The Affair

Chapter 15

OCTOBER

Hugh is out of town for the weekend. She's cleared her schedule and she'll be staying here. I have a wonderful night planned for us. My maid has cleaned the apartment and stocked my fridge as requested. I've made reservations at a restaurant she's mentioned she wanted to try. She told Hugh we were going to be meeting for dinner, as to not arouse suspicion. He's under the assumption that Theodora and I have become friends, just as I am friends with him. I'm not quite sure that I'll ever understand how he's so clueless.

After dinner, we're going to go to a movie that she's mentioned she's interested in seeing a couple of times. I've picked up a dozen roses and it's my first time buying flowers for a woman. I put them in a vase that I bought, too, something I think she would like. It makes me smile.

At three thirty, I've done everything I need to do, as well as finishing a chapter in my book. I shower and shave and dress in a nice, three piece, gray pinstriped suit. It's new, I picked it up today after being fitted for it a week ago at a little shop I had heard was nice. It was quite expensive, like the rest of my suits, and fits perfectly. 

She should be here any minute and I can feel the excitement building in me.

...

As soon as the door opens, she's already speaking.

"Benjamin? Hugh wanted me to go to the airport with him, I tried to get out of there and get here, but it wasn't easy. There was so much traffic. Please don't be angry-"

She stops when she sees me. She's flustered, red faced, obviously having been in a rush to get here. In one hand is her overnight bag, an old bag she's told me she's had since she was a teenager, and in the other is her purse. She puts them both on the floor.

I'm sitting in an arm chair, finishing my drink. I've had quite a few, but don't feel the effects of it yet. If I keep it up, I'm sure I will.

I smile and motion at the roses that sit on the coffee table.

"I bought those for you. Surprised they aren't wilted already with how long it took you to get here."

Without a second thought I stand and grab the vase, throw it against the wall, watch as it shatters, glass and water and flowers airborne before they hit the floor. The silence is deafening between us as I sit back down. I light a cigarette.

"Maybe you were onto something with the idea of me fucking another woman. She would have been here on time, I'm sure. I could take her out to dinner and to a movie and plan nice evenings for us. I wouldn't have to worry if she'll be two fucking hours late because her husband had a flight to catch."

She's hesitant to move. But then she does, very slowly, walking to me. When she's standing in front of me I stare up at her. I'm fuming, but in the back of my mind I'm asking myself what the big deal really is. This is the first time she's been late since our fight about Jacques. She messaged more than once to tell me she would be late. Our reservation is in an hour. We have two whole days ahead of us where she doesn't have to go home and we haven't had that much time together consecutively since we first started our affair.

I quickly tell myself it's the principle. She said she'd be here two hours ago. I feel like a dick, sitting here waiting like this. I can't stand when she's late. I've tried to be understanding, but it's not easy for me. I want as much time with her as is possible and two hours have already been wasted because of Hugh and his bullshit. I've come to hate him deeply.