Simon Dominic: Doubling Forward

CHAPTER #22- Turbulence

Two weeks after the video conference, everyone was still super busy. Even Nari was working on a new commissioned piece and teaching art classes at the studio. She didn't see much of the AOMG crew, including her boyfriend. They'd had little time together and his texts came less frequently. Doubt about their relationship began to fester. He worked with sexy dancers and gorgeous models, his fans were mostly women, so why would he stay faithful to her? Fred use to tell her all the time she wasn't all that great looking. He'd say that the only reason he kept her around, was because she was a decent cook. But Simon D didn't need her to cook, he could eat at any restaurant his tummy wanted. Looking at herself in the mirror, after getting out of the shower, Nari concluded she was just average in body and beauty. Comparing herself to pictures of Lady Jane, made her even more depressed.

Riding her motorcycle usually put her mind right, sometimes just riding past AOMG was all she needed. But not this time. She had heard that female singers had Simon D in demand to be featured on their albums. Even though Nari trusted him not to cheat, she was worried he no longer loved her. They hadn't had sex in two weeks, when they use to have it multiple times a day. Yes he was super busy, but maybe that was due to avoiding her. He was coming over that evening for dinner at her loft, so Nari had made one of his favourite meals. She wore sexy lingere under a nice dress, that peaked out just the right amount to entice her man. Would it be enough to keep his attention on her?

When Simon arrived, he put on the slippers and went to find Nari. "How's my baby tonight? Damn that smells great, I'm so hungry!"

She turned around to accept his embrace, disappointed that her lips received a quick kiss. He was lifting up lids and checking out the food, more than her. "Sit down and I'll put it on the table," Nari said.

He did as he was told. "I haven't eaten anything since this morning, this spread is awesome."

"Do you want a beer, wine or something else?"

"Whatever you're having is cool."

Pouring a beer into a chilled glass and placing the unfinished bottle beside it, was what she gave him. That uneasy feeling came back in full force. It caused her to eat little and drink more.

"Long day for you too?" Simon asked, noticing she was already on a second beer.

"Not really. The kids were great today, painting up a storm... on paper, the tables and floor," Nari smiled, remembering the delightful mess. To her the joy the children had, when they were not scolded for getting paint all over, made up for the hour of cleanup afterwards.

"Has Haru come back for another class?" Simon asked, between eating.

"Her whole class actually and Haru is the star of course," she replied.

During the whole meal, his cell phone kept going off with text messages. Initially he'd ignored it, but as hunger became satisfied, Simon D began to reply. Nari cleared the table, while he continued messaging. Then he got a phone call and answered it. She stayed in the kitchen, cleaning up leftovers and dishes. Her heart began to hurt, could she endure being ignored? Her love for him was deep; he was everything she'd ever dreamed of in a man, a partner and lover.

"Nari, um...." Simon began to say, then paused as he was distracted by his cell phone again.

She watched him chew on his lower lip, a habit from when he was undecided about something. He looked so serious and her mind began to think of worst case scenarios, the longer he took to finish talking. Almost holding her breath, Nari bit her lip too. She suddenly realized it was too hard, due to the coppery taste of blood. He was going to break up with her, it was too damaging to his career. That's what it must be. She turned her back on him, not wanting to see his face when he told her.