Love Like You Never Loved Before

“What’s more important than life itself? If my mom asks you again, tell her I’m pondering about life.”

“About life? Or about destroying life?”

“Or that, too!”

Christopher let out a manly chortle upon hearing my response. For some reason, his presence made me feel at ease. Shortly afterward, we arrived at a clubhouse, and he helped me get inside.

The apartment I once called home is now an empty shell where I spend long nights wondering what kind of fresh hell is going to take place when Lyle gets back.

Christopher was probably related to the owner of the clubhouse, as he led me through the backdoor and went straight up to the members’ zone. I plopped down on the couch, too tired to lift a finger. As Zachary tried to make his way in, he was stopped by Christopher at the door. “Don’t be the awkward third wheel. Make yourself scarce.”

What a jerk. Zachary let out a long sigh. “You’re such a horrible friend,” he growled out before leaving the room.

When only the two of us were left in the private room, Christopher fetched me a set of clean clothes so I could get rid of my wet ones. Instead of turning around like a gentleman, the man just stared at me with unblinking eyes.

Feeling embarrassed, I finally broke the silence and gave him a nudge with my hand. “Can you please turn around? I’m trying to get changed.”

“Haven’t I already seen everything? Just get changed, or don’t come crying to me when you catch a cold tomorrow,” he said while scanning my body from head to toe.

“Just turn around, please!” It didn’t feel natural to do that in front of a man.

“Alright, alright. As you wish.” He finally turned around.

I was just about to slip out of my dress when he spun around and said cheekily, “Are you sure you don’t need my help? After all, you’re injured.”

I threw my hands up at his tongue-in-cheek offer. “I’ve injured my leg, not my hands.”

I cracked up upon seeing the disappointed look on his face. He was both a spoiled brat as well as a reserved and arrogant emperor, but right now, he reminded me of a child who had just been denied candy.

My phone rang just as I changed into clean clothes. It was from Lyle. I hesitated briefly before answering the call. “Yvonne Tanner, where the hell are you? Are you so desperate for men you’re whoring around town?” he remarked callously.

I gritted my teeth. Such was my husband. As though it was not enough to watch me being bullied by others, he now called me to rub more salt in the wound. “You’re right. To you, I’m nothing, aren’t I? Since there’s no going back for us, I may as well keep my options open and hook up with a few more suitors while I can. I’m about to get some action here, so, piss the hell off!” I barked into the phone before hanging up the call and slamming my phone on the table.

As I lay on the couch, I was overwhelmed by a sense of despondency. I forgot who I was and how I had fallen in love with Lyle in the beginning.

My heart still ached as I mulled over our exchanges over the phone. I had been in love with the man for ten years. During such times, he had transformed from a thirteen-year-old boy to an outstanding, successful man. If only I could turn back time…

If a dream that came true isn’t followed by a happily-ever-after, I would rather remain the Cinderella who never found her Prince Charming. That way, I can a least still preserve the enchantment of love in my imaginative bubble.

“Christopher, I feel like drinking some alcohol. May I?” I took out a lollipop from my handbag and put it into my mouth. It still tasted sugary sweet, but it did nothing to assuage the emptiness I felt on the inside.