Song Inspiration: My Heart is Calling by Whitney Houston

Part One: Unappreciated

un·ap·pre·ci·at·ed

/ˌənəˈprēSHēˌādəd/

adjective

adjective: unappreciated

not fully understood, recognized, or valued.

Mercedes Jones-Rashad looked up at her vaulted ceilings, listening to her husband softly snoring. It was three in the morning and she hadn't slept a wink.

Turning, she looked at her husband peacefully sleeping and frowned before it faded out of guilt. He was devilishly handsome, even in his sleep he made her heart race.

She wished when he was awake and spoke that feeling remained but that was the price of marrying The Anthony Rashad. He could just about make any woman bend to her knees and grovel. Well not every woman, when they met she wouldn't give him the time of day.

That's how, according to Anthony on their wedding day, he knew she was the woman for him. He could've left it at that but he quickly followed up with "that and my baby got a fat ass."

She would be lying if those crude comments were something she adjusted to over time because after eight years of marriage, she still cringed when he would make lewd comments about her body or their sex life.

Rolling back over she sighed. He had been an amazing lover, they originally were friends with benefits because she simply did not want to date the rising basketball star. His looks and ability to make her scream his name for hours on end had kept her within his grasp long enough to show that he was a decent man.

And he was… until he turned in to super star Anthony Rashad. Though he never cheated or even remotely looked at another woman, he had no issues with neglecting her in other ways.

Mercedes chose to become a real estate agent instead of becoming the typical basketball wife. She attended exactly four games a season and never sat in the wives section. Even though the world knew he was married, she was rarely seen out with him unless it was a work obligation.

This was an agreement they made when he was drafted. An agreement she gladly accepted because it meant she was never hounded at the grocery story or followed by paparazzi. The agreement also ensured he'd have a stress free life at home.

They lived below their means in a gated community, most of their neighbors weren't aware of who he was but the one with kids into sports knew and loved to stop by and ask him loads of questions. She always loved seeing him interact with the neighborhood kids, so much so that she'd been dropping hints about them having their own.

She closed her eyes, saying a silent prayer before forcing sleep to come.

The next morning, she woke to an empty bed. The sheets were cold, a testament to how long Anthony had been up. She sighed, rubbing her eyes before swinging her legs over the side of the bed. Her feet hit the cold floor and she suppressed a shudder.

She began her morning regimen before heading downstairs to prepare breakfast. She quietly hoped Anthony was still home but as she entered the kitchen and saw the note on the granite countertop, her heart sank.

"Early practice, babe."

A pang of disappointment hit her like a punch in the gut. Lately, these notes had become their primary mode of communication. Silently, as she sipped her coffee and watched the sunrise from the window above their sink, she wondered when things had changed so dramatically. When had their once warm relationship turned as cold as their bedroom?

At work, Mercedes immersed herself in contracts and listings. It was a welcome distraction from her thoughts of Anthony and their failing marriage. Her determined demeanor left no room for her colleagues to ask about her personal life, for which she was grateful.

Time lost its meaning as she waded through her work. It always did when she threw herself into it like this. She barely noticed the setting sun painting the office in hues of orange and pink, signaling the end of yet another day. A day that felt just like any other in the unending saga of their loveless marriage.

The desk phone rang, pulling her out of her trance. The familiar baritone on the other end made her heartbeat quicken. But it wasn't out of excitement anymore. It was dread, anxiety, anticipation.

"Mercedes," Anthony's voice echoed through the line, "I'm sorry, babe... Emergency meeting with the team tonight... I won't be home until late."

She gripped the receiver tighter, swallowing her disappointment. His apologies had ceased to hold any weight long ago - they were as empty as their bedroom. Their home.

"That's okay," she managed. "I'll see you in the morning I guess."

"That's my kitten. Oh and Sam's flying in, he should be there before or after me- make sure the guest room is ready." Anthony said before ending the call.

