Loving Him

f o u r t e e n

Adam

Audrey's crimson curls glowed softly in the moonlight along with her white, milky naked back that was turned away from me. They cascaded across the sheets in a wavelike pattern. I found myself holding up a piece of her hair & I rubbed it in between my thumb & forefinger as I leaned over her, a hand propped on the side of my head. I found her beautiful, I really did, but then those soft, red, curls unwillingly morphed into the silky, dirty blonde, waves of Belle's.

Belle. Blinking & letting go of her hair. I straightened, remembering that it was almost time for Belle to head back home. Shaking Audrey, I hurriedly said, "Audrey, you have to leave. My wife is about to come home." That woke her up. Jolting upward, she groaned & tiredly wrapped her naked body around my own naked waist.

"I'll miss you." Audrey whispered, sleep evident in her voice.

I grunted in response. "Now leave. I'll see you tomorrow." She was too clingy as compared to Belle. At least Belle respected my space & knew me well enough to not irk me.

I watched Audrey lazily as she grabbed her clothes & belongings from the ground & dressed herself. She made her way towards me & attempted to place a kiss on my lips.

"Don't". I said, holding up a hand in front of my lips & closing my eyes.

Audrey pouted her rouge lips & tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. Crossing her arms in an attempt to accentuate her breasts, she asked, "What's wrong?"

What's wrong? A good question. I don't know. I just felt so...hollow all of a sudden. My thoughts couldn't help but continuously wander back to Belle. I wondered if she kissed that bastard while I was away. I found myself clenching my fist in response to my stream of thoughts.

A hand squeezed my shoulder. I looked up & Audrey smiled at me sadly & walked out of my room. I found myself relieved once Audrey left & I snuggled under the covers, feeling alone again.

~

Hazy sunlight filtered through my curtains & into my room. I cracked one eye open, realizing it was an overcast day. Throwing the covers off of me, I walked to the windows & tore apart the curtains. It looked like it was going to rain. I sighed. Belle loved the rain.

Remembering Belle, I was about to wake up her up but then I froze in my tracks facing our bed. Belle wasn't in bed. I felt panic bubble deep inside me but I pushed it down. This wasn't the first time she wouldn't be in bed. I would usually hear her shuffling around the house or the kitchen on days like this. Belle was an early riser, I told myself.

Throwing on a pair of shorts & a shirt after doing my morning ritual, I walked downstairs into the living room. There wasn't a single sound in my house besides my breathing. Furrowing my eyebrows, I walked into the kitchen & searched for any signs of life. I walked towards the plants that Belle usually kept on the counter. She also was very fond of plants. Belle never missed their watering days & always gave them the adequate amount of sunlight.

Turning around to continue searching for Belle, I jumped back, startled, when I saw a short, dark-haired older lady standing in front of me with a mop by her side.

"Mr. Pember, nice to meet you. I am to be your house keeper from now on." she said, extending her hand in a handshake gesture. She seemed to not have noticed that she startled me or she just happened to cover it up very well.