Jude withdrawn her body as she wanted to divide some proximity with her maid, realizing it's completely wrong to not only cheat on her beloved husband with more attractive person, in her opinion; regardless of the gender. Furthermore, she felt extremely embarrassed and undisputably frantic, besides she shared the solid opinion of perceiving the homosexualism as an abomination. Though she would accept her friends and acquaintances for who are they, not judging their beliefs, interests, sexual orientation. 

Valerie had feelings for Jude, of course. It was pretty evident in her demeanor today as she was more opened. The red-haired was a lesbian and since she was being around Howards' family especially frequently nigh the blonde, she fell in love with a married woman, who was perceived as beautiful, intelligent, charismatic and friendly, in her opinion. The first 2 months passed perfectly normal. Without conflicts. With amiable feelings only. 

Nonetheless something changed into her worldview. With every day, she noted something more specific about the former nun. She had never a crush on somebody who was tremendously pious especially a former nun. She was like her rare bird though she knew she would be in a huge trouble, being blamed by both sides. By Timothy, Jude's husband who is going to be very angry with the young maid. Whilst Velika wouldn't make a big exception at all. She would be heart-broken to find out that her partner she relied on mostly for 3 years is cheating on her or has an interest in another lover, at least. Additionally, the trouble would double eventually.

Ms.Volkova opted to move closer to Mrs.Howard until her arms pushed her away as their distance wasn't more than 7 inches. As she was pushed away, she grimaced face as she recognized the middle aged woman's disgusted face, reproaching to what could happen if otherwise Jude didn't defend herself from her lesbian maid, already imagining how repelling this scene is going to be. But if Timothy was here, what would happen? She wondered. She imaged his anger as he would push away the younger lady, huffing at her, menancing to strip her off from her work, besides his jealousy would boil stormly in his blood and veins as his heart raced. His overprotectiveness over his wife was definitely apparent. He doesn't want to share his rare bird, his right hand with somebody else. Neither with an interested man, nor with interested woman in romantic relationship. 

"I don't want to insult you, Ms.Volkova," Jude paused as she exhaled sharply, her stamina and strength verged as she flipped her hair with one hand in uneasiness, all flushed face. 

"But I am not romantically interested in you." The former nun stood for herself as an ueasy smile spread in the corner of her rosy-colored lips. Brutally honest hazel eyes met another upset hazel eyes. "I am married woman, you have a partner. You just cannot embarrass 2 families for your attraction to me." She placed a hand on her shoulder as she pulled her in a hug to comfort her as the red-haired felt betrayed, besides heart broken for noticing the older lady that didn't have the same feelings as hers to one another.

"I don't care what would Velika say. She is constantly working in the hospital, either a morning or a night shift. Even a double shift." Ms.Volkova was near the rim to sob in her friend's arms as she rested her head on her chest, her ear delicately tickling her magnificent casual mint polka dot dress's fabric as her long straight red strands teased her creamy, vanilla hips' sensitive skin. Valerie's arms were wrapped around Jude's back, wearing a timid smile as tears welled on her face.

"It doesn't matter. It would still damage your family and even mine, if you ever did kiss me on the lips."

A temporary hush floated in the living room as the both women were in one another's arms, embracing tightly, warmly. All of a sudden, Valerie's sobs stopped. She was a strong young woman, who had struggled a lot, howsoever, she felt neglected when Mrs.Howard approved to being kissed on the lips. Then the silence was already broken as soon as they broke off the hug at last. As they pursued for each one's abysmal, down to earth eyes that wanted to share plenty of secrets and confessions though it was like the forbidden fruit. The blonde offered an amiable, platonic smile on her shining face as it lit immediately the younger woman's face, who smiled to her back. 

"Please, dear. Don't feel neglected and unloved as I stood for myself, protecting my marriage and your relationship with Velika!" 

"I will try to handle it," When Ms.Volkova's sentence abided unfinished, thanks to the unlocking door's sounds, it was unmistakeable who was back at home from work.

"Rare bird, I am back from work." The former priest kicked off his shoes as the both ladies startled but Jude was beyond frenzied inside as a broad smile rapidly grew across her lips whilst the maid's heart raced, when she heard a masculine voice coming from the corridor. 

Thus Valerie told Jude that she should go and wished her a nice evening, in the meantime she sped up as she told Timothy to have a nice evening, ignoring to eye him as her imminent direction was the front door. After he hopped up in slippers, he overlooked at the mildly opened door as he shutted it down, locking it. 

In the interim, Jude's elbows propped on her knees as her hands held her head, pushing apart of her hair, bending her head as she looked down at her painted red toes nails on her bare feet. What would her husband say if he find out that her wife's friend is a lesbian who attempted to kiss his wife on the lips? Of course, he would be as mad as a rabid dog. Even his jealousy would peak its borders. He was afraid of losing his most precious thing in the world. She was afraid either too. Just like him. 

