Trouble Love Affair

Abel stood in front of Aaron's desk, his hands clutching a crumpled photograph, evidence of the lies that had been destroying his mind. His breathing was ragged, but his eyes remained fixed on the man he had called husband. Aaron sat casually in his chair, his work shirt slightly rumpled, and the strong smell of alcohol emanating from his body.

"We need to talk," Abel's voice was firm, even though inside his chest, he felt like it was going to collapse.

Aaron looked up lazily. With a drink in hand, he glanced at Abel without enthusiasm. "Now? I just got off work. Can't this wait?"

Abel shook his head, taking a step forward. He placed the photo roughly on the table. "It can't. Look at this."

Aaron raised his eyebrows before taking the photo. His eyes narrowed, then his expression turned flat. "And?" he asked in an overly casual tone.

Abel frowned, his heart sinking at Aaron's nonchalant reaction. "So this means nothing to you? This evidence... this girl... you're in a hotel together! Did you really think I wouldn't find out?"

Aaron chuckled, a low sound that sounded more like mockery than anything sincere. He set his glass down with a loud clunk on the table, then stood up. His height towered over Abel, but the woman didn't budge.

"Listen, Abel," she said, her voice cold. "Our marriage is a deal, not love. You knew that from the start. So stop acting as if I owe you my loyalty."

Abel staggered back at those words. Although he knew their marriage was not based on love, he never expected Aaron to say it so bluntly, so cruelly. "I know it's a deal," he said quietly, trying hard to keep his voice from shaking. "But I'm still your wife, Aaron. I'm trying to love you... trying to understand your life. Is that wrong? Is it wrong for me to expect a little appreciation from you?"

Aaron snorted, picked his glass back up, and downed the rest of his drink in one gulp. "Your problem, Abel, is that you expect too much. I never promised love. You and your family needed money, and I gave it to you. Isn't that enough?"

Abel felt like he'd been hit by a hurricane. Aaron's words cut deeper than he ever imagined. He knew his family wasn't wealthy, but he never thought Aaron would throw that in his face.

"Aaron," Abel whispered, his voice barely audible. "I don't need your money. I need you... as my husband. I need your love."

Aaron chuckled, but this time, his laughter was filled with scorn. He gave Abel a condescending look, then leaned his body against the table. "Love from me? You're kidding, right? You think I married you for love? Don't dream, Abel. You're just a tool. You and your family should be grateful I chose you, with all the debt you're in."

Abel felt tears welling up in the corners of his eyes, but he didn't want Aaron to see him cry. Not again. Breathing heavily, he tried to keep his voice steady. "Aaron... please. At least, respect me as a human being. Don't treat me like this."

Aaron shook his head, his face starting to turn red from the effects of alcohol. "I don't have time for this drama, Abel. If you don't like how I treat you, the door is over there. You're free to leave at any time. But don't expect me to beg."

"Why do you hate me so much?" Abel finally let his emotions break out. Tears were streaming down his cheeks, but Aaron didn't seem to care.

"Hate? I don't hate you," Aaron replied in a hoarse voice, "I don't even care about you. That's much worse, isn't it?"

Those words shattered Abel completely. The whole world around him seemed to collapse. He gripped the table to hold his limp body. Aaron, the husband he had tried to love, had never once considered him important.

Abel finally raised his head, looking at Aaron with wet but determined eyes. "You may not care about me, Aaron. But I won't let you destroy me completely. You'll regret this one day."

Aaron just shrugged, then walked out of the room with unsteady steps. The door closed loudly behind him, leaving Abel alone in a room that felt increasingly silent.

In that moment, Abel realized something. If Aaron was never going to love him, then there was no point in him sticking around and enduring the pain. He deserved a better life, away from a man who only knew how to put him down. With tears still flowing, Abel vowed to himself that this was the end of his suffering-and the beginning of his freedom.

***

That night, the city sky was full of sparkling neon lights. Abel stood in front of a packed nightclub. The sound of thumping bass music rang out onto the street, tempting anyone who passed by to enter. His lips were still trembling from the violent argument that had just taken place. Aaron, the man who had been her world, had cut such a deep hole in her heart.

"Why do I have to keep holding on?" she whispered softly as she stepped inside, leaving the shadow of the fight behind her.

Her steps felt heavy, but she did not stop until she passed through the large doors of the nightclub. Colorful lights swirled in the air, while the smell of alcohol mixed with perfume filled the room. Abel made his way to the bar, heedless of the stares. He ordered a drink, one, then two, then three.

