Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem



Keith was decked out in his workout gear, a fitness tracker wrapped around his wrist, dripping with sweat as if he'd just finished a marathon. This was the first time they had seen each other since that brawl.

Keith had healed up and was currently riding the unemployment wave, without the urgency to dive into a new job.

His days were filled with painting and his nights with excursions to the local gym for some fitness routines, swimming, or hitting the basketball court. Life was surprisingly stress-free, devoid of the typical job-hunting anxiety, and he hadn't sought out Elysia either.

He even became something of a local hero in Jindale City for saving a kid from drowning during one of his swim sessions, earning him the 'Good Samaritan' title.

This was the scoop Tarquin got after doing some digging around.

Their gazes clashed in the air, electric and explosive, with an undercurrent of tension thick enough to cut through.

Yet, no punches were thrown!

Keith, spotting Tarquin, was taken aback, squinting slightly before stepping out of the elevator.

Tarquin, brows furrowed, shot him a glare before entering the elevator.

Neither acknowledged the other.

But just as the elevator doors were about to close, Keith's hand shot in, forcing them open again.Exclusive content from NôvelDrama.Org.

Standing at the elevator entrance, Keith threw out, "Happy break-up in advance."

Tarquin's brows knitted tighter, his temper flaring up instantly!

He had his suspicions about Keith, and this comment all but confirmed them.

The recent incidents around him were clearly orchestrated to instill fear in Elysia, pushing her to deem a relationship with him too perilous and call it quits!

What infuriated him the most wasn't the underhanded tactics but the audacity to use Elysia as a pawn!

Recalling Elysia's terror-stricken face, he was seething with rage!

Tarquin grabbed Keith by the collar and yanked him into the elevator, slamming him against the wall,

"Did you orchestrate the recent drama?"

Keith, wincing from the impact, glared back at Tarquin, his expression transitioning from anger to disdain in a matter of seconds,

"Which drama are you referring to?"

Tarquin, struggling to keep his anger in check, prodded, "Playing dumb now?"

Keith, far from angered, smoothly adjusted his disheveled shirt, meeting Tarquin's gaze with a defiant smirk,

"If you've got evidence, lay it out. Otherwise, save your breath. Better yet, spend this time figuring out your next move post-breakup with Elysia. What's it gonna be, end it all or take a vow of solitude?"

Tarquin glowered at him,

"If you're man enough, come at me directly. Don't target Elysia!"

Keith scoffed, "If you're man enough, you'd protect her. Can't even safeguard your own woman; what kind of man does that make you?"

Tarquin felt his blood boil over, unable to contain it any longer!

Just as he was about to retaliate, the elevator dinged open, and Blossom appeared at the entrance.

Upon seeing them, Blossom gasped, her eyes wide, “You guys...”

Keith immediately switched to a more pleasant demeanor, greeting her, "Ms. Blythe."

Blossom, slightly taken aback, nodded and turned her concern to Tarquin, "Are you alright?"

Wanting to spare Elysia any worry, Tarquin had no choice but to suppress his anger.

A fight with Keith in front of Blossom would inevitably reach Elysia, stirring unnecessary concern.

Tarquin shot Keith a final glare before parting ways with Blossom.

Stepping into the elevator, Blossom curiously inquired, "What brought you two together?"

Keith sighed,

"Just my luck, can't seem to avoid him. Ran into him at the elevator, and he was in a foul mood over something, pinning it on me. Had you not shown up, I'd probably be nursing another beating. Just my luck, always the victim, and worse, can't seem to hold my ground against him."

After a brief pause, Keith added with a hint of grievance,

“I can't fathom what Ms. Thorne sees in him. Such a temper, is that really what she wants in a life partner?"

Blossom suggested, "He's really good to Elysia, and she adores him. There must be some misunderstanding between you two."