GeraldI had spent the past few weeks mostly at the hospital. Christina’s legs had been put in a cast. On the day I finally took her to her house, I had been grim. The doctors had told me that, over time, Christina would be able to walk again. But she would never be able to dance.The news had sunk my heart. I had no idea how to break it to her. I had decided that I would wait until she was able to walk again before giving her the news.Every day, I had flowers sent to her house: pink and purple orchids, her favorites.And every evening after work, I would visit her. I tried to help her out of her depression – escorting her wheelchair out into the garden, ordering her favorite foods, taking her out for drives – but Christina hardly ever wanted to do anything. She had once been the liveliest person I had ever known – a beautiful ray of sunshine. And now, she looked so helpless and sad in her wheelchair and spent most of her time watching ballet performances on television. It broke m
ClaireI poured hot water into the French press and then waited for five minutes. On the other side of the wall, there was silence. I stirred the coffee and then pressed it down, pouring the mixture into the teapot. Why weren’t they talking to each other? The quiet was making me nervous. I gently lifted the teapot, placed it on a tray, and then set the sugar pot and milk jug on the side.Carefully carrying the tray, I peered through the door. Arthur was perusing a file that Gerald had handed to him. I breathed a sigh of relief. That made sense about why they weren’t chatting right now.Gerald looked up when I brought the coffee tray inside. I set it down on the table and then began preparing their coffee. I could feel him staring at me. The gaze made me tense up.“Sugar?” I almost asked Gerald, but then I remembered that he disliked milk and sugar in his caffeine. I added a dash of milk to Arthur’s cup, the way that he had told me he preferred it, and then brought those cups over to
Claire“Gerald, I really do not want to talk to you!” I growled through gritted teeth. Honestly, I did not even know where I found the confidence to speak with him that way but I thought it came from the audacity he displayed by grabbing my arm and pulling me along with him. And how dare he mock my work!He shoved me back against the banister, gripping my arms. “What are you doing here?!” he rasped.I was terrified. Bracing myself the best that I could, I regained my composure. I rolled my eyes and gestured down at my business attire. I held up my files in his face and spat, “What does it look like I’m doing here?”He frowned. “Are you in a relationship with that man?” he said, pointing in the direction of Arthur’s office, “Did you cheat on me with him?”Cheat on him? With Arthur? Was this man crazy or something?He looked at the confused expression on my face and added, “Is that not why you wanted to divorce me, huh? Because you were involved with another man?”I clenched my fist.
ClaireChristina exuded elegance and grace as she glided up to us. She was adorned in a glittering silver dress. It fitted her figure perfectly. Her hair cascaded over her shoulders and bounced slightly as she moved.She was supported on one hand with a long wooden cane, which exposed her vulnerability while somehow adding to her strength, and on the other arm with Gerald’s tall frame. He was wearing a stylish black tuxedo of his own, adding only to the visual appeal of their companionship.They were walking slowly, giving Christina enough time to maintain her poise.A part of me wanted for her to have that at least: the grace to attend a party. I felt deeply sorry at the sight of her cane and hoped that she would not have to use it for much longer. Regardless of my personal relationship with her, it had upset me that she would never be able to dance again.It was a fate worse than death to lose something that one was passionate about. And I would not wish it upon anyone, not even the
ClaireI gazed at Arthur with stunned gratitude. I took in a deep breath of relief.Arthur was a phenomenal human being. He was a generous boss and a gracious person. And look at the way that he had protected me in front of so many people!I recalled the way that he had helped me by calling me into his office when Gerald had been engaged in an altercation with me. It appeared that Arthur was here to save me again and again.It seemed that I could lay down my armor – the one that I was always hiding behind – and allow him to protect me. He was not just a boss. Arthur was a friend to me now.When I was dumbfounded in amazement, Gerald was frozen too. But I believed that it was for other reasons.A rustle of whispers erupted from the crowd. Everyone here was talking about us.Christina narrowed her eyes at me. “Stop pretending to be innocent,” she spat, “Nobody here is falling for your façade!”“And, you know what?” she took a step closer to me, screaming, “Stop asking Gerald for money!”
ClaireArthur was still shaking his head. I was clammed up against the wall. I could not move a single muscle. Deep inside me, I could feel revulsion, annoyance, and even anger. But, on the surface, all that I could feel was fear.My mind flashed back first to my mother, who had been dismissive of me throughout my life … and then to Agatha. Agatha had belittled, berated, and humiliated me. And what had I ever done? Nothing. Nothing at all.Arthur had been my safe person. I had thought that he would protect me. Every time that I had been in trouble, he had come to my rescue. And now look at what he had done!Why could I not express my rage? Why was I so afraid?“Why are you so afraid, Claire?” Arthur said. Could he read my mind? My throat was dry as sandpaper.“W-what do you mean?” I meekly let out. My voice was a whisper, barely there. But he had heard me.Arthur got up and walked over to the dresser across from me. He leaned against it and folded his hand over his chest.I flinched.