The pain in his chest slowly dissolved with each sip he took. However, all that remained was emptiness.

"Abel?" a heavy, familiar voice woke him up. Reynald, Aaron's cousin, stood nearby. The man's eyes looked worried, though he tried to hide it behind a small smile.

"What are you doing here alone?" he asked, sitting next to Abel.

Abel rolled his eyes, staring at the glass in his hand. "I'm here to forget," he replied simply, voice almost drowned out by the music.

Reynald nodded slowly. He knew, without having to ask further, that something was wrong. Aaron. The name popped into his head. Reynald had always known the relationship between Abel and his cousin wasn't perfect. However, this time, the hurt that appeared in Abel's eyes felt much deeper.

"Then let me accompany you," Reynald said, softly but confidently.

Abel looked at Reynald with eyes that were beginning to blur with alcohol. He knew that Reynald had always been kind to him, even when Aaron was often too busy with his own world.

That night, they talked. Reynald listened to Abel's every complaint, every anger, every tear that was finally shed. He didn't interrupt, didn't judge. Just a listening ear.

When the music began to change to a slower beat, Reynald stood up and held out his hand. "Let's dance," he said.

Abel was silent for a moment, then took the hand. They stepped onto the dance floor, joining the crowd moving to the beat. Reynald pulled Abel closer, guiding his every step. The touch of Reynald's hand on his back felt warm, in contrast to the chill of the night that seeped in from outside.

Their eyes met, and it was as if the world stopped. Reynald looked at Abel in a way Aaron never did-attentively, with a real desire to understand.

The alcohol flowing through Abel's body made him lose control of his mind. He didn't know who started it, but their lips met in a passionate kiss.

"Abel," Reynald whispered between their kisses, "we should go."

Wordlessly, Abel nodded. Reynald took his hand, leading him to a VVIP room at the back of the club. The room was deserted, lit only by a dim lamp.

Inside the room, the boundaries they had been guarding collapsed completely. Reynald touched Abel carefully, as if he was something fragile that could break at any moment. But behind his gentleness, there was a passion that could not be hidden.

Abel let himself dissolve into the moment. There were no thoughts about Aaron, about what would happen later. There was only Reynald-the man who had loved him secretly, the man who tonight made him feel wanted.

The night was getting late, and inside the VVIP room, they were drowning in the passion that had been pent up all along.

Abel's head felt heavy, like it was crushed by an invisible weight. The smell of alcohol still lingered on his body, mixed with the scent of a man's perfume he didn't recognize. The bass sound from the nightclub floor below still echoed faintly, like a ghostly voice haunting his mind.

She opened her eyes slowly, trying to understand where she was. The room was unfamiliar, with dark walls and expensive leather sofas lining the corner. The lights on the ceiling cast a dim glow, just enough to see that he wasn't alone.

Abel turned his head, and in that instant his heart seemed to stop. Next to him, Reynald lay with a peaceful face, his breathing regular. Reynald - Aaron's cousin, the man he had only known as a friendly figure at family gatherings, was now beside him, naked, just like him.

"Oh my God," Abel murmured, his voice barely audible.

He sat up immediately, pulling the blanket over his body. A feeling of panic hit him like a huge wave. He tried to remember what happened the night before, but his mind was a blur. All she could remember was alcohol, lots of alcohol, and Reynald accompanying her to talk at the bar. They were dancing. Yes, they danced. But after that?

"What have I done?

" he whispered, more to himself.

The voice from beside him made Abel jump. Reynald moved slowly, rubbing his face with his hands before opening his eyes. When he saw Abel, Reynald's eyes widened, full of sudden realization.

"Abel..." his voice was hoarse, like a man who had just woken up from a long sleep.

Abel raised a hand, cutting off his words. "Reynald, what happened? Please tell me that... that it's not what I think it is."

Reynald sat up, pulling the blanket to cover his naked body. His face was full of guilt, yet also confusion. "I... I don't know where to start. You're drunk, Abel. Very drunk. I tried to take you home, but you said you didn't want to go. You were crying, and I didn't want to leave you alone."

Abel looked at him sharply, holding back the tears that were beginning to pool at the corners of his eyes. "So... us? Reynald, please tell me I'm wrong."

Reynald let out a long breath, bowing his head. "I can't lie to you, Abel. Yes, we... we did. But I didn't force you. You... you did-"

"Stop!" Abel cut in with a trembling voice. He didn't want to hear the rest. However it happened, the fact that he had betrayed Aaron now stood before him like a huge wall that he couldn't escape.

