Chapter 41

" That I made things awkward between us of course " Carla replied finally.

" How and why would you think such a thing? " Jenny asked out of pure curiosity.

" It all began the day after our wedding, I made things go bad to the extent that I refused to let him make love to me " Carla let out everything and ended it with a tired sigh.

" What?! " Jenny shrieked so loud that the ladies who sat a few distance away from them jumped a little, startled. They murmured among themselves, staring at Jenny like she was crazy. Jenny didn't seem to mind the looks she was receiving though. If there was anyone who would do whatever she wanted without a care in the world or giving a damn what people thought, it was her. She just didn't care.

She stared at Carla earnestly " Why?! " But she didn't wait for Carla's reply because she continued " But that's crazy Carla, you know that, right? Why the heck would you do that? He's your husband for Pete's sake! Even if it's in name only, he's still your legally wedded husband! " She whispered harshly, trying to keep her voice low because the ladies had started giving them curious glances.

" Hey, keep your voice down! Those ladies are not out of earshot yet you know " Carla cautioned with a dark gaze.

" I'm trying! " Jenny whispered back, looking back at the ladies to glare at them.

She returned her gaze to Carla " Well? "

" Well what? " Carla asked casually.

" Are you trying to make me repeat my words? I asked why you would do that " Jenny snapped.

Carla shrugged " I just felt it'd be better if we maintain the distance between us to avoid unnecessary heartaches in the future "

Jenny smirked " Did you admit that there's this possibility that you might actually love him so you're trying to protect yourself? And what about the purpose of the contract you signed? The baby? I don't think you're pregnant yet though "

Carla sighed " I don't think so too, I don't feel pregnant " She laughed but it didn't quite reached her eyes.

" All the more reason to enjoy your limited time with him " Jenny said with a wink and laughed deeply.

" Jenny! " Carla snapped but only earned another laugh from her friend.

" What? I'm just trying to help! " Jenny laughed again.

Carla glared at her " Keep your help to yourself, I can take care of myself "

" Can you indeed? " Jenny asked in all seriousness now.

Carla squinted her eyes " Whatever do you mean by that? "

" What do you think? " Jenny countered back.

Carla sighed " Look, I'm tired of you speaking in riddles, let's talk about something else, shall we? "

" Sure, but one advice sweetheart, do the right thing. Time is not on your side, you know. You signed the contract for the money, didn't you? So do the worth, I'm sure you wouldn't regret it "

Carla frowned " I didn't say I wouldn't give him child "

Jenny scoffed " Oh really? Then why don't you want him to make love to you? "

Carla closed her eyes briefly and exhaled a little sigh " I just told you, Jenny "

Jenny slammed her hands hard on the table without even knowing it until it was too late " But that's absurd! "

Carla widened her eyes " Calm down Jenny, this is your restaurant! "

" It can go to hell for all I care! I'm talking about your life, Carla! This is the most important phase of your life " Jenny shouted.

" Okay I've heard you, please calm down " Carla begged because they were starting to attract attention from the people there.

Jenny exhaled a deep breath and gradually, her eyes came back to normal.

" So what will it be, woman? " She asked, popping her hands under her chin.

" I'll try " Carla said, hoping Jenny would comply with her words.

Jenny's gaze softened and she looked at Carla hopefully " You will? "

Carla nodded, pasting a small smile on her lips " I'll do it "

Jenny squeezed Carla hands in hers " Thank you. Besides, it's way too soon for you guys to start having issues, you're still in your first few weeks of marriage "

Carla shot her a playful glare " Now enough about me, let's talk about you. What's the latest with you? "

Jenny sighed and shrugged " Nothing interesting I guess, as you can see, I'm doing fine along with my restaurant "

" You've gotten over him, haven't you? " Carla asked, looking straight into Jenny's eyes, searching for answers.

Jenny laughed humorlessly " Of course, do I look like I'm not over him yet? "

Carla smiled at her tenderly " No, I'm just asking, that's all "

Both of them sat in comfortable silence until Jenny spoke up.

She started talking " There's this guy... " But Carla cut her off.

" Guy? I wonder which guy managed to catch your interest this time " Carla said eagerly with a wink, leaning forward.

Jenny laughed " I'm not interested in him, Dummy, he's just... "

Carla cut in " I never said you were "

" Oh just shut up! " Jenny snapped, tired of her friend's comebacks already.

Carla laughed " Okay ma'am, you can go ahead and say whatever it's eating you up "

Jenny threw her a glare but let the remark pass by peacefully " Well, I met this guy when you travelled to Houston and... "

Again, Carla interrupted her " What?! It's been this long and you didn't tell me about him?! I'm gonna kill you, Jenny " She gritted her teeth in mock anger.

" Chill, girl! " Jenny laughed

" Only for now " Carla conceded temporarily and Jenny continued.

" I kinda bumped into him or he bumped into me, I don't know which, all I know is, we argued before we parted ways. But... I couldn't stop thinking about him since then " Jenny took a deep breath.

" Okay...? " Carla probed.

Jenny glared at her " Calm down, will you? "

Carla just rolled her eyes " Why should I? Last time I checked, you were so eager to hear my miserable story too "