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.

eyes if one didn’t

his eyes, making Lara fumble to

later, the car stopped in front of a condominium in a

helped Lara out of the

you for sending me home. If… if you need me to explain to Mrs. Miller, please do not hesitate to ask me. Nothing

stared at her petite face and smiled faintly,

car started again, Henry did not have the heart

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

barest embrace,

young and compliant lover, using her as

few seconds of intimacy were a test

was curious at how much he truly cared

lost

and Henry chose his

He chose Crystal.

Miller residence, as Henry stepped out of his car, he glanced up at the house. In the deepening. night, most of the lights had been snuffed out, but the light from Crystal’s

the foyer, ascending the stairs at a leisurely

a look at Skyler and Remi, he gently turned the knob of

it. The door yielded

the couch, adorned in a soft silk nightgown that shimmered under the lamplight.

entranced

through him and the prolonged dry spell between them stirred a

leaned down, held her close, and kissed

not

to be more docile in her dreams.

his hands began to wander more

eyes hazy with sleep, and met his, focusing on

it-the faint hint of coral lipstick on his white shirt

a mark

seemed undiminished, his

Crystal’s face was pale, as if drained

her resistance as mere coyness, whispered against the soft spot behind her ears,

allure, yet her voice was chilling. “You met

His movements faltered.

eyes and admitted, “It was a chance meeting. I

her nightgown, her slender fingers deftly undoing two of his shirt buttons to reveal the

coral shade was

a ride. The driver was

the lingering scent of another woman on him as well. He removed the tainted shirt, discarding it in

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

exhausted even to be angry.

brimmed in her eyes as she calmly said. “You did nothing, sure. You just helped her resume her studies, rented her a condominium, paid her tuition, and found her a great job. Tell me, Henry, how is that different

“I don’t have such intentions.”

refused to look

close to 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

the heat from the

moment, he said, “Why do

have only come! tonight because I’ve been giving you the cold shoulder. If our relationship was going well, an like Lara showed up, I doubt that you’ll resist her

Crystal to speak her mind.

could be

a bit too much

silhouette, he felt no point in discussing it further tonight. Rubbing his temple, he said.

stood still, only speaking up when he was about

your shirt with

in her posture, and he couldn’t help but wonder if she had ever truly

ever really been in

found herself padding back to

the novel, her face betraying little

interest in Lara’s matters, she knew this day would

and Audrey

regained his memories, and yet his first crush had regrettably passed, what man could resist the allure

what Henry had in mind.

they were still not married, and she wasn’t bound by the love for her