In the Night

10 • Only This is Reality

S U N N I

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I sighed deeply when my back hit my hotel door, closing my eyes in relief for finally being away from him. Yeah, Emerson was nice, really nice, but he was too much at once. I couldn't handle it, especially considering I was married. I loved Simon, and the more I thought about his infidelities the more I wanted to get back at him for them. But I couldn't. No matter how much I loathed Simon, I still loved him with all my heart, and I refused to turn into him to spite him.

It was silent in the motel room when I walked in. I sighed in relief in the darkness, turning on the lights and setting the jug to make a hot cup of tea. It was nearly five o'clock, meaning Simon's stylist and agent would be here soon to prepare us for the second and final night of the festival. I made my tea and sipped it softly, being cautious not to burn my tongue. I sat on the bed and turned on the tv, flicking thorough channels, but had little luck with finding something in English. In the end I settled for a French cooking show, watching how the chefs sliced and diced vegetables to make a creamy authentic soup.

Not long after I had finished my tea and the cooking show had just gotten interesting, a chucking Simon walked through the door. I immediately sat up, smoothing my sundress and my hair to look suitable. He bounced inside, his skin a slight shade of pink and sparkling from sweat. He threw his duffel bag onto the floor and made his way towards me.

"Hi, sweetheart." He murmured happily, kissing me on the cheek with hot and moist lips. He smelled of freshly mown lawn and men's deodorant, sexy and fresh.

"Hey, babe. How was your day?" I said, crossing my legs over one another and placing my hands on my knees. I pursed my lips into a smile, despite my racing heart. Every time I blinked I could see him with that girl. I felt sick.

Simon walked to the other side of the room and pulled his t-shirt over his head, exposing his large rippling muscles. I cleared my throat as he turned around, a fat smile on his face.

"It was awesome, Sunni. It was so beautiful up there in the mountains, you really should've joined us." He beamed, pulling off his shoes and shorts and proceeding to the bathroom to shower.

"So you spent the whole day in the mountains?" I quietly murmured, a scowl crossing my face. He stuck his head out the door, a bemused look on his face. I tried to seem innocent, fluttering my eyelashes and widening my eyes to dangerous levels.

"What did you say?" He questioned innocently. I shook my head and put a soft smile on my lips, reassuring him.

"That's great, honey. Maybe we could go together some time?" I offered, trying my best to keep him in this happy mood. I wasn't going to anger him tonight. I needed to remain safe. I was in a foreign country, I couldn't predict what was going to happen if Simon snapped.

"Yeah, sure." He replied. I could hear the raps being turned in the bathroom, and the sound of pressured water hitting skin made its way to my ears. "God, it was so gorgeous up there. All of these waterfalls and ponds and there were so many native animals and flowers and shit. Seriously, I've never seen anything like it before." He shouted from the bathroom.

I rolled my eyes and began stripping off, as well. I knew that in a moment he would request my presence in the shower, so to save time and energy I proceeded to the bathroom unannounced. Simon smiled at the sight of me, and I offered a forced one back. I climbed under the hot water, the liquid frying my baked skin.

We had always showered together, even when we first started dating. Back then, I saw it as something intimate and romantic. Now, all I saw it as was an excuse for Simon to have sex with me.