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"It does!"
Letting go of her, he stepped back. "Well then."
"I didn’t mean-"
"Don't insult me by lying now." He grabbed the bottle and walked away.
"Max-"
"I need some alone time and I really don’t need you coming after me."
Alessia slumped against the counter and felt the tears spilling over. She was disgusted and horrified at what he had to do in order to make it. She shouldn’t have said it, even if she thought it. She should have kept it to herself.
They were so different. She never had to go to bed hungry. her life was privileged. She’d grown up surrounded by luxury, with maids to wait on her hand and foot.
She’d been taught to respect people, of course, and to be independent. She’d never been rude to the people working for her. Her parents would never have allowed it. She had her own suite of rooms and had gotten her own car as soon as she passed her driving test.
She’d been very popular in high school, but had never used her position to lord it over others. She loved to shop. She’d been to different parts of the world and had decided as soon as she finished college that she wanted to give back.
Now, she’d hurt the man she loved more than life itself. She’d never been callous and even though she’d never been through the horrors of poverty, she’d seen the effects of it and was determined to do what she could.
She was jealous of every woman he’d ever been with. The sickness inside her stomach was more jealousy than anything else. Scrubbing her face, she went to look out the window. If she attempted to go after him, he was going to be mad.
She knew him enough to realize that this wasn’t something she could snuggle against him and have it disappear. It was going to take much more than that. So much more.
*****
He had no idea he’d walked so far until he was at the border of the property. Stopping at the broken-down fence, he gazed over at the wildly unkempt yard. It had a dilapidated warehouse in the middle of grass higher than his waist. He made a mental note to find out who owed the place.
Putting the empty wine glass against a thick tree trunk, he stepped over the fence and ventured further. It was getting dark and it occurred to him that he’d been walking for almost an hour.
She’d be getting worried. Good, he thought grimly. He’d walked off most of the anger, but there was still a bit left over. He didn’t care what others thought of him, but with her, it was important. He couldn’t bear her to be disgusted by him. He already knew he wasn’t of her class, and it was rubbing him the wrong way.
Shoving his hands into his pockets, he made his way, avoiding craters, until he was in front of the building. He was always looking for prospects. Living without means had made him hungry in more ways than one.
The warehouse was a structural disaster, with rotting boards and a sunken roof. It would have to be demolished. Taking a look around, he saw the space was large enough and the land solid.
Tilting his head, he gazed at the gathering cloud and realized they were in for rain. He supposed he should head back to the cabin now and alleviate her worry.
*****
She was frantic with worry. She’d occupied herself by tidying up the small space and setting the table for them to have their meal. Then, she took a shower and changed into a soft, velour, cranberry-colored robe and brushed her hair until it shone.
The table was set, the plates and utensils neatly in their places. She’d dug up a white tablecloth to cover the plain wood and everything was ready.
Only, he wasn’t here. A glance at her watch told her he’d been gone for more than an hour. It looked like it was going to rain. What if something happened to him? Were there bears or wolves in this part of the country?
She wondered, as she walked to the window to look out again. Or even a vagrant. Someone who was looking for money. She knew he could take care of himself, but what if there were three or more of them?
Where is he? She marched toward the door and had just pulled it open when he bounded up the steps.
The relief was so palpable that it left her weak and trembling.
"You had no right-"
"I’m sorry." He said quietly.
The apology and sober expression threw her so much she just stood there blocking his way.
