The Writer's Mistress

Chapter 12 - Anais | One wrong move -

Chapter 12

Anais

"One wrong move."

I am more confused than ever. Eli will not leave my thoughts, having him here today in my home really put a spotlight on my relationship with Edmond. The worst part about this is that I didn't want Eli to leave today, I wanted more. I'm not sure where this leaves my relationship with Edmond. In the last week, my relationship with Eli has been passionate and intense, and I fear that I'm falling for him.

We have this unspoken bond. If I am falling for him, what does this mean? Could he perhaps be falling for me too? Are we meant to be together? The future of my love life is a blur right now. I can't seem to find the light at the end of the tunnel, all I know is that I want Eli.

I'm quite sure that at this point, I'm not in love with Edmond anymore. I love our life together and our children, our home, but is it enough? Am I sacrificing my own happiness? Could I potentially be ruining my life. Or am I meant to start a new love story, one that many people won't understand. People will look to me, passing their judgment on me. Calling me selfish for leaving my husband. Not knowing exactly why I did it, but I'm sure they will assume and make their remarks. They don't know the lonely nights that I've endured. They don't know about the quiet conversations. Or the lonely nights I've spent. How my marriage has become a roommate situation, that we only stayed together for the kids and the house that we have come by. I know everything is happening too fast. I've only known Eli for 3 days. But I can't help how I feel.

I look at the clock and I see that it's about to be 2:00pm. The boys should be home soon. Since it's Friday, there are no after school programs today. I unlock my phone and begin dialing the babysitter's number. I'm hoping she will be available tonight. I don't call her often because I'm always home with the boys. But I'm hoping tonight she'll make an exception. Just as I go to dial her number, I receive a text from Eli.

"I've made arrangements for tonight. Meet me at my hotel in the lobby @ 7pm. See you tonight..."

I smile at the text, being taken back by the gesture of him making plans for us. In my 15 years with Edmond, I don't think he's ever said I made plans for us. He's never arranged a dinner or a date. He's never just been spontaneous or romantic. I got to put my phone back in my pocket and head upstairs so I could pick out an outfit to wear tonight, when my phone goes off again and I can see that it's another text from Eli.

"Answer the door."

I slowly step off the staircase, not knowing exactly what to expect. Is Eli here, did he come back? I swing open the front door and I see a box on the floor. It's wrapped in red glittery paper with a gold bow on it. It's a medium sized rectangular box. Attached to the top of the box is a note. I carefully raise up the box and bring it inside. I take a seat in the living room and place the box on top of the coffee table. I open the note. It reads:

A little something for tonight. ♡ Eli

P.S. Here's your copy you forgot to buy. Enjoy.

I pull back the white tissue paper and see a copy of Hemingway's tale, Eli's book. Seeing the book makes me flashback to the day that I met him. Looking back, I was already in captivated with his beauty. How I fell for his words in that bookstore that day. They stopped me in my tracks just like his presence did. Something pulling me into him. I can't help but feel a tingle between my legs as I think back to him touching me. Tonight, cannot come fast enough. In 4 hours, I'll be back in his embrace. That's all that I crave right now. And selfishly, I think I like it that way. I haven't thought much about myself or my needs in such a long time. I've been giving so much of me to everyone else in my life... that all I have become is an afterthought.

I placed the book down beside me on the sofa and continue to roam through the box. There is a single red rose in the box lying on top of a red satin dress. I pick up the dress to admire it. It's a spaghetti strap dress with a square neckline. This isn't something I would particularly choose for myself, but new me is ready to try something different.

After I have showered and shaved my legs, I can see that I have about 30 more minutes before the boys are home. I quickly get dressed and brush back my hair. I tuck away the gift box from Eli and tidy up the living room and kitchen. As I go over my mental check list of things that have to be done before tonight, I overhear keys unlocking the front door, and Edmond steps through the door.

"What are you doing home early?

He takes a step towards me and grabs my hands. His smile is stretched from each side of his face. But I'm still puzzled as to what he's doing here early. "Honey, I got the promotion." He's still standing there smiling back at me, waiting for my response. I pause for a moment before I respond back. I don't really know what this means for him or me. A promotion. Does that mean he'll be gone even more? Will his character keep deteriorating from this job that he loves. I break the awkward silence, and quickly wrap my arms around him. "Congratulations my love. Of course you got the promotion. You work so hard."

He hugs me back lovingly and tender. I can see how happy and excited he is. He's worked so hard for this, of course he deserves this. He pulls back on our embrace, placing his hands around my waist. "I'm going to need you to wear something nice tonight, the office is throwing a celebration dinner. All the partners will be there."

He places a kiss on the back of my hand and walks away. "Wait there's a dinner party tonight?" He turns to me, "yes! It's at that nice restaurant we pass from time to time. What's it called? It's on Cedar St. Rose something..."

As the word Cedar St. leaves his mouth, I know exactly where he's talking about...

"Rosette?" I ask.

He snaps his fingers as to motion that I am in fact correct. "Yup, we finally get the opportunity to eat there. It's going to be a great night. I'm going to grab a snack. The boys should be home soon, right?" He leaves for the kitchen, while I stand there with my disappointment. My plans for tonight have taken an unexpected turn.