"The Neighbors"
Thanks again for everyone who supports my stories and my writing. I do appreciate any help that you offer to me as long as it is constructive. I do listen to your suggestions as long as they are given with the sole purpose of helping to make me better. We all have different writing styles and as I've mentioned before, I never envisioned myself as a writer, this just sort of happened. Also, there is absolutely no comparison when you read stories by someone like lurkermostly because that person to me seems like a true writer. With that said, I think that 99.9% of you truly appreciate and understand what I have to offer…
Now let's find out what happens when everyone ends up in the city at the same time…
Rated M for Mature Content.
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Chapter 14: The Art Show
Emily POV
It's Friday morning, I'm lying in bed all alone not being able to comprehend why Maya didn't come home last night. I hope she's okay. She has to be okay, I'm sure someone would have gotten in touch with me if she wasn't. I just don't know what happened. We could've spent the whole day and night together. I wanted that so badly but after my phone conversation with Maya's mom I doubt that the two of us will ever have our true love. I can't come between Maya and Josh, can I? Here I am thinking about coming between Maya and her husband when I haven't even really given my own marriage a thought. This would destroy Ryan. I can't do that to him, can I? Oh why did the most perfect woman on the planet have to live next door to me and why did we have to fall so hard for each other so fast. I don't know if I'll ever truly understand my feelings for her. I don't know if I'll ever truly understand why I would be so quick to give up on my own marriage to a man I really do love. But to a man who doesn't make me shiver whenever he is near or who doesn't make my heart pound so rapidly whenever he is near or who doesn't make my pulse thread whenever he is near or who doesn't make my feminine place groan for his touch whenever he is near. The love I feel for Maya is a love I have never experienced in my life. It is a love that gets me up in the morning putting a smile on my face, a smile that only she can make me smile. It is a love that puts a skip in my step, a love that makes me yearn to be with her every moment possible, it is a love I thought I already had with Ryan…
Maya POV
I finally fall asleep after tossing and turning throughout the night dreaming about who I will spend the rest of my life with. So when I do manage to wake up in this big comfortable bed, I feel "mmmmm" and have a huge grin on my face because that dream was so real and if that's what love feels like than I do want it for real. How could I have ever doubted my feelings? I think I'm going to take a swim in that beautiful pool with the retractable roof to clear my head. I want to make sure my dream is my truth, that my dream is my future…
I get up, take off my pajamas, wrap myself in a towel and walk to the pool. I don't have a bathing suit with me so I'm just going to swim au natural and think about my person swimming with me…
I dive into the pool swimming underwater imagining my person right next to me. I come up for air while falling into my breaststroke, graceful arms, quick kicks, perfectly horizontal with my person staying with me stroke for stroke. I can't help but smile knowing that I have come to a decision, the right decision, the only decision that I could possibly make. I continue swimming the length of the pool back and forth until I have convinced myself that yes, my person is my truth…
Emily POV
So, I'm showered, dressed, packed and ready to make my trip to the city. When I get there I'm going to change into my black sleeveless v neck mid-thigh high dress with a belted waist making the skirt flow outward sans bra exposing my bare back, black lace panties and black high heels. I decide to do my makeup there too so I can wash my face after the hour plus train ride. I have some time before I need to leave so I call the gallery to see if Maya is there...
"Hello, this is Megan at The Gallery."
"Hey Megan, this is Emily."
"Oh hey Emily, are you all set for tonight?"
"Yeah, I'm just checking in and wondering if Maya is there."
"No she's not here yet. But she called earlier today and said she was going to take a swim and then head over."
"Take a swim? Where?"
"I think she's staying at Ted's penthouse until tomorrow night. There's a pool on the rooftop, so I hear."
"Oh, oh, I hadn't realized that she and Ted were so close."
"Ted's a really good guy and he's not even there. As far as I know she's there by herself."
"Oh really. Do you have Ted's number so I can call her?"
"I'm not supposed to give that out."
"Oh because I've been trying to reach her to ask her about some of the background on her paintings but she left her cell phone at home so I haven't been able to get a hold of her."
"I hear you Emily so why don't I call Maya and then she can call you. He has an unlisted number so it should be okay for her to call you from there."
"Thanks Megan, I would really appreciate that."
"No problem. So will you be here soon?"
"I should be there within the next couple of hours. I can get dressed there right?"
"Oh of course. You can use the client meeting room. It's definitely big enough for that."
"Okay great. Thanks again for calling Maya for me and I'll see you soon."
"Okay, bye Emily."
"Bye Megan."
