You & I

Eight

ARIZONA'S POV

My blood is boiling. I know what a bitch Suzanna can be, but what she did last night? No, that was abhorrent. It was pure venom on her part. I kicked her ass out the moment Eliza left, no amount of grovelling could ever make me forgive her for what she said, or did. I mean, she slapped her. Eliza. She slapped her and I wanted nothing more than to kick her ass to the floor. I wanted to strangle the bitch.

I've been calling Eliza repeatedly since last night but she won't pick up. She doesn't want to speak to me and I don't blame her. I don't blame her for leaving her job, or never wanting to see me again. I'd go to her place, but I know she's a private person. I know she wouldn't like me to just show up there. I don't know what else I'm supposed to do, so I guess I have to wait it out, hoping that one day she'll forgive me…and contact me.

I've left her numerous messages apologizing for Suzanna's behavior, but I'm not sure they'd even register with her. Im not sure she cares about anything I have to say. Why? Because I'm married to that complete bitch. I'm married to the fucking devil. I allowed her into my space when Eliza was here and look at the outcome. I'm alone, without anything from her, about to leave for a fucking gala with the woman who's intent on ruining my life.

I've been waiting outside my apartment for the last ten minutes and Suzanna is late. This is typical her, though. So long as she's ready and prepared, fuck everyone else. Usually, I'd feel hot. Usually, I'd be ready for a gala…flirting with the creepy guys who can't take their eyes off the women in the room. Tonight though, tonight I'm just about ready to murder someone…the likelihood of it being my fucking wife.

Watching as our usual car pulls up next to the sidewalk, I straighten myself out and the door opens. Climbing inside, I thank the driver, totally dismissing the fact that my wife is sitting beside me. I can feel her watching me, but I'm not entertaining her. I'm not humoring her. It's what she wants and I'm just about sick and tired of giving her what she wants.

"You look gorgeous…"

I know I do.

Ignoring the fact that she's just spoken to me, my eyes focus on the streets of New York as we head down the street and take a right. I should be settling down with Eliza, not sitting here with probably the only woman in the world that I actually hate.

"You're not speaking to me…"

"Fucking hell…you're quick off the mark tonight." Rolling my eyes as I glance Suzanna's way momentarily, I shake my head and release a deep breath.

"Arizona, can we not do this?"

"Do what?" I ask, facing her better.

"This. The hostility. The smart ass comments."

"I just want to get this over and done with so I can head home and enjoy a bottle of wine."

"With Eliza?" She asks, her eyebrow raised.

"No, not with Eliza." I shift in my seat a little. "You fucked that chance for me…like you usually do."

"She's not your type." Suzanna shakes her head. "She's so not your type."

"Don't speak about her." I hold up my hand. "You don't have that right."

"Why did you choose her?" She asks. "Was it sympathy?"

"Excuse me?" I give Suzanna an incredulous look.

"The cancer…" She rolls her eyes like it means nothing. "How could you sleep with her, you know?"

"No, I don't know." I focus on her eyes. "Enlighten me…"

"Isn't it weird?" She wrinkles her nose. "I mean, I know how much you love a good pair of boobs," Suzanna smirks. "I didn't have mine done for nothing…"

"You had yours done because you're the vainest bitch on this planet." I laugh. "It had nothing to do with what I wanted. It never does."

"Still, you haven't answered my question." Suzanna shrugs.

"I'm not ever going to answer that question." I scoff. "You make me sick."

"Now now, honey." She settles her hand on my thigh. "Let's remember who you're speaking to…"

"I can't stay long…" I relax back in my seat.

"Can't stay long?" She says. "You'll be here for the duration."

"Yeah?" I smile, my eyebrow raised. "I don't fucking think so…"

"Arizona, you're being pathetic now." Suzanna slips her hand further up my thigh. "Do I need to make you feel better?"

"That hand moves any further and I'll fucking break it!" Gripping her wrist, I lift her hand and force it away. "This. It ends now."

"I don't think so, honey."

"You really think I wouldn't?" I ask, our car coming to a stop. "You really think I'm going to continue this with you?"

"You need me too much, sweetie."

