CHAPTER 7

James stayed true to his words and did not tell Justin anything. On the other hand, Fiona couldn’t care less whether Justin knew about Noah or not because it wasn’t his business.

Leaving her troubles aside, the best thing about the entire week was that her best friend finally got the job that she deserved, and now she had someone other than James in front of whom she doesn’t have to pretend to have a perfectly happy married life. She is free to be herself. And that was pretty relaxing in itself.

It was Friday night, and Fiona was doing nothing but munching on chips to satisfy her ravenous appetite. She has been consistent in following the rules she has set for herself. Just when she was about to open another packet of chips, the doorbell rang. She knew that Justin wasn’t at home, and because he had the keys, he wouldn’t ring the doorbell, so she went to open the door only to find James standing in front of her with a tiny polythene bag.

“Hey Fiona,” He greeted her happily.

“Hey,” she smiled and stepped aside, giving space to James to enter.

“Since Justin is running late and I was bored, I came in early. I have also got ice cream.” He showed her the ice cream box in the bag. “Come on, let’s put this in the freezer before it melts.

Fiona accompanied him in the kitchen. James would be lying if he said that he came in early because he was bored. Partially yes, he was bored. But he also knew that Fiona was having a hard time living with Justin, whether she accepted it or not. Therefore, he made it a personal mission to cheer her up while he could and perhaps get her and Justin to talk. It was the least he could do for his friends.

Yes! Fiona is now his friend. He likes her and trusts her. He is also certain that she is the right person for Justin. So now, he has made this a personal mission to bring those two closer, if not together—more like not to let them toss away their marriage without even giving it a chance.

“So you had dinner? Justin is getting pizza,” he asked her.

“Yes, I already did,” she told him, although pizza sounded delicious. Her statement was technically not a lie because eating chips was her dinner, even if it didn’t fill her up. 

“Well, good thing then I got dessert,” he said while removing the ice cream.

“Don’t open it. I really don’t want to...” Before Fiona could say anything further, James cut her off.

“Fi... No one can say no to ice cream. Plus, I am hungry, and Justin is taking a hell of a time.” He handed her a spoon, and they began nibbling on ice cream like kids.

“So, how do you like working with Emily?” Fiona asked him, intrigued.

“It is nice,” James said, carefully choosing his word.

“Nice?” Fiona raised her eyebrows.

“Well, for starters, she is interesting. Unlike any other person I met. It is a different experience. I never had an associate like her. But she is good at her work. So she should be fine, and so will I. At least, I hope.” James' words made Fiona chuckle. She was aware that Emily might be a handful, but her buddy also knew when not to cross her line.

On the other hand, Justin dashed to the door with two boxes of pizza in one hand and a pair of house keys in the other. He hoped that James didn’t reach before him or else he would kill him. Hungry James is not someone you want to deal with. He is very cranky.

Justin pushed open the door and made his way to the kitchen. He was taken aback to see Fiona laughing with his best friend. They were both seated in the chair, enjoying ice cream from the box.

Not once has he seen her laughing since they got married. He did see her smiling a lot, but that was when they were having dinner with Oliver. 

“There you are! What took you so long? I am hungry.” James immediately stood up from the chair and snatched the boxes from Justin’s hand.

Fiona silently got up from her seat and tried to make a run out of it during their conversation. However, James caught her just in time.

Darn her luck!

“Where are you going? Why don’t you join us for pizza?” He asked her in confusion. 

Fiona gave a subtle glance at Justin and spoke, “No, you guys carry on. As it is, the taste of this ice cream is too good to be replaced by anything else.

She offered James a small smile and went back to her room to finish the last of her chips. She was still hungry, but she would rather starve herself than eat with Justin.

‘This is not good. So this is what happens here. Justin and Fiona don’t even stay in the same room.’ James thought.

“What was all that about?” Justin asked his best friend curiously while eating a slice of pizza.

“I have no idea what you are talking about, and honestly, I should be asking you this. You both can’t even stand to be in the same room with each other. This is terrible.” James told him his thoughts.

“That’s not the point. You know about our situation, and when the hell did you and Fiona become so buddy-buddy?” He asked, perplexed. First, it was Oliver, and now it was James. Why the hell are all of his friends smitten with his wife?

“Why jealous? Don’t worry; I am all yours. Fiona won’t replace my best friend,” James winked.

Justin had a flat look on his face.

“Wait a minute. You are jealous that Fiona speaks to me instead of you. Well, whose fault is that? I am a lucky guy, aren’t I?” James teased him. 

