Bittersweet Love

by Davids, Jesse

  Daniel what happened? Who are you! Think!

  Daniel couldn't stop staring at himself. Disappointed at the lies he’s been telling Athena all along. Even if some parts were true, he still had a guilty feeling growing in the back of his head. With a sudden burst of clarity to fix the situation Daniel took a step back. The mirror vibrated for a quick 2 seconds, and then vibrated again.

  With little patience Peter couldn't close the vanity mirror right above the wash basin, as he tried to swallow 2 pills at once with no water. Peter walked back to his bed and took his shirt and pants off before turning himself in; but before he could even cover himself with his blanket his cellphone rang.

  I hope it’s not the stupid bitch.

  “Hello?” Peter answered the phone. “Hello darling, how is my love doing?” Melissa answered cheerful to hear Peter’s voice. “What do you want Melissa?” Peter had no intention to bullshit around. “I want you silly. I need you in fact, because the fuck buddy I had when your knees were fucked left me, and I don't like touching myself Peter. You know that very well.” Melissa’s tone reeked with devious methods to regain Peter as her sexual cravings.

  “I’m not going to be your slave again. That is unless you give me a 35% increase in my salary. No discussions, you can think about it and let me know.” Peter ended the call, for he knew to win any agreement in his favor he had to be the one to end the call, and not to be the first to bring it up again. Peter laid down, fixing his pillow in a more comfortable position for his neck.

  Minutes later his cellphone received an email from Melissa, Giving him a confidential contract to sign with a 35% increase in his salary only if he can start immediately from the date of signature. Peter let out a big sigh, but also satisfied that he won’t get paid shit money anymore for something that may put his life in danger. He fell asleep as his skin turned cold from the chill that swept down his back; just as his emotions grew colder and more desolated from the world he once knew. Making him lose more and more hope everyday as his dreams slowly began to fade away, being replaced with a life shattering emptiness, making him feel the hollowness within himself, as the light at the end of the tunnel begins to dim.

  Daniel woke up the next morning with Athena lying on the other side of the bed curled up in a bun covered in layers of blankets, as the winter night had no mercy on their bare skin. Daniel stood up and stretched from left to right, he bent down to check the time on his phone. His mind began to panic as he ran over to Athena’s side of the bed to wake her up. “Baby, we are going to be late for our flight back home.”

  Daniel tugged on her shirt, but she wouldn't wake up. With a dirty mind he lifted up her shirt, sucking hard on one of her nipples as she woke up in a shock followed with laughter. “Baby, Come on you know my nipples are sensitive!” Athena smiled and blushed at the same time. “I know baby, but I had to because we are going to be late for our flight.” Daniel sat on one knee trying his best to wake her up. “Okay, okay; I'm awake now baby.” Athena moved slowly, perfectly resembling a tortoise.

  Within no time, they were packed and ready to leave Italy in a hurry to get back home. Daniel took it upon himself to carry the bags down, trying not to cause any problems between him and the bell boy. They reached the lobby and checked out, getting their passports in return. Soon after, Peter checked out right after them, following their every move. The chauffeur came in jogging to get the bags from Daniel’s hands, insisting that he would help put the bags in the trunk.

  With less than 2 hours to get to the airport before their flight takes off, the chauffeur noticed the sense of urgency and stepped on it as fast as he could. “Oh fuck, we are going to miss our flight, fuck, fuck, and more fucks.” Daniel held his head in disbelieve trying hard to keep his hopes high. Athena held his hand and kissed it. “Patience darling, we are going to make it okay, don't worry.” Athena smiled gracefully, calming the wild stallion that awakened in Daniel.

  At exactly 11am they reached at the airport, with no time left they quickly hurried in the airport to check in their luggage and make it through customs. Peter on the other hand was quite surprised at how fast they were moving, leaving him behind, as they were too many steps ahead. “Baby, I don't know why but it says final call to board the flight, again!” Daniel yelled in a low tone as they weren't supposed to board for another 30 minutes. “Then we better run baby.” Athena once again took Daniel’s hands and led him to the right gate.

