Chapter 6

ARTHUR —

-

Eleanor's gaze meets mine, and for a fleeting instant, time stands still.

I arch an eyebrow, a hint of amusement dancing on my lips.

Cradled in my arms, she exudes a subtle sweetness, her delicate fragrance intoxicating.

The way she nestles into my embrace, fitting seamlessly against me, is utterly captivating.

“You’re quite the clingy one aren’t you, waking up and holding me so dearly like this,” I tease, kissing my teeth and shaking my head.

I watch Eleanor’s face heat up. She wiggles her body and breaks our contact.

“Are you crazy?” I notice her cheeks are crimson.

She hastily pulls her night dress to cover the rest of her body, her gaze scattering around the room before she turns to me and sneers.

“Shut up!” Her voice comes out barely audible, but instead of anger like she is trying to instigate, it comes out flustered.

I secretly smile to myself as she walks away to get properly dressed.

I adore this side of her, this shy and flustered side of her that is new to me. Eleanor is always so calm and composed it’s hard to make her flustered. I’m glad we winded up in each other's arms last night.

But at what cost? Last night I woke up thanks to Eleanor’s tossing and turning. I could instantly tell she was having a nightmare. So I did what any sane man would do.

I reached out, pulled her in a hug, and patted her softly until she was calm and stopped panting.

But then she called out the name “Leon”

A name that seems to put every one of my working limbs in a forced position.

I can't remember how many times it has happened, Eleanor always calls this name in her sleep.

Just how much did she love whoever this Leon is? I’ve investigated with all sweat and blood, picking on every nook and cranny of the earth to search for this Leon but all effort has been futile.

Eleanor comes out fully dressed and ready to leave.

I sit up

“You’re leaving,” I acknowledge. “I’ll come pick you up after my work ends?” I say.

“No” she shakes her head way too fast. “You don’t have to, I’ll be heading to work”

I gawk at her, astonished.

“Work? Since when do you work?” I ask.

“Since now” she tucks her auburn hair behind her ear as she picks up a few of her belongings from the cabinet beside her. “The music school I previously used to work at contacted me to continue teaching.” She says without batting an eye at my direction.

Right.

Eleanor used to be a piano lesson teacher, she was so good at it, but that path stopped for her the minute we tied the knot and started living together.

One of her charms that has always captivated me is the way she plays the piano - sweetly and elegantly. I've always been enchanted by the way her fingers dance across the keys, creating melodies that are both soothing and uplifting. Watching her play has been a source of joy for me, a pleasure I've savored in the past and still appreciate to this day.

I clear my throat.

“Well is that why you’re hurrying to get to work, if it is that hectic, you can quit. If it’s money you’re aiming for, I can give it to you, you don’t have to wear yourself down. Let me help you with this,” I propose.

I watch Eleanor’s face morph into anger.

She glowers at me.

“I don’t need your money” she seethes “It’s not about money! You would know that if you care,”

I make a shift on the bed.

I truly don’t understand.

I am trying to be considerate. I worry about Eleanor a lot.

I don’t want to see her strain that body one bit.

“Alright, I’m sorry for offering that. I’ll just take you to work instead,” I start to get on my feet.

My stomach drops when she starts to shake her head again.

“You don’t have to” her voice is calm.

Finally, she meets my eyes.

“And besides you have to go and help Brianna right? I won’t want to take your precious time.” With that, she swiftly grabs her belongings and exits, leaving me momentarily speechless.

I sit there in solitude, my emotions getting the best of me.

My phone pings and my attention is redirected to my phone, squeezed into the sheets around the bedhead.

I pick up the phone and see it is a message from Brianna, one that says:

—Arthur can you accompany me to the hospital for discharge procedures, I don’t feel too good on my own”

I sigh and put my phone down. This is not how I want to spend my day.

Not with Brianna to be precise.

Brianna and I go a long way, we were in a romantic relationship for four years, one that was rocky a bit but was still steady. But bygones are indeed bygones because that was four years ago and I do not harbor the same feelings I once had for her.

And now that she’s back in the country with no one close to her, no friend, no family, with a heart disease getting severe, it’s only right that I become chivalrous. Before we were lovers we were also friends.

But I do not need to become her entourage, not now, or when I’m still feeling soggy over Eleanor’s words.

I pull my phone again and text a reply:

—I am very busy today. I have a business dinner happening, but don’t worry I’ll ask my assistant to get through the procedures with you”

-

The sun has dipped in the horizon, the stained yellow evening sky shows nothing more than night drawing nearer.

My thoughts have also wandered to the horizon, enchanted by the elegant wine bottles arranged before me.

What was meant to be a straightforward business meeting for closing deals has taken an unexpected turn, and now it seems these gentlemen are intent on indulging me to excess. I’m feeling a bit lightheaded right now.

As I stepped out of the hotel where the meeting was held, my driver, Simon, promptly hurries to open the car door for me. I step into the car, and he takes the wheel, driving me home with a sense of ease and subtlety.

I get home and make my way into the empty home.

Surely Eleanor must be home.

Why does everything feel hazy?

I try not to lose my balance as I make it up the stairs.

“Eleanor?” I call out, my voice is hoarse and weak.

“El” I call again, reaching the last flight of stairs.

I get no reply, so I make my way to our bedroom.

“Eleanor!” I continue to yell.

Surprisingly the bedroom is empty.

“Eleanor,” I call again at the top of my lungs and wait for a reply. And then I call her name again and again…

I lay on the bed and gather my breath, briefly closing my eyes.

“Arthur?” A familiar feminine voice shoots through the air and I open my eyes.

Eleanor?

I turn to the open door and there I see Brianna walking into my bedroom.

I feel my face fall.

I force myself to sit up.

“What are you doing here?” My voice comes out in a harsh slur.

Her steps slow down, but she gets to me eventually.

“Arthur,” she calls again, softly.

“I just asked, what are you doing here?” I press.

She shrugs

“I missed you and decided to come see you. You didn’t show up at all today”

I sigh and look away.

“I did send my assistant”

“Yes but Liam isn’t youyou look like you’re less busy now. So is it okay to accompany me?” She asks almost quietly.

“I’m drunk Brianna, I can’t” my words are sharp. “Just leave”

I shut my eyes.

Suddenly, a sob bursts forth. I open my eyes to find Brianna weeping uncontrollably, tears streaming down her face like a torrent. I sit up straight, taken aback.

I sit properly.

“What is this?” I ask.

She sniffs.

“I never wanted this between us Arthur”

I stare at her, not saying a word because I don’t know what to say.

What is she on about?

"I despise the distance between us, this invisible line that separates us. It was never my choice to leave you four years ago. My mother was the one who orchestrated our separation, not me. Every moment I spent abroad, my heart ached with longing for you, Arthur. I missed you with every fiber of my being.” she cries, basically wailing.

I can feel my insides boiling as I stare at her.

I let out a frustrated sigh, my patience wearing thin. “Brianna, you should leave. I’m not divorced yet, and it’s not right for us to be alone together like this.” My voice is firm, but she doesn’t budge.

Instead, she steps closer. Before I can react, she leans in and presses her lips against mine.

I stiffen, hands coming up to push her away, but for some reason, I can’t find the strength. My body feels heavy, my mind clouded thanks to my intoxication.

Then, the door creaks open.

My stomach drops as I turn my head.

standing there by the door and looking at us is Eleanor.

—*