Birds of A Cage

"Unrequited"

Life in Edward's sleepy neighbourhood was a vacation. Waking up to the sounds of birds chirping, breathing fresh air with a scent of green leaves, looking outside through the big window, starting at the beautiful the light blue clear sky, was the highlight of my days. I woke up to steaming breakfast waiting for me in one of the living rooms, chosen for its back-patio deck overlooking the beautiful swimming pool. Through the morning, I resumed the book I was reading the previous night before drifting away. In the afternoon, the cook, the landscaper and the house cleaner, all selected because they are the best at what they do, kept me company until Edward came home from work.

There was much more substance behind the fine cut suit and the snarky one-liners. Edward owned a law firm in the Parklands area- Abuchi and Associates. He had one of the most intelligent minds I had ever met with the work ethic of a supernatural machine. The way he talked about life made the stars twinkle in perfect moonlight. The way he spoke of the things he loved like they were childhood dreams come true, made my heart dance like a ballerina. We would talk about anything, debating about everything. Anticipating him to get home, I would have a list of things in my head I needed to say to him. I found that I was talking to myself at night, no one in the room just me and the light, coming up with argument points for his next questions. I needed to, given how good of a lawyer he was. He was remarkable, intelligent and kind. He was, just like Ken, the worst thing that ever happened to me.

I wasn't prepared for the man who changed his entire schedule for in order to keep me company. I was not ready for the man guy who checked up on me every evening. Or asked for my opinion on topics I had no knowledge in. So, for the past week, I avoided him. Deep down I knew that women like me didn't get men like him. I had nothing to offer him, just like I had nothing to offer Ken.

11:30 arrived. I was dozing off softly to the tingly sensations of the breeze sipping through the window. Edward hadn't been home yet, but I knew it was just a matter of time. Quickly, I limped to the bathroom in order to get ready for bed before he got home.

Unfortunately, he barged into my room just as I tucked myself into bed. "Good, you're awake."

My stomach churned.

"I don't sleep all the time," I answered too quickly, trying to match my tone with my beaming expression. "Our schedules just happened to have clashed for the past week."

I was forever a blabbing mess anytime I was nervous.

"Really? Or have you been pretending to be asleep every time I come to check on you?"

I clutched my sweaty hands underneath the covers. "Why would I do that?"

"You aren't avoiding me, are you? We don't have a problem?"

Yes! God, yes. I'm avoiding you. "None at all."

Every time I was within a fifteen-meter radius of this man, no matter how hard I scolded myself, I'd find myself standing dangerously close to the edge again. Consequences be damned.

He loosened his tie and pushed back the sleeves of his shirt. "We should go and see the doctor. Your heart needs to be checked."

"My heart is okay; you don't have to worry about it all the time."

"This isn't up for discussion."

I schooled my expression into a stern one. I disliked the version of Edward with the inflated ego and pride. The one who thought that his word was gospel. No matter how high up on a pedestal I had him, this version of him knocked him too many notches.

"I'm not your wife," I sneered.

"You'd like, that wouldn't you?" He sat on the bed with the back of his hand on my forehead. "Are you feeling okay?"