Blistered Hearts
Chap 1: When dreams became nightmares...
Mariah sat hugging her knees looking absently at the already set tea table. It had been a long time since she and Ray were living together and she felt that somehow the flame had died away. It was not that he had changed or anything but he became less attractive and making love wasn't that exciting anymore. She wanted to move on yet she didn't know how to say it to him without hurting him. Mariah let go a deep sigh.
Suddenly the door opened and in came Ray and his team. Mariah put on a smiling mask to greet them.
"Mariah! Beautiful as always," Max gave her one of his wide smile which she returned.
"We've bought you flowers and chocolates," Tyson said as he passed her the boxes.
"Oh, thank you." Mariah gathered the presents in her arms and went into the kitchen. She heard Ray saying, "Settle down, guys. I'll go and get some tea."
The kitchen door opened and she felt someone taking hold of her waist. She turned her head and saw Ray kissing her near the eyebrow. His lips moved down to hers but she stopped him. "The kettle's boiling," she said and she pushed him away.
"You want me to help you?" asked Ray
"Take this." She handed him the teapot. He pecked her on the cheeks before leaving. Mariah arranged the biscuits and wiped out her eyes. Ray is being so good, she thought. She forced a smile as she remade appearance in the sitting room.
"Biscuits!" Tyson and Max yelled.
"Careful!" Mariah laughed under the weight as the boys swept up the biscuits. She sat down next to Ray and sipped her tea while listening enviously about their training. Since they were living together, Mariah had less time for her own practice. Suddenly she noticed Kai staring at her strangely. What does he want, that one? Mariah asked herself.
When the other went to the living room to watch TV, she quietly cleared the table.
"You're not happy."
Mariah turned at Kai's voice. He was in his usual place, leaning against the kitchen door, arms crossed. She ignored him and carried the dishes into the kitchen.
"Why don't you go and watch TV with the others?" she asked.
"It doesn't interest me," he answered shortly.
Mariah started doing the dishes.
"You're wrong," she said after a long silence, "I'm very happy. Why shouldn't I be? I have Ray for myself at last."
"And now you want to get rid of him," Kai finished.
She turned sharply but Kai was gone.