Love Stories ~ shorts :)

Love in a story of Hate

He slams the door shut behind him, but that wasn't necessarily what startled me. What came next surprised me more.

He locks the door, and I see his eyes are glazed over. With sadness? Anger? I couldn't tell. Though he is a readable man, in this moment, it was as if his mind and soul were elsewhere, tucked away in the back of his being. I tug at the collar of my dress, the room suddenly becoming hot. 

But I realised far too late that the temperature was a warning.

However, I was too invested in my own ruin to see that. "What on Earth are you doing here?" I hissed as he approached. "We cannot see each other. Are you intentionally doing this to celebrate the destruction of my reputation, the one I worked so hard to form after-"

But he stops me. He stops me by grabbing my shoulders firmly with his rough, calloused hands, and pressing his lips to mine. The gasp that escaped my mouth was soon silenced by the wave of adrenaline that washed over me. I pressed further into the kiss, feeling that ache in my body slowly evaporate, and I realise that as much as I had denied it, I wanted him all this time.

And now, I have all of him here.

Almost all of him.

Again, the ache returns as I force myself away from him, yet I cannot muster the strength to free myself from his arms. I stare at him with wild eyes, searching for something - anything - that would give a hint of an upcoming explanation. But this man, one I had known inside and out, was now anything but predictable. It scared me how I didn't recognise him anymore.

But, I ponder in the moments of intense silence, did I only ever choose to know him? Did I really know him at all?

I watch as he collects his thoughts, not once breaking eye contact. His gaze breaks me, violates the inner depths of my soul. Then, he speaks, "What are you so afraid of?"

My breath is shaky as I exhale. I find it hard to breathe. He tucks a loose strand of hair behind my ear. His touch is cool against my cheek, and I dare not to look away from the icy eyes that bore into me.

"Tell me," he whispers, "so that I may understand."

But you will never understand.

In silence, I step away. This time, he lets me, only his expression twists into a confused countenance. I break eye contact when I answer, unable to look at him. "I want an explanation."

"I beg your pardon?" he said.

"Only you would dare to trap me in a room, and attempt these..." I waved a lazy hand at him, "enchantments."

At first, I cannot bring myself to look at him. When I do, he only looks glum. "You're right."

I almost fall over in sheer disbelief. "Excuse me?"

"I said you're right," he repeats. "Don't adjust to it. This is the last time you'll ever hear those words come from my mouth."

I cross my arms. "And now," I say, pacing the room, "I'll never live it down."

He ignored this. "It is wrong of me. Wrong of us, to be wanting this."

"Do not assume-"

"That you do not want me? Not even a mere bit?" He interrupts. When I don't react, he scoffs. "Lorianne. If you did not want me, then why did you kiss me back?"

"And that is what I am afraid of," I murmur.

"You are afraid of lust?" he continues.

No, I am not afraid of wanting you. I am afraid to love you.