Come on, youve got everything ready and youre still fighting over rights, my motherinlaw says, squinting. Listen, I dont want a row with you. Youre the one making this tense. Live peacefully in the flat; no ones kicking you out. And stop bullying my son. If I have to, I can split you two up. Where would you go with the child then? Lets try to get along, love, Emily?
Emily sits at her desk, eyes fixed on the screen. Suddenly a fresh bouquet of roses appears on the surface. She looks up and sees Leon, the new colleague in her department, smiling awkwardly.
This is for you, Emily, Leon says, a faint flush on his cheeks.
Thanks, but you didnt have to, Emily replies, keeping her tone neutral.
Leon has started to show his attention of late: bringing coffee, slipping compliments. Emily waves him off, pretending not to notice. She isnt impressed; hes a plain, bookish type.
During a lunch break, her coworker Megan approaches.
Emily, why are you turning down Leon? He seems decent.
Megan, hes just not my type. Hes too calm.
Calm, but reliable. You dont find that much these days. And, by the way, he has his own flat. Not many his age can brag about that.
A flat, you say? Emily muses. Housing matters to her; a roof and a steady income are big tick boxes for a future partner.
That evening Emily stays late to finish a crucial report. As she gathers her things, Leon steps up.
Emily, may I walk you to your taxi? he offers.
Thanks, Leon, but Ive booked a cab.
Just to the cab stand, then, he insists.
On the way he chats about his hobbies, work, and future plans. Without warning he asks Emily out on a date. She hesitates, then agrees, thinking itll let her see him betterespecially after Megans flat comment.
Their first date is at a cosy café. Leon proves to be a pleasant conversationalist and an interesting man.
Where do you live? Emily asks, trying not to sound too eager.
In my own flat, Leon says proudly, my parents helped me buy it after university.
Thats great! Emily replies sincerely.
After a few more meetings Emily begins to notice qualities she previously missed. He is attentive, caring, dependable, a good listener, honest, and respectable. Her parents and friends take a liking to him straight away.
One afternoon Emily asks, Leon, what are you dreaming about?
I dream of a family and kids, he answers, I want a warm, cosy home for us.
A house sounds lovely, but we need at least a decent flat first, Emily points out.
We already have the flat, Leon smiles, so we can start thinking about a house
A year later they marry in a modest, heartfelt ceremony. After the wedding they move into Leons flat. Emily feels a constant surge of happinessshes married to a good man and they finally have a place of their own.
Two years on, their son is born. Emily is thrilled; Leon proves to be a devoted, loving father. They live in harmony, and Emily never regrets her choice.
One night, while putting their son to sleep, Emily brings up having a second childshes always wanted twins.
Leon, I think its time for another baby, she says casually.
Another one? Leon looks surprised. Why? Our son is still little.
Id love a daughter, Emily admits. We have the money, the flat why not? We could sell this flat, buy something bigger
Money, sure, Leon agrees, but the flat?
What about the flat? Emily asks.
Honestly its not entirely mine, Leon mutters, lowering his head.
Emily freezes.
How isnt it yours? You said your parents helped you buy it! she exclaims.
Yes, they helped. But the titles in my fathers name.
Your fathers name? she repeats.
Right, he whispers, they wanted a property that wouldnt be lost if anything happened to us.
Emily feels her legs give way. She sits on the bed, trying to process.
Have you been lying to me all this time? Why? she asks, tears bristling.
I didnt lie, I just left out details, Leon says. My parents asked me not to mention it. They feared Id marry you just for the flat. I now know you married me for love.
What do we do now? Emily asks, eyes wet. How do we move forward?
We love each other, we have a son. My parents wont take the flat away. Well keep living as we are.
What if they need it later? Or give it to my sister? Emily protests. How can you stay so calm?
Emily, what are you saying? Leon snaps. Theyll never do that.
How do you know?
Please, calm down, he tries to hug her. Everything will be fine.
No, Leon, nothing will be fine. You kept the truth from me. You lied!
The evening ends in a heated argument. Emily doesnt let Leon into the bedroom; he sleeps on the couch.
Three days pass without a word between them. Leon goes to work, Emily prepares his meals and irons his shirts, all in silence. Leon tries repeatedly to draw her into conversation, but Emily ignores him completely, even keeping away from the child. Whenever Leon approaches their son, Emily snatches the boy and retreats to another room. She still hopes Leon will bring news that his parents have finally transferred the flat into his name, so she can sell the twobedroom and buy a threebedroom house or even a suburban cottage.
Leon, however, brings no good news. Emily wont confront her motherinlaw directly about the property, but the mother, Margaret, decides to visit while Leon is away.
Whats going on here? Margaret asks. Your son seems off, somethings bothering him. Tell me, Emily, whats happened?
Nothing, Margaret, Emily replies, trying to stay calm. Everythings fine. I dont know why Leon looks so gloomy.
Youre lying, Margaret says, nodding. Tell me, dear, why are you after someone elses flat? You live here peacefully; we arent going to throw you, Leon, or our grandson, out. Whats wrong? Why are you pestering my son about this?
Emily clenches her fists, then answers as evenly as she can.
No one is trying to take your flat, Margaret. Leon and I just have a misunderstanding. He keeps telling me the flat belongs to him, but in reality its your husbands property. Im worried about our future. If something happens, we cant do anything with the flat. I want a second child, and a twobedroom isnt enough for two kids. Id like a threebedroom. Weve saved some money, but not enough to buy one outright. If we sell the twobedroom, we might afford a bigger place. I dont want to beg you for permission to sell. Were a family with a child, so I think we should decide where we live.
Margaret smirks. Thats why I protected my son. Do you think Im as naïve as Leon? I see right through you, dear. You think a pretty girl will catch my modest programmers eye? Dont tell me you married Leon out of great love. Ill never believe it. Let me be clear: that flat will not be sold, no matter what. It stays my husbands. What are you hoping for? To sell it, buy a bigger one, then divorce and split the assets? That wont happen. Save up, buy what you want, and start contributing to the family finances. Then youll have a say over the money.
She adds, Im ready to give you everything you need, but you must respect the house. Live quietly, and Ill promise you wont be forced out. If you cause trouble, Ill have my son file for divorce. Believe me, I have leverage.
Margaret leaves. Emily sighs heavily and heads to the kitchen to make dinner. She tells herself shell have to make do for now; Leon earns a decent salary, and the flat may stay unsold. Shell keep saving for that threebedroom house, hoping Leon will finally push things forward.