He squeezed his hair, trying to calm the swirling thoughts. Aaron. The name alone was enough to make fear creep into her entire body. What if Aaron knew? What if he saw the signs of her betrayal?

Abel knew very well the nature of her husband-abusive, possessive, and full of anger. Aaron was not the kind of man who would forgive, especially when it came to something like this.

"Abel," Reynald's voice called softly. "I will take responsibility. I know it won't be easy, but I won't leave you. If you don't want to go back to Aaron, I can help you. You know that, right?"

Abel looked at Reynald with eyes full of confusion. The offer sounded tempting, yet impossible. Leaving Aaron? It was not a simple choice. Aaron controlled everything-Abel's life, his finances, even his freedom.

"I have to go home," Abel said finally, even though his heart was screaming in defiance.

Reynald reached out, trying to touch him, but Abel pulled back. "Abel, you don't have to. You don't have to go back to her. She doesn't deserve you."

Tears began to run down Abel's cheeks. He wanted to believe Reynald's words, but the fear that was already ingrained in him was too strong. "You don't understand, Reynald. If I don't come home, she'll come looking for me. And if she finds out... if she finds out about this..."

Abel's voice broke. Reynald could only remain silent, staring at the woman he loved with pain. He knew what would happen if Abel went back to Aaron, but he also knew that forcing Abel to fight back would only make things worse.

With shaky steps, Abel began to put on the clothes scattered on the floor. Reynald didn't say anything, just watched him with a worried gaze. When Abel was done, he stood at the door, his back to Reynald.

"Thank you, Reynald," he said quietly, without turning around. "But I have to face this alone."

Reynald stood up, wanting to stop him, but Abel's pace was already quicker. The door closed, leaving Reynald in the room alone, full of regret and despair.

Meanwhile, Abel stepped out of the nightclub, onto the street that was beginning to bustle with morning activity. His head was still spinning, his heart felt empty. But one thing was certain: he had to get back home, to Aaron, and face the consequences of a night he didn't want to remember.

***

Abel stood in front of the house, his hand trembling as he reached for the doorknob. He was breathing heavily, the rest of the way home from the nightclub still felt like a never-ending nightmare. He knew what awaited him behind this door-Aaron. The man who always referred to himself as her "protector," but in reality was her prison.

He turned the key slowly, hoping his careful steps wouldn't wake anyone. But as soon as the door opened, Abel immediately saw Aaron standing in the living room, leaning against the wall with his arms folded across his chest.

The man's gaze was sharp, cold like a knife ready to stab. His eyes scanned Abel up and down, taking in the rumpled clothes, tired face, and hesitant steps.

"You're finally home," Aaron's voice was low, but loaded with pent-up anger.

Abel swallowed, trying to muster the courage to answer. "I... I just went out for a while to calm down."

Aaron stepped forward, approaching Abel with slow but intimidating steps. "Out? Calm down? Until this early in the morning?"

Abel took a step back, but his back immediately hit the already closed door. "I... I need some time alone, Aaron. I don't want to prolong our fight last night."

Aaron laughed sarcastically, his laugh cold as poison. "You think I'm stupid, Abel? You think I don't know what you're really doing?"

Abel shook his head quickly, his eyes starting to heat up with the tears he was holding back. "I didn't do anything, Aaron. I just-"

"Stop lying!" snapped Aaron, cutting off Abel's sentence. "I can smell the alcohol on you! You think I didn't know you were drinking out there? What else were you doing, huh? Who did you go with?!"

"I was alone," Abel replied quickly, his voice shaking. "I wasn't with anyone."

Aaron leaned even closer, until his face was only inches from Abel's. His heavy breathing felt hot against Abel's skin. "You're lying. You think I can't smell something different about you? Something's off, Abel. Answer me honestly, now!"

Abel shook his head again, tears starting to fall. "Aaron, I didn't do anything. I was just... I was just trying to forget my pain for a while."

"Did nothing?" Aaron grinned, but the smile was filled with anger. "So you think I'd believe it if my wife wandered around outside until morning with the smell of alcohol, a tired face, and messy clothes? You think I'm that stupid, Abel?"

"Aaron, please..." Abel tried to grab Aaron's hand, but the man brushed it away roughly.

"Please?" Aaron mimicked his words in a mocking tone. "You have no right to beg for anything, Abel! You can't even respect this house. You can't respect me!"

Before Abel could defend himself, Aaron raised his hand and in one swift motion, the back of his hand landed on Abel's cheek. The sound of the slap echoed in the room, sending Abel staggering backwards, his back hitting the wall.

