Two of Hearts

by Alexa Jackson

The manager is now before us.

  - Miss Connor and I want to thank the presence of both tonight. We hope they are having a great night.

  She is blind!

  Note, covered in surprise. Maybe it was a proud and independent posture that has masked their disability, but now clearly notice.

  Neil is not as shocked as I was, in fact, he seems to quietly deal with the situation.

  - Jennifer, Durant and Crighton gentlemen are preferred customers.

  Of course he should tell that to all the people. But what intrigued me was the reaction of Miss Connor at the mention of our names. She is visibly surprised and disturbed.

  - Nice to meet you, gentlemen - she smiles politely.

  - The pleasure is all ours.

  Obviously I received a glare from my friend.

  The message that I see shining in her eyes is: Stay away! She is mine. As an animal around his female.

  - Thank you, sir ... - starts it.

  - Adam - mumble with a grin - You can call me Adam ...

  - No! - Neil sputters - Of course, Miss. Connor will not be comfortable with it.

  It confirms what he says and asks the manager to continue to talk to other people. I feel like she's trying to escape. Neil have either chain her at our table.

  - Hang on! - Secure your wrist and do I keep her out so fast - Stay with my card. If you need a friend, a shoulder ...

  - Enough! - Neil roars, pounding the table, totally out of control.

  I would say that at that time, he's right in the line of your limit.

  The cup on the table collapses, making wine stain the table, and would have done the same with my pants if I had not picked up on time.

  - Damn ... - mumble haunted - Neil!

  The manager called the waiter, who hastens to clear the table. Some customers face us curious, as I try to fit all the pieces of this puzzle.

  - We have to go! - Informs Neil.

  I watch him leave in a hurry, as if demons were after him. I say farewell to the young and run to follow him.

  I find him talking with his driver on the phone.

  - Neil, what happened there?

  He seems trapped.

  - If I was not sure who does not know the girl, I'd swear had a jealous rage.

  He sighs.

  - You do not know anything.

  Of course not, stupid. What I want is to understand. If there is something beyond mere physical attraction between them, I need to know, after all, he will face a difficult process of divorce shortly.

  - Want a ride home? - He asks.

  - Neil, I came by car, remember? - I ask impatient - still owe me an explanation.

  We are interrupted by his driver.

  - I'll explain later, Adam.

  After getting some time standing in the doorway like an idiot, I follow for my car.

  ****

  My first action upon entering the apartment, which has been my home in recent months, is heading to the video room where the surveillance cameras. This has become my ritual every day.

  I know that Penelope came home well, the safety responsible for looking after it had given the warning minutes before I arrived at the restaurant.

  Select the camera in your room. Despite being earlier than she usually goes to bed, I find her asleep. The TV is on, but there is nothing going on. I conclude that fell asleep watching some of their series.

  Touch the monitor, drawing her body with the tips of my fingers. It is the only form of love that I can provide at this time.

  I leave the room, annoyed by the reactions to it, even at a distance, because of me.

  I take a cold shower. Fidgety, return to the video room. Back the recording at the point where it enters the house. For me, in a way, it's as if I had been there. We have a routine, even if she does not know.

  - How was your day?

  "I'm tired." Mutters her, as if to answer my question, before throwing her purse on the couch.

  It is not often that this happens affinity, but moments like these are as important as those who already live.

  We followed thus talking with each other, this unexplained connection.

  After she put the CD in the player, I do a close up of his face. I like to see her laugh, or be moved by what they watch.

  In the first minutes, Penelope seems restless. His hands go to his neck, and she proves to be troubled by what he sees.

  Curious, silent camera. This is directed to the TV.

  Holy shit!

  The protagonists on the screen two of us, sex in the garage DET.

  I watch the film back. Return to recording that shows me Penelope.

  - Cum!

  All control of me is gone. She is pleasuring herself while watching the video. I have no other choice but to do the same.

  We both, although at different times, separated by distance, we could not be more united.

  Chapter 3

  Penelope

  December, 31st, 2012

  A year ago, I was in the same place with my Aunt Charlotte. I did not know that day, my life was about to change radically.

  Today, instead of a simple and shy invited, I'm ahead of the organization of the event. That makes me a bit nervous.

  Every year, Mr. Durant presents employees with a great New Year's party, and this year may be no different.

  I'm responsible for that, once again, everything goes right.

  I came monitor everything closely, from the decor, to the food and drink that will be served later.

  'I think that those vessels will be best near the entrance - speak to one of the women responsible for the decoration.

  - I was just thinking that - petite brunette smiles at me - You take that.

  Before I can answer that spent years with this function in the church, my cell phone rings.

  I already know who it is before answering.

  - Tell me that is finished and is coming home - hear your child's voice cantankerous and can barely hold back laughter.

  - There are still some things I need to do - mumble - There was a problem with one of the ingredients of the main course, and we are looking for another supplier.

  The resigned sigh on the other end of the line tells me that this is not the response that Adam wanted to receive.

