Dead and (Un)buried.

Dead.

I slowly woke up, my eyes still stinging from tiredness. It absolutely baffled me that no matter how much sleep I got, I always woke up tired. I was always tired. Perhaps It was my non-stop schedule, I lived life constantly in the fast lane, there was no time for pit-stops.

"Edward, Are you awake yet?" I heard my wife, Elizabeth shout from downstairs "Barely!" I yelled back. I abruptly stretched out, trying to loosen my stiff limbs, before I rolled out of bed. The rays of the sun seeped through the blinds, indicating I had woken up later than usual, I frowned in annoyance, another thing to put on my to do list. Get blinds that actually do their job of blocking out light. I slowly rose from the bed and shuffled across the bedroom to grab my house coat hung over the cupboard door "Edward! I've made you breakfast, It's getting cold!" Elizabeth yelled "I'm coming!" I yelled back. I rubbed my eyes and wrapped my housecoat around myself, before I proceeded downstairs.

"Ah, There you are" Elizabeth said as I entered the kitchen "You're up late" She stated, I sleepily ran my fingers through my hair "I haven't got much on today" I groaned "Well" Elizabeth paused as she strode over to me "I have, So I need to go" She said, placing a kiss on my cheek "Will I see you later?" I questioned. I loved Elizabeth, dearly. But married life wasn't what it was all cut out to be, It was hard work, something which I thought it wouldn't be. Before I married Elizabeth 7 years ago, a lot of people used to say to me, marriage changes everything, blah, blah, blah. And I thought, why would it? Realistically, It's only a piece of paper. But it does change everything, It's draining. Or maybe that was just my marriage. Elizabeth shrugged sympathetically at me "I don't think so. I'm meeting an old friend later, So I won't be back until late" She explained as she scooped her long brown hair over one shoulder. I groaned inwardly, this was something that was becoming a regular occurrence in our relationship. We just didn't see each other. I owned a bookshop in Notting Hill, and dedicated much of my time there and Elizabeth was a defense lawyer and worked in Westminster. It was like a lives ran parallel to each other.

"I could pop over to the shop later for lunch" She suggested. I shook my head "No, I need to sort out a few things, I can't be distracted" I replied, Elizabeth smirked at me "What makes you think I would distract you?" She questioned "You're always a distraction" I replied. And she was, She was absolutely beautiful, she was fair skinned, her skin as smooth as cream, her hair was a beautiful chocolate brown colour and fell just short of her breasts. Her eyes were the deepest forest green and she had the most perfect smile. It was infectious "I'll see you tonight" She said. An affectionate smile spread across her face as she pressed a kiss to my lips "Have a nice day" I said "You too, darling" She said, before she promptly left. I took a deep breath, before I slumped down on the chair, a perfectly cooked bacon sandwich in front of me, with a steaming hot coffee to the side. The perfect way to start the morning.

***

I confidently strode into the shop, my body still buzzing from the large cup of coffee I had for breakfast "Morning Henry" I chirped, as I flung my bag behind the counter "Morning" Henry said. Henry was my best friend, and had been ever since I could remember. We grew up together, and now we worked together, He managed the book shop I owned, and it was a great business partnership, I trusted him with my life.

"Anything important I should know about today?" I questioned, Henry shook his head "Not really. Just those books coming in from that author you like" Henry said "Oh, the sci-fi ones" Henry shook his head "No, the horrors. The other ones are in next week" He explained. Ever since I was a child, I've had the biggest passion for books. Any Genre, I'll read it. There's just something about getting lost in a story that I just never get bored of. It's like an addiction "How's Elizabeth?" Henry questioned. I shrugged "Okay, Can't complain" I replied. Henry rolled his eyes "Do you not care?" Henry questioned "Yes, of course I do. But I've got a lot of things on my mind at the moment" I retorted "And your wife isn't one of them?" Henry questioned. I clenched my jaw in annoyance "Of course she is. Why? Do you know something I don't?" I questioned. Henry shook his head "No, You've just been a bit distant lately" Henry replied. And I had, I'd always gone through phases in my life where I would distance myself from people. Where I needed my own space, my own thoughts, just me, I was very selfish in that respect. I huffed as I slumped down in my office chair "You going through the phase again?" Henry questioned. I looked up at him, a small smile on my face "Yes. I don't know what it is. I've had no up and go recently" I explained "Have you been to the doctors?" Henry questioned. I nodded as I rubbed my hand across my face "I went last week" I said "They didn't really have anything to say" I added. Henry nodded "Well, as long as you're okay" I nodded "Fine. They just gave me some sleeping pills" I explained. Henry nodded "They'll kick in soon" I added. Henry smiled and reached for a sheet of paper on his desk.