the affair [h.s]

chapter three.

Ameera Belle

The soft jazz music started to wind down. All the guests had gone except for the few businessmen that were seated at the bar. My eyes stayed locked onto the ring, cladded man. Visions of him had played in my head the whole night. The way his hands felt on my skin, the sound of his voice. I had found myself getting lost in my thoughts.
Harry

I lifted the chilled glass to my lips, throwing back the last of the scotch — the burn of the liquor in my throat, relaxing me. I ran my tongue across my lower lip, pinching it together with my fingers.

"So Harry, do you mind sitting in during the Honey Comb Expo meeting in the morning?" Leo asks from the other end of the bar.  "It shouldn't be too long, but they're asking for a larger cut."

Leo has always been on top of his work. You could take one look at him and make that assumption — a tight ass. His bright blonde hair makes him stand out like a sore thumb, even though he's wicked short. Nonetheless, he's always been my number one.

With my fingers still wrapped around the empty glass, I shook my head yes. I ran my fingers through my hair, tugging at the roots. My eyes are scanning the empty room in search of the woman that had left me lingering.

The night seemed just to be droning on without the sight of her. After all, I did stay to see her. "Have any of you seen that waitress?" I ask casually, swishing the droplets around of my drink in the seemingly empty glass.

"I haven't seen anyone," Ben trailed off, "Have you and Sarah been alright?" I nearly choked on the air. Quickly, I composed myself. Sitting up straight and fixing my suit.

"We're perfectly fine," I stated firmly. "Why do you ask?"

He looks at me, his mouth opening to speak, but he's interrupted by Leo. "How about we call it a night," He interjects. "We've got an early morning and an important meeting to be fully awake for."

I sat stunned for a few seconds before regaining my composure. I knew it was becoming evident in my lack of compassion towards my wife. The last thing I wanted to do was discuss it. Pretending that everything is okay in a marriage is a task.

"Leo's right," I tell Ben. Waiting around for this girl only makes my vows to my wife meaningless. I look away from him, grabbing my wallet from my pants pocket. "I'll cover the drinks, get home safe lads."

I throw a fifty dollar bill down on the counter and stand to my feet. My hands were grabbing at my tux again to straighten it out. I gave them both a nod before walking towards the exit. My mind no longer on the waitress but instead my wife.

Of course, I want to stay and wait for her to reappear, but I'm a married man. I made a vow, and each moment that I stick around at this bar to meet another woman goes entirely against that.

"Fuck it." I murmur to myself.

As I turn to head back to the bar, I find myself face to face with the woman I had been waiting to see all night. For the second time tonight, I find myself breathless.