Bound by Shadows

4

The next day, with Caelus off to work, Tadashi, my ever-watchful companion, stayed within five meters as I explored the house. After a thorough tour, I found solace by the pool, dangling my legs off the edge.

Tadashi, who had followed me like a shadow, breaks the silence, "You've been unusually quiet."

Curiosity lingering, I ask, "How was I before?"

A chuckle escapes him, "Quite the chatterbox. Noise was your ally before marriage. And yes, we knew each other."

I nod, urging him to reveal more about our shared past.

Tadashi's warm grin filled the room, offering the friendly connection I yearned for. He recounted the day we first crossed paths – a bold entrance into Caelus's office during the early days of my relationship. According to Tadashi, my audacity saved me from Caelus's potential wrath, as he rarely overlooked such impoliteness.

Expressing admiration, Tadashi painted a picture of a transformed Caelus – typically reserved and emotionally distant, until our encounter turned him into a person capable of complex emotions, revealing a side he had never witnessed before. I found that hard to believe because Caelus always seemed nice to me.

Curiosity fueled my question, "What changed afterward?" Tadashi appeared puzzled by my question. "You shared all these stories before my marriage, so what happened next?"

He cleared his throat and hesitated, "I'm afraid I shouldn't discuss about that. But, you might want to discuss it with him. He's your husband, after all," he gently reminded me.

"I'm left in the dark. It's frustrating to lose my memories and receive minimal closure," I expressed, absentmindedly toying with my wedding ring which was gold in color and had several diamonds attached to it.

Tadashi nervously bit his lip, "I can't really put my finger on why you guys grew apart, but I did notice some heated arguments. You looked pretty upset, ended up keeping to yourself. And, well, Caelus went all in with work, kinda losing track of time, you know?"

I looked at the water, processing the details. So, Caelus owned up to neglecting me in our marriage. But was there more to it? Why did he seem so... uneasy about me remembering everything?

My heart throbbed, that familiar sensation tightening my throat. I stood up from the pool, and Tadashi handed me a towel, leaving me with lingering uncertainty.

"You good?"

I nodded, "I'm okay," I assured him. "Just gonna hop in the shower and get ready for bed."

He positioned himself in front of me, "What about dinner?"

I shook my head, "Not hungry," I replied, heading into the house for a hot shower.

After changing into my pajamas, a knock echoed through the door. Caelus had arrived home. According to Tadashi, this was earlier than expected. I opened the door, and there he stood, concern etched on his face.

"Hey, everything alright?" he asked, glancing at me.

I hesitated for a moment but decided to be honest. "Not really. Tadashi filled in some blanks about us," I admitted, uncertainty lingering in the air. "I wished you shared it with me yourself."

Caelus nodded, "You're right. I should've been more upfront. I'm sorry for not giving you the full picture."

There was an awkward silence but then he suddenly suggested, "How about we go downstairs? I have a little something to make up for it."

Intrigued, I followed him to the kitchen where, to my surprise, he presented vanilla ice cream. A small smile tugged at the corners of my lips as he handed me a bowl.

"Thought this might help sweeten the mood," he grinned, attempting a joke that was admittedly not his forte. I couldn't help but burst into laughter, appreciating the effort. We sat together, enjoying the ice cream and each other's company, the tension from earlier dissipating into a shared moment of connection and understanding.

"We used to dance in the living room after eating ice cream," he said, I watched as he leaned casually against the kitchen counter, his eyes catching mine with a playful spark. As he brought the spoon to his lips, a slow, sensual smile curved on his mouth. The rich dessert met his tongue, and a subtle sigh of satisfaction escaped him. The way he indulged in that simple act, savoring each bite, leaving me captivated by the sight of him enjoying a spoonful of ice cream.

"You're quite the Taylor Swift enthusiast," he commented, a playful grin tugging at the corners of his lips. "I never had much patience for music, but I must admit, your taste is surprisingly bearable," he added, running his tongue over his lips, removing the vanilla stain. I took a subtle breath, averting my gaze, a tingling sensation coursing through my skin.

At that exact moment, he reached for his phone. The Bluetooth speaker announced its connection, and I discreetly noticed the wedding ring gracing his finger, its presence accentuated by the intricate network of veins on his hands.

Caelus stood and then came to my side, extending his hand towards me, a warm smile playing on his lips as the soothing notes of Taylor Swift's "You Are In Love" filled the room. Without hesitation, I placed my hand in his.

He led me to the center of the living room, where the soft glow of the fireplace added to the enchanting atmosphere. As the music continued to weave its magic, Caelus and I swayed together, our movements becoming more intimate.

He delicately led me to rest against his chest, my ear attuned to the rhythmic heartbeat beneath. The steady pulsation created a tender melody, blending seamlessly with the surrounding music.

"May I confess something to you?"

"Hmm?"

He whispered, pressing his face into the curve of my neck, breathing in my scent, "I can't fathom a life that doesn't have you in it."