It's been awhile and still no call from Maya and I'm almost to the city. The show starts in just a few short hours and I can't believe she hasn't called me! I'm not sure if I should be mad or worried. What the hell Emily, she's not yours! She belongs to Josh! You can't just take her away from him. That's not how you were raised. I'm so confused. What could have changed after she said she loved me? Oh my god! Does she regret telling me that she loves me? Is that why she took off to the city when we could've spent the night together? I can't stop thinking about what I did to make her not want to talk to me. Tonight is supposed to be a beautiful night for us both but is it just going to end up being awkward? I know what I have to do…
The Art Show…
I get dressed put on my makeup making my eyes a little darker than usual, my lipstick a bit bolder than usual and I fix my hair to be long, lustrous and flowing down my bare back. I'm ready to greet our guests and I'm ready to tell Maya what I thought about her running from me, from us. I check myself in the mirror one last time and step out into the gallery…
Everyone in the room stops what they are doing to take a look at who just walked in. I can feel a blush take over as that person is me. I spot Maya by the entrance wearing black pants with black high heels, a white silk button down with sheer arms. Her hair is pin-straight and her eyes are so sexy with their evening eye shadow, black liner and mascara. Her lipstick is less dramatic, maybe a rose tint, perfection. I'm not ready to talk to her just yet because I think I'm still a little annoyed that she avoided me so I walk determinedly to Maya's paintings looking for mine. There, with all her other paintings entitled, "Nude Awakenings" I take a closer look and I'm in awe of what I am seeing. These are not naked pictures. These are works of art. I scan her walls and find her self-portrait entitled, "Mayamagination". She's sitting with her right leg bent up with her right arm resting on top of her knee. Her left leg hangs off the side of a bed while her left arm balances her. Her breasts are partially exposed as is her womanliness and she's looking to the side towards the ground. She has a slight smile on her face. She is stunning. I know I've seen this painting before but being displayed like this makes her look vulnerable to me.
I take a deep breath as I see out of the corner of my eye, me. I walk over to my portrait entitled, "Love Fields". My breathing increases as my heart starts to race. I am lying on my side completely exposed but the way she painted me it's like a black and white photograph. A tear forms in my eye as I look at the detail and the warmth and the love that went into painting this. I look like I've never looked before. I look ready to be loved…
I'm so entranced by what Maya was able to put on the canvas that I don't even hear someone approaching me from behind. One hand touches my waist. The other hand moves my hair to the side. I can feel a breath on my neck as this person rises up to whisper into my ear,
"Shhh. Just listen. I'm sorry I left without telling you where I was going. I'm sorry I didn't call you. But I had to think about everything that's been happening to me since I met you. After the movies and after you left and after Josh professed his love for me I got really confused. I didn't know how to handle my feelings for Josh and my feelings for you." She moves closer to me bringing me to lean into her. "I thought about it, I even dreamt about it and I now know what I need to do." My breathing becomes quick like I might hyperventilate and then she says, "I choose you. You are my person." She nuzzles her nose into my neck as the tear falls from my eye. I'm not even sure if I'm breathing right now. And just like that, her hand, I don't feel it anymore, the warmth of her body is no longer there. I turn around and all I see is a crowd of people. She's gone…
Josh POV
At the airport…
"We're going to miss the show, aren't we," says a disappointed Ryan.
"No. I don't know. Damn winds keeping us grounded for so long. We might be able to get there right as it ends if we hurry," I say with a thread of optimism.
"Josh, why don't we just call it a day. They're probably on their way home anyway."
"No! I came here to see Maya's show and I'm going to see it!"
"Okay, okay, but why do you sound so angry about it?"
"I'm not. I'm just frustrated. Can we please just find a cab and try to get there before it's too late?"
"Yeah, sure why not. I mean they're not expecting us anyway so if The Gallery is closed we can always catch up with them at home."
I have to get there in time. I have to know for sure if Maya is still mine!
Emily POV
At The Gallery…
The evening was a huge success thanks to all the talented artists whose work we were privileged to show. I felt like I could sell anything in there tonight after what Maya said to me. I think I had a permanent smile on my face. I just couldn't help myself. There's Maya, she's coming towards me, finally…
"You sounded so convincing, like you really did know what you were talking about. You know…you didn't have to fake it," Maya says with a touch of humor and a sexy wink.
I lean in near Maya's ear to say, "I never fake it when I'm with you."
I walk away leaving Maya with a wide smile looking down trying to hide her excitement…
"Hey Maya, you and Emily are coming with us to the club to celebrate aren't you?"
"Of course. Wait for us we'll be there in a second."
Maya approaches me and I say with a bit of frustration, "Maya, you've been avoiding me all night, well at least until just a few minutes ago."
"I wasn't avoiding you Em, I just thought you needed time to think about what I said to you and I did have art to sell. Do you know how many people put a bid on your painting? Too many to count. But don't worry, it's not for sale," she says as she takes a piece of my hair like she likes to do and slides her fingers down to its end. "Anyway, I was really, really hoping to go to the club with you." My head perks up as her head tilts that irresistible tilt.
"Maya, don't you think we should talk first, about everything?" But I can't get the image of her rhythmic body out of my head.
"Talk? Later. Right now, I want to share my other passion with you," she says with a sexy eyebrow arch.