  Almost not making it in time, Daniel realized how irresponsible it is of him to lose track of time like that, and vowed to himself to never do it again. In the plane they got redirected to first class once more. Throughout the whole flight none of them said a word to each other, only holding hands. Silence didn't bother either of them anymore the more they became comfortable with each other.

  Will woke up with a weird feeling of someone lying on his left arm. He peeked with one eye, seeing only Allison lying next to him with her back shown towards him.

  No, no, no, no, no! Fuck it.

  Will prayed that he and Allison did not do anything stupid last night. He looked under the blanket only to find him wearing boxers, and Allison wearing a long red robe covering all her body parts. Will’s heart started to beat faster as he thought about why she’s wearing his favorite robe. After minutes of contemplating what he should do he finally spooned her fully. Allison slowly moved more against his body. “This is comfortable.” Allison spoke in a soft tone giving a tiny smile as well. “Yeah it is isn’t it? We didn't do anything last night right?” Will’s voice broke as he couldn't remember the night before. “Nope” Allison replied.

  “No? We didn't do anything?” He couldn't believe his ears as he tried to reconfirm what he just heard. “No, I thought it’ll be a good idea to play a prank on you. I took your clothes off because you passed out then I laid next to you. Hopefully making a scenario that you would think we slept together.” Allison turned, facing him and giggled at his shocked facial expression. Will sighed of relief as he didn't want to ruin what they have created over the past 3 days together. “Well, I'm glad we didn't do anything.” Will chuckled while Allison lifted the blankets and opened her robe, showing Will the lingerie she's wearing. “Or did we?”

  Allison winked and laughed hard, covering herself back up. Will looked at her with utmost amazement. “Did we?” Will hoped for an honest answer from her this time. “If we did, you would've remembered clearly.” Allison giggled in his arms. Will laughed hard and nodded his head in agreement, but noticed the half heart necklace her mother gave her before she left to New York. He picked it up, trying hard not to look at her breasts. “Who gave this to you, or most importantly who has the other half?” Will asked truly interested. “My mom gave it to me before I left, but my brother who died had the other half, we were twins.” Allison tugged on Will’s growing beard. “I’m sorry for your loss.” Will had a sincere look on his face and hugged her tightly.

  “Before I left she told me to find my other half, and I don't know why but I feel very drawn to you Will.” Allison looked up at him, catching a faint dose of happiness in his eyes. “Really; I actually feel the same way.” Will confessed to her, as it was getting too much for him to maintain as one single human being, alone and most importantly lonely. He held the right side of her face, brushing her hair over her ear. Will leaned in and kissed her on her lips, his heart skipped beats like he never felt before, as Allison momentarily lost her breath.

  Allison kept lying in his arms until she had the urge to go pee. She got up really quick and ran to the toilet as the robe flew open like a cape. Will laughed hard. “Ay! Wonder-woman! Come back here!” He continued to laugh at his own joke as he turned over to his bedside table only to see the time standing still at 2pm.

  I’m going to be so late.

  Will stood up, quickly putting his clothes on that Allison left on the floor for him to find. “Allison! We have to go!” He knocked on the toilet door vigorously. Allison opened within a second, already dressed and re
ady to go. “How did you, how did you get dressed so fast?” Will stood in amazement as she's not your typical girl who takes ages to get done. “Surprised?” Allison giggled; her tight skinny leggings visibly showed her ass to Will as she bent down to fix her shoe. “Wow.” Will blurted out without realizing. “Wow what?”

  Allison stood in front of him waiting for a reply from the big man himself. “Nothing, you just have one of the most perfect behinds I've ever seen in front of me, and it’s big too, just the way I like it.” Will chuckled as he stared within her soul, searching for a part that would make him stay by her forever. “Well, then you have to earn it Mr. Baker.” Allison softly whispered to him as she walked to the door. The scent of her perfume had Will stuck in a daze. He slowly followed soon after, locking the dorm room. Allison took him with full force, glad she had the chance to meet someone as special as him in her life. Will put his arm around her waist; holding her tightly as they walked to the car.

