I didn't trust the cleaning lady to meet her standards, so I always cleaned the house myself. Every time she broke out in a rash, I blamed myself for not cleaning thoroughly. Now that I think about it, all that effort became expected and unappreciated.
Her phone kept buzzing. She smiled as she replied to messages. She nudged her suitcase with her foot without even looking up.
"Since you're already doing laundry, wash the clothes in this suitcase too. I can't stay here, I'm going to a hotel. Call me when the place is clean." She tucked her phone away, said that casually and turned to leave.
Watching her walk away, I called out, "Wait."
I hobbled after her. Her eyes landed on my injured knee.
"You really got hurt?" Her eyes filled with doubt as she frowned, "I thought you were faking it …"
I didn't explain. I shoved the condom into her hand, "Take this with you. You'll need it."
Olivia and I hadn't used condoms for a long time. She knew exactly who she needed it for.
Olivia looked at the item in her hand, a trace of surprise flashed in her eyes.
The next second, the surprise turned into fury, "This was something I bought long ago for us to use. I just put it aside because I was preparing for pregnancy. I don't understand why you're being so paranoid!"
"If you had cleaned the house properly, why would I need to stay at a hotel?" Olivia's face turned red, her features twisted and her angry scolding was laced with obvious guilt.
I didn't even have time to say anything before she threw the condom at me. The sharp edge cut open my forehead.
I staggered and only managed to steady myself by grabbing the corner of the dining table, "I'm not being paranoid. I just found this in your pocket and you ..."
She shouted, "Enough! Stop making excuses. You're already in your thirties and you still act like an eighteen-year-old boy, getting jealous like a teenager? Should I only hire women at the company and put up a 'No Men Allowed' sign at the door?"
"I've really had enough of you!" Olivia kicked over the suitcase and slammed the door behind her. She was gone just like that.
Among the scattered luggage was a pair of black boxer briefs, not the familiar brand I usually bought. I squatted down and picked them up. My heart felt like it was being ripped apart.