Episode 11

Andrew

I woke up bright and early and headed to the kitchen, but there was an unusual quietness. I couldn't find Liz anywhere, and she's normally bustling about, preparing breakfast for us at this hour. I knocked on her door a couple of times.

"Liz, please don't be like this; you need to eat something," I called out, but got no response. After deciding to enter her room and finding it empty, I realized she must have left earlier than usual. I cursed out loud and resigned myself to wait for her return.

By midday, I'd prepared lunch in hopes of dining together, but I ended up eating alone. The afternoon dragged on as I awaited her return, making dinner with the same hope, yet she still hadn't come home. Eight o'clock rolled around, and the television buzzed in the background, unable to hold my attention, as worry for Liz consumed me. What if something terrible had happened to her? Then, the sound of the door opening startled me, and there she was – Liz.

"Where the hell have you been?" I raised my voice at her. She just looked at me bewildered and frowned. Despite myself, I closed the distance and wrapped her in an embrace, desperate to feel she was real, her presence vanishing my concerns instantly.

"I'm fine, if that's what you wanted to know… I was with Rosa all day," she explained, pulling away from my hug. I could now see her beautiful, expressive eyes.

"Why didn't you tell me?" My tone softened.

"I was upset with you," she replied with a shrug.

Upset?

"You were upset? Are you not anymore?" I inquired, my voice tinged with hope. A smile graced her face at my expression.

"Yes, I was upset. You said it wouldn't happen again, and who am I to make a fuss about who you're intimate with… especially not here, in the house," she said. Her words struck me; I knew she was right, but there was something about her explanation that seemed less than truthful, as if she were hiding something. I was guilty, indeed, and I felt it profoundly. I hugged her again, tighter this time, not wanting to let go. The feelings she ignited in me were something I'd never experienced with Teresa. She tried to pull back, but I made her look at me. Her eyes were misty, glossed over – could it be that she had feelings for me?

"I'm hungry," she said, moving towards the kitchen. She served herself some of the meal I'd prepared and sat down to eat. I did the same, and we spent the rest of the evening in silence, avoiding the topic of yesterday's events. After the meal, we retired for the night.

The following morning was routine: we got ready, had breakfast, and went our separate ways. I arrived early at work, locking myself in my office to brood over Saturday's events. Then came a knock on the door.

"Come in!" I barked, and in walked Pablo.

"Everything okay?" he inquired. I touched my forehead and shook my head, recounting Saturday's ordeal and Liz's disappearance on Sunday. I couldn't understand her behavior, how she seemed so indifferent. Yelling or calling me the worst would have been preferable, but her detachment – and even her understanding – was far worse.

"Poor girl," Pablo remarked, which sent me into a sudden rage.

"Poor girl?" I slapped my palm against the desk, anger flaring. Pablo looked back at me, startled and confused. "Liz isn't some poor girl," I insisted heatedly – she didn't need that; she had more than enough dealing with being my spouse. About to storm out for some air, Pablo caught my arm.

"Go find her, talk to Elizabeth. You need to communicate even if she doesn't want to," Pablo urged firmly, and I nodded in agreement. He was right. I would wait for her school day to end and then seek her out. Hours passed with me on edge until I could go to her school. As students poured out, Liz was nowhere to be seen. Instead, I spotted Rosa, probably perplexed at seeing me there on a non-special event like Liz's birthday.

"Hi," she greeted, waving her hand.

"Hello, Rosa," I replied.

"Did Elizabeth know you were coming to pick her up?" she asked.

"No, she had no idea, but I need to speak with her," I explained.

"Ah, to talk," she said with sarcasm, likely privy to Saturday's events through Liz.

"Elizabeth left with Simon already," she informed me. Simon – the one who gave her the necklace.

"Thanks," I responded listlessly and got back in my car, pounding the steering wheel. Why was I acting like this? Was it merely because I didn't find her, or was there something deeper – could I be jealous? I drove home, half-hoping she'd be there, but she wasn't. My thoughts raced with what they could be doing together. It was late, she still hadn't returned, and after a shower, I found her in the kitchen.

"Why are you late? Where have you been?" I demanded, my anger getting the better of me. She gave me a confused look.

"I was just out and about," she replied tersely. I couldn't find words to reply. What right did I have to question her whereabouts when I had a girlfriend and had told Liz from the start that she could see whoever she liked? Yet, something was building inside me regarding Liz; I couldn't pin it down, and I truly hoped it wasn't jealousy.

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