ClaireThis was my first trip abroad since sophomore year when Jenny had taken me along to Italy with her. I had not had a honeymoon and Gerald and I had never taken a vacation. Jennifer had been so excited when I had told her that I was leaving for France.I laughed as I remembered this, settling into my spacious business-class seat. Arthur pulled open the entertainment screen and began browsing a Netflix series to watch during the long flight.“Do you want to watch in sync?” he asked with a smile when he caught me looking at his screen.I shook my head, blushing. “I hadn’t meant to pry,” I said. I was very excited, not just to explore Paris but about the promise and potential that this trip might hold for my career.Despite the scene that Christina had created, one of my new acquaintances from the party that night had shown up at the office with a proposal. Arthur had tabled it for now, but I was glad that my efforts had yielded fruit. It made me feel good about myself.We dug into
ArthurI had no idea that Claire would be so interesting. Gerald was a cold hard business tycoon, not much different than myself. So, I had thought that Claire would be the same.In truth, the only reason that I had paid any attention to her at all in the beginning was because she was Gerald’s wife. I had thought that by learning more about her, I could get a better insight into the way that my business rival’s mind operated.The sole purpose of my life has been to make more money and help other people.“I have seen many men meet their demise,” my father had told me, “because they reveled in their luxury while others around them struggled. It is these kinds of people who are left with no motive in life.”He had been in a hospital bed, an IV plugged into his arm.“My son,” he had whispered, “Never become that way.”He had passed away the next morning. I had been eleven.My father had left me a large empire to begin with but, taking his advice and final wishes to heart, I had always str
ClaireIf I had any trepidations about divorcing Gerald, they had all been discarded after tonight.How could he be so callous? Arthur had gotten injured in front of him … and all he had cared about was his stupid race! The man had no sportsman spirit at all! What he had done was inhumane!Gerald had always been cold and withdrawn towards me. I suppose I may have been like that towards him too sometimes. But I also understood that this was a quality that you needed to possess in order to excel at business.Arthur could be glacial, too. I had witnessed it myself on occasion.But when I had fainted outside a building, he had rushed me to a hospital. And that is what made him better than Gerald.Our taxi pulled up outside the hotel. Arthur pulled out his wallet and handed the driver his fare.When we got out, I tried to help him walk. “I’m fine, Claire! Trust me,” he said, gently pushing me away.“Well, then, I’m at least seeing you to your room,” I replied firmly.He hobbled up the step
GeraldI roared in victory when I reached the end of the pool. Overpowered by testosterone and might, I hauled myself up, splashing water onto the concrete border. I ripped of my goggles and held my arms up. I had won.Surprisingly, no one cheered. I spun around.Huh?Claire was helping Arthur up out of the pool. A lifeguard and a paramedic had already appeared. And the whole crowd was filing towards them from the other side. Everyone looked appalled and concerned.Arthur was coughing and spluttering on the cement floor.“I’m fine, I’m fine,” he repeated, gesturing with his arm for everyone to stay away.Claire’s brows were knitted tight. She appeared so incredibly distressed.“Arthur,” she gasped, “Can you breathe?”Claire was dripping wet from head to toe. I had not even known that she could swim. She had never used the pool at my house.And, yet, she had so determinedly rescued him.She had chosen him over me … without a moment’s hesitation.My shoulders slumped. How could this hap
ClaireI spun my head around. It was Gerald. My jaw fell open. What in God’s name was he doing in France, let alone at this party?Arthur and I straightened up. Oblivious to the dynamic onstage, the crowd continued to cheer and hoot.“Kiss her! Kiss her!” they chanted.An especially jovial young man from the crowd cajoled us further, “Come on, mate!” he shouted at Arthur, “Kiss your girlfriend!”“Yeah!” someone echoed after him, “Give your sweet lady love a kiss?”Arthur smirked a little at lady love.But I was staring wide-eyed at Gerald. Had he really stalked me all the way to France?He was frowning. He looked furious.Without a word, Gerald leaned forward and grabbed my wrist. He began tugging me off-stage.“Hey!” I yelped, “Let go!”I wrestled my wrist out of his grasp but he refused to let go.“You’re hurting me, Gerald!” I squeaked.Gerald narrowed his eyes at me and then looked at me in scorn. “My wife,” he growled, “Is another man’s girlfriend. Did you not think that I needed
ClaireI leaned in close against the mirror, putting on my new chocolate-colored lipstick. Today, I put on a slight sheen over my eyelids, highlighted my waterline in white, and dabbed on a creamy blush.Perfect, I said to myself.I was having brunch with Arthur and Marc. When I arrived at the hotel lobby, Arthur was already standing there. He was wearing a sharp blue business suit. He was holding a leather-bound folder under his arm and glancing around. “How are you feeling?” I asked, smiling at him as I walked up.Arthur’s eyes were glittering in excitement. “Extremely happy,” he smiled warmly back at me.I took a sip of my cappuccino and began buttering my croissant. On the other side of the table, Marc removed his sunshades and placed them on the table. He opened the folder and began flipping through the pages.Arthur gazed eagerly at him.I had not felt this relaxed and comfortable in years. My eyes swelled up with gratitude at Arthur, who had afforded me a paid vacation that wa
