SONIA
The rain had just stopped, leaving the air heavy and sweet with the scent of wet earth. My shoes splashed lightly against the driveway puddles as I dragged my suitcase toward Kelvin's porch. My hair rested softly on my shoulders, and my smile was bright with anticipation.
When I knocked, the sliding glass door opened almost instantly. Kelvin stood there, a surprised look frozen on his face, a soft glow from the living room lamp falling across his bare arms.
"Kelvin..." I breathed, stepping forward before he could speak.
I threw my arms around him tightly, pressing my head against his chest. The warmth of him, the faint scent of his cologne mixed with the freshness of rain—it felt like home.
"I've missed you so much," I whispered against him, my voice small but full of emotion.
Kelvin hesitated only for a moment before wrapping his arms around me. "I've missed you too, baby," he murmured, though there was a faint tension in his tone—a crack I almost didn't notice.
When I finally loosened my grip, my eyes swept across the room instinctively. Something about the air inside felt... altered. The faint smell of a different perfume, perhaps. The way the cushions on the couch seemed freshly rearranged. And the new art hanging on the far wall—I didn't remember that.
My steps slowed as I approached the largest of the frames. It was a painting of a woman, curvy and graceful, half-covered by soft, golden light. The figure's posture was sensual, confident—familiar in a way that wasn't mine.
Then I tilted my head slightly. "That's new," I said softly, pointing.
Kelvin followed my gaze, his jaw tightening almost imperceptibly before he smiled. "Oh, that. Yeah, I picked it up from a small art shop downtown."
"It's... bold," I said, my eyes narrowing slightly as I studied the painted curves. "Why that one?"
He chuckled lightly, a little too quick. "Honestly? It reminded me of you. The energy, I mean. The confidence, the... shape."
I turned to him slowly, arching a brow. "The shape?" I teased, though my tone carried a hint of skepticism. "She doesn't really look like me, babe."
Kelvin rubbed the back of his neck. "Not exactly, no—but it's not about resemblance. It's the feeling of it. You know how you walk into a room and everything feels brighter? That's what it reminds me of."
My expression softened a little, though the doubt lingered at the edge of my smile. "Hmm. Smooth talker."
He grinned. "Only for you."
Still, as he bent to lift my suitcase, I stole one last glance at the painting. Something about it unsettled me—not jealousy, exactly, but curiosity.
Kelvin began pulling the suitcase through the hallway, and I followed him, our footsteps echoing softly on the tiled floor.
"What a surprise visit, baby," he said, glancing back at me. "You didn't even give me a warning. I would have prepared something delicious for you."
I giggled. "I'm sorry, baby. I just... missed you too much and thought I'd surprise you. Guess I succeeded."
"Oh, you did," he said, his voice a mix of warmth and nervous laughter. "You definitely caught me off guard."
"I hope that's a good thing," I teased.
"The best," he said quickly.
We entered the bedroom. The scent of sandalwood from my last visit still lingered faintly, though I noticed a small candle on the dresser—new, half-burned.
Kelvin placed my suitcase near the foot of the bed, then turned toward me, slipping his hands around my waist. "You have no idea how happy I am to see you."
I smiled up at him, resting my hands on his chest. "You can show me later," I said playfully.
Kelvin laughed, pressing his forehead to mine. "Deal."
I sighed contentedly, then flopped down on the edge of the bed, removing the scarf I tied around my neck. "So much has happened while I was away baby. You wouldn't believe where Tracy is at now."
Kelvin raised an eyebrow. "Tracy? What's she up to now?"
"Oh, she's in Maldives!" I said, eyes lighting up. "With her boyfriend, Eli."
"Maldives? That's serious vacation level," he replied, sitting beside me.
"Yes o. But do you know the main reason they went?" I leaned closer, lowering my voice conspiratorially.
Kelvin smiled. "Should I be scared?"
"Maybe," I said, giggling. "Can you imagine—he flew her that far away just to deflower her?"
Kelvin blinked, then burst out laughing. "You're kidding me."
"I'm not! She told me herself! And I was there when Eli came and picked her up" I said, half laughing, half incredulous. "A whole trip across the world because he wanted their first time to be 'memorable under the stars by the ocean.'"
Kelvin shook his head, still smiling. "That's... wow. That's dedication."
"Dedication or madness?" I teased. "I told her she's lucky anyways—most guys wouldn't go that far for something like that."
Kelvin smirked. "Depends on the guy, I guess. Some of us show love in... other ways."
I looked at him fondly. "Like waiting for me even when I show up unannounced?"
"Exactly," he said softly, brushing a strand of hair from my face.
My eyes softened, my earlier suspicion fading slightly. "You really did miss me, didn't you?"
He nodded, his voice low. "Every single day."
I smiled, leaning in to rest my head on his shoulder. "Then hold me for a while. No words, just... hold me."
Kelvin's arms circled me gently, his heart pounding harder than it should. I could feel it, the uneven rhythm beneath my ear—but I didn't question it. Not yet.
For now, I simply closed my eyes and whispered, "I'm home."
And though Kelvin whispered "You are," under his breath, his mind flicked briefly toward the art in the other room—the curvy, painted woman who looked nothing like me.
When he finally pulled back, his voice was low and gentle.
"I'll fix you something delicious, okay? You must be starving after that rain."
I smiled faintly, touching his cheek. "You're the sweetest. I'll join you soon, baby. Let me unpack and take a hot shower."
He nodded, brushed a soft kiss across my forehead, and left the room, humming quietly as he disappeared down the hallway toward the kitchen.
The moment the sound of his footsteps faded, I exhaled and looked around the room slowly. The smile on my lips dissolved.
Something still didn't sit right.
I walked over to the bed, fingers grazing the sheets. The blanket looked freshly laid—too neat for Kelvin's usual messy habits. I tilted my head, eyes narrowing slightly. Then, almost on instinct, I grabbed one of the pillows, lifted it close, and inhaled.
The scent hit me instantly.
It wasn't his. Not even close. It was soft, floral—feminine—and far too strong to be mistaken for anything else. Jasmine, maybe, with a trace of vanilla.
My eyes widened.
I inhaled again just to be sure, but the truth was already there, heavy and undeniable. My stomach twisted.
"Kelvin..." I whispered, shaking my head.
My heart sank, and i dropped the pillow back onto the bed, staring at it as though it had betrayed me. For a long, silent moment, I stood frozen. Then I muttered under my breath, voice trembling with anger and disbelief,
"You... fucking cheat. I knew you were up to something."
I squeezed my face in frustration, my jaw tightening as I sat heavily on the bed, holding my head in my hands. The room seemed smaller now, suffocating.
Images flashed in my mind — the awkward tone in his voice when I arrived, the sudden nervous laughter, the art of the curvy woman that looked nothing like me.
It all made sense now.
My chest rose and fell as I tried to breathe past the tightness in my throat. Tears threatened to form, but I blinked them away, forcing myself to stay composed.
"No," I whispered firmly. "Not this time. I'm not going to cry over him."
I sat upright, my face hardening. "I'll wait. I'll watch. And when he slips..." I muttered under my breath, my lips curving into a bitter half-smile, "I'll catch him red-handed and that will be the end of this fucking Relationship!"
Down the hall, I could hear Kelvin humming again, pots clinking softly as he prepared my food—his tone cheerful, unaware that the foundation beneath our love had just cracked.
I wiped a tear that escaped anyway, straightened my shoulders, and stood.
By the time I joined him in the kitchen, I would wear my brightest smile, my sweetest voice — the perfect disguise for a woman who had just uncovered a lie.