Trouble Love Affair

cing at Abel who sat beside him. Abel, with a blank stare out the window, tried to proces

home," Reynald said sudd

th furrowed brows.

re you don't go home in this state. With that dress, a t

was too tired to argue. Fin

outique that was still brightly lit even though it was alread

we here?"

door for him. "Just come in. You need so

forties with a friendly smile. "Reynald! Wh

ious tone. He glanced at Abel. "Can you help dress

ad to toe, her smile warm. "O

tes later, Abel came out wearing a simple navy blue dress with an elegant yet unobtrusive cut

moment, then nodded in sat

though his heart was still filled

r for him again. "There's

loudly, colored lights flickered, and the smell of alcohol mixed with cigarette smoke filled the

ked, trying to adjust to t

follow him. They passed through the crowd of people dancing on th

uarded by two large men. Reynald spoke briefly

. Around him, several scantily clad women laughed, thrusting their glasses at him. One

t because of the loud thumping music. He looked at his husband, who

u," Reynald's voice was

filled with tears that he tried to h

really is," Reynald replied. "I don't want

the man who was supposed to love him, the man who had sworn to take care of h

ass, then she raised her glass with a loose laugh. "To a g

took a sip of his drink

the sight any longer. Reynald took his arm gently. "Abel, I know thi

s. "You think I don't know who he is? You think I don't realize w

ike he might break down at any moment. He wanted

l said finally, his

slowly. "Okay.

mained lost in his own world. But in Abel's heart, he knew that night was a turning poi

*

e the cabin, it was so quiet that the sound of the vehicle's engine could be heard clea

to hold back the tears that were already welling up. His hands were clenched tight

her heart. However, he didn't know where to start. The wounds on Abel's face

lly opened his voice

his head. He kept staring ahead with

tinued. "But you don't have to keep ever

made Abel feel weaker. He closed his eyes tight

bout," Abel finally said,

hield, the woman's way of protecting herself from deep

painful," he said softly, trying to be careful. "B

d with eyes that were now full of tears. "You d

ald replied softly, but firmly.

ob. "What's the point? Nothing will change. She'l

e words. "You always have a choice, Abel. Y

cheeks. "You don't know anything, Reynald. You don

opping the vehicle in the shade of a dim street lamp. H

think. You've survived this far, even when she kept hurting you. That's strength. Bu

him being able to stop them. Reynald's words pierce

e asked finally, his

yourself from her. You don't have to live like this, Abel. I know i

g at Reynald with wet

estly, "Because I care about you, Abel. I can't st

ifferent. Reynald's words began to sink into Abel's h

ned to driving the car, lett

if he was brave enough to take such a big step as Reynald said. However, for the first time

f the engine and looked at Abel. "You don't need to decide now. Bu

is eyes still puffy.

ugh his heart was still full

As his hand touched the doorknob, he paused for a moment, looking b

e stronger, if only a little. She took a deep breath, then enter