"You don't know how hard this is for me." She shut her eyes tightly. "You don't know how hard it for me…knowing I have to let go."
The room fell silent, neither saying a word. All he could do was stand there gazing at the marble floor. He could feel his heart swell and his chest tighten. The pain was almost unbearable, and looking down was all he could do to keep from crying. If only she knew how hard it was for him too. He did not want it to end, but they had an agreement. It was only going to last a year and they will part their separate ways. After how much he complained about his dire situation, how could he go back now? Damn his pride, and curse his ego. If only he could place his heart first.
"When will we sign the divorce papers?" she spoke up suddenly, causing him to glance up.
"The day after tomorrow," he replied tonelessly. He noticed her fiddling with her wedding ring, feeling the stony diamond between her slender fingers. It was a habit of hers whenever she was stressed or depressed.
She nodded, indicating that she heard.
"You own half the house and will receive half of my fortune," he added, noticing her change of expression.
She shook her head. "No, I don't want anything."
His brows furrowed in confusion. "What do you mean? They belong to you."
She laughed coldly; the sound was music to his ears but sent shivers in his heart as the tone was so distant. "They don't belong to me. Our marriage doesn't entitle me to anything tangible. It's not a game where you receive prizes when it's over."
He could see her blink away tears. Every tear was like a knife to his heart. It was like he could feel her pain, feel the emotions that are raging inside of her. He grasped her wrist, clutching it tightly, not wanting to let go. "Please," he begged, "take it. I want you to take it." He wanted her to at least leave with something.
She stared at him with glossy eyes. "Don't you get it?" she asked vehemently, "I don't need those things. I don't need you to fulfill my materialistic desires. They mean nothing to me."
He could feel her hand slipping away, and it was like part of him was slipping away. "What do you want?" he queried faintly, his voice trembling.
Not looking at him, she responded, "I want to remember the times we had. I want to freeze time. I want it to never end."
His knees shook, and he thought he would fall. His heart was about to burst, tears threatening to fall from his eyes. "I want that too," he whispered. Then he thought of yesterday. (A/N: not literally yesterday, just the past)
'Why me? Why pick me?' he couldn't help but think as he stepped out to the fresh air. His mother had informed him of the news, and he almost fainted with shock. He felt the world crumble beneath him, and his dreams shattering. It was like a boulder on his shoulder, and as the days passed by, the burden became heavier until he could no longer carry the weight. His bride-to-be wasn't the sole reason for his depression. He already had an interest, even if she didn't know. Now, he was afraid she will never get the chance to.
"…in sickness and in health, until death do you part?"
He looked at his bride and had to admit, she was beautiful. No, she was gorgeous, not beautiful. Beautiful was for someone who not only was physically alluring, but also had the soul to capture his heart; beautiful was from the inside.
"Oops," she grinned sheepishly as she accidentally knocked over his high school wrestling trophies.
His eyes widened at the fallen awards. He glared at her angrily. "Look what you did! What are you doing in my room anyways?" he demanded furiously.
She tapped her chin thoughtfully then finally replied, "I was bored so I went inside your room. I just wanted to check it out."
He grabbed her wrist and led her to the open door. "Next time stay out of my room," he warned, to which she childishly stuck out her tongue.
"You're cooking dinner?" His nose wrinkled at the thought.
"Yep," she replied cheerfully. She placed the plates of pasta down onto the dining room table.
He leaned over to sniff it. It smelled okay. He was hoping it tasted the same. He picked up his fork and twisted the long strings of noodles into a tight knot and placed them inside his mouth. Surprisingly, it was delicious. He noticed her gazing at him, waiting for his reaction. His mouth curved into a small smile. "Hmmm…it tastes like cheap imitation rubber that my dog wouldn't even eat."
Her face fell at his verbal critique.
He then grinned and said, "Just kidding. It's good."
Her expression was from disappointment to shock to anger. She slapped him lightly on the arm with her napkin. "You jerk! I actually thought I was a bad cook."
He laughed at her fury and how she would place her hands on her hips. It was these little quirks that make Jackie...well…Jackie.
"Randy, no!" she screamed and pushed him away from the incoming vehicle.
He gasped in shock as she fell and held her ankle painfully. He rushed towards her. "Are you okay?" he asked worriedly.
"My ankle…" She closed her eyes tightly, tears trailing down from the corners.
"Hold on okay? I'll call the ambulance." He quickly dialed 9-1-1 and reported the incident, informing them to hurry. He turned his attention to her. "Don't worry. Everything will be okay," he assured her.
They were now at the courthouse ready to sign the divorce papers. He watched her as she slowly picked up a ballpoint pen and hesitated. He glanced at his own documents and grabbed a pen on the desk and searched for the dotted line. This was it, he thought. This was the end. He lowered the pen onto the white paper, his hands shaking. He noticed his legal officer was looking at him expectantly.
"Mrs. Orton, are you sure you want to do this?" he heard her legal officer ask.
Wait, Mrs. Orton? She didn't sign? He glanced over at her, noticing the papers were on her desk, but the dotted line was left blank. "Jackie?" he asked, confused.
She gazed at him. "I don't want this to be over. Not yet…" she whispered.
He felt his heart flip with joy. He grinned widely. "Me neither. I think we should set our own deadline."
She nodded in agreement. "When the flames burn out, the fire's gone and the passion disappears, then we leave."
He grasped her hand. "But I promise our flames will never burn out for I'll always keep the candle lit."
How did you guys like it? R&R!