ArthurI had no idea that Claire would be so interesting. Gerald was a cold hard business tycoon, not much different than myself. So, I had thought that Claire would be the same.In truth, the only reason that I had paid any attention to her at all in the beginning was because she was Gerald’s wife. I had thought that by learning more about her, I could get a better insight into the way that my business rival’s mind operated.The sole purpose of my life has been to make more money and help other people.“I have seen many men meet their demise,” my father had told me, “because they reveled in their luxury while others around them struggled. It is these kinds of people who are left with no motive in life.”He had been in a hospital bed, an IV plugged into his arm.“My son,” he had whispered, “Never become that way.”He had passed away the next morning. I had been eleven.My father had left me a large empire to begin with but, taking his advice and final wishes to heart, I had always str
ClaireThis was my first trip abroad since sophomore year when Jenny had taken me along to Italy with her. I had not had a honeymoon and Gerald and I had never taken a vacation. Jennifer had been so excited when I had told her that I was leaving for France.I laughed as I remembered this, settling into my spacious business-class seat. Arthur pulled open the entertainment screen and began browsing a Netflix series to watch during the long flight.“Do you want to watch in sync?” he asked with a smile when he caught me looking at his screen.I shook my head, blushing. “I hadn’t meant to pry,” I said. I was very excited, not just to explore Paris but about the promise and potential that this trip might hold for my career.Despite the scene that Christina had created, one of my new acquaintances from the party that night had shown up at the office with a proposal. Arthur had tabled it for now, but I was glad that my efforts had yielded fruit. It made me feel good about myself.We dug into
ClaireArthur was still shaking his head. I was clammed up against the wall. I could not move a single muscle. Deep inside me, I could feel revulsion, annoyance, and even anger. But, on the surface, all that I could feel was fear.My mind flashed back first to my mother, who had been dismissive of me throughout my life … and then to Agatha. Agatha had belittled, berated, and humiliated me. And what had I ever done? Nothing. Nothing at all.Arthur had been my safe person. I had thought that he would protect me. Every time that I had been in trouble, he had come to my rescue. And now look at what he had done!Why could I not express my rage? Why was I so afraid?“Why are you so afraid, Claire?” Arthur said. Could he read my mind? My throat was dry as sandpaper.“W-what do you mean?” I meekly let out. My voice was a whisper, barely there. But he had heard me.Arthur got up and walked over to the dresser across from me. He leaned against it and folded his hand over his chest.I flinched.
ClaireI gazed at Arthur with stunned gratitude. I took in a deep breath of relief.Arthur was a phenomenal human being. He was a generous boss and a gracious person. And look at the way that he had protected me in front of so many people!I recalled the way that he had helped me by calling me into his office when Gerald had been engaged in an altercation with me. It appeared that Arthur was here to save me again and again.It seemed that I could lay down my armor – the one that I was always hiding behind – and allow him to protect me. He was not just a boss. Arthur was a friend to me now.When I was dumbfounded in amazement, Gerald was frozen too. But I believed that it was for other reasons.A rustle of whispers erupted from the crowd. Everyone here was talking about us.Christina narrowed her eyes at me. “Stop pretending to be innocent,” she spat, “Nobody here is falling for your façade!”“And, you know what?” she took a step closer to me, screaming, “Stop asking Gerald for money!”
ClaireChristina exuded elegance and grace as she glided up to us. She was adorned in a glittering silver dress. It fitted her figure perfectly. Her hair cascaded over her shoulders and bounced slightly as she moved.She was supported on one hand with a long wooden cane, which exposed her vulnerability while somehow adding to her strength, and on the other arm with Gerald’s tall frame. He was wearing a stylish black tuxedo of his own, adding only to the visual appeal of their companionship.They were walking slowly, giving Christina enough time to maintain her poise.A part of me wanted for her to have that at least: the grace to attend a party. I felt deeply sorry at the sight of her cane and hoped that she would not have to use it for much longer. Regardless of my personal relationship with her, it had upset me that she would never be able to dance again.It was a fate worse than death to lose something that one was passionate about. And I would not wish it upon anyone, not even the