"I love you too…" She muttered hanging up the receiver. She looked at her watch before figuring she had just enough time to get to the grocery store and home before Anthony's best friend, Sam arrived. She had to take a deep breath to easy her slowly rising heart beat.

Sam Evans had been Anthony's best friend since college and his best man at their wedding. Sam had always been kind and caring towards Mercedes and by default a close friend. He came to visit twice a year and each time she started to realize something that had her dreading any alone time with him.

She'd developed feelings, no, she wouldn't say feeling but a small crush on him and it made her question her love for Anthony. If someone she only saw twice a year and spoke to only a handful of times could make her heart race the way he did, then he was problem.

Mercedes gathered her things and left the office, her mind a whirl of thoughts. As she navigated through the busy city streets, she found herself agonizing over the impending visit from Sam. It was an unwelcome disruption to the increasingly monotonous rhythm of her life.

She stopped at the grocery store, mindlessly tossing items into her cart as she navigated the aisle. The items she picked—Sam's favorite snacks and drinks, Anthony's go-to comfort foods—felt like an ironic reminder of how much she cared for both men.

Returning home, she busied herself with tidying up the guest room and preparing Sam's favorite lemon meringue pie. She found herself smiling at the thought of seeing him again, and immediately felt guilty for being excited at his visit when her husband was hardly around.

With the house chores done, Mercedes immersed herself in a hot bath, the steamy water soothing her tense muscles. As she lay back in the tub closing her eyes, she couldn't help but recall the last time Sam visited. His soft laugh echoing in their living room, the way his eyes crinkled at the corners when he smiled at her, and that inexplicable electricity that crackled between them when their hands accidentally brushed. She shook her head to dismiss these thoughts; they were dangerous and unfair to Anthony, despite their cold relationship.

Emerging from her reverie to a doorbell chiming, she hurriedly slipped into a loose floral sundress before rushing downstairs. As expected, it was Sam. Standing on their porch, he looked as handsome as ever, his blond hair tousled by the wind and a bright smile lighting up his face.

"Sam, it's good to see you," Mercedes said, trying her best to keep her voice steady.

"Hey Mercedes, you look beautiful as always," he returned the compliment effortlessly. Then, tilting his head slightly to the side, he added with a twinkle in his eye, "and I see your taste in dresses hasn't changed a bit."

She laughed in response, a genuine laugh that felt alien to her own ears after countless days and nights spent in the silence of the bleak bedroom. Then she stepped aside, inviting him into their home. As she led him towards the guest room, she couldn't help but notice how Sam's presence seemed to instantly warm up the house. He was like a gust of fresh summer breeze in their otherwise stagnant home.

After ensuring Sam was settled in for the evening and serving him a slice of lemon meringue pie, Mercedes sat across from him on the living room couch.

"So, how long are you staying this time?" Mercedes asked, her eyes following his tongue as he licked some of the meringue from the corner of his mouth.

Sam chuckled. "Ready to get rid of me already?" He teased.

"Not at all," she said, shaking her head.

"Good to know," he replied. "I was thinking of staying longer this time. Maybe a few weeks?" He suggested, his gaze meeting hers.

A few weeks? She swallowed hard at the thought, trying to mask her surprise. "You are always welcome, Sam." Mercedes offered a smile, which Sam returned warmly.

"Thanks Cedes, I won't be here the whole time though. I have to fly out for a day or so… still deciding if that will be the end of my visit." He replied.

A wave of disappointment washed over Mercedes at his words, but she quickly masked it with a smile. "Well, don't rush on our account. It's always nice to have you around."

Smirking, he leaned back on the sofa, crossing his long leg. "If you want me to stay longer just say that." He teased her and she couldn't help laughing.

"Boy bye." She said giggling, shifting so she was facing him. "I know Anthony's going to be happy to have you here. Twice a year just doesn't seem sufficient enough." She added, feeling that statement was more for her than Anthony.

