After he left, I lingered in the kitchen for a while, the smell of his pasta getting into my nose. Despite the growl and twist in my stomach I made myself ignore it. I had breakfast already but I was still hungry. My knuckles turned white as my fingers held onto the counter's edge. I'd refuse to eat it. It would be disrespectful to. I inhaled deeply then slid the plate onto a tray and summoned a maid. I was cautious to speak steadily as I instructed her to place this on the dining table. The kitchen felt too large and too silent after she left. I cleaned the counter and I was smiling sheepishly to myself, remembering his brief stay with me here. I shook my head to keep my thoughts from straying. But it did anyway. My bare feet brushed the cool tiles as I walked down the hall leaving