  - It's just a party - he grumbles - Give food and drink to people and they will be happy.

  - Adam ...

  I do not mean that this is my job, so I am meticulous in every detail. It's not just a party. It's the biggest party of the company, expected by all, and do not want to ruin it in any way.

  - Sorry - the sincerity in his voice is apparent, then let it go that little slip. - I'll be waiting for you anxiously, like a Danish dog waiting for food.

  - I fool - smile enchanted.

  - Do you know that today is a special day, is not it?

  - It's the New Year's Eve, and a year ago we met - I interrupt him.

  There is a short break, and I wonder if it is still on the line.

  - Not only that - his tone seems tense - I have something important to do.

  - What is? - Inquire, a little alarmed. - Adam?

  - See you tonight - says he quickly hung up.

  I would have returned the call and insisted that he reveal to me what distresses so if the kitchen boss was not in front of me with a dead fish look.

  Sure, it's another problem in sight. Adam and his would have to come later.

  ****

  After all settled, and already in the late afternoon, I run to the salon where he had an appointment with the hairdresser the day before.

  It is obvious that arrived late, and it is even clearer that received that sermon. Nothing that a little guy crying and a sweet voice could not solve.

  - You're more beautiful than it already is - Christopher admire his masterpiece in front of the large mirror.

  My hair is stuck above the head in a bun that looks like a flower, and large curls fall behind me. Some strands of hair framing my face. The hairsty
le is really very beautiful.

  - Invitations I promised you - give the envelope to him before going to the front desk and close my account - Thank you, Cris.

  Went out, run to the boutique where she had left the dress for a last-minute adjustment. These days stress yielded me some kilos less, which left Aline anger bite when I quoted it.

  As soon as I enter the Adam's house, the wall clock time warning me. I start up the stairs, but do not get no less in the third bid.

  strong and steady hands me stop halfway.

  The broad chest, and arms now in my waist, make me feel a slight drunkenness.

  - Not so fast, my dear - the words are whispered in my ear, causing shivers throughout my body.

  - I missed - I turn to him and I capture his lips for a demanding kiss.

  As always, it's like set fire on us. Her hands run through my body, and when it comes to my head, I jumped back.

  Luckily, I was at the beginning of the stairs, and Adam steadied me before I fall flat on its back.

  - My hair does not! - I murmur distressed, afraid he mess up my hair.

  - Arg ... - your look is very angry. - You do not have hair to break your neck!

  - Sorry - I smile, turning the ladder - You take any logical capacity I have.

  Want to see a man leaving the angry to happy, feed your ego. Although actually not lie. Next to him, especially when he's kissing me, I lose any chance of reasoning.

  - Who needs logic? -indaga him, taking me in his arms while carrying me upstairs.

  In the fourth, Adam puts me down and back to kiss me with the same hunger as before. I feel the bed hitting my legs, and I just pushed on it. Use your elbows, preventing my head touches the mattress.

  - No sir - Carnation my foot in your belly to keep him go over me. - No time for that now. Also, I have done my hair.

  - There are still seven hours - he purrs to take my shoe and massaging my foot - We have a long, long time.

  What I want is to pull it on me and beg you to give me pleasure all he knows how to give, but I can not.

  - I have to go back to the room and see if everything is going well.

  My leg slumps on the bed and I witness your animalistic look, almost wild. Instead of feeling fear, the image seems absurdly sexy.

  - I thought we were going together.

  - I know that was the original plan - I whisper to sit on the bed - but I will be quiet only after everything is finalized, after all, Neil trusted me. I promise to reward you all night.

  I make an affection on his face and kisses small deposit it.

  - How about a bath in your tub? - Continue filling it with kisses.

  - It is within the part that will make me all night? - He asks, already leading me to the bathroom.

  - Say it's a bonus - groan to feel his hands on my breasts. - If you do not mess up my hair.

  - Women ... - Adam whispered, before kissing me - It's not your hair that I want to ruin my love.

  It was not an easy task to keep my head away from his depraved hands, but amazingly I got.

  And yes, there was more than one of my devastated by it.

  My whole body went into combustion.

  *****

  A few months later

  As Max talks to me in the restaurant during dinner, all I can think about is Adam, in our last happy moments together. That day, I believe that never there would be a day of misery and suffering for me. Of course I knew we would face barriers, but I believed that our love would drop each.

  - Where your thoughts go?

  Look away from my almost untouched plate on the table and stare at him.

  - Excuse me ... - deep breath - I'm not being a good company. We could leave this dinner for another day?

  - Still think of him, is not it?

  - Maxwell ...

  - All right, we're friends, remember?

  - I do not know if I want to talk about it.

  - Okay. Let's go.

  Damn it. I had closed one night it might have been nice with a real drama.

  Not that I'm willing to come back to have a loving relationship with Max, but you know, I'd like a bit of normality.

  I need to get out of this pit and existential crisis that has become my life.

