Category : Books-Fiction

Sub Category : Suspense/Mystery

            I murmmur a soft "mhm" as my fingers graze his wet lips. His eyes were closed as I slip a strawberry into his mouth and he moans with gratitide. I smile and say, "That, my love, was the last berry." l am unable to look away, for I have loved him for so long and now here we were. He holds me down like an anchor but he he never keeps me from swimming. He just keeps me from drowning. He guides me like The Raven at night, soaring across the black sky putting the Stars up there just for me. He does so much for me and I love him I love him so much.  "Mmm that was delicious Honey. Kind of sad we're out though." He smiles, then gets up from the table. I spent the rest of the night in his arms they dreaming of how wonderful he was.

I wake to warm bedsheets and an empty space beside me. I lift my head and hear commotion in the bathroom so I get up and walk in. I slide the glass door to the shower open and step in. I wrap my arms around his waist and he smiles. I smile back sleepily and close my eyes, letting the pleasure of the water roll off my skin. He turns around and lifts my chin up, smiling. I close my eyes again and laugh as he beings kissing me, leaving warm spots dancing around my skin. I lace my fingers in his hair and wrap myself around him, breathing heavy as he removes my now soaked night gown allowing our bodies to be closer and in contact. Nothing beates kissing in the shower early in the morning.

Three hours later, he has left for work and I am home. I start with cleaning the living room, slowly making my way around the house. I know he likes coming home to a clean house. And if it makes him happy, I will gladly and willingly do it. I was humming while dusting when my phone goes off startling me. "Hello? Valentine Ruse speaking." I answer and I am met with my sister's voice. 
"Val, its Janice. Hey, the coffee shop has been open for twenty minutes. You're late!" My eyes widen and I start packing my purse. 
"Shit, I am so sorry, I am on my way, like...like right now!"
 Before she can respond I hang up and rush to get ready. 

Rushing in, I apologize for being so late. I put my stuff down and grab myself a coco and look over the counter at those around me. We had an older couple sharing a large coco in the left side and a girl and her friend eating pastries on the beanbags and laughing. There was also a lone girl with long blue hair and dressed in light pink reading a book over a cup of coffee. Just a peaceful and cheery vibe. I sigh and look at my sister who was cleaning up counter space. 
"So?" I ask and smile as I place my cup to my lips. She shakes her and laughs.
"You are never late and never so happy. What's going on?"
I blush and lean in. Laughing I whisper in her ear, "I just had the best...you know....in forever!" 
She gasps and turns around. 
"No way! Finally? For a second there I actually assumed he was cheating or something!"
I stop smiling and turn forward. 
"No, my husband would never cheat. I assumed it was me, like I wasn't as sexy or as hot in bed as I used to be." I start to sip my coco and Janice just stares at me. Before she can say anything, the bell rings indicating a customer arrived. Two men walk in, one frazzled and kind of scary looking. Like he hasn't had a bath and blood red eyes. He was talking frantically two his buddy as they sit down at a table. That was when I heard him say my husband's name. I look up and smile. His job had him helping poor people and he must be a patient. I walk over to them and offer them a free coffee. 
"So, its on the house. Has my husband helped you? You know him?" They stare at me...and I felt unpleasant all of the sudden. 
"He doesn't help....not with the drugs he sells. You must be the wife of the scumbag." He grouches and I am speechless.
"How dare you accuse my husband of-"
I am cut off by Janice as she pulls me away.
"Now, now, let's just....have a seat."
She drags back behind the counter and looks at me seriously. 
"I will take their orders. There must be a mixup but whatever you do, do not interact with them. They seem fishy anyways." 
Before I can protest, my sister is on the move. I watch as she strolls over with smiles and apologies and wait for the tension to blow over. The grump accusor is constantly watching me with this look, making it hard to breath. Finally, a hand is slapped onto the table, pressing down the money. 
"We better be off...don't want them using us as their next compass rose."
The man who accused my husband said this strangly, as if he were trying to pick my buttons. What did that even mean? Dick.

I had trouble working, thinking and overthinking about that man. Was he crazy? What did he mean? Who was they? And why would he confuse my husband with some druggie? 
"Hey." Janice comes up and I startle, dropping the coffee dish I was washing in the dish water, splashing my face and blouse with soap. 
"Sorry...didn't mean to scare you. I just was going to tell you that you can go home now."
I stare at the water for a second and just nod. 
"What's wrong...?" My sister put her hand on my shoulder and I stiffened. 
"I am worried at what that man said." I say, pressing my lips together. Janice stares at me with a face of pity and disgust. 
"Val, hun, your husband is a very well respected man and works very hard to help people who cannot help themselves. Don't trash his name with worry on lies some druggie downlife man says in this caffe."

