Marrying my high school bully

Lorraine

“How do you feel?” My new acquaintance asked, tucking away the strands of hair which were being tousled around by the cool evening breeze at the nook of my ear.

I didn’t respond immediately, as I wanted to be sure of how I truly felt before replying. Having a cup of vanilla ice cream in a park with a man who shared the silence with me was therapeutic and amazing.

There was no argument. There was no fear of him being called by another woman. Just the both of us, gazing at the twinkling stars in the deep blue sky.

Was that too much to ask for from Dexter?

After letting off a relieved sigh, I looked him in the eyes and said. “I’m really fine right now, Mr Bumpy.” I giggled, his lips twitching.

With a smirk tugging at the crook of his lips, he dropped his own plate of ice cream. “You don’t get to call me that when you’re doing all the bumping.” He teased me.

We both laughed over it; a throaty, hearty laughter. I loved this peaceful feeling and I didn’t want it to go away any time soon.

“I wish my husband would stop hurting me all the time.” I blurted without regretting the words leaving my lips.

Since he was ready to listen, I didn’t mind sharing the pain that no one else knew about. It was like a heavy yoke on my tender shoulders, pulling me backwards each time I tried to take a step. Sadly, no one was willing to help me out with it even though it was spine breaking and I could get affected in the process.

“Your husband? You’re married?” He asked in disbelief.

I nodded, allowing him to process the information I just gave. “Why are you so surprised?” I questioned flatly.

He reached for my left hand and scrutinised my fingers which were void of any ring. “I thought as much, you don’t even have a ring on it. Who’s your husband?” There were glints of disappointment and tiredness in his voice, but above all, I could sense that he wanted to protect me.

“I don’t like rings,” I lied, “And also, you know my husband.”

He blinked hard and fast, then realisation settled in his eyes. “Dexter?”

“Yup,” I popped the ‘p’ then it occurred to me that he guessed correctly. “How did you know?”

“I have eyes.” He snorted, then continued, “Look, if you are the same woman he was thinking about so deeply during that made him bang the table so that we lost all our focus then I’m sure that he has feelings for you.” He declared while my eyes bulged, my ears waiting attentively for him to say more.

Feelings? How did he know about that?

I cleared my throat, shifting uncomfortably on the chair. “What do you mean by that?”

“If the fear and desire I saw in his office after the meeting is any indication then you have no reason to fear.” He said confidently.

I huffed, spooning some ice cream into my mouth because it all made no sense to me.

How could he be so sure that the feelings he saw Dexter display at the office were directed at me? I couldn’t believe any of that as he was presently enjoying himself with Emilia.

Suddenly, I got tired. “Let’s talk about something else.”

“Any ideas?”

“Yes. Let’s talk about you.” I suggested.

“Me?” He pointed at himself like there was another person around and when I didn’t answer, he added. “What do you want to know about me?”

I shrugged. “Everything. Like who you are presently interested in?”

A sad hue fell over his face as I propped myself for a sad story. “Right now, I don’t think anyone interests me. What’s the use when they all act the same way?”

Now this has gotten my attention. I dropped the almost empty plate and leaned on the back rest. “What happened? Who hurt you?”

He took in a deep breath and after exhaling his eyes darkened. “It’s about a girl I’ve been dating for two years now. I wanted to make it official and marry her, but then I caught her in bed with a man she claimed to be her step brother.”

A gasp escaped my lips as I wondered how women could be so unfaithful to people who showed them genuine love.

How would they react if they were in my position?

“I’m so sorry for that, Bumpy. You didn’t deserve that.” I caressed his back as I noticed it was hard for him to continue.

It was surprising to see him being soft and vulnerable when from afar he looked like a macho man who couldn’t break a smile.

“The sad part was that she wasn’t remorseful. She told me that I was too busy for her and even when I made time for her, I didn’t give her sex the way she wanted. She said that I didn’t understand her body so everything became boring for her. In other words, her step brother knew how to fuck her better than I do.” He rumbled.

Speaking of sex. Everyone actually had another version of someone’s problems. Dexter didn’t care about me obviously, but he understood my body and knew how to get a reaction out of me by a mere kiss.

I shoved the thoughts aside and continued with my consolation. “You’ll be fine, alright?” I assured him as he nodded. “Don’t allow the past to bother you, if anything, be grateful that you don’t have to be tied down with her.” I muttered.

“What do you mean?”

I massaged my forehead, chewing my lips in regret of what I said. No one could know that I was in a contract marriage, not even him. “You don’t have to read meaning to everything I say.”

He cocked his head to the side, showing that he didn’t believe me but I wouldn’t say any more than I already have.

“Are you being caged in your marriage?” His voice had become soft, his eyes which I tried to avoid blazed with intense curiosity and eagerness to get the truth out of me.

I opened my lips to reply when a huge familiar figure appeared before us. I scrambled to my feet, lips parting and breathing ragged because of the unexpected interference.

Seeing the scowl directed at Bumpy I knew that things would get rough if I didn’t step in. “What are you doing here?” I hollered.

“I’m here to take you home.”

Home? Did he even know what it meant?

“I don’t think I’m ready to leave with you. Who knows how much you’ve fucked Emilia on our bed.”

His eyes widened, his face flushed with embarrassment. “I would never do that to you. Just follow me home and I’ll explain everything to you.” He pleaded and I stared at Bumpy who shook his head, nudging me to go ahead.

“It had better be a good one.” I spat furiously.

He ignored me and shook hands with Bumpy. It was more of a challenge than a normal exchange of pleasantries. That was what happened when powerful men met, they usually liked to establish their territory. “Thank you for being with her, but after tonight, please stay away from her.” He said sternly and broke off the handshake.

“I will, when you learn how to treat her right.” Bumpy replied casually, but I could sense how serious he was.