Isaias came into the house aware he was late.It was after nine and he had said he’d be home by six.He’d sent Liesl a message at seven to apologize and say he’d be there as soon as he could,but she hadn’t responded.
He noted the housekeeper Matilda was still there and he frowned,“Matilda,you’re here late.”
“I am.Liesl asked me to be her muse.She got wrapped up in her work again and when I interrupted her for lunch,she was very excitable.”She was clearly flustered,“she said she was inspired by her grandmother’s painting and now wants to do an entire collection of the beauty of women.She told me you would be home late and wouldn’t see.”
Isaias made wide eyes,“she had you posing for her?”
“Yes,”the woman giggled like a preteen in a way Isaias found endearing.“She had me relaxed and I’m very nervous about it but I’m excited too.”
“Well,I’m sure whatever it is Liesl has roped you into,it’s going to turn out beautiful.”
“I’ll get going now but if you’re hungry,I left you a dinner plate in the fridge.”
“Where is Liesl now?”
“She was cleaning up in the sunroom.”
“Okay.Have a good night,”he held the door for her trying not to chuckle as she nervously exited.He dropped his attachébag on the kitchen counter and opened the fridge,grabbed a beer and using his fingers grabbed a stack of the roast beef the housekeeper had on a plate and then made his way to find his girlfriend.
He took a swig of the beer after swallowing the mouthful of meat and walked into the room to find Liesl drying her hands with a towel.“Hi.”
“Hi,”she didn’t meet his eyes.
“I’m sorry I’m late.”
“You don’t have to apologize to me Isaias.You were working.I get it.I know what it’s like to be working on something you can’t walk away from,”she waved behind her.“No biggie.”
“Are you sure?”
“Of course.”She gave him a tight smile.
“Then why aren’t you looking at me?”
She blinked and met his gaze,“I did look at you.I’m just looking around the room to see if I missed anything.I got carried away moving and adjusting things with Matilda.Did you know she has six grandchildren?She brought me lunch and was looking at my Gran’s painting and said how brave she was for posing and I ended up talking her into posing for me.I think I’m going to ask Janka’s mom to pose as well.Do you think your mom would?”
“Uh,”he blinked in confusion as her words came at him in rapid succession.“You could ask her.”
“I’m going to.”She grabbed a tarp and folded it up.“Anyway,I’m going to go take a shower and get ready for bed.I’m covered in paint.”She faltered in her footsteps at her words and then started to walk past him.
“Hey,”he reached out his hand and grabbed her shoulder and drew her to him.“No kiss?”
“I’m sorry.I’m in my head.So much going on.”She lifted her face dutifully to him and pressed her lips to his in a quick kiss before turning away from him and heading in the direction of the stairs.
He stood there dumbfounded.It was apparent she was upset but he didn’t know if it was at him or something else.They’d been communicating so well since the gala it felt weird to see her walk away without telling him about her day.He walked over to the canvas of the paintings she was working on and studied them.She had a few on the go and he took a long drink as he stared at the incredible talent she possessed.He was infinitely proud of how she threw herself into her work as she did.
He noted a box near the door of the room and recalled her carrying it in yesterday after her shift at the gallery.He presumed it was supplies for her work at home.She had been giddy with excitement over the box so he considered it had to be new.He leaned over moving a large heavy tarp and lifted a can of the paint and he studied the label.He frowned reading the label.Edible?
“What the hell do you need edible paint for?”he grimaced as he set the jar down and lifted a couple more.They were all edible paints of an assortment of colors.She had to have twenty different colors.He noted multiple brushes and then a sinking feeling struck him in the chest.
Her surprise.She’d asked him to come home on time tonight because she had a surprise for him.“Fuck,”he whispered as he lowered the canisters back into the box and gave a sigh.She’d bought this to experiment with him and he’d screwed it up by coming home three hours late.No wonder she was pissed off with him.
He took his bottle back to the kitchen and rinsed it,setting it in the recycling bin,knowing he was stalling.He walked around shutting down the lights and ensuring the house was locked up securely.He took the stairs slowly,feeling very much like he did as a kid when he knew he’d angered his mother and was facing the music.
He entered their bedroom and stood there listening for any noises which would tell him she was angry.The shower was running but there was no huffing,puffing,or sighing.The splashing of water as she scrubbed herself echoed around him as he entered the bathroom but there was no evidence of her emotions.He leaned against the doorframe and found himself at a loss of how to approach the situation.
He couldn’t help but let his gaze travel over her body as she stood with her back to him,the transparent glass giving him a full view from head to toe.Her body was incredible and every time he saw her like this,natural and relaxed,comfortable with her nudity,he was turned on.The desire to join her in the shower was nearly overwhelming but he quashed it.He needed first to make amends.
She turned giving him a full-frontal exposure of her body as she turned the water off and reached for a towel.
She gave him a cheeky grin,“voyeur.”
He noted the smile didn’t reach her eyes.“I fucked up,didn’t I?”
He saw the way her hand paused for a moment as she wrapped the towel around her torso.
“No.Isaias,you didn’t fuck up.”
“You said you had a surprise for me and asked me to come home on time and I forgot.I came in late.”
“Isaias,”she sighed moving to the vanity to put toothpaste on her toothbrush,“you had to work.I know where you were,and I know what you were doing.I told you I understand what it’s like to get caught up in work.I’m not angry.”
“Disappointed then?”
She gave a one-shouldered shrug,“not really.”
“I saw the box of paints.”
She met his eyes in the mirror,“good.Then you know one night soon,you’re getting dirty with me.”
“But you wanted to play tonight.”
“Yes,but I’m a big girl and I can handle having to alter my plans.Instead,I roped Matilda into posing for me.It’s not a big deal.”
“Then why does it feel a big deal.You’re clearly upset with me.”
“Isaias,not everything is about you,”she said sharply,slapping her hand against the vanity.She groaned,“I’m sorry.I didn’t mean that.”
“What did I do wrong?”
“You didn’t.Look,Isaias,I promise you I’m not upset with you.If I were,you would know because I would tell you I was pissed off.I’m not.”
“Then can you tell me what is wrong?”
He walked up to her and put his hands to her shoulders and turned her to face him,“talk to me Liesl.What is wrong?”
She shrugged,“I don’t even know.I’m cranky and moody and then Elsie called me and told me the restraining order is expired now.I’ve been on edge all day waiting for shit to hit the fan again.Don’t get me wrong,I’m thrilled I haven’t heard a word out of them,but I feel like I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop.”
He felt his heart drop to his stomach at her words.He’d forgotten.He’d let her down today by not being here for her and then he’d made it worse by forgetting she had made plans for them.He pulled her against his chest and hugged her tight.He had a lot of making up to do.
