Andreas put Vlora in a bath chair and prepared everything. He filled the tub with warm water, making sure to add flower-scented soap.
Vlora watched with a small smile. While Andreas stirred the water in the tub with his hands, their eyes met.
“Did I impress you?” he asked.
Vlora’s smile widened. “Who knows?”
Andreas gently lowered Vlora into the tub. He was careful, like a man born to serve his wife.
Fragrant bubbles greeted Vlora. The warmth enveloped her, creating an instant feeling of relaxation.
It felt incredibly pleasant. It was so pleasant that Vlora almost didn’t notice that Andreas didn’t join her in the bath.
Andreas got out of the tub. Reflexively, Vlora asked, “Where are you going, Reas?”
Andreas stopped in his tracks. His forehead wrinkled, his eyes narrowed and his look was teasing. He countered with a question, “Do you want me to join you, Vlo?”
Vlora was silent for a moment and then replied, “It’s up to you.”
Andreas chuckled. His steps resumed, and now he was heading towards his original destination, which was right behind Vlora.
“What are you doing?” Vlora inquired.
Her back, which had been leaning against the luxurious bathtub for a moment, straightened. She turned slightly and looked at Andreas.
Andreas was sitting right behind Vlora. He placed a towel in the curve of the tub and gestured for Vlora to lean back.
“Trust me. I want to help you get rid of the pain you’re feeling.”
“You…” Vlora began.
Andreas insisted, reaching for Vlora’s shoulders, and guiding her to do as he wished.
“You’ll see that I’m not only an expert at making your body ache, but also at making it feel rejuvenated.”
Vlora did not have a chance to discuss Andreas’ words. A single touch from Andreas on her shoulder made her consciousness seem to vanish and she immediately closed her eyes – in the reclining position Andreas wanted, of course.
Andreas’ hands went to work. On Vlora’s shoulders, his thumb moved in a precise circular motion. It was not too forceful, but it was firm. It created a relaxing sensation that Vlora could not resist.
“Oh my, Reas,” Vlora gasped and the first sigh escaped her lips. Andreas smiled.
“I’m glad you like it, Vlo,” Andreas said proudly. “Perhaps you can see from this that your husband has many talents. My tongue and my fingers can do many things.”
A small laugh escaped Vlora’s lips. Her voice sounded lazy, but strangely it sounded sexy to Andreas’ ears.
“Honestly, Reas, soaking in a bathtub and getting a massage like this is not something I’m used to.”
Andreas sighed. “How is it possible that a woman like you has never been pampered, my dear?”
Vlora smiled broadly. Now she felt completely at ease. The warm, fragrant water and her husband’s massage were the perfect combination, worthy of appreciation.
“There’s not much I can ask for after my parents died, Reas.”
“I guess it’s not just dating that had to be removed from your life’s checklist,” Andreas replied as he massaged.
“Of course,” Vlora replied and took a deep breath. “My parents’ death was so sudden.”
Andreas plucked up the courage to ask, “An accident?”
That was the most reasonable explanation when Andreas heard about the simultaneous deaths of two people. A tragic accident. But Vlora shook her head.
“They took their own lives.”
Andreas stopped the massage. He was shocked.
Vlora opened her eyes and smiled. “They hanged themselves and Thomas found their bodies.”
It seemed that this wasn’t the subject Andreas had expected. Even the word “shock” no longer accurately described Andreas’ astonishment. He just couldn’t believe it.
It was only natural. It made sense that Thomas…
Just hearing her story was enough to shake Andreas, let alone Thomas? So, it seemed perfectly reasonable to see him in his current state.
“I don’t know if I should feel happy or the opposite,” Vlora continued. Her eyes were open, but her gaze was slowly fading. She seemed to be thrown back into the past. “I was in college, and I didn’t know that my parents’ problems had driven them to such despair.”
So desperate that suicide became the way out. It was really heartbreaking.
“Dad’s company had to change hands, and I know it was his pride and joy. So, for some reason I understand their decision.
A feeling of unease gnawed at Andreas. “I’m sorry, Vlo. I shouldn’t have brought it up.”
Vlora shook her head again. Her hand rose and she patted Andreas’ hand.
“The massage, Reas.”
Andreas snapped back to reality. He continued the massage, thinking that the difficult topic was over. But he was wrong. Vlora continued to speak.
“Nevertheless, I still feel that they were selfish. They left while Thomas and I had to go on living. Sometimes I wanted to give up, but I felt sorry for Thomas.
Perhaps it was time for Andreas to shut up. He decided not to respond to Vlora’s words.
“The good thing is that this incident has taught me a lesson. There is no one we can rely on. I realized that I can only rely on myself.”
The memories took Vlora back to a decade ago, to the lowest point of her life. She had lost her parents, and her younger sibling had lost her mind.
“I could barely hold on.”
It seemed the perfect time for Andreas to speak again.
“But you held on.”
Vlora nodded. “Of course.”
Sure, it had not been easy. In the process, Andreas had found a common thread in Vlora’s character that set her apart from most women. There were not many women in Vlora’s position.
The life Vlora had lived had forged her into a tough woman. Not only did she survive, but she moved forward. She did not sink into despair, but achieved remarkable things.
She was truly extraordinary.
Now Andreas had to open up. He had to find stronger words than “amazing”. Vlora was clearly more than that.
“Reas?”
Andreas’ momentary reverie was broken. He sighed and stood up, immediately approaching Vlora in the bathtub. Then he asked,
“May I join you?”
Vlora blinked and put both her legs in. She shook her head.
“Yes, please go ahead.”
Andreas approached Vlora. “Are you feeling sad right now?”
“Sad? Because of what happened earlier?” Vlora asked in return, frowning slightly. “Of course not.”
Andreas’ fingers brushed across Vlora’s cheek. He offered both a touch and an unexpected promise.
“From today you can rely on me, Vlo.”
Vlora had not expected this statement. Her eyes widened in surprise. She could have responded sarcastically, as she often did when Andreas flirted, but not this time. There was something in Andreas’ eyes that made her swallow all those sharp words.
Vlora also remained silent when Andreas reached for her hand. Andreas made a silent invitation and she accepted it.
Andreas leaned back and Vlora shifted, moving from the bottom of the tub to Andreas’ lap.
For a moment, Andreas smoothed Vlora’s hair. Then he cupped her face and planted a quick kiss on her lips.
Their eyes opened and they met in a steady gaze. Andreas felt one of Vlora’s hands move across his chest. Vlora’s expression was unreadable, but there was no need for Andreas to try to interpret it. A moment later, Vlora spoke.
“I’m not good at massages, but maybe I can rub your body.”
Oh, really? Andreas held his breath. He looked helpless as Vlora’s fingers brushed over his pale nipple under the water.
“How about it?”
*