Loved by One, Hated by the Other

Sorrow crept in as Luna gazed around the empty room, the silence was deafening. Her eyes locked onto the clock as the hours ticked by, each one reminding her that she was alone in her marriage.

Just as she thought the night couldn't get any worse, she heard the sound of the door opening.

Her heart skipped a beat as her husband walked in, his eyes scanned the room, taking in the candlelit table, the flowers and the anniversary cake.

For a moment, he just stood there, his expression unreadable. Then, his face twisted into a mixture of annoyance and irritation.

"Luna, what's all this?" he asked gruffly, his question like a slap in her face.

She walked over to him and hugged him. It felt like she was hugging a tree because he didn't hug her back, he just stood there with discomfort on his face.

"Have you forgotten what day it is?" She asked, looking up at him as she let go.

He let out a sharp, teeth-clenched hiss-an action he did whenever he was annoyed. A small frown crept up her face as he turned to leave.

Her sadness gave way to anger as she saw he was about to leave. She darted to the door and blocked his path.

"I went through the trouble of setting all this up for us to have a special night and now you want to leave?" Her voice cracked as she stood at the doorway, tears stinging at the corner of her eyes.

He didn't answer and it only made her more angry.

" What's wrong with you? Why are you treating me like this?!" She screamed in her husband's face, the tears she'd been holding back streamed down her cheeks ruining her makeup.

She took in fierce breaths, as her heart thumped painfully in her chest.

Her husband's glare intensified as his jaw clenched in anger, the tension in the atmosphere becoming palpable.

"Get out of my way Luna," he said through gritted teeth as his patience ran thin. She inched closer, placing her hands on his cheeks.

The next thing she knew, he gripped her jaw and pinned her against the wall. Pain shot through her head as her skull hit the wall.

"Get your hands off me," he seethed, glaring at her murderously. His hot breath washed over her face as she shook with fear.

Her lips quivered, tears welling up in her eyes. He pushed her face away, slamming the door behind him as he left the room.

Her heart pounded as she slowly sank to the floor, her hands clenched the dress at her chest as her body became tense.

Tears streamed down her face uncontrollably, a loud wail coming out of her.

A while later, she looked up, her gaze falling upon the candlelit room she'd so carefully prepared. The scent of roses that wafted the air, the soft illuminating glow of the candles and the ambient music that played only made the evening's failure more bitter.

It'd been a year since they got married and that night was their first wedding anniversary. She'd hoped her husband would spend their anniversary night with her since it was a special one but it looked like he didn't care.

She got up and cleaned her face, her makeup smeared all over her palms. Casting one last glance at the decorated room, she left to go call the maid to assist her in cleaning it up.

As she descended the stairs, Luna felt the weight of their failed anniversary, her thoughts drifting to the memories of how it all began.

She was once a maid in the same house and her master; Mr. Richard Garrett–a billionaire in real estate, had just given up the ghost.

The day the will was to be read had finally arrived, little did she know it would change her life forever.

As the executor's voice filled the room, Luna's gaze drifted to the familiar faces of Mr. Richard's family.

"To my dearest maid, Luna Chavez, who has been so humble and kind, I leave seventy percent of my properties and assets.....", The room fell silent as if time itself had stopped. Then the gasps and whispers erupted.

Luna's eyes widened, her mind reeling in shock. "....on the condition that she gets married within the next year". The room exploded into chaos as he concluded.

She stood fixated on the spot with lots of questions on her mind as her face burned with shock and embarrassment. Why would Mr. Richard transfer most of his assets to her? He had two sons, why didn't he share it equally amongst them? Why her?

As Luna reached the last step, the maid's soft voice broke into her thoughts.

"Ma'am?" Luna turned, her eyes focusing on the maid's concerned face.

"Yes, Maria?"

"Shall I clean up the room? The one you prepared for....." Maria's voice trailed off. Luna nodded, her mind snapping back to the present.

"Yes. Please see to it, I'm going to bed now".

Maria nodded and trailed behind her as she went back up the stairs, heading to her room.

