Nathan was furious.

There were a lot of things that could cause a man's heart rate to increase rapidly; lots of dreadful things. Sadness clouded his features as his face went blank.

'We're sorry to inform you that…'

The rest of the lines on the phone's screen were redundant. They'd rejected his job offer. Again!

He glanced up to the ceiling and his eyes filled with hot tears. Shutting them tight, Nathan hoped the tears would stop. His lips pursed, pale blue eyes burning with hurtful rage.

He hasn't noticed Doris watching. Doris was his beautiful wife, blessed with all the amazing features that could ever make up a successful woman. She was rich, smart, gorgeous and kind hearted. But he? He was a disaster for a husband. So he thought, even though Doris had told him countless times that they were just going through a rough ride, and they would someday get over it. Nathan was poor, but hardworking. There was almost no company in New York that didn't know him, as he'd visited them all, submitting his CV for employment, but for some unfortunate reasons, they'd all declined him.

"Honey?" Doris' voice, calm and conforming, called as she made her way over to her husband. She sat beside him, hands caressing his jet black hair. "What is it?"

Nathan blinked fast, his eyes still red from his suppressed tears. He hoped Doris wouldn't notice. "Uh, love. Nothing." He lied, forcing on his lips a convincing smile.

Doris's brown eyes shone bright at him. "Are you sure?"

"Of course." He replied, a little loud. "Good morning to my beautiful wife." He grinned wildly, hoping she would let the topic slide.

"Morning to my handsome prince," Doris said in a cheery voice, then kissed her husband. They loved each other, and that was what mattered, right?

No.

Money mattered too. Doris was the breadwinner of the family, and he wasn't complaining. But for how long?

The smile on Nathan's face fitted him. His cheery eyes glinted brightly, revealing the youthfulness that resided inside of him, one that had been long hidden for a while now. That was how he was supposed to live. Happy, young, well elated and intoxicated with joy. "Doris?" He called.

"Huh?"

There was a short pause. "You do know that I love you, right?" He said, the corners of his mouth quirked up, and the compliment brought up a warm smile on Doris's face.

"Yes of course." She replied. Doris loved her husband, and it was in that moment that it struck her. She could offer a solution to their problem, even though she knew he might not like him. "Honey, I uh, I was thinking of something." Furrowed brows shot at her. "Why don't you ask my mother for a job?"

There it was.

The slight frown that hinted the right amount of disgust in his eyes.

"No, listen. She is the right person to help, don't you think? Mother is well established and I've asked her myself to support you, but it would be more respectful if you could bring yourself to meet her as well." She quickly defended herself. "Think about it, honey. Mother is well connected, and she can help you with it."

Nathan knew she was right, but it was a terrible idea. He couldn't tell her his side of the story, because it would only end up hurting her. He smiled instead, "okay. I will."

Doris's eyes livened with satisfaction. "Alright honey. Thank you for listening." She sighed in a breath of relief. Doris knew her mother so well. If Nathan didn't come up with a good job soon, her mother would force her to divorce him, and marry her off to some frightening but wealthy old man!

✩★✩

Doris had called him several times, but he seemed to have been in a hurry. She visited the hospital to get her check up results, and had arrived home to announce to her husband great news that she was with a child. But suddenly, outside had been more important for him to visit at that particular hour. Hopefully, all was alright with him.

✩★✩

The day had dimmed and night was drawing in. Nathan was terrified… terrified of a lot of things. He needed to clear his head, and so he dashed out, plodding into the silent street of their little town.

The view in Ettavile was always quite fascinating to him. The avenue was lined with oak trees, providing just enough oxygen to refresh the brain. That was the more reason he loved taking strolls whenever he was feeling down. It helped him think more clearly. He decided to take a slow walk, one that wouldn't lead him down the busy areas where shops and bars and restaurants dominated the surrounding, as well as the location that habited the crowds. He needed to think straight - alone.

The cool breeze pricked his skin, holding the scent of earthy fragrance around the surrounding.

Doris Castile was a lovely woman, the only problem was her family.

When Nathan was only ten, the Castiles had taken him in and since then, adopted him. They did feed and clothe him, but they weren't nice people and often treated him poorly.

They loathed him to the very core, and it was all because he and their daughter had gone ahead and followed their hearts. The hatred grew double in size when he and Doris had secretly gotten married after they had hesitantly refused.

The marriage that had happened against their will, forced them to grow immeasurable hatred towards him. Nathan had been to his mother in law before for help, pleading that he truly loved their daughter and only wanted to work hard to take care of her. And what had she done in return? She laughed at him, mocking him before kicking him out. He just couldn't share that tale to his wife, thus, smiling innocently and agreeing to meet up with her even when he'd already done so before, seemed to have been the right next thing to do.

Telling Doris would only cause her heart to ache.

The phone in his pocket vibrated, and Nathan brought it out to see it ringing. There was no name on the screen, and Nathan wasn't familiar with the number.

So he declined it, and went on with his stroll.

✩★✩