

  He didn’t want to get caught on something like this though. She hated it when he got worried or mad over things that she considered not to be a big deal. So he tried his best to let these things go. But there was still a lingering concern in the back of his mind.