...
 "Dad..what..." Mark bumped inside angrily.
     "I did what I had to do..." The foolish old man interrupted. "Or do you want to be sent out of the house also?"
  "For your information, you didn't send Liam out. He made that decision himself! That's what he said.." Mark fired back.
  "Oh, why then are you making a fuss?" Mr. Maya said.
    "Dad" He shouted then lowered his voice. "You know you are not being fair at all?
 " Oh by putting my darling little wife first before anyone else means I am not being fair at all? Really Mark?"
   Mark shook his head.
    "You have always been Mild Mark, don't get yourself into this... Just go your way" Mr. Maya added.
  Mark scoffed; "Well I can smell the spirit of shame that would surround me very soon" With that, he climbed the stairs.
    
    "Eve; my darling little wife" Mr. Maya came closer to me.
 "I am not feeling Okay"  I moved away when he almost placed his hand on my waist.
  "Why? What happened?" He asked.
    "Wish you were like this to Liam" I didn't know when those words slipped out of my tongue; he stood there looking at me like...
   "I need to go sleep now" I quickly added then walked upstairs.
    
    **
    
    Eve's POV
    
      The next day, Mr. Maya and I were together; didn't know where Mark went to... while Helen was with Robert, they were waiting for me to be done with my drama with Mr. Maya.
  "Less I forget, how is your new workplace?" Mr. Maya asked me.
   "I like it" I just said; I really wasn't in the mood to communicate with him. He should get the fvck out again... I don't care. I don't even feel like he is cheating on me by going out with some sluts.
    Mr. Maya looked at me as if he was there was something serious he wanted to spill out. 
    And there he goes; "The papers.."
    Oh, the marriage evidence!
    "I am going to sign the papers as soon as possible" I assured Mr. Maya.
    "What is delaying you, Eve?" He asked me.
   "I... I... It escaped my mind again" I lied; I really have no plans to sign the papers yet. I am just gonna keep procrastinating probably till he can't take it anymore.
    "Hmmmn" He hummed.
    "I'll sign it Mr. Maya, you don't have to worry" I gave him fake assurance.
    "Mr. Maya?"
    "Maya" I corrected myself and rolled my eyes.
"Better..." He sighed.." I can't imagine it that I have to wait till you sign some papers before you would allow me to touch you" He said and I faked a smile.
    "Yeah, we could have our night together as soon as I've signed it but.." I paused.
    "But what?"
    "Mr. Maya..." I spoke gently.."Maya" I corrected myself again.
 "Is there any problem?"
    "No... I...hum, I just want to let you know that I am..aware of the...the fact that you have some sluts..." He opened his mouth and looked at me in awe but I didn't stop talking. "...and..you even went to a hotel with one recently"
    "Is that what my sons told you?"
    "Err..."
 "It's not true Eve. I mean it was...I had sluts in the past but ever since I found you Eve... I stopped, I am faithful now" Mr. Maya tried to convince me.
"No... I... Actually, I want you to have some now" I told him.
    "Why?" He was surprised.
 "Because... I...I don't actually care if you flirt around" I said and he grinned his teeth; "You can use them as my surrogate" I told him.
    "If that's what you want, it's fine.." He said... "Just so you know, I am still waiting for you" He added and I nodded slowly.
I just want him to forget about me and continue to use other ladies in replace of me if all he thinks about all his life is s*x.
    
    "Uhm..." I cleared my throat..then changed the topic; "Have you spoken to Liam?" I asked him.
 "Speak to him? Come on he will take good care of himself"
Deep down, I was boiling in anger... I mean what sort of father is he?
I tried to control my anger, so I stood up...
"I'll be in my room now" I informed him.
 "I am fully around because I would like to keep your company throughout today" He said and I gave a false smile and respond;
"..uhm maybe later. I would like to be alone for now" I exited quickly before he'll say something that would make me stay or he might even follow me upstairs. This man is so tricky.
    *
  I ought to let Helen and Robert know that I am free from that old man (so they could come around); I wish that word free could go a really long way... like Real Free.
 I suddenly felt unusually bored. To be honest... I was missing Liam's presence. Yesterday, Liam spent more than half of the day with us revealing to us his true self. Sure! that was his true or new behavior and we were now fond of him already then all of sudden, he had to go to his own house. Jeez why! why did it have to be when we were all just starting to  get cool with him. I'm so sure I am not the only one feeling this way; Helen and Robert must be bothered too.
    