  “We don't have much time they land in 20 minutes.” Will kept looking at his watch, watching as minutes go by sitting in traffic. “Why don't you take another route?” Allison gave Will the most stupidest idea that she would regret for the rest of her life.

  “Good idea, I love the way you think.” Will turned the wheel fully to the right and slowly made his way on the side-walk. Driving with little remorse to spare he made it to the freeway, directly leading him to the airport with only 5 minutes left.

  “Do you think he forgot?” Daniel asked Athena with his eyes started squinting from too much sunlight. Athena raised her shoulders. “I wouldn't be surprised if he did honestly.” She replied. Standing outside the international arrivals gate, Daniel sees the car from a distance driving out of control, swerving from one car to the other. In no time Will parked in front of Daniel and Athena with a bright smile on his face.

  “Man!” Will got out of the car and gave Daniel the biggest brother hug you could find. “I missed you man.” Daniel said while hugging him. “I missed me too man.” Will rudely rejects the sympathy Daniel was offering him.

  “Who’s this pretty lady?” Athena kindly hugged Allison as she got out of the car. “This is Allison, my soon to be wife I hope.” Will pulled her closer to him, flaunting her to everyone. Daniel shook her hand. “Hi, wow, you finally got a girlfriend huh?” Daniel said while looking at Will. “Well, technically not yet.” Allison added making it clear they aren't dating yet. Will sobbed sarcastically, as Daniel chuckled to Athena; the invisible couple’s battles began. The 4 of them happily got back into the car. Will opened the driver’s seat door as Daniel swiftly got in before him. “I missed the car, can you blame me?” Daniel chuckled and started the engine. Will pouted and showed Allison to the back seat for Athena to sit next to Daniel.

  Chapter 12

  Part I

  Will took the juice bottle out of the fridge and poured orange juice into a glass, as he walked over to Daniel and stood behind him, watching him carefully trying not to let the joint fall. Daniel sat in the middle of the room trying to finish his painting desperately before the 10 days of the final exam are done, and the painting must be shown. “How’s the painting going?” Will bent down, whispering in his right ear, hopefully not breaking his concentration.

  “If you can get out of my ear maybe I’ll tell you.” Daniel looked over to Will with a crease in between his eyes. “My bad.” Will stood up straight, wondering what he's painting as it looked like a blur to him. “Do you want a hit of this? It might spark your creativity.” Will showed Daniel the joint as smoke flew in his face. “Get that out of my face. I want to do this without tripping my balls off thank you very much.”

  Daniel waved his hand in front of his face frantically to get the smoke away. “Okay, if you say so.” Will stepped back silently coughing within his robe. “Don’t you worry; once it’s done you’ll be shocked. Plus I still need to put detail into it.” Daniel brushed off gently and continued painting. “So, you’ve been ignoring Athena for a couple of days now. Is everything okay?” Will asked.

  Daniel stopped painting and felt a true concern coming from Will and turned to him. “Everything is fine; I just need some time alone to finish this painting. Plus I wasn't ignoring her; I just didn't see her for 2 days, there’s a difference. And it’s a key part of my disappearance act. Haven't you ever watched the movie Prestige? You should, it will help you vanish bro. Or at least give you an idea of how to.” Daniel gave advice thinking no different to Will’s situation.

  “About that, I was thinking of not disappearing actually.”

  Will stood next to him looking up at the ceiling, trying to avoid Daniel’s eyes and hard judgment brewing in the depths of Daniel’s heart. Daniel stood up, looking straight at his face. “What do you mean Will?” “I mean that, I was thinking of.” Will walked to the kitchen rubbing his head. “Thinking of what Will?” Daniel followed his every step as his tone became more serious. “I was thinking of leaving with Allison at the end of all this.” He covered his face in disgrace, as leaving his best friend wasn't the plan he wanted.

