Superficial (DE)

Thirty-five.

Cerise watched the sky slowly light up over the span of thirty minutes, pitch black with a sprinkle of stars to strokes of baby blue and hues of yellow with the slightest kiss of orange as the sun came up. The winter estate had big beautiful windows that over looked acres of nature blanketed in a few inches of snow.

She knew she was up early if she was awake before Brandon. He was never there when she woke up. Cerise laid with her head on Brandon's chest as he slept, their legs tangled in one another stealing his body heat. He was always so warm, and for some odd reason, she always so cold. His toned, inky chest rose and fell steadily, her breathing slowed to match his.

"I'm giving you a choice, Ms. Harvey," Brandon spoke, sitting up in his seat. "Between staying or having everything your heart could ever desire— and me,"

The air in the room was cold, chill bumps on her exposed skin, yet still. Was this the choice? Was this what it would be like— quiet and peaceful and far away with not a care in the world because she knows all will be handled. It sounded good, comforting even, to dream about if that could ever really be.

But how could she ever leave her parents? They weren't the best parents but she couldn't imagine living without them. What would they think? What would she even tell them? Or her best friends, the ones that keep her sane when life drives her crazy. But New York didn't make her happy anymore. Law didn't make her happy anymore. Her family didn't make her happy, nor her friends, she just loved them. It seemed as if everyone had their own lives except her and she was just a character in theirs.

Cerise slept in increments that night, waking up in a panic every couple hours, anxiety shaking her out of her sleep. And every time she looked over at Brandon sleeping peacefully under a ray of dusky moonlight that shined directly on him in the darkness, she couldn't help but feel a sinking feeling realizing every second that passed was a second less that she got with him. She felt as if their time had been numbered, like a doctor had just deliver the devastating news of a month left to live. Because that's how it felt, like she only had a month left to live.

They left the restaurant yesterday without coming to a solution. The conversation became too hot and fizzled out once Brandon invited the elephant to the table, and that elephant they brought back home with them too.

Cerise felt like she was in possession of Brandon's darkest secret, knowing he was going to run if things don't work out in their favor. She couldn't believe she was even considering the idea herself but what else did she have to lose? She couldn't return back to her normal life like nothing ever happened after this. She'd grieve this love everyday for the rest of her life.

Cerise eventually fell back to sleep waking up to a room full of sunshine a few hours later. A bird chirped right outside of the window and in the very far distance she could make out a deer walking slowly through the tree line from the bedroom window. She didn't even bother to turn around because she knew Brandon wouldn't be there. She couldn't feel him.

Noise traveled from somewhere in the house, peaking her curiosity as she sat on the edge of the bed trying to shake the groggy fog from off her. She wore a satin night gown, the strap hanging loosely around one shoulder and her hair a mess as if she did nothing but toss and turn all night. That's how it felt.

Cerise slid out of the warmth and comfort of the bed following the sound, walking lightly, barefoot across the heated floors. She found Brandon in the kitchen with his back to her, unbagging groceries, a bouquet of roses on the counter beside him. She twisted her lips to the side as she watched him quietly, hugging herself.

What had she done to deserve him after always being so difficult? All she ever did was give him a hard time, from the very beginning.

"Good morning," She said softly, announcing her presence. The sound of her voice prompted him to look over his shoulders some as she sauntered over to him on her tippy toes. Cerise snaked her arms around him, hugging him from behind and burying her face into the thick material of the sweater on his back.