Chapter 101: A Date…

***Selene.***

***Calgary. Tuesday, March 5th.***

***A week later…***

I’ve just closed from work. I had a hard day, pitching to the owners of Coastal Beam Company. They loved my design; can’t wait for us to begin working. It starts later this month. 

These days, Albert has security tightened, because of Alia and the pirate captain, who he suspects are prowling, waiting to strike.

We returned Saturday and rested in all through that day, spending most of our waking hours, making love. 

Now that I know him, I allow him and his replicas take me. Not in multitudes, am still getting used to just two of them.

And boy is it intense!

It’s longer, more exhilarating. And the intensity of passion and the heated lovemaking sessions!

Last week when he introduced me to one of his replicas, I found that I liked the idea of having both of them taking me all at once. I found the action forbidden and erotic.

They took me, not sparing any part of me and I relished in it. His love, evident in his eyes, even when we make love. These days I don’t want to be far from him.

***Albert: Hey Honey. You know I hear your thoughts, right?***

I grow warm from embarrassment, knowing I was thinking about him. 

***Me: Nosy husband. LOL.***

***Albert: Prepare to get tied up tonight by us.***

My own demon. I smile.

***Me: I’d be waiting.***

***Albert: Up for a date with me tonight?***

I pause. A date? We’ve never had an official date date before. The marriage and everything just kinda sprung up on us. No warning. 

I like the idea of a date with my husband. We will discuss other things. And it’s a good respite from all the tension that has surrounded us these few days. 

***Me: Alright.***

We never told anyone what happened. It’s our secret. 

Later at night, Albert drives us to Novelle. A French restaurant, where everything is so French and attractive. It’s got this mix of old fashion and modern style.

I’ve been here before with Susan, when she was trying to get me hooked up with someone else, after having Isabel. 

We sit and soon order our dinner. Isabel is with Faye. Our little one is getting used to her baby sitter quicker than we expected and Faye is such a darling. Isabel being more mischievous now, I wonder how the woman copes. She’s a pro.

“Soup, biscotti and white wine for a main course. How nice for this weather.” I smile at Albert.

He smiles back, drinking his soup. 

“I figured you’d need something classier, knowing we never really…” He pauses, I think searching for the right words.

He's remorseful. 

“We didn’t really do things like an ideal couple.” I finish for him.

He holds my gaze, perhaps gauging my reaction. I go neutral. That was our past, this is our present.

I lower my eyes drinking my soup. 

“That morning I saw you at ISA Hotel.” 

I raise my eyes, pain slowly crawling into my heart, knowing that past is one I don’t want to visit. 

“Albert, let’s not go there…”

“No Selene, I have to. I have to apologize for my atrocious action against you that night.” He pleads.

He’s hurt. His eyes give that much, mirroring the pain in my heart. 

“I loved you, when I saw you. I didn’t just know what dragged me to you. Your eyes, your form. I don’t know. Maybe fate. But I did. And I sorta ruined it all with asking you to leave. I broke you. I wasn’t there for Isabel and you. I want to be there now and forever.” He’s appealing.

He’s promising. 

“Is that a promise, cause I hold on to promises a lot. My sister would attest to that.” I laugh, nervously.

My eyes already hold tears and I let them fall. He doesn’t answer, he laughs too. 

“Yes. It’s a promise. I’m never leaving you again. Never.” He smiles, pulling closer, until he’s kissing me.

His mouth is warm. Tastes of soup and ginger and cinnamon and wine and biscotti. Sweet too. I kiss him. 

After the moment passes, he returns to his seat. He picks his spoon and drinks some soup. I do the same the soup really tastes nice. Mint leaves ground into the soup. He told me about it.  

Told me about all the spices inside. He even tasted cloves. He’s good with spices. No wonder he’s inherited such a successful spice company from his family. Told me his aunt taught him all he knew. 

My turn to tell him a truth.

“That night you wished me happy valentine’s that was the first time in years I celebrated it.” I know this pain is one I must visit.

I want Albert and I starting this relationship on a neutral ground of true love.

“How so?” 

“Aaron.” I reveal. Albert tilts his head, confused. “He was my boyfriend, before Ralph came along. We were very in love and he even left his family for me.” 

Albert's quiet.

“The Valentine’s of the year he died, I found out he was dying of lung cancer. He knew for a while and wanted to be with me. To love me. Three months later, Aaron died in my arms in the hospital like he desired. His parents were so regretful for never approving our love. They had no idea their son was terminally ill. He hid it from them.”

A heavy silence lingers. 

“Am sorry. How come you had such love and didn’t give him yourself?” 

“Aaron announced on his dying bed he was keeping me for my real husband.” 

A tender look flashes Albert’s eyes. 

“That’s why I broke into pieces when you ended things, after I gave myself to you. I broke the promise I made to him; to keep myself for my real husband.”

Albert's gaze grows intense. 

“I might not be Aaron. But tonight, I give you me, Selene. My eternal love.”