Deciding that my silence is the best thing for me right now, I simply nod and turn away, a smirk forming on my mouth. I'm giving this gala one hour, and then I'm gone. Tomorrow, I call my lawyer to serve my wife. Tomorrow, the beginning of the end of our marriage will finally happen. Suzanna thinks I won't do it, but I'm more than sure I'm ready. I have been since the moment we separated. Now, I just need to hope and pray that Eliza will one day hear me out. See me. Hold a conversation with me. If she doesn't, at least I'll still be free. If she doesn't, I only have myself to blame.

—-

"Thank you, James." I smile, sipping my champagne. "It's great having you on the board."

"Yes, your wife thinks so, too." He smiles. "It wouldn't be the cash injection talking now, would it?"

"My wife?" I furrow my brow.

"Suzanna?" He gives me a look of confusion. "The woman you're here with this evening…"

"Oh, she's not my wife." I laugh, waving off his comment. "We're separated. Have been for some time."

"Hmm, really?" James asks. "I wasn't aware of that."

"Are you supposed to be?" I narrow my eyes. "I mean, our private life doesn't have any bearing on the business…"

"Of course not." He nods slowly. "Suzanna kept your separation quiet, though."

"Yeah, it's what she does best." I smile. "Anyway, I should go mingle." Rolling my eyes, I move through the crowd, my eyes landing on Suzanna. Stepping up behind her, I clear my throat. "I'm leaving…"

"Nonsense." She leans in close, pressing a kiss below my ear. "Arizona…meet Paul." He holds out his hand, taking mine. "Paul, my wife…Arizona."

"Ex-wife," I state. "Soon to be, anyway."

"O-Oh." Paul clears his throat.

"Arizona." Suzanna grips my waist, warning me. "Excuse us for a moment, Paul."

"Of course, yes." He smiles, awkwardly. "Lovely to meet you, Arizona."

"Yes, you too." Smiling sarcastically, Suzanna drags me through the crowd and out onto a balcony. "Get your fucking hands off me." I push her away.

"I'm warning you." She points in my face. "Don't fucking test me."

"I'm leaving." I push past her but she grips my wrist, spinning me around. "Suzanna."

"You stop this behavior now." She spits. "You're making me look a fool."

"Oh, you do that all by yourself." I shrug her hand from my wrist. "No more galas. No more dinners. Nothing. I'm done. Goodnight."

Leaving her standing on the balcony, I breathe a sigh of relief as I move through the crowd and towards the exit of the exquisite building I've spent my evening in so far. I can't stay here any longer. Every time she introduces me to someone, I want to throw up. Every time she touches me, I want to punch her. The sooner I leave this place the sooner the stress will leave my body.

Fixing my dress on my thighs a little better, my heels click against the marble flooring as I head for the street. Our car is waiting for us, so why not make full use of it? Suzanna, she can walk for all I care.

—-

I've been standing on the street for the last thirty minutes. I don't know why I'm here and I don't know why I asked our driver to even head this way, but I'm looking up at Eliza's apartment block and my heart is in my mouth. She's home, I can see the lights inside her place flickering, but that doesn't mean my being here is welcome.

Pressing different buzzers on the wall beside me, I avoid her apartment number, hoping someone will just let me inside. Isn't that what usually happens in movies? Gasping when the door clicks, I push my way inside and head for the elevator. I've never been to Eliza's place but I may have kept her address from the employee records at the office. Sure, she won't like it, but in this moment…I don't care. I just need to see her. Her face. Her smile. Those gorgeous eyes.

Double checking the address I have for her, I step inside the carriage and press the button for the required floor. I'm not hoping for much but seeing her...being in her presence, that's enough for me right now. I need something familiar and Eliza is the only familiarity I feel I have in my life lately.

Releasing a deep breath when the doors open and I step into the corridor, I glance around, finding the apartment holding the only woman I ever want in my life. The only woman who looks at me like I matter. Eliza Minnick has done something to me that I can't quite explain.

Trying to remove the tension from my body, I step up to the hardwood in front of me and knock a little louder than is probably acceptable. Glancing down my body, I'm hardly dressed for the occasion but I don't care. My tight black dress that sits mid thigh usually looks good on me, but nothing feels good tonight. My heels included. The sound of the lock on the door sliding, my heart pounds in my ears.

"H-Hi." I stutter as Eliza's gorgeous face comes into view. "Sorry I just came here but I needed to see you..."

"Arizona." She breathes out. "Wow." Her eyes trailing my body, a small smile curls on my mouth before her eyes return to mine. "I mean, why are you here?"

"Could we talk?"

