by S M Mala
She held her breath, feeling the strength of him between her legs; his movement rocking her whole body.
‘I love you,’ he groaned. ‘Don’t go back to him.’
‘You think I’d do that?’ Sophie couldn’t hide the horror and hurt she instantly felt. ‘I would do that to you?’
‘No, Soph, no,’ he said, grabbing her face.
‘Then why ask?’ She looked at the warm brown eyes now pained. ‘You don’t say things like that when we’re making love.’
Right then, she wanted to push him off but couldn’t.
He was very strong and they were still joined.
‘I’m sorry, baby, I love you,’ he said, kissing her neck. ‘Forgive me. I love you so much.’
She wrapped her arms around his neck and looked at him.
‘Don’t let him come between us, especially in bed.’ Kissing his face, she watched him smile. ‘Never in our bed, because that’s what he’d want.’
It was then she realised Harry was starting to make Jonah doubt her love, and that was more than unforgivable.
‘Dada, look!’
Amelia was running around in the park, much to Jonah’s delight. Even though it was warm outside, she wanted to wear her new pink pig Wellington boots. Sophie was sitting on a park bench watching the pair.
He felt bad about the previous night and what he said when making love. Jonah made it up to her again that morning, putting so much effort he thought his balls were going to break, as well as his back.
It was all worth it.
There was a sexy smirk on her lips.
His wife looked incredibly beautiful. Taking his camera out of his pocket, he took photos while she wasn’t watching, pretending the shots were of Amelia. Jonah looked at the gorgeous little girl laughing at the pigeons flying around.
‘I love you!’ he shouted out, much to Sophie’s surprise, as a few morning joggers smiled.
‘I love you.’
Keeping an eye on Amelia running around, he sat down next to Sophie before whispering, ‘You’ve forgiven me yet?’
‘I forgive you for everything, other than your sex talk that made me dry up.’
‘You’re never dry with me,’ he cheekily replied.
‘I think I might have wet myself from shock.’ Sophie turned to look at him. ‘Don’t you ever doubt me, you hear?’
‘Heard and understood.’ Jonah couldn’t help but let out a little sigh. ‘I’m very happy.’
‘Dada!’ Amelia screamed. A pigeon was flying at her and her little legs were running towards him at high speed. ‘Dada!’
He immediately got up, grabbed the child and punched the pigeon away, as Amelia started to cry.
‘Baby, if you chase pigeons what do you expect?’ he said, seeing her little red face and large, open mouth as she cried out loudly, mainly from shock. ‘It’s okay. Daddy’s here.’ Jonah tried not to laugh as she hugged his neck and started to sniffle. ‘You’re safe.’
‘You punched a pigeon!’ laughed Sophie, standing up and walking towards them, before stroking Amelia’s hair. ‘Daddy beat up a pigeon for you. Isn’t he brave?’
‘Funny,’ he replied and put an arm around her. ‘This is how it should be. Us three or four.’
‘Four?’
‘A dog, a cat… a baby?’ He looked at her smile. ‘We need a baby.’
‘We’ve got one.’
‘Lots of them to be exact.’ Jonah frowned and bit his lip before putting Amelia down, who ran towards more pigeons.
‘Boo!’ she screamed with laughter.
‘I want us to start now. You won’t be alone. You’ll be with me forever and ever,’ he whispered, seeing Sophie look straight up at him.
‘We need to sort out Milly’s adoption.’
‘A want a baby,’ he said, grabbing her hand and pressing it against his chest. ‘Our baby to make the family perfect.’
‘I removed my coil months ago.’
‘What?’ He thought he misheard. ‘Why didn’t you say?’
‘I thought I’d let my body settle down.’
‘So, you want a baby?’ he asked, feeling his heart pound with excitement. ‘With me?’
‘Of course with you.’ Sophie grimaced.
‘Soph, that’s wonderful. How soon?’
‘It takes time.’
‘I want it to happen quickly.’
‘Oh shit!’ Sophie said running towards Amelia. The child was punching pigeons. ‘You’re just like your father! Will you stop it?’
