Deep Love, Sadly Short-Lived

At night, while I was trying out a new tea cocktail recipe, the doorbell rang.

I slipped on my slippers and went to answer it.

Linda Chancers, clearly drunk, bumped directly into me.

Behind her, there was a young and lively guy who smiled at me. "Mr. Leedon, Ms. Chancers had a bit too much to drink, so I offered to bring her back," he said.

He had a youthful energy and a friendly smile, without any hint of aggression. He had the kind of look that Linda always liked, like a cute puppy.

I gently pushed Linda back into his arms and told him, "There are new pyjamas in the bottom drawer of the wardrobe. You can pick the style you like."

After a pause, I added, "I'm a light sleeper, so please keep it down at night."

Melvin Jacobs probably didn't expect me to be so understanding when dealing with the man his wife had an affair with. He stared at me with wide eyes and stuttered, "Mr. L-Leedon, I won't be staying..."

He helped Linda onto the couch, being gentle and full of affection. Then, he smiled shyly at me and said, "Mr. Leedon, thank you for taking care of Ms. Chancers."

He stressed the word "thank you," sounding completely natural, as if he were the host.

I found it somewhat amusing.

The young man's attempts to assert his authority were a bit clumsy.

"When it comes to taking care of people, the nanny is more skillful," I said.

Melvin's expression changed, and he fell silent.

I didn't feel like saying more, so after he left, I returned to the kitchen.

"He's just a little brother, why are you so upset?" Linda's voice came from behind, and she didn't sound drunk at all.

She walked up to me, hugging me from behind.

"Don't worry, he won't pose a threat to your position," she said, trying to reassure me.

I calmly poured out the cocktail into a glass without saying a word. Linda always liked to talk about "position" in front of me, as if I should be grateful to her for the status of her husband, as if I should bow down to her.

But to be honest, I did care about that status.

Not because I loved her.

But because I cared about the convenience that status could bring me.