𝐄𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡

“And we’re finished. You did great today.” Says Alex as he pushes down the black button on his black T5i-Canon camera.

“Thank you.” replies his client with a timid voice.

Alex nodded as his bear sized hands effortlessly loosened various latches on the tripod. If anything, he was ready to go home. He’d been in his studio for what felt like countless hours to him.

“Have a good day, now.” He dismisses ever so chill.

He ushers the younger lady out the door. He then walks a couple of blocks down, his brown coat soaks in the white snow that falls heavily from the sky. He stops in front of the door labeled “122595”. He contemplated; He wasn’t sure if he should open the door. Would he rather open the door to warmth, yet toxicity, or would he rather leave it closed, hang out a bit, save the issue for later. As he thought about it, he realized that this is his home, it’s his drama, despite the fact that he’s not the problem.

“Ah, Screw it!” he decided.

Alex walks away from the door; he’d deal with it later. Not it, but her. To rid the thoughts, he inhales the cold air in his nostrils. He takes a walk around the neighborhood. The color of sky darkens, the snow’s fury increases as time passes. This was a sign that it’s time for Alex to deal with her. He walked back home, his dark bare hands coming in contact with the golden knob made him shiver. He wasn’t sure if the coldness came from the snow or the tension that was incoming. He swallows away the anxiety that grew in the back of his mind before twisting the knob open.

Silence; something that he was not used to by any means. The coat slides off his tatted arms, and he hangs it behind the door. Alex takes a seat on the fluff in his living room. He sighs in content, getting comfortable in the slightly lit room. He closes his eyes, enjoying the peace for a bit until the sound of a throat being cleared.

“What is this?” asks a bold feminine voice.

Alex opens his eyes, mentally rolling them. He was not in the mood to put up with her tonight.

“What are you on about now, Amber?” He looks over to her, not changing his resting position.

Amber scoffs, throwing a manila folder on his shirt . “What am I on about? You really got the nerve.”

Alex opens the envelope taking out photos of him hanging out with a variety of people, Some were him at a bar, and the others were him at his studio. He just shakes his head.

“Working as usual.” He answers as cool as a cucumber.

“If you’re a photographer, then why would you go to a bar?” asks Amber with her thin eyebrows raised.

“I was obviously taking pictures.” He rolls his eyes.

“Boy please.” Amber crosses her arms, rolling her eyes.

Deep down, Alex was a ticking timed bomb. He felt like he would explode in T minus one second. For him, it was time to crush it once and for all.

“And what’s up with you? You’ve been trying to quote on quote catch me cheating on you for two weeks when you couldn’t find crap.” Alex was about to go off, but he suddenly stopped.

Two Fridays ago, Alex’s shift ended early. Excitement filled him, despite the chilly temperature, the sun was still out as bright as ever. He couldn’t wait to surprise Amber. Walking the couple of blocks route home, he couldn’t wait to give his girlfriend his undivided attention that she craved for, or at least that’s at least what she told him. He entered the apartment to silence which was weird. Amber was usually waiting in the living room for him. Closing the door behind him, he digs deeper in the apartment to find her in their bedroom with another man he didn’t know. He leaned to the open door to watch them. After seconds of talking, she closes the distance between them. Alex’s heart screamed in agony. The pain he felt was enough to make a grown man cry.

He clears his throat loudly, making his presence known. When Amber’s blue eyes finally face Alex’s brown ones, Alex storms off to the living room.

“Al wait-” Amber moves herself away from the guy, trying to go after Alex who just walks away.

Here they are now, two weeks later, arguing with each other.

Alex shakes his head in doubt. “Two weeks.. When you kissed him.” He scoffed. “But why start all these arguments since then?”

Silence filled the room.

“Whatever the reason is, I’ve had enough, and I refuse to put up with it any longer. I come after working 12 hour shifts. All I ask for is peace.” He rambled.

“Because..” Amber stretches the word.

“Because?” He asks.

“I’ve lacked attention. I know it’s not right, but it’s like the only way I see you. I know it’s wrong, and I’m sorry.” Says Amber with teary eyes. “It’s so confusing. How did you not get mad? Why haven't we even talked about it?”

Alex sighs, softening his expression. He rises from the fluffy brown couch, his height hovers over Amber’s.

“Amber, baby.” Alex softens his voice, softly cupping his girlfriend’s cheeks.

He wipes the tears that were streaming away from her blue doe eyes. “Because there’s nothing to be discussed. It happened. I’ve forgiven you already, will you do the same?”

Silence filled the room, and Amber’s tears filled Alex’s hands.

“I..How am I supposed to do that?” Asks Amber trying to collect her boyfriend’s words through her ears.

“Just say the words, Baby. I forgive me.”

“I… I don’t know.” Amber lightly shakes her head.

“Do it, Amber. We won’t get past this if you can’t.” warns Alex.

“I… I forgive me.” It took a few minutes, but She finally said it.

“Great job, Baby.” He leaves a soft kiss on Amber’s thin lips. “Now, let’s move on. Start fresh. No more coming home to constant arguing, let’s spend more time together from now on. Sounds like a deal?” He asks.

“Deal!” She exclaims immediately.

“I love you.” Alex says ever so softly.

“I love you too.” Says Amber, just as soft.

The couple takes a seat on the couch with their hands intertwined. They share a quick kiss before spooning their way to the end of the night.