–––––

Although she went to bed quite early, Luna couldn't sleep. She kept tossing back and forth on her bed, and when she couldn't take it anymore, she decided to take a walk around the house to cool her head off.

Luna didn't sleep in the same room with her husband that night, he'd gone to sleep in one of the guest rooms.

As she got out of her room and headed towards the stairs, she heard a noise coming from one of the guest rooms. She turned and walked slowly to where the noise was coming from, with each step she took she could hear it more clearly.

She could hear moans and grunts.

As she got closer to where the sound was coming from, her heart raced. She pinned her ear on the room's door, trying to make sense of what was going on.

An ugly feeling rose inside her as she hoped it wasn't the room her husband was sleeping in. Moans of pleasure reached her ear followed by the unmistakable sounds of the bed creaking.

Suddenly, her mouth felt dry and her breathing became hitched.

Questions kept erupting in her mind with each second that passed. She gripped the door knob and was about to open it to confirm her suspicions when a feminine voice spoke up and she froze on the spot.

"George.... stop..."

Chapter 2

Her hands trembled as she turned the doorknob and saw that it was unlocked.

She didn't want them to know she was there.

With a gentle push, she created a tiny gap in the door, allowing herself to glance inside the room undetected. But how could she be detected when they were so engrossed in each other?

The sight of their entwined bodies was a dagger to her heart, a painful betrayal that left her gasping for breath.

She moved back swiftly, shock and horror evident in her eyes as she struggled to process the devastating scene. The image of them seared itself in her brain, one that she would never forget.

She saw the woman's leg wrapped around her husband's waist, their bodies moving in a slow sensual dance that made her blood run cold.

A storm of emotions raged within her–jealousy, anger, betrayal and sorrow. She marched over to the door and was about to barge in when the woman spoke up again.

"George...I wanted to talk to you. It's about Luna". She froze, her eyes narrowing and her lips curled up in disgust as she heard the woman say her name.

"What about her?" He rolled his eyes, his voice sounded gruff.

"Let's not ruin this moment by reminding me that I'm married to her," he said leaning in for a kiss.

Luna's eyes welled up with tears as she felt the sting of George's words, her face crumpling in pain.

"Well, that's why you need to divorce her as soon as possible. You've gotten what you wanted from her so why deal with her any longer?" she spat out.

Luna felt numb like her emotions had been frozen. She couldn't move, couldn't breathe, she just stood there with her eyes wide open and her mouth slightly parted.

Divorce? Was George going to divorce her? Her mind reeled with questions as she felt the hot tears roll down her cheek.

"I suppose you're right. I got her to sign over most of my father's assets to me, so it seems I'm finally free from her. I'll contact my lawyer as soon as possible, but for now–" he said, locking eyes with her and leaning in for a kiss– "let's enjoy this moment". They shared a low, snickering laugh as George deepened the kiss and they gave themselves over to the night.

Luna took a step back, her eyes flashing with a mix of sadness and betrayal. She struggled to process the callous words she'd just heard. A searing pain burned within her and it felt like her heart had been ripped from her chest.

She took in a long, shaky breath then she exhaled. Squaring her shoulders, she dragged her feet away from the room, her head hung low in shame.

There she was years ago, daydreaming of a perfect marriage with George by her side. Instead, she got a marriage in which she was alone. The memories of his infidelity still lingered, a reminder of a dream that never came to be.

"Where are you heading to at this odd hour Mrs. Luna?" Maria asked with concern laced in her voice.

"I'll be back soon, I just need to get something at the grocery store before they close for the night," she replied sheepishly as she descended the stairs, her eyes looking dull.

Maria raised her brows in confusion, "But I can get it for you, just tell me what you need and I'll...." Luna cut in.

"No, no, it's okay I'll go get it myself. I'm sorry for disturbing your sleep, please go back to bed."She beckoned, forcing up a warm smile.

Maria nodded slowly before she retreated to her quarters.

A small sigh came out of Luna as she quickly made her way to the gate. Telling the security the same story she told Maria, she set out to the main road after they'd opened the small gate.

