Cutting Love

A/N: Several German terms may be used in this chapter, mainly due to my slight obsession with the culture and the language. If there are, I will be sure to explain them at the end of the chapter.

Chapter 2

Aurora leaves early in the morning. The sun is barely in the sky as she starts her car. More than 30 minutes pass, before she pulls into her driveway. She turns off the engine and reaches into the glove compartment. Her hand brushes across the familiar silver chain. It is the necklace Alex had given to her for her 17th birthday. Silver chain, with a simple white gold tiger charm attached. With eyes of alexandrite, it was quite possibly the most beautiful thing she’d been given. This was the one thing she kept from her ex. Alex probably thought she’d gotten rid of it, but in fact it was almost always with her. She took it with her when she went to work. And when her husband wasn’t around, she would occasionally wear it around the house.

The silver chain slides from her hand as she reluctantly drops it into its hiding place. She takes a deep, calming breath, before walking into her 2-bedroom apartment. Her husband is instantly at her side, curious about her night. But she just makes her way to her bedroom and collapses for a few hours of much needed rest.

+X+x+Meanwhile+x+x+

Alex rolls out of her bed, and slowly begins to remember the night before. “Oh god,” she groans, her head feels like she’d been hit with a sledgehammer. Assuming that Aurora had already left, the woman begins to get ready for the day. She walks into the bathroom and sees the mess she’d made. ‘Great’ she thinks to herself, ‘there’s nothing in this world that I love more than cleaning up my own blood. Especially when it’s the morning after a break down.’ She gets down and cleans up the mess, before running the shower.

She steps under the steaming spray, and lets her head fall back. The water soothes her aching muscles, and relaxes away the latest nightmares. Slowly, she peels off the bandages, and hisses at the first touch of the hot spray. The area would be sore for a while, and she’d probably enjoy every minute of it. Alex grabs a sponge, and cleans off the dried blood. When she is satisfied that she is clean, she shuts off the shower, and dries herself off.

Some of the wounds had reopened, and would need to be bandaged for the day. “Good thing I have to wear long sleeves for work I guess.” She mumbles to herself, as she wraps the gauze tightly around her wrists.

The blonde pads into her bedroom with nothing but the towel around her waist, and proceeds to dry off. Looking into her wardrobe, she settles on a navy blue silk shirt, and black trousers. Ever since her restaurant had taken off, she’d had less time to spend in the kitchen, and had to spend more of her time with customers, and in the office. She kept her chef uniform at the restaurant, Das Essen Platz*, and if she got any spare time, she’d get changed and spend the time in her kitchen.

She grabs her keys and goes out to her car. She climbs into the red Chevy pick-up, and drives off to work. She is almost there when her cell phone begins to ring.

“Guten tag, Alex speaking.”

“Hey baby!”

“Ileana! Why are you calling on my cell phone? I thought you weren’t getting into town until late tonight?”

“I caught an earlier flight. Is that a problem?” Alex can practically hear the pout in her lover’s voice.

“Of course not! I just had been planning a surprise for you. But if you’re already in town, then I don’t think I can wait that long. So are you coming over?”

“I’ll meet you at the restaurant in 20 minutes. Ok?”

“That’s perfect sweetheart. I can’t wait to see you!”

“Me too. I’ll talk to you later then, ok?’

“Ok baby. I love you.”

“I love you too. Bye”

“Bye.” She closes her flip phone and smiles. Her girlfriend, Ileana, had been gone for two weeks and she missed her like crazy. Her sister had gotten married, and Ileana had to go. But of course, her sister didn’t approve of Alex, so she’d had to stay here.

The next 20 minutes seem to drag by. It is a slower day, so Alex manages to get some time in the kitchen, but that is little consolation. But soon, her wait is over, and she feels two comforting arms wrap around her from behind.

Immediately sensing who it is, Alex leans into the touch, groaning as her lover’s voice drifts softly into her ear, “Did you miss me?”

“You know I did,” the blonde grins, “I always miss you. That house it too damned big, and I hate being all alone in it.”

“Whose fault is it that we got a big house? Hmm? I clearly remember pointing out several very nice townhouses, but you said they were too small. You’re never happy are you?”