"Aaron!" Abel screamed, his hand holding his hot, throbbing cheek.

Aaron didn't care. He continued to approach, his face filled with anger that was now no longer controllable. "You think I'm going to let you get away with it? You think you can humiliate me, huh?!"

"I didn't humiliate you," Abel cried, his body slumping to the floor. "I'm just trying... trying to find peace. You have no idea what I'm feeling, Aaron."

"What do you feel?" Aaron's voice rose, his hands clenched into tight fists. "What you feel doesn't matter! I decide what's good for you, Abel. I decide what you deserve!"

Abel didn't answer again. He knew that whatever he said would only make things worse. Tears continued to run down his cheeks, dripping onto the cold floor below him.

Aaron stood over him, looking at him with piercing hatred. "This is my final warning, Abel. If I find out you did something out there, if I find out you betrayed me..." She didn't finish her sentence, but the threat was clear enough.

Abel nodded slowly, without daring to look at Aaron. He knew what Aaron could do, and he didn't want to provoke the man further.

That night, the ballroom of a grand hotel was filled with invited guests dressed in their finest. Men in expensive suits and women in fancy dresses mingled, smiling at each other in formal conversations full of pleasantries. The sound of glasses clinking could be heard over the classical music played by a small orchestra in the corner of the room.

Abel stood at Aaron's side, wearing the long black dress that the man had chosen for her. The dress was beautiful, with a perfect cut that accentuated her beauty. However, Abel felt like a doll in a fancy package.

Aaron grasped his arm tightly, leading him into the center of the room with a fake smile plastered on his face. He looked extremely confident, his dominant aura exuding power, making the people around him automatically direct their attention to him.

"Abel, stay by my side," Aaron whispered softly but firmly, before he released his grip and stepped forward to greet his business partner.

Abel could only nod, obeying the order as usual. She stood up straight, trying to give the impression of a perfect wife - graceful, obedient, and silent. Her gaze swept the room, searching for something to distract her mind, but Aaron's loud voice immediately drew her back.

Aaron was talking to a middle-aged man, complete with a young wife smiling politely beside him. Aaron laughed, pointing at Abel as he said, "And this is my wife, Abel. Isn't she beautiful?"

Abel smiled a little, trying to hide his awkward feelings. The man looked at Abel with an appraising gaze, while his wife nodded with a stiff smile.

"You're very lucky, Aaron," the man commented.

"Of course," Aaron replied in a proud tone, then continued talking about their business project, as if Abel was just an accessory beside him.

Abel stood there, listening half-heartedly. He wasn't familiar with the business terms they were talking about, and he was sure Aaron didn't care whether he was paying attention or not. His presence here was for one purpose only: to be a display wife, someone who completed Aaron's perfect image in front of others.

After a while, Aaron called her to the stage. "Honey, accompany me to give a speech."

Abel followed Aaron without saying much. On stage, Aaron introduced him with great pride, praised his beauty and called him the "biggest supporter" in his life. People applauded, smiles and admiration gracing their faces.

However, Abel knew better than anyone. Aaron's words were just lies spoken to build his image. He didn't really care what Abel felt or thought.

After the speech was over, Aaron held Abel's hand for just a few moments before leaving him alone at the side of the stage. The man instantly rejoined his group of relations, laughing and conversing as if Abel wasn't there.

Abel stood transfixed, feeling like a lifeless ornament. He tried to find a place to slip away, but every time he moved, the sight of the other guests made him feel trapped. He knew that if he moved too far away, Aaron would scold or even punish him later.

The night continued to go by slowly. Abel decided to sit in one corner of the room, away from the crowd. He took a sip from his glass of water, feeling very small in the midst of all this glitz and glamor.

He saw Aaron from a distance, the man looked so comfortable talking to people who were considered important. His face was full of smiles, his gaze confident. But there was no hint of concern for Abel.

Abel squeezed the glass in his hand, feeling a tightness in his chest. He wanted to be angry, wanted to demand Aaron to treat him like a wife, not a showpiece. But he knew it was just an empty dream. Aaron would never listen, let alone care.

"Excuse me, miss, you look like you need something," the waiter's voice greeted him softly, making Abel flinch.

Abel shook his head with a small smile. "No, thank you."

The waiter walked away, leaving Abel alone again. Inwardly, he felt tired of being someone who only existed to reinforce the image of the man who was supposed to love him.

