The Higher Power

Jordan opened his mouth and placed the lit cigarette between his lips. Rising from his seat, he made his way towards the shelves where he kept all his crucial business documents. However, just as he began to walk, a gentle tug on his arm halted his steps. He recognized the presence – only she would dare to enter and leave his private quarters without his consent. It was Hattiea, his wife. Or perhaps the woman who pretended to be his wife. His intense gaze instantly found her, and for a fleeting moment, he seemed captivated. The nearness between them created an unspoken tension. Hattiea, with her slender fingers, gently removed the cigarette from his lips, her touch lingering on his chin and lips. As the smoke drifted away, Jordan let out a breath of spearmint freshness, marveling at the intimacy of their closeness. Despite being married for some time, they had always maintained a certain distance, their union marked by compromise rather than love. Looking up into his eyes, Hattiea's hazel gaze, though seemingly blank, held a myriad of emotions. "It's not good for your health," she said, her voice a gentle reminder of his smoking habit. Jordan, his voice deep and husky, countered, "So is yours." The truth hung in the air – she was indeed a danger to him, a vulnerability he couldn't ignore.