LOST LOVE

ALONE

**Next Day**

Another morning arrived quickly. The alarm rang as usual. The clock on the nightstand showed 5:00 a.m. It was a typical day in Catherine's life with nothing special on the horizon. She wasn't expecting anything new.

Catherine slowly opened her eyes. Looking at the empty side of the bed, she felt a pang of disappointment. It was a familiar scene, but the same feeling of emptiness flooded her mind. The other side of the bed was empty. She sat at the edge of the bed, reminiscing about their golden days. Back then, she had to push him out of the room because he was so glued to her. But now, he rarely came home. He hadn't come back last night.

*POV of Catherine*

My mind raced. My feelings are hard to explain. I am worried about James—about his health. I'm not being selfish. I know it's not easy to be the head of a company. I don't expect him to sit with me all the time, but I wish he would at least talk to me when he's home, like a normal couple. James is not one to open up easily. He endures all the pain alone. If he can't explain anything, how would I know what's wrong? How can I help solve the problem? His job must be stressful, and he doesn't want to burden me. But we are married; we should share both happiness and sadness. We made promises to each other.

I went to the kitchen. It’s just James and I in this mansion now. There was a maid before, but James fired her, saying there was no need for one. It was true; I find satisfaction in preparing food myself.

I made breakfast for James: toast, mushrooms, and scrambled eggs—his favorites. I carefully arranged the plates and set them on the table.

James came downstairs, well-dressed. I noticed the dark circles under his eyes, a sign he must have stayed up late. Why isn't he focusing on his health? It worries me.

"James, have some breakfast," I said, hoping he would join me.

James glanced at the table and then at his watch. I knew he was busy.

"No time. I'm going," he said, heading for the door without another word.

"You’ll be hungry later if you skip breakfast," I called after him, but he didn't listen.

He looked annoyed. Is he annoyed with me? I felt a heaviness in my heart.

"Catherine, I'm working on a crucial project; it's not as simple as you think. I don't have time to eat or chat. You need to understand the nature of my job. Who am I talking to? You know nothing about it," James said, more to himself than to me.

I stood there like a statue, unable to move. I heard the sound of his car's engine starting.

The table was set with his favorite food. I looked at the breakfast I had prepared. He didn’t want it. I lost my appetite too.

I was alone in this large house. It felt like a haunted place to me. I threw the food away and took my phone to call James. He didn’t pick up. He might have been in a meeting. I know how James is when he works; he gives his all, which is one of the things I admire about him. I'm lucky to have such a husband.

I went to our wardrobe and opened the lower drawer, retrieving an album filled with our photos. We were always together. We had been friends before becoming lovers—best friends. There was nothing I didn't know about him. We grew up together.

Our friendship blossomed into love, which then led to marriage.

BEEP... BEEP... BEEP.

My phone rang suddenly. I ran downstairs, hoping it was James. But...

*Phone Call*

**Catherine:** Hello, Susan. How are you?

**Susan:** I'm fine. How about you? Is everything alright?