Ella’s finally in a relationship, something she’s longed for forever. Then her sister comes to her with a fantastical story about her boyfriend’s alleged infidelity. She needs to make a decision about the way forward. What will she do? Start Ella and Daniel’s story here – Lonely Eyes Part 1 – Hello, Chaos!
Ella forced a small smile as she said goodbye to Huey and the handsy Eddy. At least she was free of that hell. Now for the hell between her ears that showed a stunning commitment to playing the entire scene on an endless loop. There was only one way to silence that horror show.
Ella dropped onto her old couch with its sagging cushions and reached for her phone. She scrolled to his name and then just sat there looking at it. She trusted him, loved him, knew him. There was no way any of those allegations were true. None. All she had to do was call him, have him confirm it, and then her brain would finally be silent. She desperately needed the chaotic circus to pack it up.
“It’s the only way,” she said out loud, nodding with more zest than she felt.
She pressed call before she could talk herself out of it and immediately began her breathing exercises to calm her racing heart.
Daniel answered almost immediately. “What’s up, sweetheart?”
Her breath hitched, forcing her to take a deep breath. There was no way someone who called her sweetheart with such open admiration would also be out there cheating. No way. The facts spoke for themselves.
“Hey, babe, what’s up? You, okay?”
“Yeah,” she whispered. “Yeah, I’m good,” she added voice more confident. “Just got home, and I wanted to talk before nilale.”
He seemed to buy her claim that she just wanted to talk before going to bed, proceeding to tell her about his exciting day. He’d been living at the office. It was just after the general elections and lawyers like him had their picking of election petition cases. He had never been busier or happier.
She made all the appropriate noises as he spoke, loving him even more as his enthusiasm radiated to her.
“Sweetheart, you sure you’re alright?”
“Yeah, babe. I’m good.” She replied, feeling more like her usual self. “You, on the other hand, are overworking your poor body. Go home. Tomorrow’s another day.”
“There’s nothing poor about my body,” Daniel countered, and she would have bet her last cent he was checking out his lean torso with his hand on his prized six-pack. She was picturing it too, so she wouldn’t judge him too harshly.
“Pure facts,” she answered. “How about this? Go home and give that body we both love some much-needed rest.”
“I can get behind a suggestion like that,” he whispered, voice low and suggestive.
She smiled, castigating herself for ever doubting him, “Yeah, I’m going to go take that shower and go right to bed. I refuse to let your mouth write a cheque your body can’t cash.”
“I never wrote a cheque I couldn’t cash,” he disputed, “You know I can back it up.”
She shook her head. “You can’t back it up tonight, which is all I know.”
Daniel had a long day in court the following day, which was partly why he’d missed game night tonight.
“Fine, I concede, but I’ll make it up to you, you’ll see.”
“I know,” she said with more conviction than the situation called for, but he didn’t question it. He just said goodnight and she hang up feeling both relieved and uneasy. She was not going to solve this puzzle at this hour, so she roused herself, took a quick shower and collapsed into bed, where she proceeded to toss and turn like it was an Olympic sport.
The bed was clearly not going to be the scene of success tonight, so she dragged her duvet with her to the sitting room to make a second attempt, this time on the couch.
***
Something startled her, and she opened her eyes to find Daniel trying and failing to close the door quietly. The small involuntary screech was out before she could stop it.
“Sorry, sorry, sorry,” he whispered, placing a package on the floor, and then locking the door. “I thought you’d be in bed.”
Ella sat up and pulled the duvet around her, it was a chilly night and the door, however briefly open, had not helped matters. Daniel moved to sit on the couch next to her, silently lamenting her covering up and hiding her lush body, barely concealed by her sleeping vest.
He pulled her to him, embracing her.
“What are you doing here?” she asked, cosying up to him. “Not that this isn’t a pleasant surprise.”
He rubbed his hands over her and the massive duvet. “Sounded like you were having an ice cream and muesli kind of night.”
He had this thing where he bought her premium muesli and ice cream with a staggering price tag when she was sad.
Her heart all but melted as she leaned even more into him. He made as if to move and she snuggled into him, dissuading him from moving. How could she have doubted him? Ella was so moved by his gesture that she couldn’t find the words. Actions would have to do.
