Areston thinks he can shield me from his past, but what he doesn't realize is I'm already part of it.
The darkness that haunts him? It's the same one that's been chasing me for years.
I've given him everything-my body, my heart, my soul-and still...
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I set my Macbook aside and sink back against the plush sun lounger, letting the warmth of the desert sun melt against my skin. The cool breeze is stirring the air, drifting in from the infinity pool, brushing softly against me. I dip my toes into the pool, watching the ripples as they move forward, only to disappear somewhere in the middle of the water body stretched out before me where it looks like it's merging with the endless expanse of golden rolling dunes.
Releasing a sigh, I close my eyes, enjoying this moment of absolute serenity and nothingness following an hour of Zoom with board members, including my mama and Alva who didn't leave a single opportunity to tease me if I was unwell, given I wasn't switching on my video. Everyone knows I am on vacation but I prefer not to flaunt my bikini, especially during a serious discussion with a panel where everyone is at least twice my age. If it weren't for Chase, Papa, and Bubbeh, they would've gone on pestering.
My husband is nowhere to be seen. He's probably using the time to catch up on his work in his home office while I've been busy with mine. Unlike me, he cannot work from just about anywhere. He needs his dedicated space that's a replica of his original one at home.
I lift my hand to bring it in front of my face, the glaring bling of the diamonds of the wedding, engagement, and promise rings combined is enough to blind an entire city, especially under the sun. Chuckling, I remove and put them on the side table so I can slather another dose of an overly generous amount of sunblock to avoid the tan line when my phone vibrates from an incoming call.
It's Lev.
I immediately switch to FaceTime and show my surroundings. "Lev! Guess where I am?"
His exhausted features soften into a smile. "You hate the desert."
"That's what I thought. But I have started loving it. This is the Sahara, by the way. I am in Morocco. Areston surprised me with this trip to celebrate our one-month wedding anniversary."
"You love those kinds of anniversary calendars. I remember you used to cry whenever he would forget anniversary dates."
"I know, right? He takes note of everything now."
"Once burnt twice shy?"
"Probably," I laugh. "You're a bad man, Lev Christakis. Stop mocking my husband and my turbulent past. We're super tight now."
"Well, you better be or he'd be answering to me."
"Changed my mind. You're a good man." I blow him a kiss. "How's Adonis?" I hate how desperate I sound about the last part.
His mood flips back to as gloomy as it was when I answered his phone. "Not good. He was looking forward to talking to you today, but now he's with his mother. He has refused to leave her alone since last night."
My heart lurches and I straighten up. "What happened?"
"Nothing I want to burden you with, sunshine. I saw you called yesterday, but I couldn't pick up so thought of reverting to you as soon as I could."
