Page 14 of Stolen Moments
“Yeah, I think he’s going to miss you when I die and you have to leave. I… can see the submissive in you, Melia. You try to hide it, but I see it — and I think you two would really be perfect for each other once I’m gone.”
It was interesting to see them both together, the two women that he loved. Susan caught his gaze and smiled at him, waving him over.
“I’m feeling a bit tired,” she said when he had jogged up to them. “Accompany Melia and pick up some seashells while I catch my breath for a moment.”
Luka frowned. “Are you sure?”
“Yes. Go on. I’ll be fine, here in the sun.” Susan tilted her head back and positioned the large floppy sunhat she was wearing so that the sunlight would hit her face.
Melia and Luka walked up ahead. They walked in silence, listening to the cry of the gulls, and the crash of the waves. As they walked the water ebbed and flowed, pulling them closer to the ocean.
“About last night…” hey both said at once, then laughed nervously.
Luka looked up at a seagull circling overhead. “I love my wife.”
Melia nodded. “I know.”
“This isn’t about that, though. I can’t—not now. She’s sick and she’s dying, and I feel like it’s the worst kind of betrayal.”
“I know.” Melia hung her head.
“This hasn’t been easy for me, staying away from you — and trying to convince myself that I don’t…”
Melia put up her hand. “Please…stop. I understand. It was a mistake. We were both feeling sad and lonely and our heads weren’t clear. It won’t happen again.”
“It really can’t ever happen again,” Luka said. “We should turn back and check on Susan.”
When they got back to Susan, she stood up and leaned against Luka. “You didn’t get enough of the sea glass. Come on, help me find some more and then we can go.”
Melia shook her head at their invitation and sat down for a while. She watched them walk down the beach happily. She felt a surge of aimless jealousy, but it wasn’t directed at Susan. She didn’t really feel betrayed, rather, it was more of a feeling of wanting to be near Luka and on the receiving end of the loving look he was giving his wife. Melia buried her feet in the sand and wished she could bury the rest of herself too.
She realized that she loved him.
God, she had fallen in love with her employer, with a married man— and in her own platonic way, she had fallen in love with his wife, too. The betrayal was twofold and it killed her. She wiped a hot tear from her cheek, and to busy her hands she began to clean up the area where they had had their picnic earlier.
* * *
“Luka, I think you need to find a new sub soon. I feel like I’m going to go at any moment.” Luka looked out over the dazzling ocean, the white caps, and the little waves caught the light like little diamonds. “I think Melia…”
“Why are you so obsessed with Melia?” Luka asked impatiently.
“Well, she’s gorgeous, she’s smart, and she’s amazing on a million different levels. So the question is why are you pretending thatyou’renot obsessed with her?” She turned a keen eye towards Luka who looked down at his hands. “Luka, I wanted her to be my home-aide because she seemed like a beautiful, smart girl— and I didn’t want to die and leave you alone.”
“So you pimped me out to your home aide?”
“Oh, shush. I know this hasn’t been easy on you.”
Luka stopped and turned her to face him. “You think the hardest part of all of this has been the lack of sex? Are you insane?”
Susan shook her head.
“I could do without the sex for ten lifetimes if it meant I got to finish this lifetime with you. I can’t even bear the thought of losing you and you’re concerned with… who I’m going to have sex with?”
“Don’t be silly Luka. I’m worried about who will take care of you when I’m gone. You have poured all of yourself into my care, honey, and I’m so grateful.” She caressed his face, tears in her eyes. “I am so grateful for everything you’ve done. You’ve given up living your life to make the end of mine more comfortable. But have you given any thought into what you’ll do when I’m gone?”
Luka looked down.
“I didn’t think so. You are so concerned with me, but I’m going to be at peace soon. You’re the one that has to live on, and you can’t mope and mourn me forever, Luka. I want you to be happy. I can tell that you like each other. Don’t you?”