  “When did you get this idea exactly?” Daniel crossed his arms with a paintbrush in both hands. “While you were in Italy; I just think I won’t find a girl like her again, and I took your advice when you said about when she laughs and I get butterflies, remember that thing. Yeah I got that when I met her man, I can’t lose her.” Daniel felt the honesty and truth radiating from Will.

  “I guess I can’t stop you. Love is a powerful thing isn't it.” Daniel soon realized not only Athena was the subject, but all of them became the subjects to the experiment they call love. As it takes effect on everyone’s lives, no one can escape it. They're meeting with love was inevitable. “But how will we do this if we both need to disappear?” Daniel’s skeptical face became clear.

  “Simple, I stay behind till graduation, while you take off a day before your exam and I’ll just say you had to go. We can even get Melissa to pull strings if we must.” Will sat down next to the kitchen island, waiting for Daniel’s response. “Are you sure about this? I don't want you to make an irrational decision here.” Daniel tried to convey from his brain to his heart, as he felt a piece of him will be forgotten forever. “Yeah I'm sure, time to go our separate ways. After 12 years being with you I never thought I’d ever say that. I will find you though, no matter how long it takes me I will see you again, because brothers always stay connected to each other.” Will’s emotions overthrew his manliness, as a tear from his left eye ran down his face. Will’s speech moved Daniel to tears as well. Daniel opened his arms as he gave Will a monster hug. “I’m going to miss you man.” Daniel wiped a tear off of his shoulder. “I’m going to miss you too brother.” Will said; he couldn't help the tears from flowing as 12 years of memories flashed before his eyes.

  12 long years of being trapped together, a bond that can never be broken, but only separated by fate as we know it. Daniel let go and walked into the toilet, washing his face over the basin. Will stood still, not realizing that he finally stood up for something he really wants. Hoping he won’t regret the decision he has made to leave his best friend. “It’s okay, I’ll be fine but you will know where to find me, you always knew where to find me for some reason.”

  Daniel chuckled as it echoed from the toilet. “Yeah, you were never good at hide and seek.” Will laughed hard, sniffing at the same time; Trying to cure his eyes from the soreness. “Exactly, so I’ll go check up on Athena. Wish me luck; can you just put the paint brushes and paints under the bed, and the painting back in the toilet.” Daniel grabbed his pull over and wore it before going out. “Yes Sir, anything else?” Will sarcastically asked as he pushed the brushes under his bed. “I’ll see you later okay.” Daniel opened the door and closed it silently for it was 11pm.

  “Yes, I’ll see you later.” Will stood in front of the painting, finally realizing who, and what it is.

  Wow, this is amazing.

  Will looked around, making sure the ghost is clear as
he picked the canvas up and went into the bathroom.

  Daniel made his way across the long corridor and took the usual left to Athena’s dorm.

  Fuck, I hope she isn’t too mad at me. I was doing something productive and it’s important. Yes, just tell her that.

  Daniel felt an urge to knock on the door and apologize from there. Athena’s ex-boyfriend opened the door half way, surprised to see Daniel there. Daniel’s inner rage woke up as soon as he saw him. Daniel pushed the door open and saw Athena sitting on the couch in her night gown. “What are you doing here?” Daniel asked Jason, with little patience, he crunched up his fists. Athena stood behind him trying to get to Daniel. Jason moved in closer to Daniel and whispered in his ear. “I fucked your bitch.” With no hesitation Daniel grabbed his neck hard and squeezed it till Jason’s veins showed as he threw him outside of her dorm.

  Daniel climbed onto of him and punched him nonstop. His anger couldn't be controlled as Athena watched it in front of her eyes; rushing over to Daniel trying to stop him from committing a murder on campus. Athena touched his head softly but Daniel slapped her hands away and continued to punch Jason in his face brutally. After Daniel realized his face looked deformed he stopped and stood up. He looked over to Athena for one-second and walked away.