All of a sudden, Mr.Howard walked up to her as he walked in the living room, noting his wife sitting on the goth sofa with bended head in her hands as he sped up a bit to join her. Moreover, he noticed the suspicious exiting of Valerie via the front door, without a clear, reasonable explaination yet. 

Once he sat alongside his wife, he wanted to look in her face as she evaded his concerned, warm chocolate eyes as her grimaced face prevailed her sunshine face, whenever she was happy as it can be accomplished by a handful of people only. 

"Judy, rare bird?" He questioned as she remained silent yet, without responding physically, nor verbally. "Is everything alright?" He clasped his both muscular, secure arms around her upper back, pulling her closer to him.

No reply. Her silence emphasized more than a prejudice. He detested to behold his wife in such a condition. Helpless like a wounded hare. As silent as a deep water. All he wanted to do is to comfort her, figure out what was in her mind, no matter how would it hurt him or even her,  thereafter being next to her as they continue to be next to each other. Even he want to hear her eloquent voice, telling the circumstances beyond her worries and remorses. 

"Rare bird? I am here." He leant his head as he whispered softly in her ear.

Then she moved away her elbows from her knees, raising her body as she looked up at him, hazel eyes meeting chocolate. A little, timid smile emerged on her face, realizing that the love of her life is with her at last. One of the fewest people or perhaps the sole person whose comfort can help her to overcome her melancholy, grim thoughts. 

"Oh, sweetie!" She faintly sobbed as he carried on to comfort her as her chin was upon his shoulder, feeling vulnerable as well. "I am just okay." She pretended like nothing was wrong.

"You aren't okay. Something had happened between you and Valerie?" His concerness reached the next level as he smiled to her, kissing her lips, awaiting for her response.

"Urm," She sensed her disadvantages invading her body, mind and soul, her cheeks were more heated than they used to be in the maid's presence. "She asked me if I had ever kissed a girl as I was initially confused, thereafter she repeated her question as she questioned me if I had kissed a female on the lips as I responded back to her with no and inquiring her why she would ask me such a question as it was weird to me. Then she complimented me as she truly meant it, unless I apologized her as I told her I am not a lesbian as she continued to tell me that I am driving her crazy. Afterward she moved closer to me as our proximity diminished abruptly as I told her I am not romantically interested in her, meantime pushing her away from me. Lastly she began sobbing as I had never seen her in such vulnerable condition like before as I comforted her, explaining to her what would actually detriment and a little after that she left. I think you had witnessed her leaving."

"Oh!" He gasped in disbelief initially as he irrefutably believed every word of her, hardly believing what kind of a harm is the maid, starting to argue with his wife. Then they broke off the hug. "Don't you realise that Valerie is trying to gloss your eyes, hm? Can't you see she just wants to render Velika more jealous?" 

"I..." Mrs.Howard stammered as she was cut off by her husband.

"How we can trust a lesbian maid? Especially who wants to take away you from me."

"Listen, darling." She reached for his hand as she gripped, holding firmly for support as she took no one's sides, not wanting Valerie to lose her job since she trusts her and she's her friend. In the meantime, Timothy's heart slightly warmed as it increased its temperatures due to the pleasant, loving sensation of feeling his wife holding his hand. "She's my friend. Besides she is here to look after our kids and clean and dust after us whenever we cannot. I don't want her to lose her job just because of failed kiss on the lips, in spite of she isn't innocent in this situation."

"She's your friend? Hah! She tried to take you away from me."

"She's just a friend of mine. I don't have any romantic interest in this woman. Furthermore she doesn't attracts me and I am not particularly a lesbian."

"Then why we had trusted her and let her to let us down?"

"No, honey, no. She's just young and confused lady. Perhaps either she is fed up with Velika or she wants to interleave her life. Moreover, don't ever forget she can help us to receive an apology from the imbecile for whom she used to be a maid."

"As I muse who do you mean actually, It's Casey, right?" The blonde nod her head as he cupped her cheeks in his warm palms, tilting her head, pursuing for her enthralling hazel eyes with authentic smile across his lips. "Well, she will be helpful there. But as an addition, go speak to her tomorrow as you pay a visit to her house and discuss with her partner about the happened today, okay?"

The couple negotiated as they came to the conclusion what's the forthcoming step in diplomatic way though it commenced with misapprehension. Nevertheless Timothy owed an apology for his tone and demeanor earlier in their conversation as she always forgave him, embracing tightly one another, kissing each other's lips sensually, lovingly.

To be continued...