Tainted

La fine

Her palms were sweating.

Causing her to constantly dry them on the hem of her green romper as she fidgeted in place.

Her lover stood shirtless in slacked dress pants with an undone belt at the other side of the bedroom, his tattoos contracting on his skin with each movement of his hands as he shuffled the stack of cds in between his fingers.

Marvin Gaye or Barry Manilow?

The phone to her ear rang, her eyes roaming around the grand bedroom before settling on her daunting inamorato, tranquility simmered through her.

"Hello"?

"Axel"?

She stood on both feet at the sound his voice.

"Capri"?

"Oh god, hi"?

"Hi? What the fuck"!

She winced at his harsh tone.

Mateo turned to look at her, a questioning look etched on his face as he pondered whatever Axel was saying on the other end.

"Put it on speaker". He demanded.

"No, go away".

Capri ran towards the bathroom, locking herself in before a heavy sigh escaped her lips as she leaned on the door.

"I'm calling you from a burner phone, this is only a one time call and you know who said I have about ten minutes".

"Oh"

"I'm sorry".

"No, don't be, Tony told me you're safe, that's all that matters".

Another sigh left her lips, this time of relief before a grin appeared on her face.

"I'm happy Axel, I love him and he's better, he's doing better, for me".

Axel smiled from the other end, happy to hear such soothing words, enough to know she was better than just safe.

"That's love, you found it, you found love".

She eagerly nodded, silence engulfing the call before Axel spoke again.

"I'm happy for you, I'll always miss you and I'm sad I didn't get to say goodbye"

Capri felt herself grow with sorrow.

"It was very sudden, I found out about everything when I got here, let's say I didn't come here willingly".

He chuckled, not surprised at Mateo's ways of getting what he wanted.

"I understand".

"I'll always keep you in my heart Axel, I love you forever".

"Is this goodbye"?

She nodded as if he could see her at that very moment.

"It is". She whispered, tears falling down her face as she sniffled.

"I cherish every moment we had together, have many babies and name three after me".

She laughed, her best friend following along before she jerked at the loud knock from behind the door.

"Ok, I have to go, I miss you, thank you...for everything".

"No, thank you".

They smiled to themselves, each one on the other side of the world as heartfelt memories raced through them.