His Request.
1914 Words
Chapter 1.
CLARA’S POV.
I spared my reflection one last glance at the mirror, tossing a reckless strand of my chestnut-brown hair behind my ear. The cream tank coat draped over my body, concealing the sight that could unravel any man.
Today, I was dressed in something different from the typical good girl Clara—a black transparent dress and a coat that concealed too much hotness.
*
The bass from the speaker throbbed through my chest as I stepped into the club, lights flashing and bodies moving in a blur of sweat and perfumes.
My legs wobbled under the shelter of my coat, but I knew I had to keep going.
Unlike the others, I wasn’t here to drink or dance. I was just here to confirm suspicions about my husband, Leo.
I walked deeper into the lounge, which I had carried out many investigations about, and just like I had guessed, Leo sat in the midst of his peers, a new woman clinging to him and laughing loudly at whatever nonsense he whispered into her ear.
My heart clenched beneath my ribs, the weight of the moment pressing pain into my chest.
I stared at Leo, my husband. Or at least the man who used to be mine before he started wanting more than just me.
The lady’s hand moved possessively around his body like she owned him, but no one had ever truly owned him. Yesterday, he was with another woman, different from her, and of course, tomorrow he would be with someone else. So I thought, until I saw Leo cup her cheek into his palm, staring into her eyes in ways he used to look at me.
The sight bore a knife into my chest. And the realization that she wasn't one of his random women but my replacement stung my heart deeply. I have never seen Leo like this with another. He could f**k anything under a skirt but certainly not display affection like he was doing now. His eyes held hers with delicate tenderness, fingers stroking her hair gently while he kissed her cheeks at every shared word.
I watched as he brushed her strand of her blonde hair behind her ear before planting another kiss on her forehead. “Beauty is a thing you wear so well, baby. And I love it.”
The lady’s smile grew brighter and she buried her face against his chest for some seconds before whispering in a sweet sickening voice.
“You flatter me, Baby. I am not even as beautiful as your wife?”
My heart raced and for another ridiculous second I expected more from him, but he crushed my hopes by saying…
“Do not ever compare yourself to her, baby. She can never compete with you in any aspect.”
A smile of satisfaction kissed her face and she trailed her fingers up and down his chest like she owned every piece of him. Well, she does.
“Does she make you happy like I do?
Leo’s mouth curled into a smile, his thumb brushing gently on her lower lip while he followed every movement with his gaze.
“You give me enough happiness than she can ever think of, baby.”
His words slammed into my heart, but I stood there my fingers curling into my palms. Heart shattering into tiny pieces.
So she gave him happiness and I gave him what? Trouble? How ridiculous!
Her smile widened, finger grazing his chest slightly while she leaned down and dropped a gentle kiss on the side of his neck.
“Don’t worry…” She teased in a sickening voice “I am going to give you all the happiness you deserve. Okay?”
Leo let out a smile that infuriated the guts out of me.
“I trust you.” He mumbled sweetly, trailing his fingers against her exposed thighs while planting a gentle kiss on her lips.
Now I get it. She derived happiness from being praised while I got condemned.
My nails dug deeper into my palm, the intimate sight of them stabbing at my fragile heart.
Tears prickled the back of my eyes but I sniffed back the sting.
So this was it? This was the reason Leo had suddenly walked up to me yesterday, demanding an open marriage.
Poor me. I had thought it was just a conversation stirred out of impulse.
I tried to speak with him, to remind him about how obsessed we used to be about each other, but he ended the conversation demanding freedom. Turned out I was the only one still clinging to our past.
My throat tightened at the sight and the pain that wouldn’t stop crawling up my chest, but I straightened my back, reminding myself that I wasn’t here for pity.
I took a step forward and, amidst the crowded room, his eyes found mine before I approached him completely.
The air in the room stifled and I watched his body freeze in place. For a second, his smile wavered, but it slid back into place: smooth and arrogant, like he wasn’t guilty.
“Clara.” He called, eyes flickering over me. “What are you doing here?”
The calm in his voice stirred something within me, and I swore that I almost second-guessed my action, but I raised my shoulders in sophistication, knowing that I needed to get this done with.
“Is this what you meant?” My voice cracked at first, but I forced it louder, refusing to show any more weakness.
“When you said you wanted an open marriage, was this really what it meant? To leave me at home while you come have fun outside like I do not exist?”