He likes this side of his friend more than anything, and it was also a good positive sign because it means that there is a silver hope left for both of them.

Justin was well aware of the ruse James was attempting to pull. Despite that, he didn’t like what he saw. 

Both Justin and James were busy eating pizza when Fiona entered the kitchen, holding a bottle and a phone in the same hand, as her other hand was still sprained and wrapped in a bandage. Fiona apologized when she noticed both boys staring at her. 

“Sorry, I need to refill this bottle.” 

She didn’t want to, but she was thirsty, so she had to grace them with her presence. Once she was done, her phone started ringing, which was kept on the dining counter. Once James saw who was calling, he couldn’t resist but asked Fiona to keep the speakers on, which drew a strange look from her. 

“Please, Fiona. I love to annoy Emily. Pretty please.” He told her, and she chuckled while keeping her phone on speaker. Emily is too much fun to mess with. She understood James’ point.

“How is the most beautiful and kind-hearted angel doing today?” James and Justin were surprised when they heard a male voice. But James was a little disappointed, as he undoubtedly wanted to listen to Emily. However, Justin was enviously intrigued by the person on the other end of the phone.

“Well, it depends on what the most gorgeous guy wants from me,” Fiona replied, rolling her eyes but still smiling.

“The most gorgeous guy is giving you an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to go on a date with the golden-haired boy who has got the most enchanting emerald green eyes and the most adorable smile, which anyone would go nuts for.

Fiona replied with a massive smile on her face, “Now, how can I say no to that?

James and Justin were stunned to hear what was being said. Both of them expected anything but this, but within a matter of a few seconds, all their apprehensions were dissipated.

“Really, Aunt Fiona? You will go on a date with me?” A kid’s voice cutely asked her.

“Of course, Maxy. I would be a fool to say no to you.” 

Justin had an amused look on his face until the Maxy kid spoke again.

“Will you be allowed to leave Azkaban by Who-Must-Not-Be-Named?

James snorted at this comment. He wanted to burst out laughing, but he was fighting it with his hand. Justin, on the other hand, was baffled. Whereas Fiona was considered, she couldn’t help but giggle a little but felt like face palming herself afterward.

“Maximus Jayden Martin!” The guy on the other end of the phone exclaimed, using his son’s full name.

“Aunt Emily told me about the Devil, who has been imprisoning my Aunt Fiona at his place for a long time. But don’t worry, I will meet him and tell him to give my aunt back. Aunt Emily says I have a killer smile.” Max said cutely.

“Damn you, Emily, for turning my kid into a replica of you.” The guy cursed.

“Aw Max, don’t worry who-must-not” Fiona pursed her lips when she realized Justin was listening to their conversation, and he had a comical look on his face.

“Justin does not force me to live with him. Now, why don’t you make a list of things that you want us to do together.” Fiona tried to cover the mistake.

“Okay! Love you, Aunt Fi.’ Max chirped lovingly.

“Love you too, Maxy,” Fiona responded with a warm smile on her face.

“Max, why don’t you ask your dearest Aunt Emily to see me now?” The man spoke this time, asking for Emily. 

“Okay, daddy.” Max then walked away.

“I am going to kill Emily.” The kid’s father stated.

“Relax, Jake. He is just a kid.” Fiona tried to calm him down.

“Still! What kind of aunt teaches her nephew this?” He exasperated.

“Cool one,” Emily said, coming on the line with her. On hearing her voice, James felt something kick inside him. It felt nice. There was something about her that drew him in.

“Anyway. Fiona, are you really free tomorrow?” Jake asked her, ignoring his sister.

“Of course, she is free. That dipshit jerk face is too busy taking care of his ego to remember her existence.” Fiona could feel Emily rolling her eyes.

“Emily, he is your boss, and I am sure that the guy is not half bad, if not full. Grams would never do that to Fi,” Jake tried to explain it to his sister.

“Well, Grams has gone nuts by ruining Fiona’s life. And if he is so nice, then why the hell was Fiona wandering alone in an unknown place during her so-called honeymoon. And not to forget, if Justin is so nice, then her left hand wouldn’t be sprained.” This made Fiona’s head jerk up because she never told Emily the truth about her hand. She looked at James, and he mouthed ‘sorry’ to her.

Justin was at a loss for words because he was not able to comprehend anything. He was confused beyond anything. Fiona tried to grab her phone to have the conversation in private, but Justin pulled the phone closer to him.

