Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem



"Drop him, girl. Being with him is like dancing on a tightrope."

Elysia knew this message came from that mysterious dude who had a bone to pick with Tarin. He'd been gunning for Tarin's downfall, hoping to see him bite the dust!

She wasn't exactly Tarin's fan club president before they started dating. To her, he seemed like a walking disaster.

But now that Tarin was her main squeeze, she downright loathed the guy!

Her boyfriend's enemy was her enemy.This belongs © NôvelDra/ma.Org.

Elysia frowned, thumbing a rapid response, "Was that car wreck today your handiwork?"

The reply came swift, "Not me, but I've got the 411 on who did."

Elysia pressed, "Who?"

"Mate, it's someone in your circle."

Elysia's brows knitted tighter. Someone she knew?

Before she could dig deeper, he added, "But I'm zipping it on their details. Enemy of my enemy and all that jazz. Can't throw them under the bus." Elysia's frustration grew.

He went on, "Just a friendly heads-up, your boy's like a black cat - bad luck follows him. There's a line of folks wanting to take him down. Jump ship while you can, love. Don't wait till you're kicking yourself."

Elysia bristled,

"The man I'm into isn't a jinx; he's golden. And whatever he is, I'm all in. Save your breath. Nothing you say is going to make me walk away!" Her message sailed into the void.

Elysia clutched her phone, waiting for a reply that never came.

That night, sleep was a stranger, and just before dawn, she finally drifted off, only for nightmares to seize her.

She dreamt of Tarin, bloodied and battered, fleeing for his life with a mob hot on his heels - some armed with knives, others with guns, all baying for blood.

As they nearly caught up, Tarin stumbled, and the mob swarmed...

"No! Stop! Ahhh-"

Elysia's scream tore through the silence, waking her. Tarquin was right there, concern etched on his face, "What's wrong?"

Seeing his unblemished face, her eyes welled up, and she collapsed into his arms, sobbing.

Tarquin, heart aching, held her close, "Nightmare?"

Elysia couldn't speak, only cry. Tarquin soothed her, "Dreams, they're a twisted mirror. A nightmare means there's something good on the horizon." Elysia, sniffling, said, "They say we're born of our parents' flesh and blood, that your life isn't mine to fret over, but I can't bear the thought of anything happening to you! If you don't take care, l'II... I'll be so mad!"

"...My life might come from my folks, but it belongs to you and our future kids now. I'll keep safe, for you and them."

Tarquin then asked, "Did you dream I was in trouble?"

Elysia, lips quivering, managed, "So many were after you... You were hurt, covered in blood, and then... then you fell, and they... they were all over you, hitting you..."

As she recalled the dream, tears flowed even harder.

Moved and pained by her distress, Tarquin wiped her tears, holding her tight, trying to kiss the sorrow away until she calmed down, "Don't believe the nightmares. Look at me, right here beside you, safe and sound."

Elysia, still sobbing, whispered, "Do you have a lot of enemies?"

"...Back in my business days, I might've stepped on a few toes."

Her worry was palpable, "How bad did it get, for them to want you dead?"