After Midnight

Victoria's point of view:

"On the summer we met, David and I used to spend hours late at night, on the porch at his house talking. Most of the time we talked about trivialities. Nothing too serious. He always made me escape from a day to day of hate, lies and deceit I lived in. when we were together, the whole world disappeared.

There was a night in July when I had a huge fight with Conrad about his possessiveness and jealousy and how I could no longer take his hypocritical and abusive behavior. After that, I ran out of the manor and arrived at the beach house, looked at David and started to cry copiously. The tears had surprised me, because I never wanted him to see me in that state. I always liked to show him how strong I was. I used to wish he never knew the real me, the one who was hurting.

When he saw me, he got up from his bench, ran towards me and, without asking why, hugged me tight, until I stopped crying. We stood there for so long, but he didn't seem to care. On that moment, I knew I loved him.

A few hours later, after I had explained to him what happened with Conrad and he comforted me, we were sitting at the beach close to the ocean. I remember there were so many stars that night; a light cool breeze blew our hairs and made us want to stay closer to each other to get warm.

-Victoria? - He caressed my face and smiled.

-What? - I smiled too, relieved to be in his arms after the nightmare I had just gone through.

-You deserve better. – he starred deeply into my eyes. - Sometimes I look at you and you're gazing at the distance… like you are trying to flee the moment in your thoughts. - I felt tears coming, but contained them. - I want to give you a different life.

I shook my head, as if to tell him to stop with his nonsense, but his look turned intense. This was a real proposition.

-David…I'm married and I have a son… I can't just change everything out of the blue. Besides, you have Amanda and…- he kissed me, interrupting my cascade of excuses.

-I love you. Get a divorce. Move in with me. Leave behind this reality you hate. – he made it sound like it was the simplest thing in the world and I wanted to believe him, but I knew better.

In the horizon, I could see the first rays of light reflected on the ocean. It was time for me to go back home, before someone noticed I was gone.

-I need to go. – I let go of his hands and started walking towards the Grayson Manor.

-Victoria please don't leave like this. - He got up and came after me. He hugged me from behind, making me stop.

I didn't know what to say. I couldn't give him an answer. I needed to think. I loved him, but I couldn't make that decision. I turned to face him and my lips met his. Then, I left without saying a word."

Maybe, this would be the end of her peaceful days with him, as he'd keep wanting something she couldn't give him. Or maybe, he was her ticket to freedom.