Wife Swap - S01 E10

6 months ago

Wife Swap - S01 E10

Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 10

I toss and turn on my bed as sleep never finds me. The house is silent, Rome must be asleep while his thoughts rob me of mine.

As I toss to the other side my phone lit up and my heart starts to race when I see it is a message from Mason. It is unexpected and I have to sit upright to figure out why he is texting me, one in the morning.

I open my WhatsApp and see the photo he has sent to me. Someone took a photo of me and Rome in the swimming pool. Along with photo he has attached a comment.

WTH?????

I rub my forehead sprinting up from my bed and start to pace around. Both angry and confused that he has the audacity to question my actions and why he cares what I do.

He clearly stated that he was only committed to me but loved someone else. I guess that someone else is Esme.

Realizing that I will not find any sleep. I decide to do what keeps my thoughts at bay. Exercise and clean.

I strip my night clothes and replace them with a sports bra, hoodie and leggings. I braid my hair in one Cornrow and step out.

But my plan quickly fails as soon as I step in the living room and find Rome seated on the couch watching Friends. He looks up shocked when he hears my steps.

"You couldn't sleep?" He asks.

I shake my head and walk to the fridge and take out a yoghurt and stand confused about what to do since my original plan is now ruined.

"Me too." He says.

I take a spoonful of my yoghurt and lean forward.

"I will not mind some." Rome requests and I grab a cup of mixed berries. I guess it is his favorite since it is the only flavor I found when I moved in here.

I walk to where he is seated. His eyes stare at the screen, solemnly with great inquisitive.

"Sit with me." He instructs and I wonder the sudden change of attitude.

Since we returned from the park, he left immediately like he couldn't wait to get away from me. Only to return when I had retired to my bed.

I sigh and sit at the furthest corner, afraid if there is any contact between us it will leave me feeling awkward, again.

Silence follows as we continue to watch friends and I proceed to have my yoghurt.

Joey says something silly and he breaks into a deep laugh and just draws me in how heartily it is. I had no idea he loved Friends so much that he could laugh so freely.

I wipe my mouth and speak, "Joey remains to be my favorite character." I comment. "What about you?" I ask, that being my only familiar way to kill silence. I suck at humor and my circumstances in life have left me ignorant to many things, thus having little to talk about.

He appears to be thoughtful for a while, "I don't have any, I think they all contributed equally to the show. But I do have my least favorite, Ross."

I turn to him, "Ross? Why?" I ask curiously because, I just rate the best actor and don't think about the worst.

"He was petty, insecure and controlling." He says.

"Insecure?" I ask.

"The moment Rachel asks for a break to just calm down he cheats." He replies.

"Was it a break up or they were on a break?" I ask because i somehow sided with Ross. Rachel did say ′she needed a break...from us.′

The Us part implied their relationship.

"They were on a break and Ross was wrong with his action." He says. "If you share such deep relation with someone you don't just jump to someone else, you at least wait until you both calm down and try to work things out." His last statement passes as personal and it renders me silent because I didn't think men actually felt this strongly. With what I have been through and grew up being told, I perceived men to be less human- unable to fathom human emotions.

′Men sexual desires are animalistic, they can't control themselves.′ It was one of the many things I was told about men and believed that was what mattered to them.

I am left silent and out of words to say anything next. This must be one of the reasons why Mason cheated and barely spent time home. I am not a great conversationalist and if I try, I can't hold it enough to keep it going or interesting.

"About earlier..." He pauses and turns to face me, "I am sorry..." He trails off.

"Why did you leave?" I innocently ask.

"Why?" He shakes his head, "You want to know why... You shouldn't go there." He whispers.

My phone vibrates, interrupting our conversation. It is Mason. I'm not surprised because I haven't responded to his text message. I ignore it, knowing that what comes next will be long paragraphs about the type of person I am, and he will somehow find a way to blame me for everything. Exactly like my mother.

Funny how as we grow we end up with what we fought so hard to run away from.

I look up and find Rome staring at me with an inquisitive look. I hug myself. He draps the blanket over my body and I move closer seeking for warmth or ...more.

"Is that Mason?" He asks when my phone rings again.

I nod, pushing my phone to the end of the couch.

"Are you not going to answer it?" His voice is hoarse as he questions.

"Let him suffer, Lord knows he needs it." I say and I am not sure if I mean it. I am still angry at him but I am not vengeful.

Rome remains seated on his side and I move again getting closer. I feel the warmth of his thigh through the material of my leggings.

I don't know what I want but my body seems to posses it's own brain. When Rome's body remain ramrod straight. I get conflicting thoughts and decide. Maybe for once in my life I should take the initiative.

I lean forward, his face inches away from me. I lick my lips nervously. His lips are full and staring back at me. My pulse is racing like crazy but it is not enough to hinder my motive.

What am I doing? shouldn't be doing this especially in our present circumstances. However my conscious and hormones are battling. The later wins as my lips briefly touch his. He quickly jumps up

"I...we can't" His voice is low and husky. He paces around. When his eyes look at me, they are darker. I can hide my embarrassment. "You are like my little sister...Mason..." He throws his hands in the air and walks away.

Oh God! What was I thinking? I don't know which to be embarrassed about. Wanting to kiss him or his rejection? Where will I hide my face? I wish that the ground beneath me can open up and swallow me.