Sam raised a quizzical eyebrow and grinned at her statement, but didn't say anything. He didn't need to. The unspoken words hung heavy in the air between them, a subtle undercurrent of what neither of them could voice.

As the evening wore on, Mercedes found herself drawn into the comforting rhythm of Sam's presence. They chatted about everything and nothing; shared laughter echoed around the living room, a stark contrast to the oppressive silence that had plagued the house recently.

When a sudden downpour began lashing against the windows, Mercedes excused herself to fetch blankets from their chilly bedroom. The shift from the warmth of Sam's company to the tangible coldness of the room was jarring. She glanced sadly at the king-sized bed, a poignant reminder of what her marriage had become: a loveless union of shared responsibilities rather than romantic partnership. Shaking off her melancholy thoughts, she grabbed two soft blankets and hurried back downstairs.

Handing one to Sam, she smiled at his appreciative nod. They settled back on the couch, wrapped in their respective blankets, the rain providing a soft background noise to their conversation.

"It's always so calm here," Sam murmured after a while, looking out at the rain-soaked landscape from the window.

"The calm before the storm," Mercedes replied wistfully, her voice barely audible over the sound of falling rain.

He turned to look at her, concern etching fine lines on his brows. "What storm, Mercedes?" he asked gently.

She sighed, glancing down at her tightly clasped hands. "Just... life." She settled on saying. She shook her head, forcing a smile. "Nothing too stress over… I'm going to head to bed, do you need anything?" She asked, standing and stretching.

She thought she saw Sam glance at her body before looking back up at her face, but when he stood up and placed his hand on hers, she felt a wave of comfort. His touch was warm and reassuring, causing her to unconsciously lean into it. As she looked up at him, she could see understanding in his gaze.

"I'm sorry that something is troubling you, but I have confidence that you will work through it," he said with a comforting tone as he reached for his plate. "I'll see you tomorrow."

With a last lingering glance, he returned to his guest room, leaving Mercedes staring after him. The sudden silence felt heavy, filled with the unspoken words that had settled between them. It was only then that it occurred to her how effortless their conversation was, how naturally they fell into rhythm with each other, and how desperately she missed this kind of companionship. Suddenly, the house felt too empty, and her heart too heavy.

Mercedes retreated to her cold bedroom upstairs, when she entered her room, she slipped off her sundress and put on an oversized shirt to sleep in. As she sank into the mattress of her bed, she realized how much she hated the silence of this room. It wasn't just the lifelessness of the colors or the dull, eerie quietness. Every inch of it seemed to represent what her marriage had become—a void so vast and deep that she felt on the verge of being swallowed whole by its emptiness.

She stared at the ceiling as the moments ticked away into hours, her thoughts wandering back to Sam before she heard the familiar sound of Anthony's shoes clamoring to floor. she looked over to her bedside clock to see it was past midnight. Typical of him to come home at unreasonable hours.

Climbing into bed, he quickly reached for her hip and pulled her against him. "You awake?" He whispered, softly brushing his lips along her neck.

She stiffened, keeping her gaze fixed on the dull, grey walls. "Yes," she managed to muster a response. It felt foreign, his touch.

Anthony sighed, his breath warm against her skin. "I missed you today," he murmured, his fingers absentmindedly tracing circles on her hip.

Mercedes couldn't bring herself to reply. His words echoed in the cold room, sounding as hollow as she felt in that moment. She felt his arm tighten slightly around her as if sensing her detachment.

"We should... we should talk, Mercedes," he finally said, and there was a hint of trepidation in his voice that was impossible for her to ignore.

"About what?" she asked, turning to look at him. Their eyes met in the dim moonlight streaming through the thin crack in the curtains. She could see the lines of worry etched on his face but said nothing.

"About us," he whispered back softly.

Suddenly, she felt a pang of dread, followed by a twinge of hope. Could this be the conversation they had both been avoiding for so long? The one that could either mend or break them further apart?

