Husband With Benefits

Erasmi looked in surprise at his hand and realized that he had indeed received a cut on the back of his hand when he’d stopped that woman from attacking the older woman.

"It’s alright. I’ll take care of it."

"No, it’s not alright. You were hurt while protecting me. If I let you go injured, then I don’t deserve to be called the big Mama in this town! Come with me." Without giving him another chance to refuse, the woman gestured for him to follow her and walked away.

Pausing, Erasmi stopped and followed the woman. It seemed he had just absolved himself from the blacklist she’d placed him in for being rude. The woman led him to a small office cluttered with stacks of papers and scattered bills.

"Move those papers and I’ll get the first aid box."

Erasmi carefully picked up a pile of papers and set them on the table before taking a seat.

"Let’s have a look at that cut," she said as she returned, motioning for Erasmi to extend his hand. He complied and she began cleaning the wound with a gentle touch. "Not everyone would step in like that."

"Why did no one else step in?" Erasmi asked curiously. "You seemed friendly with everyone."

"Hmph. You are passing through so you were not too scared but they have to live here. We are a very small town with barely any population. The woman you stopped is the mayor’s wife. She is also the richest in town and known to hold a grudge. She’s made life difficult for anyone who dares to go against her."