"You will have to carry me along with my past." [Riley]
.....
"Great. Also, I am inviting my friend over to our home tomorrow. Will you be okay with that?"
"Yeah, I would love to meet your friends."
he finally replied to her, looking straight into her eyes, trying to read the words she couldn't say trying to find the slightest glimpse of love.
It was the first time she was inviting her friends to meet him. 'Is it because she is accepting me?'
But as always he couldn't decipher her emotions. Silence unbearable silence. For a few moments, no one spoke, and then she made another attempt.
"The Good news that I wanted to tell you is that my best friend is alive."
"Huh? What do you mean? Who is your best friend?"
"Do you Remember Mindy, two days ago when I returned home I was in an awful mood?"
"Yeah. I think you said it's because you saw someone."
"Yeah. Exactly I am talking about him
"You can never regret loving someone. You regret what they do to you." [Christian]....Morning came and Riley tried to cheer up. She lifted her head to look at the window as she heard the squeals of laughter coming from outside. It's a sunny morning. She watched as the small plants on the side of the road swayed to the mild breeze. There at the center, a few kids were playing hide n seek. Two of them laughed out loud when one was caught. Last night she waited for him to be back, but he never returned. She never thought she will miss him the way she did in his absence. In her mind, their times together played as a cassette tape that was on a rewind mode whenever she tried to fall asleep. The dark circles on her eyes reminded her of a sleepless night. She tried to cheer up to fake her emotions. 'Why do I feel like I am escaping something.''You are not just feeling it, you are doing it, Riley.'The ringing of a phone caught her attention as she leap
"Love for me is all about attachment and standing for her when she couldn't do it for herself."[Christian].....Amidst the silence, their breath mingled. First few minutes they just looked at each other without saying anything.She noticed her body rubbing against his just like how shoes rub against the floor. Despite their awkward position she looked down at him. Remembering last night he was wearing something else when he left home. However, now he was wearing a pair of denim blue jeans and a decent black t-shirt. He moved his arms which resulted in showcasing his biceps. She didn't know if it was intentional or not. But she seemed to gulp as he flexed his muscles again. 'It's pure torture. Ah.''You are lusting over him, Riley Brown.''No, I am not.''Yes, you are.''I bet you want to feel those muscles of him.'His hot body made her gulp again as she tried to move only to find his t-shirt rode up to his upper abdomen. And
"The unplanned questions sometimes give us hope. While soothing our soul at the same time." [Chrisitian].....'Isn't our marriage just a deal for her? Then why is she so interested in where I go?'Realizing her question was a little abrupt, Riley tried to tone down her voice and question."I mean, I was really worried about you Mindy. Why did you leave without informing me?""My boss called me last night, it was urgent and I forgot to tell you. I hope you won't mind?"'Why wouldn't I? You left me alone here.' She wanted to shout at him with the same words. But she knew it will further lead to another argument. And since it was because of work and not her. She was a little grateful. Because she did not want to hurt him. Although she wasn't exactly satisfied She couldn't possibly say anything harsh words to him. 'It's not like you are his real wife.''As if I didn't know that. Thank you, my dear head for informing me.''Glad.'
"The thought of her childhood sweetheart not loving her kept me shamefully happy." [Christian]....After hanging up, Riley forgot about her confused feelings for Mindy. Instead, she made a list of grocery items containing Stuart's favorite dishes items. After changing clothes, she left home for the supermarket. She needed to make sure of three things. For starters, she thought of preparing Gnocchi, with mildly sweet butternut squash, crunchy hazelnuts, maitake mushrooms, and pickled chilies. And bagels.For the main course, she had decided upon a Shawarma platter with hot red sauce dressing. Since he was always a spicy food lover.And Ropa Vieja and plantains, for which she needed to have beef, chilies, and peppers. It was a dish Stuart's late grandmother had loved and made her learn. She could still recall how she used to explain its meaning to her every time Riley went to their home to dine."Come here Riley, I will tell you what Ropa Vieja and plant
"Love creates jealousy. And the weight of jealousy adds extra desire. Desire to have her in every way."....He reached a door where a beautiful hand-painted nameplate stood intact under the shade, which read "Mindy and Riley's home." And he traced those written letters for he knew it was her handwriting. There was a small beautiful red heart painted between their name. Which pierced his heart. It increased his feeling of insecurity for the man he hasn't met.The name that might have been with his name. The name that might have been on his house nameplate. But destiny chose otherwise. For a second he wished he could go in the past just to see how she would have reacted if he had proposed to her for marriage.Taking a deep breath to calm his nerves he pressed the doorbell waiting for someone to open the door.As the door opened, A man of 6 feet 2 inches Brown hair falling over brown eyes in
"Remember the finest love comes from the most painful experiences. And it will make you grateful for the wait." [Christian]....After meeting her husband, Stuart realized one thing. Which he was sure of. He can't be an underprivileged man. No miserable man can match his stare. The way he did. Not even for a moment, he had tried to evade eye contact with him. Which was strange evaluating his reality. Even if someone did, they wouldn't be as confident as he was. 'The energy that is radiating off from his persona is too extraordinary to be a beggar. 'Who are you Mendicant? Why do I feel I saw you somewhere? Where did I saw you?'"Stuty pooh."'No response.'Riley placed the glass of water on the table, hurriedly, and nudged him. "Hey, Georgie where are you lost? I have been calling you for the last 5 minutes."Smiling sheepishly he rubbed his neck, "I was thinking about some important things."
"Most people who forget you in front of their loved ones can not defend themselves with words irrespective of their actions. And they shouldn't too." [Christian].....Seeing the frustration in his eyes, Christian was satisfied with himself. 'Serves you right. To think you can compete with me.'Stuart wanted to shake some sense into her. What the fuck did she do?' He watched as her husband held a glass of water. Drinking in small sips. As if he was trying to hide his smirk. He felt he was making fun of the words he said earlier. Stuart calmed down. For he knew if what the man had said was true. He will have to talk to him with the utmost respect. Because he won't get anything by dishonoring him. "Oh. Call me Stuart Buddy. You are being too polite."Christian noticed his change of tone. And he was proud to change his rude behavior without doing anything rash"Okay, S
"Love scares you like melted chocolate. Which can melt if you didn't pay attention to it. If you left it without care. Yet it tastes as sweet as it when you are filled with it. Releasing happy hormones."......After that, they ate in silence. Nobody spoke. And Christian finally managed to calm himself down.Riley looked at him from sideways. He ate quietly with one hand while the other one was placed on his thigh. Without any expression. Just the voice of cutlery rang in the silence.Despite her inability to comprehend his expressionless face, she knew he was hurt. If not hurt then at least insulted. She shook off the weird feeling and resumed eating.Steadily Stuart looked up at them. His eyes narrowing at their behavior. He could understand the struggler's emotions but why Riley was sad? It made no sense to him. Why? Why Riley Brown? I'll deal with whatever it is between you and him later. For now, let me just e