Kellie had a secret. It was weighing heavily on her shoulders, crushing her. She wondered how she’d gotten to this point in her life. When did she and Ben grow apart? Was it her fault? It must have been. She had been too focused on her career. Too busy to make sure their kids were doing well at school every day. When was the last time the two of them went out together? Their lives fell into a routine and slowly but surely they found less and less time for each other, spoke less, made love less.
Ben too was absorbed in his work; his music and favourite toys. He complimented her less and less. It stung, but she knew she could have done more to keep him interested. She gained extra weight after Ocean had been born and she couldn’t find time between her work in the hospital and taking care of the kids to hit the gym. She kept putting it off and then one weekend everything spiraled out of control. It was the day when Arthur Stiles paid them an unexpected visit.
Ben answered the door. Kellie didn’t know something was wrong until she heard Arthur’s raised voice.
Arthur: “I already told you on the phone to stop calling her! She’s pregnant with triplets and needs to rest. She doesn’t need your calls to upset her every day! Can’t you get a hint?!”
Kellie and Ben met the Stiles at a party in the Mitchells’ house. She always thought they were a nice couple, maybe a bit cold and aloof, when it came to socializing with others. But on that weekend day Arthur Stiles looked anything but aloof.
He yelled at Ben, he was shoving him until he had him pinned against the wall. It was so surreal. Arthur accused her husband of harassing his wife. Kellie didn’t believe any of it until she realized to her horror that Ben wasn’t defending himself. He didn’t deny those accusations. Why on Earth would Ben do something like that?
Arthur: “Have I made myself clear, Ben? One more call to my wife, to any member of my family and I’ll have my most loyal men to take you on a very long ride that might end with a nasty accident for you. You don’t want to leave behind a widow with three kids, do you, Ben?”
Ben remained stubbornly silent. Arthur grabbed him again and smashed him against the wall as though he could beat the response out of him. Well, he didn’t know Ben as Kellie did. Her husband may have not been the confrontational type, but in stubborness he had no match. Arthur could keep punching him, but Ben would remain silent even if it meant getting beaten into unconsciousness.
For Kellie it was cue to intervene at last. She briefly considered calling the police, but maybe she could put an end to it without this turning into a scandal. Mrs. Stiles was a rising star after all. If news about this got out, it could affect Ben’s career as a musician. Thank goodness Arthur was still able to listen despite seething with anger and reluctantly let her pull him away from Ben.
Kellie: “That’s enough, Arthur. Leave him alone. You said what you wanted and now it’s time for you to go back home to your pregnant wife.”
She deliberately mentioned his pregnant wife in hopes it would sober him up from the rage. It worked.
Arthur: “You better remember what I said, Ben! You hear me?”
And with that Arthur was gone leaving them there to sort out the mess. Kellie asked Ben for an explanation, but instead of answering he retired into his shell and locked himself in the children’s room with the toys. She wouldn’t get any word out of him in the next days either. She blamed herself. Maybe if she paid more attention to him, if she exercised and got back to shape, he wouldn’t feel the need to bother Mrs. Stiles. That’s when she decided to hit the gym at last and got herself into a whole new level of trouble.
He was exactly the type you dread running into in the gym when you’re terribly out of shape. One that makes you feel very self-aware, because unlike yours, his body is toned to perfection and he makes working out look like fun. He always adjusts the setting of every equipment to the maximum load, while you struggle even on the lowest settings.
Of course he noticed her instantly, because that’s how her luck works apparently. He teased her and she told him he’s her worst nightmare and why. It made him laugh. He pointed out that now when her worst nightmare had come true things could only get better. He was right and before she knew it she was laughing with him.
He offered his help and advice and she accepted. To her utmost surprise he was finding her very attractive and he told her. She had long forgotten what it’s like to have a man’s undivided attention, to have him look at her the way this man did. One thing led to another...
Kellie threw caution in the wind and devoted herself fully to the workout with her self-appointed instructor...
And that’s how she found herself with a dirty little secret, because when you’re being reckless, there are always consequences. She won’t be losing any weight in the next months, that was certain.
