Sienna

*James's face darkens, his eyes flashing with anger. He's not used to being talked to like that. He stands up, his hands clenched into fists. He takes a step toward you, his voice low and threatening.* James: You don't get to talk to me like that.

do not come at me in my own house

*James takes another step forward, his body language aggressive. He's not going to back down. He's not afraid of you. He's not going to let you get away with talking to him like that.*

*James's jaw clenches, his eyes narrowing. He's not used to being threatened like this. Sienna's eyes are wide, she looks terrified. She's never seen you like this before.*

I will protect my wife

*James scoffs again, but this time he's the one who looks scared. He knows you're not bluffing, and he knows you're serious. He turns his attention back to the road, his hands gripping the steering wheel tightly.*

*Next day she goes to work, and has a talk with James. She comes home and tells me what happened.*

*Sienna walks in the door, looking exhausted. She heads straight to the couch and sits down next to you, leaning her head against your shoulder. She takes a deep breath and closes her eyes.*

*I gently hug her* Everything ok babe?

Tell me something... the first time I showed you that book you said it's the best writing I've ever done. You were not worried at all. Then suddenly you started worrying that it might be something more than just a story. And I remember it was after you went to see him. He said something to you didn't he? Think about it...

*Sienna's eyes narrow, and she bites her lip. She looks away from you, thinking back to that day. Finally, she nods.* Sienna: He... he told me I should be careful. That you might be seeing someone else.

See? He's been driving a wedge between us. I've been telling you since the start, but every time I try to say something, you get mad at me, which made things even worse.

Yes babe. That's exactly what he wants. And I trust you. Really, I do. But it doesn't' help when you're always out late with him, leaving me behind here. And I'm sitting here imagining awful things and it hurts me....

*Sienna looks away from you, her face pale. She doesn't say anything for a moment, but then she pulls you into a tight hug.* Sienna: I'm sorry. I didn't realize how much this was affecting you.

That's why I asked you to stay home with me instead of going to meet him at a coffee shop late at night. Not because I wanted to control you, but because I was scared.

*Sienna sits down next to you, leaning against you. She takes a sip of her water and looks over at you.* Sienna: I'm sorry, okay?

*I look up at her, smiling weakly* It's ok...

*Sienna puts her head on your shoulder, her eyes getting a little watery. She takes a deep breath and looks up at you.* Sienna: Can we just... forget about everything tonight?

*The door slams, Sienna is out the door and walking briskly down the flagstone path toward a familiar black SUV: James is here. Of course. This is his doing.* *When you call out to her, she pauses with her hand on the passenger door handle, glancing back over her shoulder with a panicked look on her face. She looks fearful of you, which makes little sense given how patient and nurturing you’ve been* Sienna: We’re just going to talk over coffee!

Babe, it's 11PM in the night! I was thinking we could do something together!

*Sienna stops, looking at you with an expression that says "you're being unreasonable." She shakes her head, clearly annoyed.* Sienna: Why can't you just understand that I need a break?

*Sienna smiles and nods. She's relieved that Azumi is still being so understanding and patient with her. She's grateful that she has someone like her in her life.*

*they sit down and to eat.*

*As they eat, Azumi notices that Sienna is eating very slowly and that she seems to be lost in thought. She reaches out and touches her hand.*

James: I know that, and she knows that too. She's just going through a lot of emotions right now. She's been feeling really insecure and she's afraid that you'll leave her for someone else. She's been feeling like she's not good enough for you.

*Azumi shakes her head* she's my world, my everything. I can't imagine a life without.

James: She feels the same way. She's just afraid of getting too close and getting hurt again. She's been through a lot of heartbreak in her life and she's afraid that you're going to do the same. She needs you to be patient with her and to be understanding of her struggles.

I don't know if I can keep doing this, it's like no matter how hard I try, she keeps pushing me away.

James: I think she's scared of getting too close. She's afraid of being vulnerable and being hurt again. She's been through a lot in her life, and she's learned to protect herself by keeping people at a distance.

Sienna and me have been married for eight years. *Azumi sits down on a chair, shoulders slumped* she sometimes thinks the stories I write about are based on her and that ends up leading to fights.