Chapter 19

When the alarm rang, both Maiko and I jolted awake. As we rubbed the sleep from our eyes, we looked at each other’s naked bodies with a bit of awkwardness. We did this knowing that Lydia was just staying one level above us. It was sheer madness if anyone had asked me.

James: I’m ... ermm ... I’m going to go back to my room...
Maiko: Okay ... I’ll go wash up ... We need to meet boss for breakfast in 40 minutes ... James: Okay...

Heading back to my room through the connecting door, I realised that my room light had been left on for the whole night. I thought nothing of it; the hotel was paying for the electricity bill anyway. I shut the connecting door as if doing so would make me feel better. I took a quick shower and got dressed.

Maiko took a while longer to get ready because of the dried mess I had left on her body. At 6:50 a.m., we left our rooms together and went down to therestaurant where the breakfast buffet was being served. Barkar was already seated at a round table but there was no sign of Rashid. Maiko and I took a seat. We would not go for the food until Rashid arrived. Lydia came down five minutes later and she ignored my attempts at making eye contact. Instead she chose to sit some distance away from me at the seat beside Barkar. No one said anything. My wife folded her arms and just stared out into the courtyard. The waiter served us coffee and tea while Barkar texted on his phone.

Barkar: Sheikh Rashid will join us in a while. He wants you guys to start breakfast without him. We will be checking out of this hotel after breakfast.

Barkar stood up and walked to the buffet line. Lydia followed and Maiko and I went next. I walked over to the egg station and tried to talk to Lydia while she was waiting for her order.

James: Dear ... can we talk properly...?

She turned and snapped at me, startling the cook who was preparing her scrambled eggs.

Lydia: What is there to talk about? James: I ... Lydia: Your room light was on the whole night. I can fucking look inside your room from where I am.

She whispered harshly and I felt my heart sinking.

Lydia: You were fucking Maiko the whole night. Don’t think I don’t know that! James: No ... I didn’t. It’s a misunderstanding! Lydia: Then where were you? You were sleeping in the toilet is that it? James: Dear, I ... I didn’t do anything...!

My wife gave me a dirty stare and turned away. I tried to explain to Lydia that it was not what she thought it was. I knew I needed to lie all the way; there was no way I could admit what I did. That would be suicide.

James: Yes, I was in her room but we did nothing. We ate there, talked and that was it! I slept on the couch ... We didn’t do anything!

Maiko just happened to be walking towards the egg station but upon seeing the tense atmosphere, she quickly avoided any eye contact and walked away.

Lydia: Keep telling yourself that and maybe you will believe it’s true. James: It’s true dear ... We didn’t do anything! Lydia: Sometimes I wonder if you will ever have the balls to own up to something you did! James: Dear, it’s true. I’m innocent ... I ... Lydia: Get the fuck away from me ... James: Dear, look at me ... I ... I love you ... I ... Lydia: James ... Stop insulting my intelligence!