Crystal's One Night of Love

Henry found himself engulfed in the constant swirl of his demanding job and the social obligations that came with it.

Frustrated, he drank, letting the intoxicating liquid cloud his thoughts more than he should have. The world seemed to sway as he staggered toward his car.

His driver, unfamiliar with his personal life, remarked as he opened the door for Henry, “Mr. Miller, you’ve had one too many. Miss Winters won’t be pleased. Women seldom are when their men are inebriated.”

Leaning into the plush upholstery of the backseat, Henry pulled out a cigarette, letting its familiar scent wrap around him.

He lit the cigarette. As the smoke danced from his lips, he murmured with a hint of irony, “As if she cares.”

Being married to Crystal felt as lonely as being single.

Crystal was indifferent toward him.

It had been a few months since they were intimate with each other.

She refused to let him touch her.

It was only normal for couples to fight every now and then. However, she had resolved to move to another room. It wasn’t just the lack of physical connection. Even a mere conversation with her felt like scaling a mountain.

Not wanting to wade into those deep waters, the driver simply resumed his place behind the wheel.

Just as he was about to depart, a mellifluous voice floated through the air. “Mr. Miller!”

Henry turned, and there, limping unevenly with a cane, was Lara.

She traced his gaze that landed on her injured leg. “The doctor says it’ll heal in a couple of months with no lasting damage.”

She flashed him a woeful smile, expecting, perhaps, even hoping, that he might have visited her during his wife’s cold spell.

Yet, he never did.

However, that was all right. If he wouldn’t come to me, I’ll just find a way to him.

Acknowledging her with a nod, Henry instructed his driver to drive away.

The driver nodded and turned the car around. Lara’s lips twisted into a smirk as the luxurious car pulled away.

She released her grip on the cane, crumbling to the ground in a display of vulnerability.

Henry caught sight of it. He furrowed his brows slightly and ordered to stop the car after a brief moment. of consideration.

The driver was stumped.

In an impassive voice, he ordered, “Help her into the car and send her back home.”

The driver replied hesitatingly, “Miss Winters won’t be pleased if she knows of this.”

Intoxicated, Henry said in a rather exasperated tone, “She won’t know if you keep your mouth shut. Besides, I’m only asking you to send her home.”

The driver bit his tongue and got out of the car to help Lara.

Lara sat beside Henry.

He closed his eyes and did not speak to her, but they were in such close proximity to each other that she could smell the faint scent of pine on him.

She stealthily turned aside to sneak a peek at him, drinking in Henry’s chiseled features.

His side profile was perfect, exuding an air of nobility.

Lara couldn’t help but eye in wonder at the luxurious interior of the car.

She pictured herself being together with Henry. Her cheeks were tinged pink as she leaned in to take in his heavenly scent, imagining herself underneath him…

Will his face contort in ecstasy as he presses down on me?

Lara felt warm tingles all over her body just thinking about it.

An audacious thought flitted across her mind as she leaned in and pressed a soft kiss on his pristine white shirt, leaving behind the faintest trace of her coral lipstick.

if one didn’t pay attention to it.

his eyes, making Lara fumble to set her

in front of a

driver helped Lara out of

Miller, thank you for sending me home. If… if you need me to explain

face

again, Henry did not have the heart to continue his

that fleeting moment, when Lara had leaned close, he felt it. Here was a young woman, so eerily reminiscent of that other, and furthermore,

just the barest

and compliant lover, using her as a

seconds of intimacy were

curious at how much he truly cared for

Crystal, of her vulnerability when her eyes were closed, lost in her music. The surge of emotions he felt then couldn’t

always weighed their options, and Henry chose

He chose Crystal.

the deepening. night, most of the lights had been snuffed out, but

the foyer, ascending the

Remi, he gently turned the

it. The door yielded effortlessly.

in a soft silk nightgown that shimmered under the lamplight. Her skin pecked through, luminescent and delicate. She had

entranced by

alcohol coursing through him and the prolonged dry spell between them stirred

close, and kissed her tenderly yet fervently.

did not

be more docile in

hands began to wander

stirred, her eyes hazy with sleep, and met his, focusing on his

of

was a mark of

his passion seemed undiminished, his

was pale, as if drained

whispered against the soft

a vision of allure, yet her voice was chilling. “You met Lara

His movements faltered.

a beat, he looked into her eyes and admitted, “It was

fingers deftly undoing two of his shirt buttons to

coral shade was

a ride. The driver was there.

woman on him as well. He removed the tainted shirt, discarding it

Crystal, he declared, “I haven’t betrayed our marriage.”

exhausted even

rented her a condominium, paid her tuition, and found her a great job. Tell me,

“I don’t

to look

you and allowed her to challenge your lawful wife. Your relationship with her has already crossed the line. If the driver hadn’t been there today, you would have tested yourself further. You might have followed her back to her condominium, let her remove your coat, perhaps even indulged her advances. She could have become your lover, a substitute

heat from

do you paint it so ugly,

harsh. Henry, you have only come! tonight because I’ve been giving you the cold shoulder. If

to speak her

could

drunk a bit too

further tonight. Rubbing his temple, he said. “Let’s talk

speaking up when

shirt with you.”

the estrangement in her posture, and he

ever really been

Henry left, Crystal found herself padding back

face betraying little emotion. But deep

Lara’s matters, she knew this day would come.

memory of the intimate encounter between Henry and Audrey

his first crush had regrettably passed, what man could resist

what Henry

they were still not married, and she wasn’t bound by the love for her children, she might have fought. their relationship.