Convenience

Part 83

David tried to keep it all sounding matter of fact. "The woman I married wouldn't have stood up to me today!" He challenged confidently but gave her no opportunity to respond. "You have been upfront. Truthful. You don't shout to get your point across. You just do!"

She blinked.

His gaze did not waver. "The woman I married was only interested in me for her sanctuary, today she wouldn't accept any security from me." Again, he didn't give her an opportunity to respond. "You make your way. I understand that!"

That was true. She had found her own way. And she was not about to give that away.

"And the man you married, has changed." David exhaled quietly. "My actions, my motivations, are very different now. You know that." He waited.

She shrugged.

"I know that sometimes you have to review your life, review your values, your actions, your motivations, because of something that happens to you, that you weren't expecting. It changes you. Your motivations, your beliefs, your pursuits, your effort." He ran a hand behind his neck. "Hopefully, become a wiser version. I really hope." David said softly, "The woman I married, our marriage, it was just an arrangement between our families. You know that. It was between our grandfathers. For convenience. An arrangement. A convenient arrangement. Didn't expect my personal life to really change. That is what I thought. I agreed to that. Expected changes in my business life but not really in my personal life. Trusted my grandfather, still do. And I signed on the dotted line. Didn't read the small print!"

She rolled her eyes. "And you considered yourself to be a successful businessman!"

"I wasn't successful back then!" He retorted. Eye contact remained. They processed their statements. "And I was wrong." He murmured.

"Wrong?" She asked quietly.

He nodded. "If I thought this arrangement, was anything other that business, like an industry where you just look after people without muddying my personal waters.

This was just business, this was not meant to be personal. No feelings. No sentiments."

"Getting married is not personal?" She huffed.

"Not like most! No. Getting married was not personal, just a stamp on our contract. What I am trying to say, is that I would never have cheated on you."

She tried not to show her feelings. She narrowed her eyes. "You have contracts in your business. And have you ever cheating in any of your contracts in your business?" She snapped. "What is the difference? You wouldn't cheat in those contracts, but you had a contract with me, and you cheated on me!"

He admitted. "You are right. What I did, going out with other women, was wrong. I believed that my wife, you, didn't want me! You left me." David said and reminded himself that he was about to loose his control here. He took a moment. He wiped the front of his face with his palm. "If I could travel in time, I would go back, to five years ago, and I would change things." He swallowed. His eyes pensive, he continued, "I know, today, this is not an arrangement. Definitely not convenience for either of us!" He said firmly. David said confidently, and a spark flashed between them, "This is between us." David's brow quirked and cautioned Beatrice before Beatrice could argue about that. Then he added, self-assuredly, "You stand up for yourself. You just need to think about your battles!" David said firmly and quietly, "It is time for us."

"There is no us!' Beatrice mumbled.

He reminded her quietly. "Wife and husband."

"Only on paper!" Beatrice reminded him.

"You know that I don't want a divorce. I have a wife. You. I am trying to be a good husband! I think I could be a good husband for you."

She snorted. "What, like seeing other..."