A COSTLY MISTAKE.
We had just returned from the hospital and I was grateful we made it home safely. I led Leila to the master bedroom and pulled back the covers, encouraging her to rest.
“I will stay with you,” I whispered, taking her hand in mine. “Just rest and let your body recover.”
As Leila laid back against the pillows, I settled in next to her, running my fingers through her hair. “I am sorry you had to go through that,” I said, my voice thick with emotion.
I continued to stroke Leila’s hair, my eyes fixed on her face. She turned to face me, and I could see she was trying very hard to fight the tears in her eyes.
“Thank you for being there for me,” Leila said, her voice husky. “I am so grateful to have you in my life”
I leaned forward, brushing my lips against hers in a a gentle kiss. “I am always here for you Leila,” I murmured. “You mean everything to me.”
In that moment, I felt something in me, would o dare call it love or is it just cause of the pity I was feeling for her?
I pulled away slightly, allowing my gaze to linger in Leila’s face. I caressed her cheek , tracing the delicate contours of her beautiful face with my fingertips.
“You are so beautiful even when you are ill,” I murmured. “Your strength, the fire in your soul, your resilience. I am in awe of you Leila.”
“I do not know what I would do without you,” Leila replied. “You are my rock, Alexander.”
My eye’s searches Leila’s, my heart beating faster than usual. “Leila... you...you are more than my contracted wife, you have played the role of my partner so well...it feels real.”
Leila reached up to touch my face. “You have given me a reason to keep fighting,” she said. “I will have to be strong you will love me.”
I took her hand, pressing it to his lips. “Then I will stay with you , every step of the way,” I vowed.
Our eyes remained locked, conveying more than my words could ever express. I leaned in once more, our lips meeting in a kiss that was both passionate and tender, a wordless feeling that seemed to bind us together, replacing our contract and quest for revenge.
When we finally parted, Leila smiled, a faint blush on her cheeks. “Alexander, you made me feel so alive,” she murmured.
I rested my forehead against her, my breath warm against her skin. “I would do anything to see you smile like that every day,” I replied, my voice thick with emotion.
“I know that you do not love me right now Alexander, I know that this might all be as a result of the pity that you are feeling for me. But I want you to know I love you a lot and I will do anything to prove my love to you . Even though there is a chance that you may never ever love me, that is a fact that I am willing to live with, the pain and the anger I will live with it. But , can you please...pleas Alexander if you ever feel something for me, even if it is a little teeny tiny bit of fluttering In your heart, or when it skips one bit, or when you see me and feel like your world has stopped moving, or when you hug me and feel safe , will you please let me know. Give me the chance to hear it from your mouth. That is all I request please Alexander do not refuse me.” Leila pleaded.
I looked at her, my mind a jumble of emotions, how do I say no to such a pretty lady. Ever since I got married to her, she has fulfilled her part to perfection and never gave me a reason to be insecure. Her life was put at risk because of me, but she did not hate me. She knows I do not love her but she was not willing to give up on me. If only I could tell her those three words she desperately needed to hear. If only I could tell her those words and watch her smile in happiness. But I was not willing to reveal such a big secret yet, especially not now in the face of this impending storm.
In the quietness of the room, my heart seemed to beat in perfect rhythm, and it seemed our souls were one. Leila nestled closer to me, and rested on my chest. “Stay with me,” she whispered, her voice heavy with sleep.
I nodded, holding her close. “I am right here my dear. And I always will be,” I promised, my own eyes growing heavy.
The peace of the night was disrupted by Leila’s sob.
“What is wrong my dear?” I asked her, my voice laced with concern.
“Alexander... I have something I need to talk you,” she said, her voice trembling. “Before we met...you know about my past with Ben right?”
I sat up, concern etched on my face. “Leila, what are you talking about?”
Leila took a deep breath. “I made a mistake, when I was younger and hopelessly in love with him, I let myself be filmed by him in a funny position, so many times.”
Leila’s tears fell freely and I reached for her hand, trying to comfort her. “Shh, it’s okay. You do not have to explain,” I said. “I know you were young and I know you were not yourself then.”
But Leila shook her head. “No, no you do not understand.” She whispered. “This is not just a video I am very sure Ben will try to use it against us. I am very sure he is still in possession of them, and if he ever gets out of jail he will use it against me. I am scared of what he might do with my other dirty secrets.”
My brow furrowed. “What do you mean?”