“Emily, it was not...” Emily cut off Fiona before she could correct her.

“Fine, maybe spraining of your hand was not, but...” Jake overtook his sister next.

“Did Justin raise his hand on you, Fiona?” He questioned her in alarm.

“What! God, no! It was Noah, and it was an accident. He didn’t exactly raise his hand,” she tried to explain, but Emily wouldn’t let her. 

“Sure, it was an accident. Noah twisted her arm because he didn’t get the job at that moron’s company. If it hadn’t been for James, who arrived on time, who knows what might have happened. Why didn’t you tell me this, Fiona? I would have killed him.” Fiona could easily detect an angry tone in her friend's voice. 

“This is exactly why, Em. It was a mistake, okay. Let it go. Noah apologized to me over the text, and I said okay and ignored him. Forget about it.” Fiona did not want to discuss anything related to this.

Jake took over the conversation before Emily could retaliate. “Emily, please go and check on my son.

“But,” she tried to object.

“Go.” After a pause, Jake spoke again.

“Fiona, please tell me the truth. Did Noah ever lay a hand on you or abuse you in any way?” Jake asked, hoping to get a negative response from her.

“Jake, I swear to you. It had never happened. This was the first and last time. I don’t know what came over him.” Fiona said.

“And did Justin ever harm you in any way? No lies and no cover-up.” Jake inquired.

“No, Jake. He never touched me.” It was the absolute truth.

“Okay. I believe you. But you have to tell me if Noah ever crosses your path again or does anything similar. I understand why you kept it from Emily, but she is not completely wrong here. As far as Justin is concerned, I might not know him completely or how things are exactly going between you two, but remember that I am always here if you need anything. You are family, Fi.” Jake always considered Fiona to be his sister. They may not be bounded by blood, but she is special nonetheless.

“I know that, Jake. And thank you for always being there. But please trust me on this. I am safe here. Whereas Noah is considered, I am sure this is only a one-time incident,” she told him earnestly. Jake is the kind of brother every girl wants. He has always been there for her whenever she needed him.

“For the time being, I will take your word. Now, coming back to my son. Are you really fine with babysitting Max? If you and Justin have any plans, then...” Fiona, though, interrupted.

“We don’t have any plans, and it is not babysitting. Tomorrow I have got a date with the most amazing person in the world. I am not going to miss it for anything.” She had a full smile on her face when she thought of Max. He is an absolute darling.

“Thank you so much, Fiona. You are a gem. I could certainly use this time with Katie.” Jake thanked her again.

“I know. Go and enjoy some time with Katie. You both deserve it, far more than anyone.” Fiona said it entirely, meaning it. Jake and Katie are a paragon of a perfect couple. They represent the pinnacle of what marriage should be. In a crisis or happiness, she looks up to those two. 

“So much has happened in between. It’s about time we got a proper vacation with no one but us. And then, a family vacation with Max. Anyway, I will see you tomorrow.” They both hang up the phone, saying their goodbyes.

“This was interesting. I didn’t know this place is named Azkaban.” James burst out laughing.

Fiona excused herself and raced to her room, her face flushed with embarrassment.

“Did they call me Voldemort?” Justin asked once she was out of their sight. “Like really?” He couldn’t decide whether he should be angry, disturbed, or amused. “And why didn’t you tell me that Noah was the one who harmed Fiona?” He asked James.

“I wanted to, but Fiona didn’t,” James stated the truth.

“What.. Why?” He was in a dilemma.

“Come on, Justin. Could you really blame her? Not once you have a decent conversation with her. You didn’t even show any kind of interest in talking to her. When I confronted her about Noah and told her that I was going to tell you the same, she hinted that she didn’t want to involve you because she doesn’t think you care. Fiona didn’t exactly ask me to hide it from you. That was completely my decision because I was furious with you.

“Of course, I care about her. A lot more than I thought, and I am not going to leave Noah for hurting her,” Justin stated.

“Why?” James asked him.

“What... why..” Justin asked him, confused.

“Why do you even care? If you did, then you wouldn’t have ignored your wife for this long. I am telling you, Justin, talk to her and sort out your differences.” James attempted once more to explain to his best friend.

Justin really wished Fiona would have told him about Noah. He was well aware that he needed to break the ice between them sooner rather than later. This has gone too far for his liking. Moreover, he also didn’t like being associated with the fantasy character who couldn’t be named, even though it is just a book allusion and his house is not a goddamn Azkaban.

He did, however, chuckle a little at the last thought.

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