When the event was finally over, Aaron came back to him. He pulled Abel's hand wordlessly, leading him out of the hall like someone dragging luggage.

"Well done, you managed to maintain my image tonight," he said without emotion as they entered the car.

Abel didn't answer. He just stared out the window, letting his tears fall silently. Amidst the glittering city they passed through, he could only ask himself: how long did he have to live like this?

***

After a few hours of being caught up in the glitter of Aaron's business event, Abel decided to seek some alone time. His feet stepped carefully towards the restroom at the back of the ballroom. The classical music playing in the main room sounded faintly behind him, providing a bit of calm amidst the noise of formality.

As she finished tidying up and exited the restroom, her steps suddenly stopped. In the deserted corridor, stood Reynald. The man was dressed in a neat suit, his hair perfectly coiffed, but his gaze instantly turned serious when his eyes met Abel's.

"Abel," Reynald called in a low tone, but it was enough to make Abel freeze in place.

Abel let out a long breath, nervousness instantly running through his body. Feelings of guilt, anxiety, and fear mixed together. He looked away, trying to avoid Reynald's gaze. "Reynald, I don't have time for this," she said firmly, trying to step past him.

However, Reynald immediately blocked his way. "Wait, Abel. We need to talk."

"There's nothing to talk about," Abel retorted sharply, his voice rising. "I don't want anything to do with you. Not after what happened."

Reynald's face turned regretful. "I know I was wrong, Abel. I know that night should never have happened. But please, let me explain-"

"Explain what?" Abel cut in, his eyes looking at Reynald angrily. "What do you want to explain, Reynald? That I made a big mistake that ruined my life even more? I don't need your explanation. What I need is for you to stay out of my life!"

Reynald was silent for a moment, but he did not give up. "I didn't mean to hurt you, Abel. I just wanted to make sure you were okay."

"Fine?" Abel chuckled, full of sarcasm. "You think I'm okay? I got so scolded by Aaron last night, Reynald. He hit me! All because of you!"

Reynald's eyes widened at that admission. His jaw hardened, and his angry gaze began to appear. "He hit you?" he asked, his voice low but full of anger. "It wasn't my fault, Abel. It was her fault. He had no right to touch you like that!"

Abel shook his head, tears welling up in his eyes. "You don't understand, Reynald. Aaron was angry because I came home late, because he knew I'd been drinking. And it's all because of that night-because I spent the night with you!"

"No, Abel," Reynald said firmly, taking a step closer. "Aaron is angry because he's a violent man and can't control himself. It's not about me, or what happened that night. He hit you because he felt entitled to. And that's wrong!"

Abel looked away, his tears finally spilling over. He wanted to deny Reynald's words, but he knew they were true. However, his fear of Aaron was so great, it overshadowed all the logic that tried to penetrate his mind.

"Reynald, I can't..." he whispered softly, almost inaudibly.

"You can, Abel," Reynald cut in, his voice softening. "You don't deserve to live like this. You don't deserve to be hurt by someone who is supposed to protect and love you."

"And I don't deserve to be with someone like you," Abel replied in a trembling voice. "What we did that night... it was wrong. I broke my marriage vows, and I'll never forgive myself for that."

Reynald let out a long sigh, the guilt returning to his face. "I know that night was wrong. I know I was wrong, Abel. But I can't let you go on living like this, in a relationship that only makes you suffer. You can get out of it. I can help you."

Abel looked up at Reynald, his eyes red from crying. "You don't know what you're saying. You don't know what Aaron could do if I left. I'm already trapped, Reynald. I have nowhere else to go."

"You have me," Reynald said without hesitation. "Abel, I will protect you. I don't care what the risks are. All I care about is you."

Abel was silent, Reynald's words penetrating his fear for a moment. However, the image of Aaron, his threats, his violence, all of it came back to haunt his mind like a storm that he could not fight.

"I can't, Reynald," Abel finally said, his voice almost breaking. "I can't. Please don't make this harder for me."

Reynald looked like he wanted to say something more, but he saw the fear in Abel's eyes. He took a deep breath, looked down for a moment before saying in a soft tone, "I won't force you, Abel. But remember this: you're not alone. Whenever you need help, I'll be here."

Abel only gave a small nod before turning around and walking quickly away from Reynald, tears still running down his cheeks. He knew Reynald's words were true, but the fear Aaron had instilled in him was too strong to fight.

Reynald stood in the corridor, staring at Abel's retreating back. In his heart, he vowed to do whatever it took to save the woman he loved, even if Abel wasn't ready to accept his help.