And that made Jonah realise his family was already more than perfect, and hopefully, would soon increase in size.
That’s all he wanted.
‘What are you doing here?’
Fadwa looked shocked when she opened the door. ‘You shouldn’t come. People are watching.’
Sophie could sense something was wrong but smiled, discreetly examining her face for bruises. There were none. Then she held out a package.
‘I bought some chocolates for the boys. I know they loved the tin ones so they can make drums,’ she said, and let out a sigh. ‘I wanted to see how you were and check everything was okay. You haven’t returned my calls and I know showing up isn’t a good thing. Is he home?’
Fadwa quickly shook her head from side to side.
‘If anyone asks I’ll make something up,’ Sophie whispered. ‘I know what bullshit to weave. Can I come in?’
‘Of course,’ replied Fadwa, immediately relieved while letting her in.
The house was small and square. Sophie noticed it was very clean and tidy. You would never guess that two little boys lived there. In fact, if anyone did. She realised that Fadwa was blatantly keeping it like that at the request of her husband.
‘Would you like a cup of tea?’ Fadwa asked, walking to the kitchen as Sophie followed.
‘You are very good at housework,’ Sophie said, admiring the clean, shiny surface of the kitchen sink. ‘My place looks like a wreck compared to yours.’
‘He likes it that way,’ she whispered and put on the kettle. ‘You know neighbours are watching me, don’t you? This is a small community and they look at me as if I have brought shame to the family.’
‘You have to stop feeling like that.’ Sophie looked around and could see Fadwa kept it clean within an inch of her life.
The sudden thought crept over her that she was probably now meant to feel worse that she had done before. Even the way everything was ordered on the small shelving unit showed that he was going to find fault with something.
‘May I sit?’ Sophie asked, seeing Fadwa nod.
She realised the young woman didn’t want her there and was probably worried about the repercussions. Sophie wondered if she had made a monumental mistake, but it was too late to turn back now as she was genuinely worried.
‘You shouldn’t have come,’ Fadwa said again. ‘He doesn’t want me to talk about what happened when I left. All he keeps saying is that it was bad and I am a disgrace.’
‘He’s the disgrace, not you.’
Fadwa went to the table, putting one cup down.
‘Aren’t you having one?’ she asked, seeing the frown on her face. ‘Look, I’ll go if this is making you uncomfortable. I was worried and Madison told me that he was hurting you again. I can see this isn’t a good idea and the last thing in the world I want to do is cause trouble.’
‘I don’t know what to do,’ Fadwa said, her face stiffened with fear. ‘I know the boys love their father. He said it would be okay, he’d never raise a finger against me, but it’s worse.’
‘Is he beating you?’
‘I wish he were. At least I have bruises to show for it but this is like he’s tearing me to pieces in my head. Nothing I do is right and I can’t do enough. The boys are even questioning how I cook and clean, and look after them. He’s feeding them poison about me.’ She took a sharp intake of breath. ‘But I can’t walk out and leave my sons. I don’t want them to be like him, have no heart.’
‘Sit,’
Sophie said, taking her hand and watching Fadwa slowly seat herself on a chair. ‘My ex, he made me feel like I wasn’t good enough as if he was doing me a favour by taking me on. I never realised how he was undermining my confidence but I thought I was strong, thought I could cope. Harry wasn’t a bad man but I sometimes think their self-loathing is taken out on a person they can inflict it on. Like some power trip.’
‘I feel like I’ve done something bad,’ she said, wiping the tears from her large brown eyes. ‘It seems I am in the wrong whereas he is in the clear. And he knows better; Anan isn’t a fool. He won’t give up the other women and says I have to accept it. I married him for love, not to live like this.’ There was a massive sob as she put her hand over her mouth. ‘He won’t let me cry, says it’s pathetic and weak.’
‘You shouldn’t have gone back to him.’ Sophie touched her hand. ‘No matter what he says or does, he wants to punish you. How long before he raises a hand against you or the kids? If he has done it before, he will do it again.’
Fadwa sat there and wept, as Sophie looked on knowing how difficult a decision it was for her to make.