"I... Yes, we should," she said, her voice barely audible. She settled deeper into the mattress, somehow welcoming the hardness of it now. It grounded her, as if preparing her for a battle.

Anthony cleared his throat before continuing. "I...I know I've been distant, Mercedes. I'm not blind."

She felt a hot surge of anger at his words. 'Distant' didn't even begin to define what he had been. Absent, neglectful, indifferent - those were more like it. But she remained silent, waiting for him to continue.

"I don't want to make excuses for myself," he said slowly, his eyes never leaving hers. "But work has been... overwhelming and I fear it's taken a toll on us."

Mercedes looked at him, seeing his sincerity before offering a half smile. "I agree…" she said softly, letting him kiss her gently. "I think you should take some time off, only go to your morning practices, I've never complained about your schedule but I feel… alone and since you're in off season right now, you could be here more. I'll even work from home. "

He opened his mouth to say something, but then closed it again, looking down at their entwined hands. After a long moment, he finally spoke. "Mercedes... I... I never meant to make you feel like . I will take time off." He said, kissing her again and this time Mercedes felt that old spark. She twisted so she could kiss him more deeply, draping a leg over his and his hands found their way underneath her shirt.

Anthony's breath was heavy as he whispered, "I've missed touching you, baby." His hands moved slowly up her stomach before gently caressing her breast. Mercedes hissed, feeling herself sinking into his touch before he nestled himself in between her legs.

He looked down at her, their eyes locking. "I've missed you, Mercedes," he admitted, with a vulnerability she hadn't seen in him for a long time. "I've been a fool."

The tenderness in his voice sent a wave of warmth through her, melting the icy resentment that had taken hold of her heart. Their lips met again in a chaste, slow kiss before Anthony pulled away to look at her again.

"I promise I'll do better, Mercedes," he whispered against her lips before trailing kisses down her neck, sending shivers down her spine. His words echoed in the dark room, filling the cold silence with an unexpected warmth.

Mercedes choked back the tears forming in her eyes and nodded. She wrapped her arms around Anthony's shoulders and pulled him closer to her until there was no space left between them. Their bodies moved together slowly and lovingly as they made love, finally breaking down the barrier of silence that had encased their bedroom.

When they finally pulled apart, both were breathless and flushed. Anthony cradled Mercedes in his arms, his fingers tracing lazy patterns on her bare skin.

"I love you, Mercedes," he murmured into her hair, the words ringing clear and true in the quiet room. It was a statement that had been missing from their dialogue for far too long.

She stiffened momentarily under his touch, then relaxed. His words were like a soothing balm to her raw emotions. She turned to look into his eyes, searching them for sincerity. What she saw there made her heart ache — guilt, regret, but also unmistakable love.

"I love you too," she replied softly, her heart pounding against her chest in a rhythm that mirrored Anthony's own. As she said the words, she realized just how much she meant them. Despite the pain and the hurt of the past months, she still loved this man with all her heart.

Their eyes locked and in that moment, it felt as if everything else faded away.

"You should sleep," she said quietly. She nestled into his chest, her ear pressed against his beating heart - a soothing rhythm that lulled her. Closing her eyes, she let herself get lost in the warmth of Anthony's embrace and the comforting promises that passed his lips.

"Goodnight, Mercedes," Anthony responded gently, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead as he pulled her closer against him. She felt his fingers thread through her hair, a tender gesture that made her heart flutter. His hand continued its gentle strokes until he finally fell into a deep sleep.

Mercedes stayed awake a while longer, listening to the rhythm of Anthony's heartbeat and letting herself believe in the promise of his words. Perhaps their life together wasn't as bleak as this room, after all. Maybe there was still a spark left waiting to be rekindled in their love. As her eyes finally closed, she clung onto that hope, deciding that tomorrow they'd start to rebuild the pieces of their fractured relationship.

Well let's just see how this all plays out ;)