slow burn
900 Words
Throughout the day, the tiny voice in my head didn't shut up about how bad of a person I was. If Hunter decided to leave me, I didn't know if it would be possible for me to do this on my own.
I should have apologized to him then, i should have f*****g apologized to him but i couldn’t bring myself to stand him. What if I say something worse, like telling him how often I thought about him and how much I wanted him closer to me.
A wave of embarrassment crashed through me. I fell on my bed and groaned into the pillow.
The memories of the moment came rushing down and I actually bit into my pillow as I remembered the desperation in my voice.
I heard the music, softly at first but as time passed it continued to grow.
I stood up from the bed and walked to the window. The house Aaron had pointed to was decorated with so much light it looked like a lamp.
I turned my gaze to Hunter's house, all the lights were turned off.
Does that mean he wasn’t at home?
Since he owns a home here, he must know people from around here.
I tried to stop my mind from wandering but the image of Hunter curled up in bed with another woman flashed in my mind. It was short and quick, like a stab to the chest.
I didn’t understand why I was feeling sad and jealous all of a sudden. I was feeling vengeful.
What was happening to me? I needed to get some air and stay away from my thoughts.
The card Aaron had given me was sitting on the table. Its red colour was inviting, so I grabbed it and got dressed.
***
Aaron was talking to an elderly couple when I arrived. The warmth in the room was pleasant and needed.
I stepped away from the door and went deeper into the room.
There were kids running around and teens gathered around talking amongst themselves.
Christmas stockings hanged on the walls and there were names on all of them. As I approached it, I expected them to be empty or just for decorations but instead they were filled with different items.
My mouth began to water when I spotted a bag filled with chocolate cookies and sweets.
“You have a stocking up there,” A deep voice said behind me and I jumped.
“Aaron,” I whispered under my breath and placed my hand on my chest as if to stop my heart from trying to blow a hole through my chest.
“I’m sorry for sneaking up behind you, that was rude.”
He was apologizing but his eyes held amusement.
I smiled and watched as his beautiful blue eyes twinkled…seeing a man with emotions plastered on his face felt like a breath of fresh air.
Unlike Hunter, this man didn’t feel the need to control his micro expressions or any expression at all.
“I didn’t get your name earlier today so your stocking…it eh, it doesn’t quite have a name, but at least it has a title.”
He walked over and pulled one stocking from its hook and handed it over to me.
“Beutiful woman that lives next door?” I asked and he bursted out in laughter
“That should have said gorgeous,” He said in a low tone and his eyes swept admiringly over my body.
I didn’t feel the need to hide, instead I felt confident and wanted to strike a pose.
“Do you want a drink?” He asked me as he signalled for a man in uniform carrying a tray.
“No, No…”
“Why not?” He asked with a raised brow
“I don’t drink…” A lie. I should have said alcohol is bad for the baby but then that would have led to the discussion that I was pregnant and truly, as beautiful and charming as Aaron might be, I did not trust him.
“Oh, okay. There are other kinds of drinks if you want…”
“Hot chocolate?”
He nodded his head and he took my arm and led me to a corner.
I took note of all the eyes that were watching us. There were women glaring at me and men staring at me as if they wanted a piece of whatever Aaron had in his arms regardless of who or what it was.
I shook the feeling of eyes creeping over me and turned my attention to Aaron. He handed me a cup and I sipped the content.
Dear God, I didn't know it could taste this good.
“So, that man that arrived when we were speaking…”
“Hunter,” I said and he nodded.
“Hunter,” he repeated, testing the name. “Is he your boyfriend?”
I almost choked on my saliva.
“No, no he’s not. What would make you think that?”
“Well, he looked like he was about to tear me limb from limb.”
I shook my head and laughed but the laugh fell right off my face as I spotted Hunter walking into the house. He looked around and when he spotted me, he froze.
His gaze fell on Aaron and I saw an emotion slip, it was rage.
- Writer
