It was a dark, dreary day in New York as I made my way through the narrow, shabby hallway up to my dingy apartment. I let out a deep breath as I shoved my key into the lock and opened the door before tossing my keys on the kitchen table.
Within seconds, the lights switched on and a very angry, slender Red head was leaning against the door frame with her arms tucked to her chest, "Where we you?"
I mumbled under my breath, rubbing my dry fingers over the back of my neck, "Out." I brushed past her and yanked on the arm of the fridge, peering into it as I tried desperately to avoid her eyes which were now burning into the side of my head.
"Look at me." She hissed, her voice itched under my skin and caused a slight shiver to radiate through my spine.
"Fucking look at me!" She barked, her hand tearing desperately at my arm, before her fists pounded into my upper arm, "Where were you?" She cried, her fists slowing down as her anger slowly turned to pain and she collapsed onto my chest.
I slowly laid my hand to rest on the small of her back before placing my lips to the top of her head.
Her soft voice squeaked through her crack, chapped lips, "Were you with her again?" I felt her frown against my chest as my body stiffened and my eyes widened.
Ten minutes past as I continued to comfort her, I listened as her sniffles filled the room and hiccups echoed and bounced off the walls.
She pushed herself off of my chest, wiping her face clean and letting out the breath she was holding.
My heart was begging me to say something, but my stupid head came up with nothing.
Pulling herself together, her words came out with fake happiness, "Dinner's in five minutes. Go get washed up." She planted her lips to my cheek before shooing me away and wiping her hands on the apron that was tied around her waist. Confusion etched on my features as I smashed my eyebrows together.
Loosening my tie from around my neck and rested my palms on the edge of the bed and closed my eyes.
'When did my life get so fucked up?' I hissed in a hushed tone to myself, before unbuttoning my shirt and pulling it over my head. It was no wonder I dreaded coming home and took every possible shift I could muster at work just to avoid the constant fighting. It was no wonder I fulfilled my nights with Selena instead of my own wife.
I adjusted the water before slipping inside of it and allowing it to wash away my sorrows. I listened intently as soft humming sounded from the kitchen as I placed my hands on the cold tile of the bathroom wall and allowed the water to flow through my hair. I pulled at the ends in frustration as her humming became more intense. With every fiber of my body, I ignored the intense pressure to scream my bloody head off. I ran my hands down my face as I let out a deep groan.
"Dinner's ready." Her chipper voice rang through the bed room as I shook the towel through my shaggy hair.
Taking in the arrangement my mouth went dry. There she sat at the other end of the table, her elbows propped on the table and her hands laced together neatly as a perfect smile played on her lips, "Sit, sweetheart. I made your favorite." She gloated as she scooped the serving spoon into the dish and dropped it onto my plate.
I fought the urge to roll my eyes as I stabbed my fork into the noodles, "Why don't we ever eat normal food?" My tone came out a bit more edgy then I anticipation.
I watched as she swallowed her wine and nearly choked, "What?" She wiped her mouth with the white satin napkins and cleared her throat, "I thought you loved Roasted duck with raspberry glaze."
Her eyes burned into me as my shoulders shrugged in response and I pushed my food around on my plate.
I stood up from the table and dropped my napkin on the surface.
Her eyes followed me as I walked into the bedroom and slammed the door shut behind me.
Angrily swiping my phone unlocked, a dialed an all too familiar number, "Hey." A smile instantly graced my face as a sat on the edge of my bed, with my feet planted on the ground and my elbows resting on legs.
"Hey, stranger." Her voice sang into my ears, as my heart started to race.
"I miss you." I said softly so I wouldn't be heard and earned a giggle.
"You left an hour ago, crazy." I could picture the gorgeous smile that was eating her face right now, and the way her dark curls bounced on her shoulders as she laughed.
"When can I see you?" I asked a bit too frantically, throwing my back against the bed and staring at the ceiling.
"Tomorrow morning. I'll meet you at the coffee shop, say.. Eight thirty?"
"Sounds perfect, hey uh, what're you wearing right now?" I smirked as she scoffed softly.
"Goodbye, Justin." I listened as she giggled before saying the word I always hated to say.
"Bye."