Something Else

Chapter 3: Something Sweet

Chrissy had known Misha for about a month now and she enjoyed every minute of it. He only brought his children in once but she had to act as if they didn't know each other that well. She knew he didn't want to give the children false hope and to become attached to someone should she end...whatever it was, this was becoming. She didn't have any customers at the moment and Bruce was off for the day. She made herself a cup of tea, letting it steep as she sat at her favourite corner of the store. It was a booth with a really soft cushion, she relaxed with a sigh. She thought back to her conversation with Misha the day before yesterday, she sighed again. She didn't expect to see him today and closed her eyes while she breathed in the scent of her Earl Grey tea.

~Flashback~

"Have a good day"! She called out to the elderly customer. She smiled as she took her seat across from Misha. He raised an eyebrow at her and she shrugged.

"You asked me some questions last week and I'd like to ask you some too", she said. He smiled and inclined his head to her, asking her to go on.

She picked at her nails, a quirk of hers when she was nervous he noticed. She took a deep breath and exhaled slowly.

"Why did you get divorced?" She inquired. He took a deep breath and gave her a small smile.

 "We just...didn't make each other happy anymore", he said. She figured he was upset with that reply.

"Is that true?" She questioned. He sighed, shaking his head. He wiped his hands down his face and smiled at her again.

"No and I'm sorry I lied to you right now. I just couldn't make her happy. I thought everything was okay, she made it seem like everything was fine. It was over about a year and a half ago. We started seeing a counselor and I tried everything, she just didn't love me anymore", he rushed out.

Chrissy looked stunned as she reached over the table and touched his hand softly.

"I'm so sorry, I shouldn't have pried. Can you forgive me?" She asked. He smiled,looking at her.

"I don't mind you being curious. It's okay. I've come to accept it. I know she's happier now with Chad. I just...Need to remember that it wasn't me who gave up", he said. Chrissy smiled, squeezing his hand before withdrawing it. She remembered him looking at her oddly, as if he didn't expect her to be so understanding.

"Divorce...It's never easy and of course it's always easier to blame someone else. But I'm glad you know you tried your best to salvage what you had", she had said. He smiled a full-toothed smile and she couldn't help but return it.

"Your children are adorable by the way. I never got a chance to tell you. West and Maison seem like terrific kids", she said. Misha's smile, if possible, was happier. Suddenly, his smile faded as he looked at her, he looked down into his mug of coffee. He took a sip of it while she sipped at some water.

"You know she would start fights with me for the sake of fighting...She would say she was going out with the girls but I think she really went out to see another man", he said quietly. Chrissy raised her eyes to him, feeling her heart go out to him. His eyes met hers and she saw it, a broken man. A man who had given so much only to be denied the thing he truly wanted, his wife to love him. The look was gone as fast as it appeared and Chrissy reached her hand out to touch his again, frowning a bit.

"You don't need to think of those things. They are in the past. I understand that it hurts and she was your whole world, but it seems you weren't hers. You are such a caring, giving man and she missed out on something truly great. One day, you will be everything she ever wanted because whatever the reason for her leaving will be done with her and she'll realise that you were the greatest thing to happen to her", she said. He pulled his hand away to cover it with his own when Chrissy flinched and pulled her hand back. She knew he meant well, she just didn't know how to react when someone was being gentle with her. She sighed, knowing it was her own demons that would mess any potential relationship opportunities. She smiled and he practically beamed.