Hey guys,
sorry for the delay and the language mistakes, I love reading your reviews. Don't worry will be the rating M, now it's kinda too soon
3.
I was intent to observe him through the thin fissure offered by the door. Conrad, just a few steps away from me, he seemed as abducted by the tissue that only moments before wrapped my body. I looked at him suspiciously, "What game are you playing?" I kept asking myself, less and less convinced by appearances. I bit my lower lip, lost by the articulated pathways of my mind. I noticed only a few seconds later that his eyes crossed mine through the long etched mirror, he had seen me. He smiled amused. I closed the door with a resounding thud and I leaned there with my back. How I hated him!.
"Victoria, darling, wasn't told to cease fire?" he teased talking through the door.
His voice couldn't hide the slightest complacency he was feeling.
"Oh don't you'll be hurt because I have rejected you?" he tapped lightly with his fingers on the polished surface.
I remained silent. I wouldn't give him any satisfaction.
"If it wasn't for the party.. I would be yours, dear" he smiled.
I pressed my lips together, more and more annoyed, but intent to not showing signs of slowing.
"I'll leave you to your bath sweetheart, your friends should be here in a minute, I did prepare a room for you, the staff will help you".
I slid slowly into the fluffy foam, leaving the floral notes relax me. I closed my eyes and breathed slowly, hoping to abandon myself completely. The heart beat regularly. It was the only sound that I felt with the faint crackling of the foam. The water was moving on my skin, drawing short irregular waves leading me elsewhere for a few moments. All anxieties vanished, even the bulky weight of present that I was forced to dress up every day of my life. Like any illusion this too was destined to fade, the thought of a plan hatched by Conrad made me open my eyes wide, my heart began to beat violently in my chest, I shut my lips and tension returned to pervade me even more intensely.
I hurried to get ready, being late wasn't from me. I chose a sheath dress by the pastel blue tone, not too low-cut, a necklace glaring down gently on the breast. I trod the lipstick slowly along every curve of my lips as I usually did. One of my many gestures that could ease tension. I took a deep breath. I shouldn't let my guard down, sooner or later he made his move, I would never have allowed him to catch me unprepared. I smiled cynically stirring up the hair in the mirror and I left the bedroom.
I went down to the floor below, led by dense voices of women who I met frequently. I arrived in proximity of the sliding doors, as soon as I touched them, I couldn't help but notice the voice of my hateful husband. I sighed, and with a fake smile I opened them. The room was filled with hundreds of red roses, notes of vanilla occupied the air, a table in the center had a rich buffet. Once again he pressed sensitive buttons and I was forced to stand by and watch.
"Victoria darling, we were expecting you" he smiled, wrapping an arm over my hip imposing me another contact.
I smiled to mask irritation.
"I hope I don't have exaggerated with roses, I couldn't resist" he admitted with a laugh.
"Oh I love them all" I smiled continuing to preserve appearances.
"What a romantic gesture Victoria, how lucky you are" interjected one of the guests.
How I hated perpetrate comedy, but I had no choice.
I laid a hand on Conrad's chest and I crossed his eyes, "I guess you have a busy day.. if you have to go, don't worry" I smiled fiddling with the small buttons of his shirt hidden by the tie.
He knew how little I could tolerate his presence, I hoped strongly that he seized the invitation to disappear. I didn't have many arrows in my quiver and certainly couldn't make a scene.
He hesitated lingering in my eyes with a wicked smile of his "You're right dear" he whispered "the fact is that I'm constantly distracted" alluding to my appearance winking.
The women in the room just smiled and murmured something confused.
"Oh" escaped my lips deliberately.
"I leave you to your tea, ladies" his hand was stroking my back slowly, I shuddered.
It was damn intentional, he felt a subtle pleasure to put me in awe. I still didn't identify the ultimate goal of his actions, as well as blatant once stomach. All that flirting, compliments, all those contacts in public that I hated. Which unhealthy game he was leading? It was clear by now, the party was an excuse. Some piece of the puzzle was missing, I was sure.
"See you later sweetheart" he whispered pressing me against his chest for an intense kiss on my temple.
I invited the guests to sit down and I did the same, occupying the leading position with a wide smile. I tried to focus myself on the meeting and not on subtle psychological pressure of my husband. I had to ingratiate every woman to prevent the disaster that certainly I was going to meet.
I was about to open my mouth, when a woman at my side pressed me with statements designed to obtain details about my private life.
"You two seem very much in love, Victoria, he has remained the same since the first time you meet him?" she asked innocently.
"Conrad.." I bit my lower lip "I believe he is now irreparably stunned" I said with a laugh.
"Come on Victoria, confesses.." added another woman.
I held my breath, "he has remained the same man once" he smiled softly, pretending transport.
"I'm dying to ask you.. you two have an intense physical relationship?".
What impudent! I clenched my lips embarrassed while I was fiddling with the necklace between my fingers, as I cast my eyes away toward the door. Beyond the threshold, leaning against the circular table near the staircase, Conrad was enjoying the show with an arrogant smile. I would get up again and slapped him. However I was nailed to that chair more than I wanted to.
"Clarissa!" I said "even though we're friends, I don't confess you how many times I sleep with my husband" I laughed, emphasizing every word.
I didn't love snoop into private, if it isn't allowed. However I had to wait myself a certain type of questions. More than a natural consequence of my sickly husband's explicit actions. I just smiled and steered the conversation on the real goal that I set for myself, preserve appearances for saving reputation. The only thing to which I clung desperately for years to ensure that the sacrifice of my only love was worth.