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.

escape one’s eyes if one didn’t pay attention to it.

his eyes, making Lara

later, the car stopped in front

out of the

and said softly, “Mr. Miller, thank you for sending me home. If… if you need me to explain to Mrs. Miller, please do not hesitate to ask me. Nothing happened

at her petite face

the car started again, Henry did not have the heart to continue his

so eerily reminiscent of that other, and furthermore, she was Audrey’s younger sister. Her attentiveness to him was

knew, with just the barest

and compliant lover, using

himself that those few seconds of intimacy were a test

curious at how much he

close to him, all he thought about was Crystal, of her vulnerability when her eyes were closed, lost in her music. The surge of emotions he

their options, and Henry chose his family.

He chose Crystal.

the deepening. night, most of the

through the foyer, ascending the stairs at a leisurely pace.

Skyler and Remi, he

hadn’t locked it. The door yielded effortlessly.

silk nightgown that shimmered under the lamplight. Her skin pecked through, luminescent and delicate. She had fallen asleep holding a

was always entranced by

alcohol coursing through him and the prolonged dry spell between them

down, held her close, and kissed

not

be more docile in her

a few moments, his hands began to wander more

sleep, and met his, focusing on

faint hint of

mark of another

unwavering, even as his passion seemed undiminished, his hands already working at the buttons of

pale, as if drained of

whispered against the soft spot behind her

she lay there, her body was a vision of allure, yet

His movements faltered.

and admitted, “It was

her nightgown, her slender fingers deftly undoing two of his shirt

coral shade was

The driver was

as well. He removed the

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

even

her a condominium, paid her tuition, and found her a great job. Tell me, Henry, how is that

tensed. “I don’t have such

look

has already crossed the line. If the driver hadn’t been there today, you would have tested yourself further. You might have

was lighting a cigarette when the heat from the ember burned

said, “Why do you paint it

truth is often harsh. Henry, you have only come! tonight because I’ve been giving you the cold shoulder. If our relationship was

Crystal to speak her

indeed, could

bit too much that his head throbbed.

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

stood still, only speaking up when he

shirt

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

really

Crystal found herself padding

her face betraying little emotion. But

Lara’s matters, she knew this day

and Audrey from

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

what Henry had in mind.

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