    I picked up my phone and glared at it for a while... then an idea suddenly struck into my head.
Since I had Liam's number, why didn't I not just call him and...and check up on him?
  God! What am I thinking? The feeling of being overly concerned about others has taken over me. Before I could even give it a second thought, I picked up my phone and dialed Liam's number.
    I slowly bit my finger as I waited for him to pick up the call...Yes! He did.
    ~ "Errr... Hi Liam" I said nervously.
 ~ "Eve?" I heard his voice.
  ~"Yeah Eve... You saved my number" I muttered.
   ~" Yeah I did. How are you doing Eve?" He asked me.
   ~ "I..errm, I am supposed to ask you that question. I mean that is why I called you" I said and I heard him laughing.
~"How are you doing Liam?" 
~"Very well"
~"Are you sure?" 
  ~"Of course. Are you scared again?" He asked but I didn't say anything. "Are you scared that I might go ahead and commit suicide?"
 ~"I...I didn't say that and it's not like it's a crime to be scared" I murmured but I knew he heard me.
~ "Come on. I couldn't even commit suicide when Clara broke up with me, would I then go ahead and kill myself because my Dad is foolish... No, It's not a tangible reason to take my life"
~ "Liam!" I scolded him when he keeps mentioning suicide literally.
He laughed and said; ~ "Relax. No one is committing suicide. c'mon I was only kidding"
    I took a heavy breathe then retorted "I just wanted to check up on you on you"
  ~  "Oh that's so sweet of you stepmom. I'm so pleased that I have a stepmother at home who is so worried about her stepson" He said and I gave a slight hiss. I really do not like it when he calls me his stepmom.. it makes me feel old and like I am an actual married woman.
   ~ "How is everyone at home?" He asked me.
 ~ "We are all good but the house is so not completed without you, we all miss you.." I said.
  ~ "Except my father" He added.
  ~ "Uhm yeah except him...but he soon will" I told him.
  ~ "What about Mark? Did he cause any trouble with Dad? That little guy is fond of fighting for me with that mild heart of his" Liam said and I chuckled.
~ "Yeah mild and gentle-hearted guy he is but he caused no trouble. In fact he is not at home right now" I told him.
 ~ "Good" He replied...I didn't say anything... I didn't know what else to say. I've gotten what I wanted, I just wanted to know if he is all well and good.
Perhaps I should end the call now.. there's no need to be worried anymore.
~"Uhm, what about you Eve?" He spoke when I was just about to say Bye.
 ~ "Me?... I...am good" I stuttered.
~ "With my Dad?" I knew what he was insinuating...
~"No... I... I am doing okay and ...I am taking precautions... I mean... play along...like you..uhm...told me to" I didn't really know what to say...
 ~  "You know Eve, I lied that I am okay" He suddenly said.
~  "What?" I exclaimed.." What's wrong with you Liam?"
 ~"Oh calm down Eve. It's just food. I am fed up with fast-food and outside cooked meals" He said and I sighed heavily again. "I miss home-cooked food" He added.
 ~"Oh!" I muttered.
 ~ "Helen should be in the kitchen now right?" He asked me.
    I glared at my wall clock...
~"Yeah she should. It's lunchtime" I said.
 ~"Will you get me something to eat?"
 ~ "Huh?" 
 ~ "I'll text you the address. Bye"  He hung the call..and the next minute, an SMS came in... It was the address of his place.
   
    Jeez, how do I tell everyone that Liam wants me to bring him some food plus where would I say I am going to.
  I scratched my hair; searching for a good lie. They know I don't even have friends around and it's not even work-related.
    Then I sighted the ATM card Mr. Maya gave me on the table. I rushed to pick it up.
    Yes! Clothes! I'm going to the supermarket to get some clothes.
    
    I changed into a better outfit, picked up a big bag, and rushed out of my room for the kitchen to meet Helen.
   "Hey, Lunch is rea...." Helen paused and took some time to look at me from head to toe. "Ready" She stood at an akimbo angle as she questioned me "Where are you going to Eve?"
    "Huh... Market! The supermarket" I tried not to stutter. "My..uhm... I need to get some good clothes for the office job" I added.
 "Oh! There's nothing wrong with your clothes though, you only need to learn how to style them and make them match" She said...
  "Yeah... I know" I stood there as if I was waiting for her permission to let me leave.
   "Let's have lunch first"
    "No" I blurted... "I uhm, need to get there quickly" I told her.
  "Oh ... I'll come with you then" She added.
    "No, no Helen"
    "What's the wrong Eve?" She asked me.
  "Nothing" I smiled nervously.
 "Are you going to see your boyfriend?" She whispered.
    "No" I blurted out... "I do not have a boyfriend" I mumbled.
  "Wow.. there's M.r Maya's young loyal wife," She said and I rolled my eyes. "And that's right! Mr Maya just went out now! Are you tryna stalk him?" She asked me.
   "Stalk who? No please. I didn't even know he went out. Where did he go to?"
  "I don't know.. he didn't inform anyone. That man can't stay a day without committing adultery" She laughed... I did too...
    He went out because I didn't let him touch me plus I gave him the full permission to do whatever pleases him.
   "So what are you still waiting for?" She turned to me.. when I didn't rush out despite the fact I acted like I was in hurry.
    "I.. uhm... " She was arranging and stocking the fridge with foods. "Let me help you with that" I rushed towards her and then collected the cans from her.
    She looked at me as if I was strange...I knew I was acting really weird.
  "Aren't you leaving?" She asked me.
    "Of course, I will" I smiled and gave a short laugh.
    "I will help you with this.. go give Robert his meal. He said he is very very hungry" I lied to her.
"Oh My God! Why didn't you mention that earlier?" She rushed to the pot to dish out Robert's meal, then she trotted out of the kitchen as soon as she was done.
    
    I quickly stole that opportunity to dish Liam's meal into a flask... I made sure it was well covered then I kept it inside the big bag and rushed out of the house.
    Helen was just about to come inside I almost bumped into her.
  "I... I am leaving now" I stammered. I held the big bag very tight so she won't snatch it to see what was inside.
 She continued looking at me suspiciously and I moved backward slowly.
    "How bad, Robert can't drive a car" She said.
    "I... I have some money with me. I would take a cab" I told her.
    "Where are you going to Eve?" Robert asked me.
  "Uhmm...." I hurried towards the gate...
 "Ask Helen. I already informed her" I hollered then scurried out of the compound.
    
    *****
    ****