Mr. and Mrs. Williams

"I don't want to go to another gala dinner," I groan begrudgingly as the gold earrings slip into their holes.

My husband turns around with a deep sigh to look at me. He knows I hate this part of his job. I don't like being the arm candy, meant to be seen and not heard. I find it to be demoralizing, and he knows this. I have two bachelor's degrees and a master's... who cares if he's a Governor?

His hands toy with his neck tie, securing it properly as he stalks over where I am sat. I watch with curiosity as his hands smooth over my bare shoulders. We're both looking at one another through the mirror I'm sat before, eyes boring into eyes, mouths shut.

"I know that. That is why I didn't ask you to come; I told you to come," he says simply, his tone is laced with the slap he wishes he could act on.

I roll my eyes at the response and my curiosity is satisfied. Should have known he was going to be an asshole.

He walks back into the walk in closet we share, presumably slipping his shoes on and leaving me to zip my gown on my own.

"James will be there!" He yells from afar. Now his tone is laced with malice.

My body freezes under my own judging stare through the mirror, but I manage to clear my throat to speak. "Oh?"

Is that the best you have? He clearly knows, so there is no since in playing dumb.

"Oh?" He mocks me, opening the closet door to show him sitting on the ottoman, tying his shoes as I had thought he was. "Don't play stupid withe me, darling. We both know how much you just adore my best friend."

Again, I'm frozen. What am I to say? What am I to do? He's playing a game with me-- no, he's playing my game with him. The game that I had started with him when I found him sleeping with his campaign assistant-- a truly original move for a Governor if you ask me.

I zip my dress as he chortles at our malfeasance, slinking his arms through his black suit jacket while bringing me a pair of heels. "What's that thing you liked to tell me when we were campaigning? Fight fire with fire? Consider this a checkmate, babydoll. He'll like the way these look wrapped around his body," he taunts calmly, mouth merely centimeters from my ear as he sets the red shoes on the ground beside my feet.

I blink blankly for a moment before bending down silently-- there is nothing more for me to say-- and slipping the shoes on.

As I stand to my new height, he looks at me with a big smile, arm bent as he offered it to me. "Ready to go, Mrs. Williams?"

-- -- -- --

Now, I'm standing beside him, arm slinked around his, fake smile plastered on my face, vocal cords bored from not being used. Laughter erupts around us as Gov. Williams talks about his State's newest bills; though, I'm not sure how the topic is humorous, truth be told, I'm not even paying attention.

My conscious focuses on the voices around me. My ears perk up and search for the calming and familiar voice of my husband's best friend. Hope was nearly lost as the time ticks by, the end of the gala nearing, when I hear the laugh that melts every ounce of stress out of my body. My heart swells as I see him walking closer, his eyes focus on mine as our smiles grow.

He lands beside me, arms wrapping around my shoulders in a friendly hug while announcing his arrival to everyone around us.

"There he is! What took you so long? We were starting to get worried about you, weren't we, darling?" My husband offers, his hand on my lower back as the audience slides away to strike up a new conversation, leaving me alone with my husband and James.

I clear my throat before responding, mentally hoping the past few hours of being a mute wouldn't affect the use of my vocal cords now. "Yes, we were."

James smirks at the meek response, knowing I was in Hell at this gala. "I was running a little late," he states, looking around and smiling to those listening in around us before bending closer to the two of us and whispering, "I really didn't want to be here tonight."

My husband's laugh echos throughout the hall, his hand coming down on James' shoulder as the other goes to his stomach as if he's in pain from laughing-- My husband is always coming in with the theatrics."I'll tell you what, you see the misses home and I'll tell everyone you had food poisoning and couldn't stay."

My heart manages to leap to my throat while also falling to my ass as he says this. "What?" I question, looking up at my husband in utter shock. He is definitely winning this game of ours.

He fakes an inquisitive, worried look, the hand on my back running up to my shoulder as he gives an Oscar worthy performance of being concerned. "Didn't you say you wanted to go home? I'd hate to torture you, my love. Let James take you home, I'm sure he will take good care of you... right James?"

James is nodding softly, equally as confused as I am, but seemingly not as nervous because James had to put his fist in his pocket to hide his excitement.

I bite my tongue as I wrap my arm around James', allowing him to guide me out of the gala hall while my husband stood still, waving to us as I glance back at him.

It felt too easy which made me extremely uneasy.

I raised Hell, froze it over, and then rose it again when I caught him cheating on me... I only forgave him for the sake of the campaign. There was no way he would knowingly allow this to happen, especially with his best friend.

Nonetheless, James and I neared the front door when we heard my husband clearing his throat and getting the attention of the crowd before yelling, "Isn't that so cute, everyone? The love of my life is leaving to go home with the love of hers!"