Wife Swap - S01 E19

6 months ago

Wife Swap - S01 E19

Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 19

Rome Pov

Seven years ago.

I sigh frustrated walking over to the lovers who have been a menace from the moment they walked in. They were loud, obscene, and did exactly what they were asked not to do. Like taking pictures and videos of some chambers, as well as mishandling some items. They were frustrating to the point I felt like selling him out to his date that It was his fifth time in the week he was here, he brought all his dates here. I preferred the Tuesday one because she slapped him before leaving after he inappropriately touched her. The Monday one was even worse, handsy and hazardous. She stood beside a skeleton and flashed her boobs at it while he took unauthorized pictures.

I warn them, "You better go or I'll call security on you."

"We have a right to be here." He objects and grabs the girl with him by her hair and kisses her hard.

I realize I have no energy to start any argument with him and just call the security personnel to escort them out.

Suddenly, as if a supernatural power is calling out to my soul, I feel my body turning to its origin.

I can't take my eyes off her; it is not even her physical beauty that strikes out. There is just something intangible about her that I am sure even in the dark I would feel her presence.

She is petite and her hair is tied into two long ponytails. She laughs heartily, throwing her head back and allowing the joy to consume her. She is pure in her emotions and spirit.

Her jolly spirit is something that just draws you to her. And it is not only me that is drawn to her. Her fellow students gather around her, comfortable with her psyche and a boy stands afar lost, staring at her. As a man, I know the turmoil he must be going through. He is openly smitten by her and she is the only thing that exists around him.

She turns in his direction and smiles at him walking towards him. When she is in front of him, he says something to her and she nudges him in return.

I hear a clicking sound and turn to my colleague, Ian. He has snapped a quick picture of her.

"What are you doing?" I ask him.

"She is an art," He says and snaps another one, " you will thank me, later" He adds.

"You know the rules." I remind him.

"She, too, has those ancient names, like you." he chuckles and aims at her again carrying forth with the conversation, "What a coincidence? Both of you meet at the archives center, which houses everything ancient. This is how history begins."

I sigh and shake my head, refusing to allow myself to be consumed by Ian's theories or conspiracies, "She is a minor." Rather, i say.

"In few years she won't be and you will need these photos. Nothing just happens to me as a historian."

Ian is a photographer and spends his days moving across the country and the world collecting historical items and information through photography.

On the other hand, I recently graduated, and this is my first job, despite the fact that it is not related to my degree. I'll be starting a new job in my field, Biostatistician, next month, and I'm looking forward to it because it will be a new beginning for both me and Esme.

When I look again they are leaving with their teacher and she has a smile that is etched permanently on her face. I feel sad and find myself in a quagmire of conflict, a lot of people come here and leave, some we form a good rapport but none of them leave me with a sense of sadness as they leave.

****

The present

Busted!

I find Athena holding a photo I have carried with me ever since we crossed paths.

Her eyes are both angry and frightened. Looking at me like as if i were a suspect in one of her favorite true crime shows. I don't know what she is thinking, and I can't assume.

"I can explain," I answer her loud silence.

"Who are you?" She calmly asks.

"It doesn't look good, but it's not as bad as you think," I mumble, my lies choking me. It's bad... even worse. It's creepy that a stranger has your photo hidden in a box, and I can see it as her lips curl derisively.

"Convince me otherwise, Rome." She says my name and I nearly forget how to speak. It is not often she says my name, and when she does, it makes me weak.

I collect my muddled thoughts and tell her how I came to have a photo. As I speak, I can see that she also remembers her school trip but still she is concerned.

"Why did you keep it?" She murmurs, her voice so quiet but weighing a difficult question I am always afraid to answer.

I look up and meet her wary eyes.

"I just remembered I had it today." I lie, stamping my ticket to hell again. Afraid the truth will rob me the moments, I hold her near me as i dance with her.

She looks down at the photo again, silently examining it. I am surprised when she hands it back to me; I thought she would tear it or throw it away.

"What do you want me to do with it?" I ask, hoping she does not take it back.

"I don't know, it is yours." She answers and instead of relief, I worry if actually, that is what she wants, I know for a fact she hates uncomfortable situations and she would rather agree to something just to get out of one.

" Here, you can eat yours as I drive." I change the conversation.

She takes the food away from my hand and I start to drive while she devours it. She seems to enjoy my choice of food and I am proud of that. She is the hardest to please when it comes to food, there is always something she doesn't like. I opted for Tortilla which had more vegetables in it, some lean meat and apple juice. She is constantly reminding me that she doesn't like fried foods or even cheese. I thought everyone likes cheese.

"Do you want some?" She turns and asks.

I shake my head, "I have mine, I will eat once we arrive home."

I can never understand why she is never comfortable eating alone.

"I know, but you should taste this."

She doesn't give me room to speak as she brings the tortilla to my mouth and I am obliged to take a bite from it. It is actually good and far from bland based on how I perceived it earlier and the only thing it does is remind me how hungry I am.

I cast her a sideways look, and she sinks back into her seat, sipping her apple juice. I reach for the radio and turn it on. I have already replaced Esme's songs with mine and a reggaetón playlist starts. It is not long before Athena shoves her apple juice in my face, coercing me to drink it as well.

As we drive, the music eases into her and she starts to dance on her seat. Slowly, I can see the jolly girl in a white school shirt, navy blue pleated skirt, and black socks again.