Forgetting You

CHAPTER TWO

ALI

I squint my eyes, I can see her; still dressed in that sexy red dress that compliments her body so damn well. Her slender figurine hovers over me, and I'm seeing her again, naked in front of me. Her well proportioned breasts, the slight curve of her stomach and her smooth thighs. I want to touch her, I put my hand out but there's nothing to touch.

She's not there.

I yawn, kicking off the duvet, it stinks of heavy perfume. The whole room irritates me and I'm itching to get away. I hear the waters switching off in the shower, and I reach out to the floor to find my stupid jeans. I hop into them and suddenly regret sleeping with Claire when she comes out the shower in MY t-shirt.

For fuck's sake.

'Wanna stay for a bit longer?' She's leans on the bathroom door , the shirt reaches her mid thighs and I can see the bones protruding out her skinny legs. I hope she loses her balance and falls. Her blonde hair is slick and damp and her face looks terrible without the heaps of makeup she slaps on.

I don't even know why I still sleep with her.

'Would you please take that off, I need my shirt back.' I'm growing impatient by the second, it's already half six, by eight Sarah will be eating her breakfast and I dread not seeing her before she leaves the mansion.

In the mornings she's happy, her face is fresh, she's energetic and hopeful. She leaves for her workshop everyday at 9. I know this because I sit in my car waiting, until I see her coming out, shoulders back, her long, pitch black hair parted to one side. She would be wearing black - her favourite colour.

My mind travels to last night and I remember something. It was the way she acted last night. She allowed me to touch her. Was she feeling it too? Did she feel anything for me?

I look up at the woman in front of me.

Fuck this.

I shove my trainers on, and walk out her room. She's chasing after me now, shocked that I'd leave half naked. The doors to the garden are opened, the fresh smell of dewy grass hits me and I can finally breathe at last.

'People are going to start talking.' She's shouting by now at the top of the stairs. Like I could give a fuck, it was her problem not mine. I motion to the doorman with my hand and I fish my jean pockets for the car keys. I don't look back at her, not even once.

***

My cell rings aloud, once, twice, thrice. The sound irritates me and I feel like smashing it against a wall. It might be Claire, and I couldn't give a shit. I rush into the mansion, Jeffery startled, gives me the one glance over and a look of disappointment. I smile.

He'd been loyal to my family for the past 12 years, I remember him since I was a kid. He'd play with me when Dad was supposedly out on business trips. I didn't consider him a doorman, he was more like family to me. Besides, he knew all our families dirty secrets yet he didn't hold me accountable for it and I was glad.

The maids are setting up the patio for us, Sarah's no where in sight and I sigh a breath of relief. She must be sleeping still, but that's unlike her. I walk into our bedroom and the curtains are still closed. She's sitting up, her back facing me and I halt in my tracks. I can't feel my limbs, I can't move even if I wanted to. She always does this to me yet she has no clue. She notices I'm at the doorway and she pulls her beige night gown over her shoulders. It's see through, and I can still see the small of her back.

I take a few steps towards the bed, I'm lost in her scent. The whole room smells of her and I inhale to take it all in.

She senses me and her back tenses, I move away.

'Would you wait a few minutes for me, for breakfast?' I can sense a pleading in my voice but I quickly clear my throat hoping she wouldn't notice.

'Ali, I'm always loyal to our breakfasts'.' The slight playfulness in her voice makes my day, I feel relaxed and at ease. My shoulders relax and suddenly I can feel the cold air hit my naked chest.

I laugh and I feel better.

Much better than how I felt at my parents anniversary.

***

I come out the shower, and start fitting on my work trousers. Sarah's by the window, dressed in a black polo neck midi dress and boots. She's leaning on the window rail, chewing on a few nuts. If black didn't look so good on her, I'd think she was going to a funeral. I pull on a dark grey polo neck, maybe we could match today.

'By the way, your  phones been going off the whole time you were in the shower.' She turns slightly and walks around the room.

'Jealous, hm?' I speak too soon, I look for any expression on her face but I don't find any. She stares at me blankly. 

I pick up my phone, browsing the missed calls and messages. When I look up, Sarah's already by the stairs.

Claire 08:04
Claire 08:00
Claire 07:57
Claire 07:49
Claire 07:30

I get bored but as soon as I'm about to toss my phone into my jacket pocket, I notice two missed calls from a number I don't recognise.

I check my messages in case they've sent any.

+447562304799

Hey Ali,

How's it going?

I've got a new number since I've moved into the area over here. I got bored in Canada, nothing beats a good guys time at the bar here in London. I've thought about your offer and well why not?

Let's talk about it over dinner, just get back to me with a time.

Bring along your wife aswell, Cathy's going on about meeting her.

Get back to me soon.

Adam.