She didn't have the faintest clue where she was going but she just needed some air. The cool breeze of the night did nothing to calm the turmoil inside her. As she trudged along the road, the events of earlier played out in her head.

The woman's hand wrapped around George, their whispered words of freedom, their lips locked in a passionate kiss. Bile rose to her throat as a wave of nausea washed over her.

She saw George with another woman, and that too on the night of their first wedding anniversary! George had never laid with her, he'd never even made an attempt.

Now she understood why he acted strangely after they got married. He only wanted access to the inheritance his father left her. But she couldn't help but wonder if anything he'd ever said or done, even before she got the inheritance, was true.

The thought of him wanting to divorce her, of him never truly loving her, was a weight crushing her chest, making it difficult to breathe.

Her legs trembled beneath her as if they might give out at any moment, but she still walked, driven by a numb need to escape the shattered remains of her marriage.

Luna's aimless walking led her to a small bar, its dimly lit entrance seemed to call out to the lost and lonely. The sign creaked in the gentle breeze, reading 'The Black Keep' in bold letters.

She raised a brow, how had she never seen this place before? With a small shrug, she walked over to the bar and entered.

––––

"More tequila please!" She yelled over the counter. The bartender gave her a quizzical look before pouring a shot of tequila into a small glass.

He was about to give it to her when his concerns got the better of him.

"Ma'am, are you sure you can handle this? It's your third shot of the night."

She asked, "I'm paying for this drink, am I not?" He nodded in affirmation.

"Good, now hand it over, don't tell me how to live my life." The bartender shook his head in disappointment as he handed the shot glass to her. As soon as she took it, she downed it all in one gulp, the sourness burning her throat.

She was about to ask for another glass when someone held her hand, stopping her.

Her head jerked up, her eyes burning with anger, but as they met the eyes of the person standing before her, her fury turned into stunned silence.

"W-What are you doing here?" She scoffed, yanking her arm from his grip. "Here to laugh at my misery?" She hiccuped, the alcohol already taking a toll on her.

"Laugh?" He chuckled lightly. "Why would I laugh at you?"

He sat down on the stool next to hers, resting his chin on his hand as he placed it on the counter.

"I'm just wondering, what brings a beautiful woman like you to a joint like this?"

Luna threw her head back and downed the tequila shot as soon as the bartender poured some into her glass, letting out a small gasp as the liquid burned her throat. She turned to the man and gazed at him through blurry eyes.

"Just trying to forget," she slurred as the words ran out together.

"Forget what?" He asked, his deep voice low and soothing.

Luna shrugged, her shoulders barely moving. "Everything...what you did."

The man raised a brow as he jerked his head up. "What did I do?"

Luna's eyes narrowed, her vision still blurry. "You know exactly what I'm talking about," she spat out.

His expression changed, his eyes filling with a mix of concern and confusion.

"I don't know what you're talking about," he said, his deep voice gentle. "But you look like you've had a tough night. Can I get you another drink?" Luna's gaze wavered, her mind foggy. Why did he seem so kind?

Luna nodded, she intended on drinking until the memory of what she'd seen that night faded. The man signalled the bartender, who brought two shots of tequila.

As the night wore on, they both drank and chatted. Their words became increasingly slurred and disjointed as their bodies succumbed to the effects of the alcohol.

The man leaned in, his voice dropping to a whisper. "You know....I think we're both running from something". Luna's eyes locked onto his, her gaze unfocused.

"Yeah I'm running..."

The man nodded sympathetically. "I'm running from my work.... it's sucking the life out of me." They sat in silence for a moment, only the sound of clinking glasses and muted laughter could be heard in the background.

Then Luna spoke up, breaking the silence between them. "You...you look like him", she stammered as she narrowed her eyes and took in his features.

"Oh, who's that?" He asked, a hint of amusement on his face.

"My husband...or should I say my soon-to-be-ex-husband...he's a jerk," she said, her voice faltering.

"But you're not him.... you're different...you're slimmer," she added as her gaze lingered on his face, struggling to reconcile the similarities.

The man's expression changed, his eyes softening. "I see," he said, his voice low. "Well...I'm not him. I think we've had enough alcohol for one night. Why don't I drop you off at your home?"