"Your other passion?" I ask a little too excitedly.
"Yeah…dancing," she says with very slow purposeful eye sex.
She takes my hand dragging me out the door into the night air.
"Maya its cold out here. Let me go back and get my coat."
"You won't need your coat once we get inside. The club is right over there. Come on. It'll be fun. I promise," she smiles with again that damn held tilt of hers that I just can't resist…
At the club…
Practically everyone from The Gallery goes to the club and straight to the dance floor. I think I need a drink but Maya has other ideas. She moves so effortlessly. I'm mesmerized by the movements of her body and the energy that surrounds her. I can see why dancing is her other passion. She dances seductively around me. Her body grinds against me. Her hands caress me. I can feel my body heating up and my eyelids getting heavy. But then my head starts spinning from the loud music, the sexy dancing, the constant flirting, Maya saying she chooses me but her marriage, my marriage, her love for Josh, his love for her, my love for Ryan, his love for me, my Maya, my want for her, my love for her…
I, I can't breathe. I can feel the perspiration on my face. I can feel my heart about to beat out of my chest. I have to get out of here! I have to get out of here right now!
Josh POV
At The Gallery…
"Fuck! I can't believe we didn't make it!"
"Josh, its fine."
"No it isn't! I was supposed to be here! I was supposed to see her work! I was supposed to see if…"
"What the hell is going on with you?" demands Ryan very confused.
I run my fingers through my hair in disbelief of what just happened. The weather delayed our flight and now Maya is gone! Now Maya is in the arms of…
"Wait, look on the ground, there's a bunch of programs from tonight's art show. At least you'll be able to see what paintings she submitted," points out Ryan.
I pick one up and scan for Maya's paintings.
"Look, there. It says, "Nude Awakenings," notices Ryan.
"And right below that are the names of the paintings…'Mayamagination'. Oh my fucking god! I can't believe she showed her nude self-portrait! That was supposed to be for my eyes only! Jesus Maya, what the fuck!"
"Wait, there's more, 'Love Fields'. Fields? That's Emily's maiden name."
"What?" I react disbelievingly.
"It's Emily's maiden name."
"Maya painted your wife in the nude and put it in her show!" I yell.
"Did you just say that Maya painted my wife in the nude and put it in her show?"
"Yes. Ryan, are you finally getting this?"
"What? That your wife saw my wife naked?"
"No! That your wife is fucking my wife!"
"What! That's fucking insane! She would never do that to us!"
"Oh really. Then look right here at the back of the program it says there's an after party at the club. How much you wanna bet they're there and they're fucking all over each other!"
"I don't know why your saying all this shit but you need to settle the fuck down! Now!"
"Ryan, you haven't noticed how much time Emily and Maya are spending together? You haven't noticed how happy your wife is when you get home but she doesn't want to have sex with you?"
"I, I don't even know how to respond to that except to say the night before we left, Emily and I had a real connection. Didn't you and Maya?"
"Yeah, yeah we did but I haven't been able to reach her since we left."
"Oh I get it now, of course they must be gay and having an affair because you weren't able to reach Maya!"
"Look Ryan, I know how it sounds but something's wrong."
"Maybe for you but not for me."
"Let's just go to the club and find them."
Emily POV
At the club…
I rush off the dance floor to the back of the club with Maya in hot pursuit.
"Emily! Emily, what's wrong! Wait!"
But I don't slow down, I can't slow down. I desperately need to find a way out! There, over there, is an exit sign! I race over to the door.
"Emily! Wait!"
"No Maya! I can't!"
I push open the exit door fleeing down the stairs into the alleyway. Maya runs after me, not giving up the chase until she grabs my arm and pushes me up against the wall. Our breathing is so heavy and deep, tears are streaming down my face. Maya tries to hold me but something comes over me as I whip myself around pushing Maya against the wall. I look into those beautiful big brown eyes of hers and say,
"You love your husband. I love mine but I've never felt love like this, like you and me. I can't let you give up on Josh for me. It's not your choice to make."
"But it is…"
Maya grabs me, switching positions, pushing me against the wall. Her lips are a touch away from mine. I can see the love in her eyes. I can feel the love in my heart. She releases me from her hold keeping her eyes focused on mine, pressing her body firmly against me and just as she's about to capture my lips with hers the exit door swings open with a bang...
Josh POV
Meanwhile in the club…
Ryan and I ask around trying to find our wives. One of The Gallery employees tells us she saw Emily running to the back of the club with Maya right behind her. I look around and notice an exit sign.
"Come on Ryan, let's go!"
"I'm right behind you!"
We run to the back of the club following the signs.
"There's the door and it's not shut tightly! Let's go!" I yell.
We rush over to it. I get there first pushing it open. The door swings away from me crashing against the wall with a bang and there in the alleyway we see…
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To Be Continued…
I really hope you liked what you just read because I enjoyed writing it for you…
And I know…update, update, update!