Soft murmurs filled the air and the people around us snickered, their eyes hungry for a show.
Leo looked around briefly, exhaling a sigh through his nose, sitting upright while the lady kept rubbing her palm against his chest.
“Do not make a scene,” he gritted, slightly frustrated.
“Or what?” I snarled painfully, my voice cracking at the edge, but my reaction didn’t matter to him.
He just picked a glass of wine, swayed it gently while keeping his eyes locked with mine. “We spoke about it already,” he said in his usual casual tone, like the conversation didn’t mean anything.
Then he moved the glass to his lips and took a gentle drag from it… His chestnut eyes were still locked against mine. “I want freedom.”
The word echoed through my ears like thunder.
“Freedom?” I laughed, the edge of my voice sharp yet broken. “So this is your idea of freedom? To leave home, visit clubs, and change women like some rolls of outfit, huh?”
His grip on the glass tightened, his knuckles turning pale from how tightly his hand curled around it.
“You do not need freedom, Leo. All you needed was an excuse.”
I took a step forward, gesturing towards the lady who was smirking at me while running her hands around his body like I wasn’t there.
“You have always wanted this, haven’t you?”
“You are overreacting.” Leo stepped in, his eyes darkening. “This is a normal thing, and it’s all the more reason I suggested an open marriage. You can’t handle reality.”
“Reality?” The word tore past my lips in mockery. My chest burned from betrayal. I glared deeper into his eyes, every nerve in me roaring in pain. “So reality is giving you my all while you keep needing everything in a skirt? So reality is you embarrassing me in front of the people who know us?”
Leo rolled his eyes like my words were nothing but a pathetic rehearsal.
He rose to his feet, took some steps closer, then leaned into me and whispered in a tone only I could hear. “Stop being dramatic, Clara. Do not ruin my night.”
The air in my lungs vanished, the cruelty in his tone stealing every breath from me.
My eyes flickered to his smug face, which was glimmering under the glow of the chandelier light.
Pain weighed against my heart… the sight of him, a clear contrast to the man I used to know. Different from the man who brought me flowers at every inconvenience. Different from the man who kissed my pain away and made me sleep with no worries in my heart.
My heart cracked from the weight of everything. But I braced my shoulders, pushing through with the thought that slipped into my head.
It was vile. Raw and forbidden, but I was burning right now and the only thing that mattered was the tiny part of me that badly wanted to prove what he had been missing.
With my eyes still locked against his, I slid the coat off my shoulders, slow and deliberate, letting it drop off completely.
The evening air of the nightclub grazed my skin and goosebumps spread across it.
A sharp gasp echoed around us, and the silk dress that lay underneath caught the light.
Leo’s temple twitched and his gaze faltered for the first time since I walked into this club.
“You want freedom?” I said softly, but every word carried a weight of pain. Maybe it was time to give him a taste of his medicine. “I will give you,” I added with a faux smile.
“Clara—”
“No.” I cut him off, standing my ground. “You don’t get to dictate rules anymore. If you can choose… then so can I.”
Without giving him time to react, I turned around, crashing into a man who stood behind me.
His calloused hand caught my waist swiftly, like I was going to fall, pulling me into his muscled body.
My breath caught in my lungs and my body froze against his.
At the edge of the crowd, he stood at an imposing 6’4, broad and lethal. Like a human carved in sin.
His almond eyes pierced into mine, unraveling me with every shared glance.
A thought stirred within me, sharp and reckless. Without as much as a consideration, I grabbed his collar, pulled him down, and slammed my lips against his, pulling him into the kiss.
A sharp gasp tore across the room, followed by a sudden stillness that made the air freeze.
His lips moved against mine, whether in protest or in desire…
Sensation crawled up my spine, accompanied by the very sudden heat that rushed down my body, blooming against the spot between my thighs.
Some seconds into the kiss, I pulled away, then looked back at Leo whose eyes were now blazing with anger.
His fingers curled beside him. “Do not make a fool of yourself,” he snapped, his patience hanging by a thin line.
My lips stretched into a smile, slow… calm and peaceful. “I am not making a fool of myself, Leo. I am showing you how the game is played…” My hand moved closer to the stranger and I slid my fingers into his, raising my chin slightly. “Tonight… I will be with him.”
Without waiting for a reply, I turned around and walked away with the stranger, leaving Leo surrounded by whispers, his pride crumbling in the very place he thought he owned.
- Writer