She pulled away from him, threw off the restraining covers, and straddled him, peppering kisses along his bearded cheek. He moaned, his arms caressing her underwear-clad bottom.
“I take it the ice cream and muesli will have to wait.”
Ella pulled back, a playful smile on her lips, “We can stop if you want, get you some energy boost so you can keep up.”
“You know I can keep up,” Daniel replied, rotating his hips, so they were perfectly aligned and the friction sent delicious sensations all over them. She moaned as did he, and he briefly considered just doing it on the couch.
“Bed. Now.” She ordered, getting off him and making a beeline for the bedroom. His eyes took in her round bottom, and he sprung up and followed, grabbing her playfully.
She laughed, and he pondered the miraculous power such a simple snack held. Coming over was definitely the best decision he’d made tonight.
**
Chris had been on edge, anticipating something bad. It had started the night they’d seen Daniel being all kinds of inappropriate in that club. Nothing had happened that night, which had only heightened his fear that something was coming. Every time something reminded Amy about his unfaithfulness, they went back to something approximating square one, where she’d pull away from him for a few days while she processed the deception all over again.
Chris knew the drill now. He’d already moved some beddings from the bedroom closet and was curled up on the too-short couch. At some point, he’d assumed she’d get over it. He’d been dead wrong. She’d forgiven him as much as she could. He knew that. It was just that reminders took her back, and he got that now. A friend of his had told him relationships rarely recovered completely after the trust was broken and that was something he’d have to live with. That’s just what the consequences looked like.
His neck had a painful crick in it and he knew from experience it would only get worse. His knees would be a bitch tomorrow if he spent the better part of the night folding them like he was while trying to fit on the couch. He’d made his bed and now, for better or worse, he was laying in it.
**
Amy lay restless in their bed. Was she blowing this infidelity thing out of proportion or was this an appropriate level of indignation? The way she saw it, once you start minimizing something like cheating, you’re setting yourself up for failure. She needed him to know it was serious and would always remain serious. She needed herself to remember that, too. It was a big deal.
Chris had gotten wasted at some house party while they were dating and had had sex with some girl he’d met that night. Even worse, he hadn’t told her. She’d found out about it after they’d been married for two years. Some friend of his had gotten wasted and let it slip in her presence.
Amy was livid. They’d separated for about 5 months, then gone for counselling for a few months before they’d started approximating anything close to what they’d been before. It had been a long and arduous road, but they were good now, great even. It was just that every time she was reminded about his unfaithfulness and how he’d kept it from her for years; it ripped the scab open, exposing the tender wound.
Part of her thought she should be over it. It was four years after, and she wasn’t. She knew he was remorseful, was reasonably certain he’d been faithful throughout their marriage, and yet she couldn’t just let it go. Some paranoid part of her was certain that as soon as she let this indiscretion go, Chris would be emboldened to cheat again. Isn’t that what men have historically done? As soon as they know you’ll forgive them, it’s open season. She wasn’t going to be one of those women if it was the last thing she did.
Still, this sleeping in separate rooms every time it came up was not sustainable, plus she hated it. Amy liked having him close, and had become accustomed to feeling his warm back on hers.
She got out of bed before she changed her mind. Their relationship had survived because they’d worked together. Maybe that was what they needed to do now, work on it together.
Amy switched on the living room lights and Chris squinted against it.
“Sorry,” she whispered.
“It’s okay. What’s up?” He asked, sitting up.
“Do you want to come to bed?”
His eyebrows drew together in confusion. “Our bed?”
“It is the only bed in the house.”
“With you?”
“Yes, with me in it.” She laughed, shaking her head.
“You don’t have to. I know you’re mad and you have every right to be. I’m fine here.”
“Are you saying no?” Her eyebrows mirrored his.
“I would never say no.” He said.
“Then come to bed,” Amy said, walking away.
Chris rushed after her, switching off the lights. They cuddled in silence, glorying in the moment.
Things appear good. Should Ella still raise the issue with Daniel or are his actions sufficient proof of his fidelity to her? Find out what happens next here – Lonely Eyes Part 3 – Not Quite Goals
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