Chapter 16: Away from her
Matthew sighed as he entered his apartment. It was silent which was a relief because it meant Maria wasn't there yet. He plopped himself down onto the couch and put his feet on the coffee table. His mind drifting off to the one thing that really mattered to him. He thought about how much closer they had become these past few days. Matt couldn't help but smile when thinking of Kelly. Even though it had been hard with her being sad most of the time. But he loved her, sad or happy, he'd do anything for her. And she needed him. He'd make sure he would be there for her, always. With that thought fixated in his mind, he closed his eyes and let out a long sigh.
What a lovely dream I'm dreaming, Matt thought. Kelly was sitting on his lap, straddling him and kissing a trail of wet kisses along his jaw line. Matt moaned and felt himself getting more and more aroused in his sleep. He riled underneath the woman who was giving him this satisfaction. He felt hands on his crotch, fingers working to unfasten his belt. He grabbed the hands he thought were Kelly's and slowly opened his eyes. Big was his shock when he saw Maria sitting on his lap. Her brown hair falling around her face. His growing erection was gone in a second. 'Maria?' he sort of shouted. 'Surprised to see me baby?' she asked with a seducing voice. 'Euhm…' Matt didn't know what to say. He tried to sit up, but Maria wouldn't let him. 'Where do you think you're going?' she asked. 'I'm back baby, we are not leaving this couch the next few days'. 'Yes, we are' Matt said pushing Maria off of him and sitting up. 'Didn't you miss me?' she asked. 'Because I sure as hell missed you' she leaned in closer to kiss him but Matt pulled away.'We need to talk' he whispered.
'I cannot believe this!' Maria spoke with a shocked voice. 'You told me there was nothing going on between you and Kelly and now you're telling me you love her and you want to be with her'. Matt just nodded. He figured it would be best if he'd just let her ramble for a couple of minutes. 'You are a jerk! I hate you!' she screamed wanting to punch him in the face. But Matt ducked before she could hit him. 'Look, Maria, I never meant to hurt you but this is just how I feel… I love her'. Maria looked at him with surprise written all over her face: 'How can you possibly love her? You haven't even slept with her yet. You'll see, once you sleep with her, you'll realize it's me you want.' Matt looked away, avoiding Maria's eyes. 'You didn't!' Maria hissed. 'Did you? Did you sleep with her? … Answer me, you dick!' 'Yes, I've slept with her. And I want to be with her!' Maria looked down and nodded slowly. 'Well' she paused 'in spite of everything you've done, I still want to be with you. I don't mind you having feelings for someone else. You'll get over her eventually,' she exclaimed while getting up and walking towards Matthew. Matt was stunned. 'Look, Maria, I don't think you understand. I love Kelly and she loves me,' he took a few steps backwards as Maria was nearing him. 'And we want to be together.' Maria grabbed the collar of his shirt, kissed his cheek and whispered 'You can be with Kelly… and with me'. 'What?' Matt shouted as he grabbed Maria's upper arms and pushed her away. 'I want to be with Kelly, just Kelly!' Maria was coming at him again, but Matt held her back. 'Look, Maria, I want you to leave. You can stay here for a couple of days until you've found a place to stay. But I want you out by the end of the week.' And with that Matt left his apartment. Away from her.
He didn't know where to go, so he decided to go for a walk in Central Park. He sat down on a bench where he had eaten ice cream with Kelly before, when they were still just friends. He reminisced the times they hung out together as just friends. Strolling around in the park, going for ice cream together, galaventing around the city. He realized once more it was Kelly he wanted, only Kelly he wanted to be with. He smiled. Just then he could feel his cell phone vibrating in the back of his pants. He reached into his pocket, and unlocked his phone to read a text from Kelly: I'm deliriously happy to be here. The kids and I are doing just fine, finally! Xoxo
Matt's smile grew even wider when he read her text. He was so very happy for her. He answered immediately: I'm happy for you and H². Give them both a big hug from me. And a special kiss for you! I miss you… xoxo After he had hit the 'send' button, the smile slowly disappeared from Matt's face. As happy as he was knowing she and the kids were doing fine, he felt awful. He missed. He missed her more than words could say. She, being in France and him being in New York, thousands of miles apart was killing him. He couldn't live without her anymore. He loathed being this far away from her.