Chapter Four
Catherine stood in front of Gil's door, calmly fishing through her purse for his key. She smiled as she plucked her key chain - a small frame with a their picture adorning the set of four keys: townhouse, car, locker and office. She opened the door, shutting it quietly behind her. "Gil?" Toeing off her shoes near the entrance and placing her handbag on the floor, she padded to his room.
Opening the door, she found the bed still unmade from their morning together. She leaned against the door, momentarily admiring the empty bed - reliving the sights, sounds and pleasures of their time together. Shivers coursed through her body, and she suddenly ached for his being. She checked his bathroom, as well as the spare bedroom. Heading towards her handbag to get her cell phone, she spied him lying curled up on his brown leather couch. "Gil..." She sighed with relief, walking towards his form.
He had heard her come in, felt her energy walk past and head to his room. Thoughts of her in his room spawned arousing images that pained his heart with betrayal. He shut his eyes tightly until they began to hurt, trying to will out desire. He sighed softly, wondering if she had been gunning for his position since the beginning. For the first time in his life, his heart had not been confused, and he followed love's calculated guidance, instead of logic's painful reality. "I guess I should congratulate you." He muttered, pressing his forehead further into the back of the couch.
She cocked her head to the side, confused at his statement. "What do you mean?"
Her question was slow and deliberate, letting him know that she was aware of his intention. "They must have had one hell of an argument because you certainly came out of there with guilt on your mind."
She took a step back, her eyes burning with tears. "What's got you, Gil?" She asked, her voice quivering slightly.
"I'm suspended...and demoted, and you just jump at the chance to -"
"To what, Gil!" She yelled, cutting him off before he could finish.
He finally turned on his side, facing her. "To just take my life's work without second thought." His voice dropped, defeat presently growing.
"Word is you willingly gave up your position." She said, turning on her heel, heading towards the door.
He grabbed her wrist, jerking her back. "Because of you...I gave it up because of you - not for!"
She wrestled her arm from his grasp. "And I refused the offer because of -you-!" Her voice matched his intensity, her heart hammering in her chest as tears began to fall. She sighed, picking up her purse and walking towards the door.
Gil dropped his head back on the couch, cringing as he heard a metallic 'clank', the door's slam echoing not far behind. He bit the tip of his tongue, hard, until he tasted the bitter taste of blood in his mouth.
–TBC–