‘Anan threatened to hit the children when they stuck up for me last time. I see the fear in their eyes that’s why they treat me the way they do.’
‘They’re only little.’
‘I don’t want them to be like him.’
‘What about your family? Can’t they help?’
‘My sister,’ she sobbed. ‘She wants me to live with her but I’m scared he’ll turn up and hurt her husband and kids. I can’t get anyone else involved. I have to sort this out on my own.’
‘You’re not alone.’
‘Sophie, I am. What can I do other than run away again? I don’t want the boys to live in one room in a house where we don’t know people.’ She wiped her eyes on her sleeve. ‘Why can’t I have a normal life and be happy? That’s all I ever wanted.’
‘That’s all anyone ever wants.’
The pair jumped hearing the door open and she saw the fear in Fadwa’s face.
‘Should he be home?’ Sophie whispered, drinking her tea.
Fadwa shook her head frantically, going to the kitchen sink and splashing water on her face.
‘Hello,’ she heard a voice call out. ‘Anyone there?’
‘Yes, I’m here,’ Fadwa said, her face lighting up with a smile. ‘I’ve got a friend with me. You’re home early.’
‘I was just passing.’
Both the women looked at each other, knowing someone must have called him on speed dial for him to turn up so quickly.
Sophie could see Fadwa acting like the happy wife. It made her feel sick to see this role play, but she had experienced it time and time again.
‘Hi, I’m Sophie.’ She got to her feet and noticed a very handsome man walk into the kitchen, wearing a suit and tie. ‘I popped in to see Fadwa.’
You would never suspect, in a million years, that this was the man who was beating and threatening his wife. Anan was well spoken and gave the aura of someone professional and polished. It wasn’t any wonder why no-one would suspect he could mistreat his wife.
Once again, the perpetrator wasn’t what you would expect. People would think that Fadwa should be grateful for having a husband like him
‘Nice to meet you,’ he replied, putting out his hand to shake hers. ‘Fadwa, have you offered her a drink and something to eat?’
‘She has been wonderful,’ gushed Sophie, forcing on her ‘I like you when I hate you’ smile which she had used with Harry for a long time. ‘My husband is a photographer and we met a while back. He featured our children, that’s mine and yours, in an exhibition. I wanted to show her the pictures.’
Going into her bag, she pulled out Jonah’s book and handed it over.
‘Oh, that’s amazing!’ he replied, his light brown eyes sparkling. ‘May I take a look?’
‘I came here to give Fadwa a signed copy.’
Sophie had taken one from Jonah’s study, knowing she needed a cover.
‘And how did you two meet?’ he asked, smiling all the time at Sophie. ‘She’s never mentioned you before.’
‘We bump into each other, now and again. I went to the local swimming pool and watched the boys taking lessons,’ she blatantly lied. ‘My husband was there with our baby when he noticed how beautiful your children were. I’m sorry, I should have asked permission from you.’ Sophie looked down, pretending to be embarrassed. ‘But Jonah does like to take pictures off the cuff.’
‘Jonah Bauer? I’ve seen him on the web and in the papers.’ Anan looked impressed as he flicked through. ‘And he’s your husband?’
‘Yes,’ she sighed but watched the man’s eyes light up when he looked in the book. ‘I’m in there with our baby.’
Quickly glancing at Fadwa, she noticed the look of relief on her face.
‘Anyway, I better go. I have to pick up my daughter from nursery.’ Sophie smiled at Fadwa. ‘If you need more copies I can ask Jonah for some. That’s the perk of being married to him; I don’t have to pay.’
‘Shall I see you out?’ he asked, and she realised he was looking at her quizzically. ‘How do you know where we lived?’
‘I asked Fadwa ages ago and told her I’d get her a copy. But I had a young baby and things were difficult. You know how it is.’
‘I’ll see to her,’ Fadwa said and walked past Anan as Sophie followed.
Opening the door, Sophie stepped out.
‘Thank you for the tea,’ Sophie said, smiling brightly and kissing her cheeks. ‘I hope the boys like the chocolates. Goodbye Anan!’
