DESOLATION

12

INEZ

I look at Lorcan who is silently having his black coffee with the croissants. His full attention is on his phone and he seems to be messaging someone. My eyes wander from his hair to his eyes and then stop on his lips. These lips have kissed me uncountable times and whenever these land on my body, it causes a spark to ignite inside me. I move my eyes from his lips to his clothes.

He is not wearing his usual tuxedo today but today he is wearing a white t-shirt with black jeans and a black jacket. He looks handsome and would have looked less intimidating if not for the serious look on his face. If he had not been wearing a jacket then his muscles would have been in clear view. Before he could find me staring at him, I quickly moved my gaze to my half-eaten chocolate brownie.

I was silently eating when I felt eyes on me and hushed whispers. I look around and notice that despite the arrogant look on Lorcan's face the waitresses are drooling over him. I look towards Lorcan but find him completely unfazed by it. He is still looking at his phone. There is a comfortable silence between us and I don't want to ruin it. I quickly finish my brownie while looking at him from time to time.

I look away from him and towards the glass window which is on my left with the cup of hot chocolate in my hand. I cannot see much outside as the heavy downpour has blurred the glass. It has been raining here for a week. Autumn is coming and I am glad. I think I like it because it matches what I feel from inside. I cannot hear the melodious sound of the rain and this makes me sad.

I would have been feeling cold if I was not inside this café. I look around me at the luxurious café. It is spacious with high ceilings and is adorned with crystal chandeliers which give a soft golden hue. The aroma of freshly baked goods is lingering in the atmosphere. It is a perfect place to be on a cold rainy day like today.

I think about the events that led me here with Lorcan. Today Lorcan came home early from work and decided that we should go out for lunch at some café. Then he brought me here. This café is undoubtedly good. It has exquisite ambiance and apart from this, they offer top-tier service.

Two weeks have passed since the fight between us because of Saorise. We did not talk about it again. There was no need to. I know Lorcan never lies. He hates liars and when he said that there was nothing between them then I had to believe. Besides this, I did not have any other option than to believe him. I woke up the next day and found everything normal between us just as I had expected.

"Cad atá tú ag smaoineamh, a bhean chéile beloved?" Lorcan's voice brings me out of my thoughts and I look at him. I place the empty cup on the table and look at him. He is looking at me with a rare smile on his face. He has finished his coffee as well. (What are you thinking, my beloved wife?)

I ask the question which has been on my mind since he has brought me here. It is not like he does not bring me out of the mansion but today I feel like there is something that I am unaware of. A motive behind taking me out. "Why have you brought me here, Lorcan?" I asked him without hiding behind the bush.

My question caused him to chuckle. "This is one of my favorite cafes and I love its coffee and other things," He said while looking around, making me sigh. It is not easy to get him to reveal his plans.

"I am not talking about this café, Lorcan and you know it. I am asking why have you brought me out of the mansion today?" I asked again. I am finding it hard to believe that he has no other reason.

"Well, I have no other reason than to make you happy. It had been a long time since we spent time together out of the mansion." Lorcan told me and this time his voice did not have any amusement in it which means he is not lying.