Mr. Imperfectionist

9 Finer Things

Isla came in a while later and took away the plate and the beer pint in a tray.

I didn't realize when I fell asleep while watching the series. The delicious food had made me drowsy.

The ringing of my phone broke my sleep. I checked the screen and saw my brother was calling. I answered and spoke to him for a while assuring him that I was coming back the day after.

I checked the time, it was 06.30 PM. I then scooted out of the bed, walked inside the washroom, and splashed water against my face. When the drowsiness was gone, I called the kitchen and asked for tea. I thought it'd be better to sit downstairs in the living room for a while.

I changed into a maroon top with long sleeves and a pair of black tights. I wore lip gloss for a change and went downstairs. Isla had just come out from the kitchen. She saw me and paused. I asked her to keep the tea on the dining table. 

I sat in the chair and sipped my tea while checking my social media account. 

"Hola Belleza." I heard his enchanting voice and my head snapped up. Sabil was keeping his blazer on the couch. I found myself keeping my phone aside. It was funny how I had started to fear another fight with him. He was finally home and I did not want to upset him.

He walked towards me with his captivating smile and kissed my forehead. 

This time his lips were pressed for a long moment. My breath was stuck in my lungs when his lips touched my skin as an electric current had passed from him. I felt a blush creep onto my cheeks. It's amazing how a forehead kiss makes your heart pound more than a lip kiss. There's the intensity and a promise of protection. You might come across a million who'd kiss your lips but only a few who'd kiss your forehead. Sabil kissing my forehead, again and again, had made me so weak. I had started to trust him and it was hard not to fall for him.

"You're back," I said with a smile. Sabil sat in the opposite chair.

He locked his eyes with mine and it was impossible to look away. "Missed me?" He asked with a smirk.

I then rolled my eyes and he laughed lowly.

"How was your day?" I asked while sipping my tea.

"Tiring. I couldn't wait to come back home to you." He said softly.

I could feel the hair raise on my skin. I smiled.

Sabil looked over my head and said, "Coffee."

"Sí Señor." Came Isla's voice.

"Well, I must admit that I'm very impressed.

This bungalow is so beautiful." I said.

"Did you take a house tour?"

"Yes. All by myself. This place is incredible Sabil, really."

He smiled. "Gracias. I bought this bungalow three years ago. I come here to spend some alone time. It's very peaceful."

"Yes, it is." I agreed. 

Isla came and placed the coffee in front of him and left.

"By the way," I said. "I never asked you about your age."

He laughed lowly. "If I tell you, you'll leave me and go."

"No, I won't. I'm sure you're not fifty." I said with a smirk.

He shook his head. "No, but I'm ten years older than you."

"You're thirty-three? That's way too young. Although you look twenty-seven twenty-eight."

"Thank you for the compliment." He sipped his coffee.

"How did you know I was twenty-three?" I asked in bewilderment.

He rolled his eyes. "Not a big deal for me to find out such details."

"Of course," I muttered.

"So, how did you like the seafood platter?" He asked.

"It was the most amazing seafood I've ever eaten. Mario is an amazing cook. I'd like to give five stars to him." I said with a smile.

"Yeah, he really is a great cook." Sabil agreed.

"And I have to admit that I'm really impressed by your hospitality. Yours and the staff's."

Sabil laughed. "Cariño, you are a queen of this bungalow as long as you live here. When you come back for a vacation with family, or your friends just give me a call. I'll hire the same staff for you again. You don't have to worry." Then he stretched his hand and placed it on mine and said, "You are my queen too. Don't think I look at you like those other women I sleep with. You are important."

"If I am your queen then what about your wife?" I asked sarcastically. I had fallen for him and the thought of him being married was making me insecure. I wish if I could keep him all to myself.

His face was suddenly morose. "Saanj. It's not what you think. It's a long story and I really don't want to get into it. I don't want to ruin our moment. Please." He said. 

"But...but I'm just curious. You treat me like I'm important and I believe you. I know you don't want to hurt me and just want to spend some time with me. But I'm a girl after all. Such things are going to make me feel bad about myself. I've never been with a married man before because that's not who I am. I have some principals. And I live by them." I went on talking my heart out and he kept staring at me plainly. He would softly nod in between, showing that he understood my feelings.

"I don't know if I'll be able to live with myself if something happens between us. My entire life will be spent thinking I slept with a man who was cheating on his wife." I then rolled my eyes.

"Cariño. Don't say that." He creased his brows.

"Cariño? What's that?" I asked.

He first pursed his lips and then said with a side smile. "It means darling or a sweetheart."

I rolled my eyes again. "Really? Darling?"

He shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know why but I just felt like calling you Cariño. And look, right now all you need to know is that I'm not in love with my wife and neither is she in love with me. Our marriage was more like a compromise and I'm begging you, please don't force me to get into details."

'Compromise.' Well that actually made sense. That explained how Sabil was spending nights outside without hesitation. I never saw him talking to his wife on a call. He was going to stay here for three nights with me. That explains what Sabil said wasn't wrong. I probably shouldn't push this any further.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have brought it up." I said.

"Don't be sorry." He said with a small smile.