Chapter Six Truth and Worries
"Desarai? Desarai?" "Huh?" "You're distracted today. What's wrong?" Juliet questioned worriedly. "It's, well..." "Talk to me." "I'm worried that Richard may not be the one." "How so?" "What if he doesn't accept the fact that I.." "He's nothing like that monster ex-husband of yours." I smiled weakly and turned my back on Juliet. She seemed to have taken the hint that I wanted to be alone and let me be. I was still worried but hoped that she was right.
After what seemed like the longest day of my life I walked over to the house that Richard had told me was his. I hesitated before knocking and waited in silence for him to answer. A moment later he opened the door and smiled joyfully, "Come in." Richard closed the door behind me and I wandered into his house, which was neat and orderly. I turned to face him and he took me in his arms but I moved away and said quietly, "The reason my husband cheated on me was because when we went to a fertility doctor they told me that--" I halted and looked at my feet. "They told me that I had scar tissue blocking my fallopian tubes and that I was unable to ever get pregnant. Keith was so angry and yelled that I had purposely kept this from him but I swore I never knew. He refused to talk to me for days. The doctor told me that surgery would be hopeless." I continued to stare down at the floor as I waited for Richard to speak. He placed a hand under my chin and raised my head so he could see my eyes. "I love you Desarai, I told you that I would be true to you." He captured me in a kiss before hugging me comfortingly. I smiled in relief and whispered, "I love you too." "Here, come have a glass of wine." He motioned towards his living room and I followed him there.
Sitting down side-by-side we sipped the delicious wine. "Thank you." "For what?" "Understanding." "You had me when you walked into that interview with your gorgeous green dress that matches your eyes so well." I grinned and replied, "I thought you were so handsome." He took my hand and brought me closer to his side. We sat together silently content with each other's company. "I have to go away again Desarai." "For how long?" "I should be back in a week." "A week?" I sputtered nearly choking. "I'm afraid so." "I don't want you to go." "I don't want to leave you either but I have some business to deal with." I frowned and gripped his hand tighter, "I hate it when you leave." "I'll make it up to you, I promise." "Good, because you'll owe me big time." He laughed and moved some of my hair behind my ear.
At midnight, Richard walked me home and moved to kiss me at my door step but I caught sight of Ben standing at his window. Richard didn't notice but I felt unexplainable guilt as I let him kiss me. "Goodnight." He said leaving. I just nodded and as he disappeared into the night. Ben was out of sight again and I took a deep breath before running over to Juliet's where I found her sitting in her bed reading.
"Desarai, how did it go with Richard?" she asked excitedly. 'He was fine." "What's wrong, you don't seem happy?" "Nothing, how are things with Goodwin?" "He's so romantic! I've been seeing him nearly everyday now." Juliet gushed. "Richard has to go away again," I said frowning. "How come?" "He said business but who knows." "They all seem to be hiding something don't they?" Juliet mused. "On our first day I asked Ben where we were but he evaded me question so I asked Richard and he just said that we were outside of Portland." "Well, as long as I get to see Rachel give birth I'm content." I nodded, "I'd better get home. It's getting late." "See you tomorrow." "Night." I replied before leaving to go home. On the way back I found my eyes were betraying me and kept searching Ben's window to see if he was there but there was no sign of him.