Sadly, we were left with the usual aftermath of a successful dinner party. After Enid and Harriet had cleared the dining room, Mason and I were left to clean up.
Standing in front of the kitchen sink, there were dirty dishes everywhere you looked. Then and there, I understood why Enid had chosen to cook. Sighing, I kicked off my sandals and slipped on an apron. It was time to get my hands dirty.
" What would you like to do?" The question made me turn around and watched him as he closed the distance between us.
" I don't mind," I rasped and cleared my throat," We can fill up the dishwasher, and do the rest by hand," I suggested as I began rinsing the plates one by one.
"Sounds like a good plan," He hummed as he slipped an apron on, and began clearing the trolleys onto the counter.
" Who is Koreen?" That question was seared into my brain.
" It's a long story, but since we will be stuck here for a while. I guess, now is as good as any," He said a little offhandedly. His answer took me by surprise, but the silence that followed made me curious.
" I met Marie and Landore ten years ago. I was about your age and determined to make it into the business world. It wasn't an easy task, since all I had was ideas and no money.
I had a few investors lined up but it wasn't sufficient to start what I had in mind," He sighed, and leaned against the counter," Koreen is...was their daughter, and my wife," I froze and dropped the plate in my hand, and didn't even flinch at the loud clatter of the plate breaking. Married? I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Oh, dear god.
" Koreen passed away, ten years ago today," He broke the heavy silence. I was left mute. Mason was a widower. His demeanour had completely changed while he reminisced on the events.
" She was terminally ill when we got married. When I approached Landore, he made me an offer. He would give me all the money I needed if I fulfilled Koreen's final wish. And that was to get married. Our marriage was short, and not a conventional one. She passed away two weeks later, and I watched her happen as she gave her final breath. I never felt more powerless in my entire life," I felt the tug on my heartstrings at the sorrow in his voice and expression. My heart ached for him like never before.
I reached my hand to touch him in a pitiful attempt to comfort him, but I hugged it to my chest when he raised his head to look at me.
I swallowed the knot lodged in my throat trying to find the right words of comfort. I didn't have any.
" She was a wonderful woman. In spite of the fact, she had spent most of her life living in pain. She always saw the best in everything and everyone," He added, bitterly smiling, unfolding his arms, and letting them drop at his side.
" Did you love her?" My mouth gained a mind of its own, and I heard myself ask that question as if it was a dream.
" I'm sorry," I said covering my mouth, and that gesture garnered me an inward chuckle from him.
" You could say that," He sighed as he pushed himself off the counter, and began busying himself with the dishes.
" We should get this done and go to bed," He casually said and began washing the dishes, as if nothing happened.
" Sure, " I whispered, even though I wanted to know more, I refrained from asking more questions on the matter.
The silence that settled between us was different from anything I had experienced before with him. However, I couldn't stop trying to imagine, Mason married. No matter how hard I tried to conjure up an image, or a semblance of something similar, for the life of me, I couldn't.
Wiping my hands on the already soaking wet towel, I sighed relieved when everything was back in its place, even though we still had a load in the dishwasher.
" We should go to bed," He said as he pulled his apron over his head, and looked down at his wet shirt stuck to his stomach. At the rising heat in my cheeks, I closed my eyes to stop my thoughts from going astray. I knew what was concealed underneath that blue shirt and black trousers. It had been once mine.
" Yes, we should," I said as I opened my eyes, and turned on my heels to make my way out of the kitchen. No matter how hard I tried to stay away from him, I had no such luck.
The sound of his footsteps behind me spurred me to go faster.
" Good night, Lily," I heard him say as I slipped into my bedroom, and closed the door behind at an incredible speed.
" Alone, at last," I breathed out the words, leaning against the door.
It took me a hot minute to recover myself, while I pondered on the events that occurred during dinner. The fact that he'd shared an intimate aspect of his life with me, made me smile. If only it had happened under different circumstances.
Slowly, I began shedding the paisley dress and slipped into my pyjamas. It had been an eventful day, and I needed to put my head down.