Budding resentment

Erik taps his fingers in a slow rhythm, leaning on the side of his head, staring off into the distance, the sheer number of work that Erik has on his plate makes him feel like the second coming of sisyphus. Though Mrs Revers told him to focus on his work that will actually affect his chances of getting graduation, Mrs Revers forgets a very crucial detail — none of these other teachers will let him touch them in fun and intimate ways.

Erik picks up his phone, mulling the decision over, he could text her, he could call her, get some help, get some possible extras? That was the vibe she was giving off afterall… He puts his phone back down, he instead, decides to do it alone, not wanting to push her anyway, she was still off the last time he saw her, despite what she said. He starts a pomodoro timer, and gets stuck into his huge task.

———

A set of kitchen lights illuminates the expensive and modern kitchen in the even more expensive suburban, double storey home, the air is thick with the delicious scent of the fresh Shepherd's pie, a wine bottle clinks on the sculpted marble kitchen bench. Her manicured nail clad fingers swirl a large glass of expensive red wine, drunk on a random weeknight.

“This was your idea! Dio mio, Leon! I was happy! I didn’t need anything, anyone!”

Her voice is laced with hurt, with betrayal, the curvy woman's husband rubs his face in his hands, glaring over at Amelia Revers, leaning on the kitchen bench, staring her husband, looking for answers, an apology.

“Things change, Amelia…” He sighs, almost dismissively, throwing another dagger into her heart, “Jen and I decided to end it.”

“Jen! Again with ‘Jen’!” She pauses, holding back her frustration, “The whole idea, your idea! Was to sleep around, have fun! Inject some spice! How am I supposed to feel that you basically opened and it want to close it for one single woman! What the fuck?”

Leon snaps at her, “Don’t be a bitch about it Amelia! Of course not! Is it so hard to believe that this experience showed me that I don’t want to do this anymore? That I realised you’re more than enough for me? Am I not for you?”

Amelia swallows, holding back her angry tears, “Bitch?”

“Fuck. I apologise. This is just.. confusing, and scary. Genuinely.”

His stupid soft brown eyes, even now, manage to soften her heart just a little. “Of course you’re enough for me.” She shakes her head, “It’s just the timing is frustrating! You fucked… One specific person for months. And as soon as you see the guy that I ‘maybe’ will do something with, you decide to close it off?”

“He’s not just a guy though is he? He’s your student! It’s a bad idea, it’s different. You already have criminal ties, I’m trying to protect you.”

“Fuck off, Leon. Don’t you dare use my father against me. Don’t try and use that as a fucking excuse, you basically groomed this girl.”

“What the fuck, Amelia!? I did not groom her! I met her once when she was 17, didn’t see her for 8 years, before meeting her again! Don’t say that.”

“Qual è la differenza? What the fuck is the difference?” She throws her hands up, “Whatever! Why are you ending it then?”

Leon stammers, “Like I said! I realised you’re enough! And she agreed, she wants to find a real relationship, not a fuck bud-“ He stops himself.

Amelia can see it in her his eyes, the immediate refusal to look at her, the way he grips his pants, his fists going white. “This is bullshit, honey.” She juts a finger into her ample chest, “I didn’t do shit with anyone for months! I was starting to finally get something out of it. Do you think I enjoyed sitting at home? Twiddling my fucking thumbs while you’re fucking your bosses daughter!?” Her cheeks flare with heat.

“I apologise it took me this long!” Leon says, in his sickly sweet voice, trying to ease her tension, “But all of it, him being young, hot… It changed something in me, I finally realised what I was putting you through!”

“You’re such a shitty liar, Leon.”

He gets indignant, pulling at his black hair, “What the fuck are you talking about, Amelia?”

“I know you haven’t stopped seeing her.”

“You’re insane! Why would I lie now? Why wouldn’t I just let it keep going!?”

“Because you’re insecure about me seeing someone, you just said it. You’re trying to have your cake and eat it.”

“Please.” He laughs, “She came up to me, she flirted with me!”

“And Erik comes up to me! It’s the fucking same!”

Leon’s hands move in front of him in frustration, as if trying to grip something intangible, “It’s fucking different! You’re a fantasy, Amelia! Every young man wants to fuck their teacher! Yes, you’re beautiful and sexy! But to me! To men your age! Why would a young man fuck an older woman!? You said it yourself, his girlfriend is hot!”

Amelia sucks on her cheek, giving everything to stop the tears, to not give him the satisfaction, “Fuck you, Leon. Fuck…”

Leon sighs, but doesn’t apologise, “I’m being honest with you Amelia. You’re a fantasy play. An illegal, criminal fantasy. Don’t try and make me the villain because of your own insecurity and embarrassment.”

“What makes you not a fantasy?! Next in line to be CEO? The older man that’s known her father for years?!”

Leon slams the table, Amelia flinching ever so slightly, “She came up to me. Unprompted! I didn’t have to coax her in with fucking rewards, I didn’t have to sell myself like a whore!”

Amelia can’t stop the tears this time, her eyes getting wet, her vision starting to blur.

Leon looks at her and he shakes his head, clenching his eyes, he stands up and stands across from her, he reaches for her hand and takes it gently, “Look. I’m sorry. That was rude and mean… But it’s done, Amelia. Jen and I are done. And I love you. So much. And I know you love me. I get it, it’s hard, it hurts. But, in a few years, we’ll look back on this and laugh, we’ll be glad it happened, our marriage and love will only get stronger and stronger.” He leans forward trying to find her eyes.

“….” She swallows, she’s never been one to lose a fight, more like her father than she thinks, “You get your dick wet for months, and it ‘ends’. As soon as I decide to take advantage of it too… As soon as I’m no longer the obedient housewife, suddenly you have an epiphany, Ottimo tempismo.”

Leon’s jaw tightens, he gives Amelia’s hand a squeeze and lets it go, he walks away, heading up the stairs, “This conversation is done, Amelia. It’s over. Anything you do after this is just adultery.”

Amelia manages to hold her tears in, for only a moment, but they start to fall freely as she hears him mutter echo down to her.

“Though I guess that sin runs through your family.”

She wipes at her face, convincing herself, it was the heat of the moment, Leon didn’t mean it. She has to believe him

She has to..