Because Of Love

Talia pushed herself off the bed, feeling more rested than she had in days-actually, months. That stunned her. She’d had a peaceful sleep, and with no nightmares! That was strange. It felt strange, waking up feeling like jelly and not stiff and sore. Then she remembered how she got in bed and a slight shiver ran through her. That was even stranger.

Rafe had put her to bed and he acted like it was normal. It was like the past few days of tension and fighting hadn’t happened. She tip toed-why, she had no idea-to the door and gently placed her hand on the round rosette door handle that she’d awed over the first time she’d seen it. Everything about the condo, everything about Rafe was quality, expensive and high maintenance. The man was the definition of the finest things in life and she’d wanted him and everything he had, everything that made him, him, especially his love. He loved as fiercely as he did everything else and she basked in it, until his hate, just as fierce robbed her of not only that love but everything she cherished leaving her cold and bereaved.

She pushed the handle down gently and slowly pulled the soundless door open. She could literally feel the seconds tick by as she attempted to sneak out of the bedroom and head towards the living room. She still didn’t understand why she felt the need to move around like a cat burglar in her own condo-well, Rafe’s condo, that he’d given to her for the duration of her stay.

Well, actually she knew. She was scared of running into Rafe. Not scared scared, just… apprehensive. He’d always been able to put her on edge and this different him definitely made her more antsy than normal. Worse, it brought up memories and feelings she’d packed away a long time ago and intended to keep it that way for an even longer time. She needed them to stay in that box, in that dark corner she’d shoved them into and never see the light of day again.© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

But this him was threatening that resolve. What had happened to him in those few hours between the office when she and Carrie had left and the moment he came to the condo that made him different? She stepped out of the room and paused when the realization hit her. It must be that damn secret nobody wanted to tell her! Something was there. Something big enough to turn Rafe almost docile-like a sunbathing uncaring tiger. No one would be silly enough to compare him to the harmless submissive kind of cats. His caring behavior reminded her of how he used to be before vengeful Rafe entered the building.

She fisted her hands, closed her eyes tight and shook her head to dispel those creeping thoughts. No, no no! Stay in the corner, remain in your box. You are not coming out!

With a deep breath and her emotions in better control, she took the last step out of the bedroom and into the dim hallway, lit by floor lights. What time was it anyway? It must be in the middle of the night or early morning of the next day, so there was no way he was still here. She thought about calling out for Carrie, but she wouldn’t be amused about being woken up in the dead of the night. Beauty sleep was everything to her! Talia rolled her eyes at the motto.

She exited the hallway by turning to the left and entering the open space that made up the kitchen, and a little further out the living room. The corner lights were on. Good. When she’d first arrived, she’d been relieved to see them. She’d been afraid to fall asleep in the dark for some time after the breakup but then, she didn’t want to give into the fear. At home she would leave the corridor light on and the door ajar. Here, at the condo, the corner lights in each room were a great compromise. She didn’t feel too much like a whoose.

Just when she was about to relax, she saw it then.

“Oh come one!” she whined under her breath, wishing she’d never ventured out of her room.

There was something on the couch! It was moving. Was someone seated there?

“What are you doing, skulking around?”

Talia jumped with a yelp, one hand pressed to her chest, the other to the lower curve of her belly. “Rafe?”

“Si.” His gruff voice responded.

Talia started again towards the couch, rubbing her chest to sooth her racing heart.

“What the hell is wrong with you! You don’t do that to a pregnant woman!” then she moved that hand calming her heart to her belly, rubbing both hands in circular motions. She worried for a moment the saying ‘scaring the baby out of me’ may just happen.

“Mi scusi” he mumbled, his voice rough, with a short wave of his raised hand.

Something wasn’t right. Rafe sounded off. She rounded the couch and came to stand before him, the low black coffee table between them.

Oh my… she thought, locking her fingers together under her belly, curbing her immediate need to go to him. He looked disheveled and judging by the almost empty whisky bottle on the table, he was well into his cups.

“Rafe, what’s wrong?” she asked instead.

From his slouched position on the couch, he shifted himself just enough to allow his head to rest on the back rest so his face was turned to the ceiling. His arms lay lamely at his sides, his black suit clad thighs fallen apart, one leading to a bent knee and bare foot and the other stretched out and under the table. His shirt was open to the mid of his abdomen exposing reflecting streams that started at the top of his chest, over his chiseled abs and disappeared under his shirt. If he wasn’t in such a sorry state, he would be attractive enough to forget everything that had gone wrong between then and jump him.