"No, that's not a good idea." Eliza shakes her head.

"She said some really hurtful things to you, I understand that...but it's not what I think." I step closer. "I don't think any of the things she said."

"I just..." Sighing, she drops her gaze.

"Did she hurt you?" I study Eliza's face, thankful Suzanna hasn't left a mark on her gorgeous skin. "Is your face okay?"

"My face is fine." She nods, unable to look at me. "I shouldn't have said what I did. I deserved that."

"No, you didn't." I furrow my brow. "You didn't deserve any of what she said and you certainly didn't deserve what she did."

"I told you this would happen." She gives me a sad smile. "I told you it was a bad idea."

"I left the gala," I say, my voice low and unsure. "To come here."

"You should go back." The door begins to close. "I'll get my stuff from the office on Monday and then you won't have to see me again."

"That's not what I want." I hold the door. "I understand you don't want to work at the office anymore, but I still want to see you."

"We can't, Arizona."

"Why? Because she said so?" My forehead creases. "What about what we want?"

"I just want to live my life without other people's drama. I have enough of my own."

"I'm not here to bring drama." I hold up my hands. "Even if it seems like it, I'm really not."

"Arizona..."

"Okay." I nod, wrapping my arms around myself. "Just...take care, Eliza." I give her a small genuine smile. "I know what I want and I know it's you. You're the only woman who's made me feel like I could have the world if I want it, but I understand what we had was ruined when she said and done what she did." A tear slips from my eye. "I'd like to ask that we could be friends but I can't. I need more than friendship with you." I release a deep breath. "So, I'll leave. I'll have someone get your things together and deliver them here. You don't have to see me or Suzanna that way. Just...makes it easier for you." I shrug. "If you need a letter of recommendation..."

"Thanks." Eliza nods, her eyes focused on the floor between us.

"I'm sorry I hurt you." Turning and leaving, I feel like the ultimate bitch. I know this isn't my fault but I guess in some way, it is. I'm the one who stayed for so long and I'm the one who pursued Eliza, knowing Suzanna wouldn't like it. So, yeah...this lies with me.

"You didn't," Eliza calls down the corridor.

"Huh?"

"You didn't hurt me." She smiles, weakly. "I'm the one who got involved. I'm the one who involved myself with a married woman."

"I'm calling my lawyer in the morning," I say. "To start proceedings..."

"I hope it all works out for you." Eliza has a look in her eyes that mirrors how I'm feeling. "Just...I have something that belongs to you. Give me a moment?"

"Sure." I agree, moving towards her apartment again.

Waiting outside, as much as I want to head in there, I hear her bare feet against her wood flooring and a smile settles on my mouth. Even the sound of her walking towards me leaves me lightheaded. That's just how much I'm into her. Pathetic, I know, but I haven't felt anything like this ever before. Not even when my marriage was good.

"Here." She hands over my old college tee. "I know it's your favorite."

"T-Thanks." I bring it up to my nose, inhaling deeply. "It smells of you." My eyes close, tears slipping from them and connecting with the soft, worn material. "God..."

"Don't cry." Her hand settles on my bare shoulder. "You'll be fine."

"I just..." Shaking my head, I control my emotions. "I wanted to fall hopelessly in love with you." My voice breaks. "I need you to know that."

"Maybe in another life..."

"Yeah. Maybe." I nod. "Goodnight, Eliza." I step forward, pressing a kiss to her cheek. "You're so beautiful. Don't ever forget that."

Tears falling down her own face, I brush them away with my thumb and she leans into my touch. I know she doesn't want me to leave. I can feel it between us. That craving I have, she feels it too. The desperate need to be close, I'm sensing it.

"I don't want to leave." My words barely above a whisper, her lips part and her eyes close. "Please, don't ask me to leave..."

"We can't do this anymore." She cries. "As much as I want you, we can't."

"I think about you every moment of the day," I admit. "Whatever I'm doing, my mind is always on you. It's hard not to be." I smile. "Seeing you around the office...it makes me want an entire world with you, Eliza."

"Oh god." Her hand settles on mine against her face.

"Tell me what to do, Eliza." I press my body against hers, my left arm wrapping around her waist. "You know exactly where I want to be...but this is on you." Her head resting against my chest, she holds me close. "Do what you want..."

"Stay..."

Thanks for reading, guys. Reviews are welcome and appreciated as always.