Chapter 2

20.6K 260 88
                                    

I stare at myself closely in the floor mirror.

I'm dressed somewhat casual, light colored jeans, a gray v-neck t-shirt, and the same shoes from last night. I didn't shave, so my stubble is dark, and it looks as if I'm in the early stages of trying to grow a beard. I'm not, of course, I just have to wait until this evening to shave right before the premiere. If I did it now, at noon, it will have grown back by five.

I'm nervous and I hate being nervous. I run my hands through my hair repeatedly, look at my teeth in the mirror after I've brushed them, smooth out my eyebrows, and try to stop fidgeting while I smoke a cigarette.

There's nothing to be nervous about. I'm just having lunch with her. And then this evening we're going to go out. It's not like it's a date or anything. She's married. But I want her and I think to myself that I shouldn't be trying to see her if she isn't going to want anything to do with me in a sexual way.

I think of cancelling and forgetting the whole thing, just go alone tonight, and find someone else to satisfy me. Won't I feel guilty if something were to happen between us, anyway?

I know I wouldn't. I want her and if I get her I won't feel any guilt. I've spent the entire morning thinking about her and I don't ever really think about anyone but myself. My family are the only exceptions to that, but even with them I'm pretty distant. I haven't seen my siblings in a couple of years, though my one of my sisters and young niece are coming to stay with me for a week next month. They were planning a trip to New York anyways and I happened to move here, so instead of a hotel they're going to stay here.

That reminds me that I have to get one of the guest rooms set up for them. I'll have to buy a bed and sheets and a comforter and have my maid throw it together. I'm not really looking forward to it. I like my living space to be my own, but didn't want to say no.

When I get outside and attempt to catch a taxi, I wish that my car was here already. It's taken much longer to come over from Europe than I had expected. I could just buy another one, but it's the only car I've owned since I was in my early twenties, and I've never felt the need to buy another one.

I finally get one and ask him to get there as quickly as possible. I don't like to be late, but luckily it isn't too far from my building. It would've been smarter for us to meet at my building or hers and take a taxi together since we live so close to each other. But I haven't heard from her. I'd expected a call or even a text to confirm that we were still having lunch. I chalked it up to her just being nervous about even meeting me for lunch.

The moment I get out of the taxi I look around, carefully checking for paparazzi, but don't notice any. It wouldn't surprise me if I've been followed from my place to here. They're dying for me to be seen with another woman. I don't understand the fuss. There's plenty more interesting people to follow around besides me. I'm ready for the interest in me to die out.

I make my way into the restaurant, to the host station, and greet the young man standing there.

"I'm meeting someone. I don't know if she's here yet or not. Theodora Panchak."

"Yes, she is, sir. I'll show you to her table."

I follow behind him when he begins to walk. It's obviously an Italian restaurant, small, intimate, with dim lighting and candles on the tables, even in the daytime. I'm surprised she chose this place for the two of us.

When I see her, she's staring down at a menu, a glass of red wine on the table in front of her, and she doesn't notice me until we've almost reached her. I thank him quietly and smile warmly as she stands to greet me. She's dressed much more casual than last night, like me. Jeans, a white halter top that climbs and wraps around her neck, and worn in tennis shoes.

The AffairWhere stories live. Discover now