I open the door to the house, biting my lip in frustration. I walk into the living room, ready to finish cleaning when I notice the light was off ans the mess was gone. I see rose petals coming from the hallway to the bedroom. I slowly make my way...and see my room has been just puked on by roses. Roses on the bedsheets, qthe dresser, the floor. The light was off and candles were around the baseboards if the room. I just stand there open mouthed and unable to speak. My husband comes out of the bathroom, smiling. 
"Like it?" God his voice is like carmel. 
I nod dumbly and step in. He comes and puts his hands on my waist and looks me in the eyes.

 Pouting his lower lip funnily, he asks,
"Why the sad face? Bad day at work?"
He presses his warm lips to my forehead and I close my eyes. Could I tell him? Was it that big of a deal? He's so hot shirtless..wait! That is not what we are focusing on here...can I ask? Is it....my thoughts are interupted and flee when his lips, now wet, press deeply into my neck. I close my eyes and moan. No, its silly. Who cares what this man says of my beloved husband. I am literally overreacting and have no right to. 
"No, just missed you so much is all."
I whisper as his kisses trail down my stomach. He removes my clothing, such small things preventing big and dramatic events. His hands roam my skin, my hair, and my mind. I spend my night with rose petals tangling in my hair and tangling my body with my beloved. 

I wake to empty and warm besheets again, but no commotion in the bathroom this time. I sigh and lift ny head, scattering petals everywhere. He must be at work...that was when I remembered he had a day off today. But he left a note on the door saying he had work. I snatch it down angrily and crumble it up. He has been coming home late, its his second time touching me in months, he is now lying and men are accusing him of selling drugs. I need to know what the hell is going on. 

I grab my cell out of my purse harshly and dial his number. I wait for him to answer and it takes a few rings. Finally, he answers.
"Hey Val, what can I do for you?"
I press my lips together.
"Hey Clark, is there any chance my husband is working today?" I ask. 
There is a pause from work in the background. 
"No, he has a day off. Is that all?"
"Yes, thank you." Then I hang up. Now, time to see if he lies again. Dialing my husband's number, I think if he does not answer so help him. 
"Honeycake, I'm working." My god. 
I thought I would be able to confront his lie. But I freeze and tear up.
"Really? What is the point in lying to me? What is going on?" My voice cracks and I press my fingers to my lips. Sighing, he mumbles something.
"What?" I ask. He needs to start being more clear.
"I have to go Valentine. Finish cleaning the house instead of being on your phone. Bye." Then he hangs up.

I drop the phone, my hands numb and feel my knees give up. I sink to the floor and lean my body on the wall, cold and smooth. The paint was not old but not new and started to fade a bit.  I bend my knees to the side and wrap my arms around my sides, trying to glue myself together, feeling like parts of me were melting off, leaving me bare and exposed. Expsoed to humilation and heartache. It was all too much. This was too much. I fail at choking back sobs and they rack my whole body. I do not know what was going on. I feel like things were covered in fog, visible but vague. And it was beginning to driving me insane. 

I decide to wait for him to come home. I don't even bother cleaning up any mess the house may have. I even play a video game on my phone to be defiant. I open a bottle of wine and wait. And wait. And wait. Finally, on my second glass of my second bottle,  I wipe my burning eyes and heavy lids, reaching clumsily for my cell. Dialing, I wait for an answer.
"Hello?" I freeze when a woman answers.
"Hello?? This is Marita and I found-"
"I don't care what you found, bitch! KEEP HIM!"
Throwing the phone across the room, I cry out, burning my throat and puke all over the sofa. Who the hell was Marita? I don't care whatever the situation is now. He is with another woman, I am not in his life. I would have gotten up to pack but I black out after puking another time.

I slightly feel buzzing, and I shake my throbbing head, turning over. That was when I saw my phone on the ground across the rooming buzzing and ringing. I get up gently, my head spinning. Reaching over, I answer with slurred sleep and wine.
"ValentineRusespeakingwhois...this?"
I sigh the last word and rub my eyes. 
"Hello Ms. Ruse? This is the police. We need you down at the station."
I stop pulling loose thread out of my sleeve and reposition the phone.
"I'm sorry...what?"

"He has not been found but we are pretty sure he is dead. Marita Martinez found the phone and bag on the side of the bridge and looked around and it started ringing so she answered." 
The police lady finshed telling me the story for the third time now. I shake my head unable to believe this. Why the hell was my life unraveling like this? Everything I know is being twisted into some lie or taken. I don't understand. It felt like my life was now an unknown piece.