A night with Him
1279 Words
Emily’s POV
I got out of Adrian’s car hurriedly, feeling disgusted.
Sinking into a warm bath will definitely make me feel good.
My body is calling for some soft pampering.
I finally got to the front door but something felt weird. Maybe I ate something weird in Germany. I shook the feeling off.
I unlocked the door with my key. I removed my shoes, dropped my bag on the couch, and went into the kitchen to drink a glass of water.
“Stop!”
What did I just hear?
Was someone else at home?
My breath hitched as my heart skipped a beat.
I dropped the cup clumsily on the counter and tiptoed out of the kitchen.
“Is it really paining you?”
That’s Brian’s voice.
I made sure not to make any sound as I stepped forward slowly.
“Not anymore, because you made it feel better.”
And a giggle followed it.
That’s Vanessa.
My heart froze.
This was deja vu.
When did this happen?… Oh, I remember.
When I got discharged from the hospital and caught my husband and my best friend in bed.
I finally reached the bedroom door. The door was half open, and, clearing my throat loudly, I stepped into view.
The scene in front of me was far from glamorous.
Vanessa’s feet rested on Brian’s lap, as he was massaging them while she threw her head back giggling like a child.
The sound of my throat clearing brought them to a halt.
They both turned to me as a thief had intruded on an intimate moment.
“What’s going on here?” I asked, my heart pounding loudly in my chest.
“Emily, you’re back.” Vanessa swiftly removed her feet from Brian’s lap.
I leaned against the doorframe, an amused smile playing on my lips.
Let’s hand the Crown of idiots over to my best friend.
“But you were supposed to be back by tomorrow…w-why are you here so early?” Brian stutters as his voice came out rushed.
“And does that justify what’s happening here?” I asked, unfazed by their silly questions and clumsy reactions.
“What!…don’t be silly Emily. It’s not what you think.”
“I hit my foot on a rock while I was helping my neighbor on her farm. You know you’re both my closest family.” She added, her eyes filled with fake tears.
“I had rushed down here without thinking about anything and met Brian at home, he offered to help massage it.”
I stared at her, bewildered by the lame excuse she had come up with.
I didn’t say a word. I pulled some clothes from my wardrobe and went into the bathroom.
***
When I got out of the bathroom, I didn’t meet anyone in the room.
I got dressed and applied moisturizing lotion to my skin. Then I went downstairs to the kitchen to fix something quick.
Brian was in the living room, fidgeting with his fingers.
I ignored him and went into the kitchen to make some pancakes with maple syrup for myself.
***
I tried to close my eyes but couldn’t sleep. I kept turning over in bed countless times.
I looked at the other side of the bed, and Brian was snoring loudly which irritated me.
Suddenly feeling suffocated, I got out of bed and walked out of the house, and sat on the porch.
The fresh air was chilly and calmed my nerves.
Reflecting on how my life has taken a big turn in the past few months is beyond my comprehension.
But I am proud of how I have been handling things, not letting my situation pull me down.
My phone buzzed.
I checked the screen, and it was Lucas.
I sighed deeply as I read the message.
Lucas: Are you up?
I checked the time, and it was past 8. On a normal day, I would have been fast asleep.
Me: Yes
He didn’t reply.
So what’s that about?
I dropped my phone and drifted back to my thoughts, swinging my leg back and forth in silence.
***
The night got chillier, so I decided to go back into the house.
As I was about to get on my feet my phone buzzed again.
It was Lucas of course, I thought he had already slept off.
Lucas: Can you come out?
I looked at my phone confused. Come out?
Me: I am out but I don’t understand.
Lucas: I am outside, come out.
I stood up and left the porch. Each step I took was careful as I walked across the driveway and out of the compound.
Lucas was leaning against his car outside. I looked at him shocked and speechless.
“W-what are you doing here?”
“No, how did you know I live here?” I asked again.
He looked at me, smiling.
“You’re finally talking to me,” he said.
Shoot, I had broken my no -contact rule with him.
He opened the passenger door. “Get in.”
I looked at him, searching his face to see if he was joking— but he wasn't.
“Get in,” Lucas repeated, his voice firm.
I rubbed my arm, and I noticed the temperature had dropped. It was getting colder and my body shivered.
I should ignore and turn my back and get back into the house.
“You come to my house, tell me to get into your car, and now you expect me to…do what? Listen to you?”
“That’s not what this is about. You are safer inside the car than standing out in the cold.” He said, his voice now calm.
Was this crazy? Yes.
Was I getting in? Yes.
I exhaled deeply and got into the car and fastened the belt.
Don’t judge me, my safety matters if I will be taking this kind of risk.
The silence in the car was heavier than the cold outside.
“I don’t want you to be so cold.” He said, breaking the silence.
“So you want us to talk in the car? What’s up?” I asked him.
“I saw you with him.”
My stomach tightened slightly.
“With who?”
His grip on the steering wheel tightened.
“Adrian.”
I looked away immediately, staring at the window as the streetlights stood tall lighting up the street.
“That’s what this is about?” I muttered. “You followed me because of that?”
“I didn’t follow you,” he corrected quickly.
He reached for his phone, unlocked it, and held it up between us.
It was a picture.
Adrian’s hand was on my thigh.
My stomach twisted as I looked at the picture feeling disgusted.
“Why would you let him touch you?” Lucas asked, his voice dangerously low.
I snatched my gaze away from the screen.
“I didn’t let him do anything,” I said. “You don’t even know what happened—”
“I don’t need to know what happened,” he cut in sharply. “I need you to stay away from him and be careful.”
That made me turn to him fully.
“Careful?” I said. “You’re not my husband, Lucas.”
“You can’t just police me anyhow you like!” I added sharply.
He looked at me concerned. “I know and that’s why I am worried.”
There was a heavy pause.
He sighed deeply.
“Emily,” he said, his voice dangerously low. “If you don’t stay away from him…I might stop pretending I don’t care.”
- Writer