  - At night, or we had it, it was fun - Max smiled awkwardly when we stopped in front of my door.

  He is handsome. Now he discovered that Penelope actually in me, not that girl dead who was his bride, we have a much better relationship. But I think I'll never get to see him but a friend. There is no attraction and strong magnetism between us. There never was.

  Anyone can find it strange that I have forgiven. But if Maxwell had not abandoned me in that church, I would never have discovered true love.

  Although this love today cause me pain.

  -I'm so sorry...

  He touches my lips, preventing me from continuing.

  - See you on Monday.

  Lead my body to the couch, where I am for a long time in the darkness.

  I do not turn on the light. I feel that lit up the environment, could bring all the memories of Adam and me.

  The minutes drag, and I am increasingly distressed.

  I decide to take a walk. The walls, the memories and all the feelings crushing my chest start to choke me.

  I walk for a few minutes without following the right course. I look at the buildings, the few people in the following streets to their homes, and try to keep my mind blank.

  How long will it take to forget it? In fact, when it would hurt less remember him?

  Maybe a long time, if I keep seeing it everywhere.

  Damn it. I had left home because it was very difficult to deal with such vivid memories. So why in God's name I saw him leave the building in front of me?

  - Adam?

  His surprised look tells me it's not a mirage. Why a hallucination scare me?

  - Penelope? - It is really very surprised to see me - What are you doing here?

  This is a question that I should do, after all, I who live ten minutes from here.

  - This is my neighborhood, remember? - Inquire disturbed. - What do you do here?

  I feel stupid to ask. Obviously you must have come after another, and I angrily only imagine.

  While I suffer the wretch, he has fun with another.

  - I came to visit a friend - your voice is hurried.

  - Friend? - I wanted to avoid, but my voice is full of irony. - I did not know he had friends in these parts.

  Speaks seriously. Often walked the neighborhood, went to the market, some shops, and even a restaurant two streets above. It would be quite natural that in some of these occasions, Adam had said that friend.

  He is lying shamelessly, and it only causes me more anger.

  - Er ... - he does not see me - He just arrived from Alaska.

  Alaska? Oh really?

  - And what's his name? - Investigate.

  We'll see where Adam will go with it.

  - Chandler Ford - he mumbles almost inaudible.

  - As? - Question. Certainly I had misunderstood.

  - Chandler, OK - he mumbles nervously - It's an old college friend. Arrived trip a few days. If you want, we went up and I present it.

  Sure, the bastard had passed the ball to me. Of course I do not believe that such a Chandler, which coincidentally has the same name as one of the characters of my favorite series, exists. More like a curvilinear Rachel and spindly legs.

  And of course, also, that I will not risk the embarrassment that his story is true. My own pride prevents me from doing this.

  - Maybe another time.

  This is one of those moments you do not know the next step.

  - I'll go my way - I murmur, feeling regret in having to move away from him.

  I feel ridiculous.

  - To where are you going? - He looks nervous.

  - To my home - I sigh, without knowing exactly why I am giving explanations - I just came for a ride.

  Have you ever fe
lt in a way that does not know what to do with the members of your body? It is as if my arms and legs were tentacles coming out of my body and I did not have the slightest idea what to do with them.

  - Bad night? - He asks. There is a slight grin on his face. A winning smile, although I do not know why.

  - Hot ... - mumble - The apartment was very hot. Well, I'm going now.

  - I'll follow you.

  He goes down to my side. We are on the street. There's even a cool breeze, but I feel a lot of heat, only to have him close to me.

  - Because? - The question sounds harsh, and I squirm me.

  I do not want Adam think that affects me more than it should.

  Puff. Who am I kidding? It affects me just by existing.

  - It's late - he says - I will not let you walk alone.

  - How thoughtful - mutter bitter. - Why did not she emerged months ago?

  I feel like I slap. There are less than fifteen minutes I had a jealous rage, and now behave like a desolate woman.

  - If you let me explain - he mutters, gritting his teeth. - That day in the hospital, I ...

  - I do not want your explanations, Adam - Stop to face him. - I waited a marriage proposal, as Liam said you would, instead, I was told ... no, I was imposed to stay away.

  - I had no choice! - It changes - Never let me explain. I needed...

  - It does not matter anymore! - My voice echoes through the empty street - just want you to leave me alone.

  I fight the stubborn tears wanting to roll down my face.

  - I survived you, Adam. It was hard, but I could - give back to him - Let me keep alive, gluing the pieces that you left behind.

  As I walk, I feel his presence behind me. I would like to try to understand it, but let their guard down again is the same as drive a stake into my heart. I would not survive it.

  We could not be friends, as I max. The difference is that I love Adam too. I will love you for life.

  When I cross the door that gives access to the apartments, I would venture to look back.

  I remember the day I met you in the rain with bouquet of flowers.

  There is no storm tonight. Strangely, there is a beautiful moon and stars in the sky. But when I close the door, depriving my eyes from it, I find the storm. She is ruthless in me.