MY PRETEND WIFE

The Separation

"Mom's been teaching me a lot about New York lately and I'm confident I can manage on my own. I think this trip to New York would actually help me grasp my knowledge in the arts better" Maine reasoned out.

Richard didn't know what to do. His wife seemed to be already decided on going. "How long will you be staying there?" he asked curiously.

"A month" she replied nonchalantly.

Richard's jaw dropped in surprise. "A month!" he exclaimed, his voice rising.

"Is there something wrong with that?" Maine asked innocently.

Richard could feel the vein in his temple throbbing. What could he possibly answer to that? It really shouldn't be an issue at all. Maine has the right to travel where she pleases and how long she wants to stay. He just couldn't understand why the thought of her being away that long did not settle well with him.

"I would be more comfortable if I come with you." Richard said trying to convince Maine to wait for him or to cancel the trip all together.

"Honey, we know that's not possible. Mom just transferred all the company responsibilities to you. You can't just leave it behind for a month" Maine reasoned out.

"Why don't we ask mom's opinion first?" Richard said.

"It was her who suggested this trip remember? And she did tell me I was going to do just fine on my own" she reminded him.

Richard was silent for a moment. "Okay, if that's what you want" he finally said.

The next day Madame Faulkerson was sitting comfortably behind her desk. She was reading the morning paper while waiting for a certain someone to pay her a visit.

Maine had sent her a message the night before that she and Richard already talked about the trip and that Richard seemed reluctant to allow her to go. Madame Faulkerson smiled as she read her daughter in law's message. So far everything is going exactly according to her plan.

She called Maine early that morning and asked her to relay everything that happened during their talk. As expected her son thought that Maine was leaving him and the older lady was quite pleased with her son's reaction. It appears that her son was not too crazy about the thought of letting his wife go. She took this as a good sign.

A knock was heard from the door. Her assistant entered and informed her that Richard is outside and wants to see her. She asked her assistant to let him in. She put some documents away as she waited for her son to enter. She's been expecting him the entire day.

With a soft knock Richard entered his mother's study and greeted her with a kiss on the cheek.

"RJ, come and sit. What brings you here?" She greeted her son with a smile.

Richard approached his mother's desk and settled himself in one of the leather chairs in front of her. "Maine and I had a talk last night." He opened up.

Madame Faulkerson raised her eyebrows feigning surprise. "Really? And what did you talk about?" She asked curiously.

Richard paused for a while as he gathered his thoughts. "She told me that she wants to go to New York to learn more about the arts there. Apparently you seem to have an influence on that" he finally said.

Madame Faulkerson looked calmly at her son. "I think it will be a good opportunity for her. Your wife should be given a chance to spread her wings. From what I know your wedding in Italy was her first time to travel abroad. It would be nice to give her a chance to see the world don't you think?"

"I know mom, but I don't think it would be good for her to go alone" Richard reasoned out. "I think it would be best if she goes with me."

"I think it would be perfectly fine for her to go alone. She's a grown woman, she'll manage" his mother countered.

"What if something happens?" Richard asked in concern.

"Of course she will not be entirely alone. I'll make sure that she has a bodyguard to look after her while she's there" she assured her son.

"But still, a month?" Richard questioned.

Madame Faulkerson looked at her son with a serious expression on her face. She was trying very hard not to smile. She's very pleased that her plan seems to be working. "RJ, sweetheart, your wife has every right to stay as long as she pleases. After all it is her vacation from school. If she chose to stay there for the entire two months then let her."

Madame Faulkerson had a satisfied expression on her face as she sensed that her son didn't seem to be too crazy about the idea of his wife staying in New York for the entire two months without him.

"Is there something wrong?" She asked her son.

A tinge of blush slightly colored Richard's ears. "No, nothing's wrong mom. I'm really just concerned about her going alone and staying too long" he confessed.

"No need to worry. Everything will be just fine." She assured her son yet again. "Now run along and tell your wife that she can leave next week. I'll make the arrangements for her."

Maine had to admit that she was both nervous and excited about her imminent trip to New York. She has never been there before and based on the numerous articles she's read and the dozens of pictures she's seen it seems to be an interesting and exciting place to be in. She also couldn't help but feel anxious about the fact that she was going there alone. RJ's mother assured her though that she was sending with her a bodyguard who would be of great help to her if she does encounter any difficulties.

She has been preparing for this trip the whole week eversince her husband relayed his mother's message to her. Finally it was the night before she was scheduled to leave and she was busy doing some last minute packing. As she was gathering her toiletries and putting them in a small bag, Maine couldnt help but mull over RJ's reaction regarding her trip. Although he eventually agreed into letting her go, she couldn't help but sense his reluctance about it. She noticed that he's been quiet all through out the week. She also observed that he went home earlier than he usually did and went to work a little later than usual. He seemed to linger more on the table during breakfast and appeared to be unenthusiastic to leave when she finally shooes him out of the house telling him that he was going to be late for work.

She also couldn't help but catch the sad look in her husband's eyes from time to time when he thought she was not looking. There were a lot of times when she just wanted to go to hjs mother and tell her that she didn't want to go anymore. To be honest, she's sure that she would have more fun if Richard was with her. But her mother in law insisted that this trip was necessary and that she should trust her with it. Maine initially had her doubts but after much thinking, she finally decided that maybe this temporary separation would be best for the both of them.