The Loving Husband

Ever since she left the dimly lit room that inhabited her long lost caveman and beast, her heart wouldn't stop aching. It ached but her mind knew that would be the last time she would easily fall victim to his charms. When Prisana knew it was him, she couldn't contain the whirlwind of emotions that came as she finally saw him again.

Of course her delusional mind made thoughts that he would vow beautiful truths so she gave herself to him. Instead, he vowed the ugly truth. He couldn't ever love her and that opened her eyes to another loveless marriage.

As Prisana stumbled out into the reception hall, she lay eyes on the loveless marriage. That loveless husband who ran toward her in quickened hushed breaths. It must all be an act—His hazy blue eyes desperately searching her messy ruffled dress. Even the way rage boiled its way onto his bronzed skin was well played.

"Prisana!" he shouted, his rage quieting as he found her swollen red eyes. "...You were crying."

Giovanni tried to touch her face but she smacked his hand away. She didn't want him to touch her. Not the hands that touched Erica and all the women in New Jersey. Then, his expression darkened again.

"Was it him that made you cry? Elias, was it? I'll kill him. And your dress...It's all disheveled."

"Don't act like you care about me," Prisana hissed under her breath. "And the tears? I ran away because he stepped on my foot during the dance and I was too embarrassed to cry in public. He only chased after me to apologize. That was all. Don't make such a big deal out of it."

"Was that really all that happened?" he asked, using a finger to cup her chin so he could stare at her beautiful lies.

His gaze roamed over her face and down to her body.

"Why is it that your skin is so flushed? Why is it that your dress is in shambles, with the back of your zipper undone? Why is it that..." Giovanni further tilted her chin so he could gaze into her eyes but she refused. "You won't look me in the eyes?"

"Because, I fucked him. When I left our vows, I made it with another man. With him."

Now Prisana was looking directly at him. Hurt flashed across his blue eyes. As much satisfaction that it gave her to tell him the truth, it made her feel like the bad guy to have someone look at her with so much hurt. But she had to keep reminding herself that Giovanni hurt her too.

So why should she feel remorse for him?

Prisana didn't falter as he was the first to turn away. Giovanni turned around as his hands that held her chin, fell to his sides.

"This suits us. I'll sleep with other women and you can sleep with other men. I just need you to play your part when the time comes. Then, I'll toss you away."

"I won't play my role. I'll be long gone before then..." Prisana covered her mouth.

'Prisana, you stupid woman!'

She accidentally blurted out her plans to disappear. Giovanni grinned and arched one of his eyebrows as he heard her.

"Oh really? Then, it seems I've been giving you too much freedom. I'll make sure to increase the surveillance."

***

The ride back home was almost too quiet. Prisana could feel Giovanni's wrath from beside her as he never spoke another word after their exchange at the reception hall. There was an uneasy feeling that plagued Prisana as she climbed into the car. She couldn't help but feel like something was wrong.

Her intuitions were right because when they arrived at his house, what greeted them nearly made her fall to her knees.

Erica. She stood by the entrance to the mansion. When Erica saw the both of them come out of the car, she sauntered over to Giovanni and draped an arm over his shoulder. She made a show of kissing him on the lips and it took a moment for him to respond but then he soon returned her kiss until they were sickeningly long and passionate.

They were both boldly making out in front of her. Even the servants of the mansion were stunned. Prisana only stared at Erica, trying to gather what she wanted to say.

When they pulled apart, Erica began looking at Prisana while she said these next words.

"Gio dear, I've packed my bags just like you asked. Where will I be staying?"