‘Goodbye,’ he replied, then noticed he was staring. ‘See you again soon. Drop by anytime.’
A cold shiver went through her spine as she smiled and looked at Fadwa.
As the door closed, she saw the young woman mouth the words, ‘Help me,’ and knew she had to get her out of there, fast.
‘What do you want?’
Jonah had left the studio only to see Onya standing on the corner. ‘The very sight of you makes me feel sick.’
‘We have to talk.’
‘No, we don’t.’
‘Please Jonah?’
He stopped in his tracks.
‘Five minutes.’ He didn’t want to look at her, especially after over hearing the conversation she had with Harry. ‘That’s all I’ve got.’
‘I’m sorry,’ she said, tearfully. ‘I never meant to deceive you. At the exhibition, you looked at me like I was nothing.’
‘When and for how long?’ Jonah didn’t want to know but had to find out the truth. ‘You might as well say.’
‘When he-.’ Onya shook her head. ‘The pregnancy. He wanted to meet up and then it started again. I never meant for it to continue.’
‘We’d been together for only a year!’ He tried to compose himself, but the deceit was far worse than he thought. ‘And when did you meet?’
‘When you were on shoots or-.’ She took a deep breath. ‘More frequently when you were babysitting her.’ Onya glared at him. ‘How could you do that to me?’
‘Do what? I never did anything behind your back. I was always faithful, and God, there were moments when I didn’t want to be. But that’s what people do, stay true to each other.’
‘But you fucked her, though, didn’t you? When she was married to Harry.’
‘I never did, and she would never want to unless the marriage were finished. The night you witnessed him beating her up she-.’
‘He didn’t beat her up!’
‘Then what did he do?’ Jonah stepped back and shook his head in despair. ‘What was I doing with someone like you? All the time in New York you were screwing him. I thought you got on but little did I know how much of a fool you were both making of me!’
‘And what about me?’ she replied, a mad look in her eye. ‘Marrying his ex-wife as if to prove a point that the men I love want her, not me! How do you think that makes me feel?’
‘Like shit, I hop
e,’ he angrily replied. ‘Because that’s what he made her feel like. God, I wish I never met you.’
‘Then you wouldn’t have met Harry and all this success you’ve acquired, wouldn’t be happening now.’ Onya smiled smugly at him. ‘I did that for you.’
He pondered for a moment and thought carefully.
‘Thank you for that,’ Jonah said politely, starting to smile. ‘If you hadn’t introduced me to Harry then I wouldn’t have met Sophie. I’m indebted to you for life.’
Her eyes were filled with rage as he turned around and walked away, wishing he could see the back of Onya and Harry for good.
‘Kidnap?’
Sophie wasn’t quite sure she heard correctly.
‘It’s the only way,’ Madison replied, munching on a cake. ‘She needs our help.’
‘We can’t do that.’ She pointed to the pair of them. ‘We’re professionals.’
‘He’s going to kill her!’
‘She has to walk out or call the police. I told you, when I was there she asked for my help but we have to do it above board.’
‘He’s threatening to harm the boys!’ Madison threw the last bit of cake into her mouth and looked aghast. ‘Sophie, she has no-one.’
‘I know, I know.’
Sitting in their small office, Sophie looked around to make sure no-one could hear.
‘You are training in this area. How the hell do you think it will look if someone finds out you’ve done this? And if you think I’m getting involved, think again.’ Sitting back, she noticed the steely determination in her friend’s eyes. ‘Madison, listen to me.’
‘I don’t care what you think. I know what’s right and what’s wrong. I’ve done it before, got women out of their homes.’
‘You know I’m a senior colleague and I can’t get involved.’ Then Sophie stopped and stared straight at Madison. ‘What do you mean by kidnap?’
‘Fadwa is slow on the uptake,’ her friend shiftily replied. ‘And she needs a gentle push.’
‘You’re going to do this against her will? I know she needs our help. I’m trying to put the wheels in motion so she goes to a flat with the children, not a house.’ Madison put her head in her hands and shook her head. Sophie knew there was more to this. ‘What aren’t you telling me?’