She shook her head, she couldn't go back to that excuse of a home. It felt more like a house. "N-No, I can't go back there....at least not tonight."

He nodded understandingly. "Okay, how about I take you to my hotel instead? It's nearby, you can get some rest, and we can grab breakfast in the morning?"

She hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Okay...thanks".

He smiled and helped her off the stool, supporting her as she swayed slightly. After paying for both their drinks, he guided her to his car.

"By the way, what's your name?" He asked as he started the engine, shifting into 'Drive'.

She glanced at him, her eyes slightly unfocused, " L-Luna," she stammered.

He smiled warmly at her, "It's nice to meet you, Luna. Let's get you out of here."

Once they reached the hotel, he guided her to the elevator, his arm around her waist. Luna didn't protest as she felt a sense of safety with this stranger.

As they entered the hotel room, Luna's legs wobbled beneath her. He caught her, his arms wrapping around her. Their eyes met and just for a moment, they stared at each other. Luna was lost in his grey eyes; the same as her husband's. But his didn't hold any coldness, his eyes had this soft, gentle quality that drew you in–they made her feel safe.

Without thinking she leaned in closer, her eyes burning with desire as she kissed him. Shocked at first, his eyes widened but when his taste buds quickly got filled with the fragrance of the alcohol in Luna's mouth, he lost control.

He deepened the kiss, pulling her close as the alcohol and emotions of the night swirled around them, leaving them lost in the moment.

The kiss ignited something inside the both of them, something they'd never felt before and it was ready to be unleashed. Luna's hands moved on their own and unbuttoned his shirt. Following her lead, he found his way to her back and unzipped her dress.

Soon, their naked bodies found their way to the bed. His lips left hers as he trailed kisses downwards, leaving wet trails along the way. His lips continued to kiss her up to her neck and found their way to her soft spot as he suckled on her collarbone.

Luna let out a soft moan as she felt the moistness in between her legs. She should have been thinking of her husband but her thoughts were blurred as she felt his warmth and his gentle touch. His hand cupped her left breast and she gasped for air.

When she felt his free hand gently caress her folds, she let out another moan. George had never touched her like that and here she was; about to be consumed by the inferno that this stranger had just ignited.

"Oh God," she whispered as she felt his tongue lick her core and a few moments later, she reached her first climax. His arousal didn't stop, she felt like she was being punished.

She arched her back, wrapping her arms and legs around him as he positioned his manhood around her entrance.

"I'm going in," he said as he glanced at her. As soon as she agreed, he slid his hand under the bed and retrieved a thin layer of protection.

She caught him as he wore it–a necessary safeguard as he proclaimed. His friend had left it behind during a visit, and he tucked it away, never thinking it would come in handy.

Luna gave a small nod in affirmation and as soon as it got fitted, he penetrated. Her eyes widened, and she let out a small scream, her body tensing up. He paused, sensing something was wrong, and looked at her with concern.

"Luna, are you...?" He started to ask, his voice trailing off as he realised the truth. She nodded slightly, her face scrunched up in pain.

"Oh Jesus, Luna, I'm so sorry. I didn't know," he whispered, his voice filled with regret.

He remained still, giving her time to adjust. "Do you want me to stop? We can stop if you want." He looked at her with a gentle expression.

Luna took a deep breath, her body still tense and she shook her head. " It's okay...just..go slow." There was no turning back now, her mind was completely clouded.

He nodded understandingly and began to move slowly, carefully, giving her time to adjust to his length. When he sensed she was already moving, his thrust became faster.

He kept pounding on her, his movement becoming more intense as he reached his climax. A few minutes later, they were both panting from the excitement.

Giving her one last deep kiss, he removed his erection from her and lay down next to her with a playful expression on his face.

"I...I didn't even get your name," A short of breath Luna whispered, her eyes already surrendering to the night. He leaned in, his lips brushing against her ear, "My name is....," he whispered, his voice fading into darkness as Luna was already asleep. Her chest rose and fell with slow breaths of exhaustion and contentment as his name got lost in the silence.