Fixed Marriage

Episode Six

When the alarm clock hit at 4 o'clock in the morning, Gail prepared herself. She wasn't planning on taking the things he provided for her. She arrived without anything and she would leave without bringing anything. At least she had a good sleep one last time in his room, although her mind was being bothered by the woman who was in the frame. 'Maybe she was his girlfriend or ex-wife.' she thought to herself. Her hair was still wet when she headed downstairs. She hugged herself out of nowhere when she was in the living room, the coldness was everywhere. Then she glanced at the whole place for the last and started to walk in her direction to the front door. She told her mother last night about the decision they had made. First she was freaking out, but was glad to know that she would be going home.That's what she thought also, but she just woke up earlier and some idea popped up into her mind. She knew that it would be challenging, but she decided to do it anyway. This time, she needs to grow up. There's no more lurking behind her room and garden. If she wanted to be an independent woman, she needed to get out of her comfort zone. And that was her final decision before leaving Vander's place.

She walked in the streets while hugging herself. Wearing only a black sweater and navy blue pants. The sneakers she was wearing were helping her feet to feel warm.There was a car's headlights heading in her direction. She looked back and saw a taxi behind her. Her hands were trembling while she raised them to get the driver's attention.

"To Aroma Mocha please," she muttered after she got inside. If she wanted to start a new beginning today, there was one thing to do first. A warm coffee to cast the coldness away. She scolded herself for not grabbing her topcoat earlier. Now she was beating the freezing weather.The city's lights in the United States were starting to fade when the light was starting to creep. Her eyes were fixed outside, then there was her mind was thinking about her twin sister Guen. 'She would probably laugh at me when she knew everything.' Guen was always sarcastic to her, until now she didn't know what was the reason why she hated her so much. When all she wanted was closure and a better relationship with her. They're supposed to be inseparable since they are twins.

"Thank you, please keep the change." She mumbled before going outside. She heard him say thank you, when her body hit the cold again she wanted to shiver nonstop.The coffee shop's warm ambience inside was inviting her to come over. She would probably stay an hour and plan where she would go afterwards. When she will be warm enough to face the cold weather.

"Good morning ma'am, and welcome to Aroma Mocha." One of the guards greeted her while the other one opened the door. The moment she stepped inside, the coziness of the place embraced her. She then began to search for a perfect spot and it didn't take her long to find one.

" Hi! Can I sit here? " Her thoughts were in the midst of planning when a dark brown-haired lady appeared in front of her. She was carrying the same cappuccino coffee she had ordered.

"It's okay, take a seat."

"Thank you, my name is Chandrea. It's nice meeting you and I love this coffee shop." She muttered after settling the chair in front of her. Gail's warm smile was the first thing she could respond to. She had never talked with any strangers before. 'Maybe it's a good start.'

" Mine is Gail, and it's my first time visiting this place. Nice meeting with you too" She spoke gently like she always does. The woman kept glancing at her as she got her coffee. It was giving her an awkward feeling.

"You have a beautiful name, I like your eyes and the way you smile. They're very sweet and gentle. Well, everything about you is beautiful."She blurted out, which made her chuckle. It didn't take them long to get each other closer. She felt comfortable talking with her. Chandrea had her jolly character. She didn't stop talking and kept asking her questions. Gail's plan on searching for a condominium was forgotten. Both of them were having a good time talking about their likes and don'ts.

It was nearly 8 o'clock in the morning when he arrived back home. The door opened and the silence was the first he noticed. 'She is gone now,' he mumbled, while his eyes instinctively searched the whole living room. He did hear some noises before every time he arrived, when she was still wandering around his place. Now he felt like the place was completely silent and empty and somehow he hated how the silentness affected him. His house had never been so noisy before, but something was wrong now. Or he was just getting used to her wandering around the house. After a few minutes of spacing out, he took the initiative to take his step upstairs. He then regretted it afterwards, his room was filled with her alluring scent. Their memories last time, together in bed, come back ironically. He knows well that he started missing her. No, he did miss her every time he was not home. But his life was far from hers, more complicated. He couldn't bring himself to ruin her innocence. Indeed, she was the most beautiful woman he had laid eyes on. But also the innocent one. He was worse than she could imagine.'She deserves someone better than me. Not a womanizer and sadistic.' He just realized how he hated himself for being a womanizer now. Mostly his addiction to hurting someone when it comes to s*x. Yes, he didn't hurt her last time they had it. She was his first and he tried his best to control his demons inside him. It was the most difficult and unforgettable night together with her. Where he had controlled his behavior and, for the first time, satisfied his whole system. Divorcing her was freeing her from the pain. Because he was not sure if he could still control himself if it would happen again. She was naive, but also addicting.