“You know I am. When I’m with you, I’m always happy.”

“Ooh, smooth talker. So, what was the surprise you had for me?”


“You’ll just have to wait. I can’t show you until tonight. Though a preview may not be out of the question…” she lets her voice trail off seductively, before pulling away from the embrace. “Hey Sam!” she calls to her head chef, “I’m going to go out for about an hour, think you can manage the place?”

Her old friend grins at her, “What don’t you trust me? I’ll keep everything under control in here; you’re no use when lover girl shows up. Go take some time with her. You’ve been working too hard boss!” Sam and her had met at college, and every year, they had seemed to get classes together. When she had opened up her restaurant finally, she had thought of no one else she would rather share it with. Sam had been there with her through it all, with that damned attitude to boot!

He knew very well how she felt about being a boss. It made her feel…well…old. To think that she owned a business and had employees…it was just plain creepy. Alex could still remember when this had been a teenager’s impossible dream. Somehow, she’d made the impossible come true, and she was loving every minute of it.

Alex blinks at the sudden brightness, and realizes belatedly that she is outside. ‘Huh. I don’t remember walking out here, maybe I’m more tired than I thought.’ The women make their way to Alex’s car, and climb in.

“Are you sure you can drive? You’re really spacey, and I’d rather not die right now.”

Alex sticks her tongue out at her lover, “Yes, I can drive. I was just thinking about some stuff. Where do you want to go, sweetheart?”

“How about that place down the street? You know, our house? I just want to relax for a bit, and I can do that there.”

“Sounds good.”

15 minutes later, she pulls into the driveway. The house really is rather large. There were two bedrooms on the top floor, and one on the main floor. Each floor had a master bathroom, and the main floor had a smaller one as well. The main floor also contained a living room, a dining room, and a huge kitchen. Then there was the basement, which housed a mini movie theatre, and the laundry room. The couple had bought it when Alex’s restaurant had gotten big. They had even been able to forego the mortgage, and instead purchased it with cash. The theatre was the same way. They had saved up the money, and bought each seat individually, and then bought the projector and screen.

Alex immediately heads to her kitchen, and prepares a small lunch for them, and settles across from Ileana at the smaller table in the kitchen. The deep blue walls were soothing to be in, and made the atmosphere a welcoming one.

Ileana moves her chair so that she is sitting beside Alex. She leans her head on a handy shoulder, “I really did miss you, you know. I can’t believe Marie is still being such a bitch about all this. She knows damned well that I’m sticking with you, and yet she refuses to treat you like family. Do you know how much shit I’d get into if I did that to Rob?”

“I know love. She’ll come around, just give her time. At least your mom doesn’t hate me anymore. She even called to check on me while you were gone. You’re sister will come to her senses, you just have to give her some time.”

“My mom called you?”

“Yeah, she wanted to apologize for Marie. She said she tried to change her mind, but your sister is stubborn. I’m guessing it is a family trait.” Alex grins as she tricks a small laugh from her girlfriend. “Now lets eat. You look too skinny, and I for one am starving. Afterwards you can go rest if you’d like.”

The two eat the meal in companionable silence, just enjoying the food before them. Eventually, they finish, and Ileana turns once again to her partner, “I hope you don’t mind, but I think I just want to go to sleep. I don’t think I have the energy for anything else right now.”

“I understand. I really didn’t expect you to. Why don’t you go get some rest, and relax for the rest of the day, and when I get home, I’ll give you your surprise. Ok?”

“Sounds great baby. I’ll see you when you get home.” She leans in for a chaste kiss, and slowly makes her way up the stairs.

A/N: As promised, I’ll translate the German parts. Das Essen Platz literally means, “The Eating Place”, original isn’t it? And for you truly German illiterate people “Guten Tag” means “Good day”. I know that this chapter was a bit on the fluffy side, but I promise it does get angsty…very angsty in fact. I have another chapter already written, but I’m only going to post the thing if I am told to. So click the nice button and tell me what you think…otherwise the story ends here. (Sorry, I’m in a bad mood, ignore the bitchiness.)