After a steamy morning of intense sex, Alicia Martinez was drenched in sweat.
Her husband Louis did not, as usual, go take a shower. Instead, he turned around and gave her a passionate back hug. Following the rhythm of their heavy breathing, he thrust his semi-erect shaft deeply into Alicia's creamy pie.
His scorching privates seemed capable of dissolving Alicia completely. For the first time in their three years of marriage, she felt truly loved by Louis as he wrapped his arms around her. This made her both surprised and a little sad.
Alicia's heart was pounding like a rabbit in her chest. She swung around, embraced him tightly, and pushed him further into her body as she spread her legs. She met his gaze, a tired but loving smile plastered across her face as if she'd just hugged her whole world.
Louis let go of Alicia after a long hug, put on his clothes, and sat up. Then he reached for a pack of cigarettes from the drawer, shook one out with practiced ease, lit it, and inhaled deeply. His heroic and handsome face was obscured by lingering white smoke, making it impossible to read his expression or read his thoughts. His fingers were getting burned on the cigarette, but he didn't seem to care.
Alicia coughed lightly, "Didn't you quit smoking long ago?"
Louis put out his cigarette and stared into Alicia's eyes for several seconds before breaking the silence with, "Alicia, let's split up."
His words came out of nowhere and completely floored Alicia. It took her a while to calm down, but once she had, her emotions were still distant and freezing cold. Her face pale, she looked at him and asked in a trembling voice, "Did I do something wrong?"
"No," Louis answered coldly.
"Then why do we have to separate?" Alicia asked.
Louis let out a sigh and looked helpless. "I'm sorry, but Maddie's back."
Madelyn Monroe, that's Louis's old flame. Thinking of that was as if a knife were being held to Alicia's heart. For three years, they were each other's rock, but when Madelyn came back, they were unable to overcome her. I guess I made a big mistake when I picked Louis, because he clearly doesn't love me.
Alicia bit her lip and froze up from her confusion, despair, and numbness. She dressed herself and prepared to leave, but her movements were shaky. When Louis saw that she was leaving, he put his hand on her shoulder and whispered, "Where are you going?"
Struggling to hold back her tears, Alicia replied, "To make breakfast."
"You've done that too much for me before. How about letting me do it for you today? Just tuck in and take a snooze," said Louis, his booming voice sounding so gentle.
Alicia agreed, then she laid down and hid her wet eyes under the covers. As soon as Louis left, she jumped out of bed and ran to the bathroom, where she finally broke down and cried. Her tears fell like shattered beads from a broken necklace, and she had no way to stop them. I had no idea that loving someone would cause pain like this; losing him feels like a chunk of my heart had been cut out.
Alicia leaned against the wall, shivering with sobs, unable to keep her balance in the face of such excruciating pain. She hadn't noticed how much time had passed until Louis yelled for her to join him for breakfast. She made a noise in response, repeatedly splashed cold water on her face, but the redness in her eyes persisted, as if they were filled with warm blood.
Louis was patiently waiting for her in the dining room when she came down. He was dressed to impress in an expensive suit that fit him perfectly; his long, straight legs were on display in the dark pants he wore. A dazzling brilliance emanated from every inch of his exquisitely groomed body.
Louis leaned forward ever-so-slightly as Alicia tiptoed to the table and sat down in silence, and he gazed lovingly into her ruby eyes. "Did you cry?" He asked.
Alicia raised her eyes and smiled at him despite herself. "I got face wash in my eyes while washing. It's OK; I'll be fine in a bit."
"Watch out for the next time. Now let's break bread together," Louis said as he took a seat next to Alicia, setting the cutlery and silverware in front of her. Alicia watched as his slender fingers ran over the shiny tableware.
The smell of breakfast wafted through the air, but neither of them broke their fast. This was the saddest meal that Alicia had ever had. After half an hour, the dishes were still there.
Alicia put down her fork and whispered, "I'm going to pack my things," as she leaned on the edge of the table for support.
Louis tightened his grip on his fork, saying, "You don't have to rush."
Alicia smiled wryly. "We've already broken up. If I don't leave soon, someone will kick me out."
She then flipped around and headed for the upper floors, packing her belongings into her suitcase as she went. It took her a while, but she finally got everything in the suitcase and closed the zippers before dragging them down the stairs. Louis reached out to meet her halfway, taking the suitcase from her hands and saying, "Let me help you."
"It's OK," Alicia said, grabbing the suitcase and walking out. Her heart swelled with emotion as she made her way across the yard and took one last look at the cherished trees and flowers. Could these plants feel my pain? she pondered. I had hoped that the passage of three years would help us grow closer, but alas, I was the only one who noticed any change. Despite our shared passion and closeness, which I cherished with all my being, I can no longer be with him. So now is the time to let go.
They were just walking through the front gate when they saw the car waiting for her. Before Alicia got in, Louis handed her a check and said, "Thank you for the past three years."
Alicia stood there firmly, not sure if she should take the check or not. She hesitated, but before she could make up her mind, Louis shoved it into her suitcase and said, "Take it; you'll need it for many things in the future."
Alicia responded with a flat, "Uh-huh." She raised her chin and gazed longingly at his kissable lips, chiseled nose, and piercing blue eyes.
Their bodies on the bed flooded her mind. Back then, he was frowning because of the sore in his lower abdomen, but his bright eyes still penetrated hers. At that instant, they were inseparable, but he had now forced distance between them, leaving Alicia feeling broken and unable to speak of her anguish.
Alicia sighed. I hope that one day I can overcome my feelings for him and move on. In three years, perhaps? Or even a decade? Or maybe right before I die. It only takes a moment to fall in love, but it could take a lifetime to forget.
Louis stared at Alicia for a second before suddenly enveloping her in his arms. Although his expression was neutral, he was clearly experiencing strong feelings. He mumbled, "It won't be easy to be on your own, so if you're having trouble, don't hesitate to call me."
Alicia bit back the tears she wanted to shed and replied, "OK."
Louis continued, "I wasn't in great health the past two years and had a bad temper. Sorry you had to go through all that."
"No worries," Alicia shook her head and answered.
"Just take care, OK?" said Louis.
"You too," Alicia said, slowly raising her hand to embrace him. It was as if she knew she was going to lose him for good. The next second, she pushed him away and let go. Alicia wiped her face, snatched her bags, and prepared to leave. She was about to close the car door when Louis suddenly asked, "Who's Chuck?"
Alicia's heart skipped a beat, and her hand hesitated on the car door.
Her sadness washed over her as memories flooded her mind.
"He means a lot to you, doesn't he?" Louis added. "Sorry I kept you apart for three years. I wish you happiness."