Chapter 39: Careless Whisper

Have you ever looked at someone and thought, “Damn, I want to spend my whole life with you”?

It’s crazy that I’m feeling this now as I watched him open the front door of his home. I couldn’t help it, everything Arthur did made me fall deeper in love everyday. Whenever I am with him, I am suddenly back to the fairytale I’ve created for myself. I am Cinderella once again, and he is my handsome prince. After all, Arthur was handsome in every possible way. He was handsome from the depth of his eyes to the gentle expressions of his voice. He was handsome from his generous opinions to the touch of his hand upon my own. I loved the way his voice quickened when he sparkled with a new idea, or was so enjoying one of mine that he lost himself for a moment and forgot the mask he wore for others.

However, Arthur was more than just a handsome Prince for me. It seemed that he truly loved me. Finally, after all those years of being invisible, undervalued and used, here was someone who saw my true worth. He fell in love with me as Sandra and Sandy. He loved me for me - and I don’t think I’ll ever be able to receive this kind of love again.

“After you, milady.” He said playfully as a smile formed my lips. He said the same thing that night when I first came to his house. I bowed my head slightly as I did a courtesy to play along with him.

“Thank you, good sir.” I responded cheerfully before I stepped inside his home. The house was welcoming from the open door to the wide hallway. In the hallway, there were paintings placed on the wall. I wonder if these were Arthur’s.

My eyes widened in surprise as I gaped at my surroundings. The wide living room had a large chandelier in the middle of it. At the left is where his huge, wall mounted TV is located. Beneath that you could see a modern fireplace. At the opposite side of the TV, you could see his expensive looking couches and coffee table situated.

It still amazes me how rich Arthur is, considering that he acts so humble all of the time.

The other side of the living room caught my attention. Up on the walls were photographs of Arthur and his parents, so obviously loved.

“You look like your dad.” I told him as I eyed their similarities. He just nodded in agreement.

“Now you know, where I got my looks from.” He winked at me. I just laughed at him.

“By the way, you haven’t told me anything yet about your mom and dad.” I asked curiously as I examined their photos on the wall. I loved looking at these photos and seeing how Arthur looked throughout the years. A smile crept to my face as I looked through each one in amusement. He never had “an ugly phase”, he was always very handsome.

“Well, there’s not much to tell. We’re just like any other family.” He stated nonchalantly. I wanted to pry more into his family but we were cut off by someone. I turned around to see Clara walking towards us. I smiled at her, however, she didn’t return the gesture. She looked at Arthur questioningly.

“Clara, you remember Sandra.” Arthur gestured to me as her eyebrows raised in confusion. I reached out to shake her hands and she just shook it coldly. It was then it dawned on me that I came here as Sandy not as Sandra. I shook my head at the sudden realization.

“We actually met before, I’m Sandy.” Her confused expression turned into surprise as she eyed me up and down. She put a hand on her mouth as she took in my appearance.

“Oh yeah, it really is you. I’m sorry I forgot.” She said as she regained her composure. “You know aging, it really takes a toll on you.” She added which made the three of us laugh.

“It’s fine, I understand.” I smiled at her. She also returned the gesture and hugged me abruptly. My eyes widened at her sudden action. Arthur just lightly shook his head as he let out a soft chuckle.

As we pulled apart, she smiled at me fondly. “Arthur, why didn’t you let Sandra visit earlier?” She looked at Arthur expectantly. He just shrugged his shoulders. “Well I’ll leave you two then, I still have something to do in the kitchen.” She grinned at both Arthur and I before she walked away. As I saw Clara’s retreating body, I turned to Arthur.

“I felt like this already happened before.” I told him, amused with this entire situation. Of course there were some minor differences to our first meeting and tonight but it sure felt like dejavu to me.

“If that’s the case, then you know what happens next.” He wiggled his eyebrows at me, suggesting that we go to his bedroom. I raised my hand to hit his arm but he quickly grabbed it and pulled me to him. I landed on his chest and felt his warmth engulf me. I gazed up at him to see him staring down at me intensely. He slowly lowered his head. I closed my eyes in anticipation for his kiss. I felt his warm lips on mine. I savored the taste of his lips before he gently pulled away. “We should take this upstairs.” My eyes flew open as his husky voice sent shivers down my spine.


As the door closes, every pretence falls. He grabbed me by the waist, pulling me up close against his chest. His hand gently glided through my hair, as he looked at me in a way that made me feel like he had never looked at a girl before. His eyes just had this assurance - this spark that made me feel like I'm truly the only one. My eyes were like candles tonight, they lit a spark of passion and desire. As a small but teasing smile crept upon his face, goosebumps lined my skin, not the kind that one gets in the cold, but the kind one gets when nothing else matters except right here, right now.

The facade I showed the world has melted away as I savored the warmth of his embrace. I missed him so much.

It was then it hit me.

Am I really doing the right thing? I didn’t want him to be tied down to someone like me. He deserves someone so much better - someone who wouldn’t lie to him, and doesn’t have any baggage. I shouldn’t do this.

I have every intention of pushing Arthur until his hand touches my face. The acceleration of my heart rate has nothing to do with fear and everything to do with what my body really wants. I looked away as if the outside world held my attention, but after all this time he read me like a book - his eyes were on my chest, my breathing rate duly noted. With a gentle finger, he reoriented my face so that he held the gaze I didn't want to give him, stealing the passion from my eyes in a way that only magnifies the spark. There is no smile on his lips, only the hot intensity of his gaze that we both know is the start of the inferno to come.

The next thing I knew is our lips were pressed together. In that kiss was the sweetness of passion, a million loving thoughts condensed into a moment. Our lips fitted perfectly-- as if they were meant for each other. Moving against each other, feeling each other. Arthur grabbed the back of my neck, growling in the kiss as I whimpered in pleasure. His right hand dropped to my thigh, pulling up the skirt that hangs loosely above my knees. I couldn't move even if I tried, like his fingers have short circuited my mind in the best possible way. He turned me around and we tumbled to the bed, making me fall on my back with him on top of me. His eyes searched mine as he flashed me a small yet genuine smile.

“I love you.”

And with that, I finally knew that I made the right choice.