The Only One He Wants

Her eyes finally closed and she instantly fell asleep with a huge smile on her lips, naked and bathing in the light of the moon.

***

“I envy you. Do you know that?” she said, taking a huge bite of the green apple in her hand. It was already morning and she was supposed to get dressed, but she was still there with Michael who was putting on his pants and shirt.

She had dreamed unclear dreams full of excited people, joy, colors, and shapes that had made her feel like the happiest woman in the world, which she certainly was that morning. Michael had prepared a delicious breakfast, which hadn’t burned this time. She’d had a couple of hours until work, so she had wanted to spend them with none other than her lover. He had told her that he hadn’t been in a hurry, that he could go whenever he could and he wouldn’t go at all if she just said the words.

“You envy me? Why?” he asked, fastening his belt.

“Well,” she began, still in her bathrobe. “I hate my job. It’s dull to the core and boring. You’re stuck in a claustrophobic room and to top it all, the boss is horrible as well. He doesn’t encourage me nor does he do anything significant for the firm. I honestly sometimes wonder how the hell I got there,” she sighed. “At least you’re satisfied with your job. That’s why I envy you.”

Michael stopped in his tracks, gazing at her and listening carefully to every word that left her lips. He took a step towards her. Another one.

“You shouldn’t envy me. That’s… You should find happiness in your job. Try to do that. And remember that it’s not forever. It’s just an ugly part of your career which you can change tomorrow or the next month. It’s not eternal. Hey,” he said, stroking her cheek.

“I tried everything and it nothing works. The idea that I’ll work until retirement there is killing me. My feet drag when I have to go there, to that awful, cold, gray place,” she said, looking down. She felt miserable because it was the beginning of a new work week and that reminded her of the situation she was dealing with. She had envisioned her future in a totally different way, but she had to play with the cards that she had been dealt with and no one could possibly help her.

Then, Michael put his finger on her chin, raising her face to meet his. His eyes were kind and warm like they always were when they settled on her. “Come with me to Mauritius!”

“What?” she asked, completely taken aback.

“You heard me. Come with me to Mauritius. Abandon your job, abandon your life and travel the world with me. It is your dream, after all. We’re going to have the time of our lives,” he said, completely sure of his words.

Obviously, he didn’t know that he was hurting her.

“No, never. Why would I do that?” She distanced herself from him. “I… I can’t just do that.”

“Why not, Gabby? Why not? It’s easy.”

She felt something rising up in her body. Maybe it was rage, anger, bewilderment or something else entirely. “How can you say that? I—I’m not some gold digger. It’s not easy to leave this life behind.”

“But…” It appeared to her that he realized his mistake because he started to defend himself. His eyes bulged and popped up in surprise.

“And let’s imagine that I go with you. How am I going to live? Off your money? Where are my dreams? My career? My own independent life? Oh, no, mister. I am not in this for your money, thank you. I will just stick to my savings plan and if God is willing I will succeed in my intentions.” She completely lost it. The head-splitting headache had returned that morning and she poured all of her emotions into her words. How could he possibly think that she would say yes? Didn’t he know her better? And then it occurred to her. They barely knew each other, they’d met less than two months earlier.

“Gabrielle, calm down. I didn’t mean that. There’s nothing wrong with living with me and not working. It’s better than working a job you hate and think is crap!” He spread his arms, yelling as well.

That drove Gabrielle up the wall. She put her face between her hands. “I can’t believe I’m hearing this. It makes all the difference. I will not be your trophy girl. I’m not one of those wh*res you picked up, carried with you like accessories, screwed them during the night, showed them the world during the day and pampered them with expensive, luxurious gifts. I am not them, you understand? Yes, I want to travel the world, but not like that!”

“Gabrielle, shut up! What are you saying? Do you hear yourself, honey?” His voice was calmer now, but it was too late. There was no going back. The spoken words couldn’t possibly be unspoken.

“Yes, I do. I hear myself, all right, Michael. It’s you who can’t hear himself, you see. After this wonderful weekend, the first thing you thought to do was to offer me mercy? Seriously, Michael?”

“No, Gabrielle. Far from that. I didn’t mean to imply that—”

“Well, it’s too late now, isn’t it? You should have sorted out the words before you started pitying me!” Her voice reached a new high. Adrenaline ran through her blood, pumping her up with energy and vigor. She felt her temples throbbing.

“I don’t pity you, okay? I just wanted to take you with me!”

“No! Admit it, you just want a trophy wife and someone you can control with your money. I know now.” The words were tumbling out of her by themselves and she couldn’t do anything to stop them. “I know why you took the poor woman crying in the street to dinner. I know why you repaired that sorry woman’s car. You just wanted to use me, because I was an easy target to be your next victim. The billionaire’s victim! How could I have been so stupid?”

Michael remained silent, watching her.

“What?” she screamed at him. “What? Say something! Defend yourself, you bas*ard! Tell me I’m wrong!” she broke down, crying. What was happening to her? She wasn’t herself. Every fiber of her body was trembling from shock and fury. Her legs became lose and she felt her knees buckle. They gave way underneath her, dropping her to the ground.

Michael stood still, staring at her with hatred in his eyes. His features were stern and it was as if another Michael Good was standing before her. She hadn’t met this Michael Good, no. Every muscle on his face contorted in disbelief and wrath.

“How could I have been so stupid as to be with a woman who doesn’t trust me? How could I have loved such a woman who didn’t believe in me? How can you think that I’m such a person? Gosh!” he sighed, his face in his hands.

Gabrielle was sobbing now. She threw some harsh words at him and if she were in his shoes, she would never forgive herself.

“I think that…” Michael began but didn’t finish the sentence, it hung loosely around them in the air.

“Go, Michael! Leave! I want to have a break from you. It’s all too hard for me,” she said through her sobs.

“Gabby, please listen to me. Just listen to me. You…” he tried one more time, but was briskly interrupted.

“No! Leave. Please. Please go if you love me even a little. Please,” she cried out.