One meal can make such a difference, I didn't think.
To me, it was an evening of shrewd smiles and tainted insults, and Ethan leaning in towards my hand under a table where no one else could see.
I did not expect anybody from outside that dining room to know.
I was wrong.
---
The next morning it was light in the kitchen and I was standing in front of the windows making tea.
Ethan was reading the financial reports on his tablet when he was lost in thought eating toast while he was at the island.
It was our regular practice.
Ordinary.
Comfortable.
I was happy to have a smile at the end of the day.
I'm sure we're starting to turn into one of those couples," I said.
He looked up.
"What kind?"
The type that has routines.
He thought of that for a little while.
"I don't hate it."
"You don't?"
"No."
There was a glimmer of a smile at his lips.
"Life has been a race to the next deadline for most of my life."
He went to his cup of coffee.
It's... pleasant to know what the morning is like.
Before I could even respond, Maria came into the kitchen with the newspapers for that day.
Excuse me, but I must...
She put them on the counter.
I thought you'd want to see these, said but.Said but, I thought you'd want to see these.
---
The first thing that caught my eye on the front page of the Business Chronicle was the November 2004 issue and the story it featured.
A large image of a photo spread across the top.
It was eaten at Victoria's dinner.
I didn't know that someone had been taking photos outside.
This image revealed Ethan and I walking towards the car.
As I slowly walked down the front stairs his hand rested on my lower back.
He wasn't paying attention to the cameras.
He was gazing at me.
The headline read:
With the help of an informational visit to the school, BLACKWOOD HEIR Puts FAMILY FIRST
There was also a newspaper on the other side.
With some family tensions, BILLIONAIRE CEO STANDS BY PREGNANT WIFE
A third.
Is ETHAN BLACKWOOD REDEFINING MODERN LEADERSHIP?
I blinked.
"I don't understand."
Ethan gingerly grabbed the papers.
Neither did he.
---
Further down in the article was a journalist who had written:
The normally reserved CEO seemed more preoccupied with the wellbeing of his wife, Grace Carter, than with the show – guests observed that Blackwood was mindful of her comfort throughout the evening, even at a few awkward moments, where he openly assisted her.
There's another column that caught my eye.
Perhaps the best part of the entire Blackwood family dinner wasn't the dinner itself, but witnessing one of the nation's most guarded businessmen opting for compassion over image.
I looked at Ethan.
"They noticed."
He scrunched his shoulders.
I didn't mean to!
"I know."
Folded the paper carefully.
That was probably why they thought that.
---
In the time before we could say a word, his cell phone began to vibrate.
Then mine.
Next the house phone.
Maria looked apologetic.
The calls began 20 minutes ago.
Ethan answered first.
"Blackwood."
His face grew a smile.
"Morning, Harper."
I could hear her excitement, even from across the kitchen!
"So," she practically shouted through the speaker, "the internet says that you're a romantic."
He sighed dramatically.
I was hoping I could go around this one.
"Too late."
She laughed.
"You are called the 'CEO Husband of the Year.
He laid his head in his hands.
"I hate headlines."
"NO, you do not like attention.
"I hate both."
I was laughing my ass off.
---
He hung up and Ethan turned to me with a bad look in his eyes.
"What?"
"You laughed."
"I did."
"At me."
"You looked horrified."
"I am horrified."
I stepped closer.
"No."
I gently straightened his tie.
"You're embarrassed."
Fifteen years, I've been cultivating my image as a serious businessman.
"And?"
He raised the newspaper.
Now people are talking about how I looked at my wife.
I tilted my head.
"Is that such a terrible legacy?"
He was about to speak.
Closed it again.
Then, reluctantly...
"No."
---
The news of the story reached everybody by midday.
Television commentators wondered if Ethan was a new breed of business leaders.
The photos from the aquarium were also posted on social media with the dinner photos.
One item on the headlines I laughed out loud at.
About 10% of the population of the world resides in India.India has approximately 10% of the world's population.
I rolled my phone towards Ethan.
"Look."
He groaned.
"Were the aquarium pictures too, too?"
"They did."
He rubbed his forehead.
I know that I should've worn a baseball cap."
I laughed.
Do you think that a hat would've covered up how you looked at me?
He froze.
"What do you mean?"
I gave him the cell phone.
He stared at one particular photograph.
It had been brought into the aquarium tunnel.
I recalled that time.
It was like I had been observing the sea turtles.
He'd been watching me.
Below which was an article that read:
Some love stories don't require public proclamation. Some love stories are told in the way that one forgets the world exists, when one gazes at the person beside them.
For an extended period of time...
We both were silent, our voices were frozen in silence.
---
Ethan went back to work that afternoon.
Not because he desired to.
There was work after all.
In the goodbye, he kissed my forehead.
I will be at home for dinner.
"I know."
He hesitated.
"I mean it."
"I know."
He smiled.
I like that you're taking my word for it now.
"So do I."
I curled up on the sofa with another cup of tea after he left.
The apartment was silent.
Peaceful.
Until my phone rang again.
An unknown number.
I answered cautiously.
"Hello?"
On the other end the voice was cool.
Professional.
"Mrs. Carter?"
"Speaking."
I'm Daniel Brooks.
I'm working with the Daily Ledger editor.
My stomach tightened.
I hoped that I could get an exclusive interview.
"I'm not interested."
"I understand."
He paused.
"But don't make your decision until you..."
I didn't want you to miss this out.
"What?"
No comment has been received from "Mrs. Blackwood".
I frowned.
"So?"
"So now..."
He got his voice more subdued.
"Why' questions are beginning in the press.
Across town...
Victoria Blackwood laid the newspaper on her desk.
Her gaze hung on the image on the front page of the newspaper.
Not the headline.
The photograph.
Ethan's expression.
That was a face she knew before.
Only once.
Years ago.
On her husband's face.
The day Ethan was born.
Tight, she clutched the newspaper, it crumpled between her fingers.
The investigators' report banged around in her head.
He treats her differently from all the other kids.
Victoria slowly closed her eyes.
This was now no longer a case of infatuation.
This wasn't obligation.
There was a room somewhere between the nursery...
The aquarium...
The quiet breakfasts...
And the common days of the morn...
Her son had come to love his wife.
For the first time…
Victoria knew there was no longer a marriage of convenience.
She was battling a family that was becoming true.
That was more frightening than any headline ever came.
Because families of love...
It was far more difficult to break apart....