Revive

Chapter 1: The Morning Routine

The rays of the morning sun shone through the sheer curtains. I could feel the warmth urging me to awake, and yet my eyes refused to acknowledge my truthful location. My reality. I wanted to remain submerged in my dreams. I wanted to remain submerged.

As I slowly turned to face away from the sunlight, I noticed that once again that the bed was empty. The slight pang in my heart at this realization is just part of my morning routine. I always know that he will not be here. And yet, I hope beyond hope that he will be.

Once I had finally accepted my reality, I composed myself in the bathroom. I did everything I could to appear as beautiful as possible. I know he will like that. My effort must show him that I care, right? I always wore floral dresses to appear as feminine as possible. I wanted the attention of the man I love, no matter how unlikely that seemed. I pin my blonde hair away from my face, and I try to make my brown eyes shine as much as possible. What was once an easy task has become a daily chore for me- appearing content and in love with life. My eyes shared a story, and I could not help but gaze into the mirror and relive the past my husband and I share.

My husband, dangerous as he is, was once so kind to me. His love for me was unparalleled, as was mine for him. We had the sort of love only written in novels. He always exuded confidence, but after serving in the military, he gained a uniquely dangerous aura that only the most blind folk would attempt to disturb. Aiden was intelligent, caring, and so protective, but his time as an engineer in the military exposed him to the blackness of this world. When he rose in ranks, he became an avid participant in adding to this blackness. But he knew that he always had me, and he kept me close in his heart. I was his light, and he was my family. We found each other. I saw him use his brilliance and rise in this world.

But I was there when he finally broke. I was the reason he gave up hope for this world. I was the reason he lost his best friend- no, his brother- in the field. He watched Conroe perish protecting me, and he reminds me every day that it was my fault. He does not remind me verbally, but through his coldness and absence. Every day I wake up alone, and every day I am expected to provide him care even though I receive none.

With that thought, I exit my somber reminiscence and prepare to leave my house. I quickly bake some small blueberry muffins, place them in a picnic basket and leave. As usual, Viktor, my personal bodyguard, is waiting for me outside. His strong presence used to offer me a sense of protection, but now I know he will follow any order provided by my husband. I provide a small smile, and he responds with a somber, almost pitying, smile of his own. I walk past him towards the black Cadillac and sit in the back. We drive in silence to the private headquarters of Aiden's 'company'.

After Conroe died, Aiden left the military and gave up on making a change in this world. For those who attempt to do good, there is little reward. He learned this the hard way, and he decided to squash that part of his soul. Instead, he used his brilliance to grow his drug smuggling corporation. Now, he is a top dog in this underground field. If he cannot change our planet, he could at least profit from it. His fearlessness only grows with the dangerous encounters his face. I have known him for countless years; I know he is too smart to think he is invincible. He just knows he can take the worst the world has to offer. He is the worst the world has to offer.

The drinking stopped years ago. The beatings stopped last year. And the anger stopped only a few months ago. Now he shows nothing but indifference towards me. On some days, this is a blessing, but on reminiscent days such as today, it is only a painful reminder of how our companionship has evolved.The man I cherished is now a distant dream. Non-existent. And yet I cling onto the small hope that my prison will become a sanctuary. I cling on desperately to the notion that Aiden will slowly re-emerge from the monster he has become. He will not let me leave. He wanted me to suffer as he did all those years, and so I did. By his hands alone.

I am yanked from my thoughts when the car halts in front of Aiden's seemingly ordinary building. With Viktor following behind me, I reach the top floor. This floor only has two rooms- the entrance area from the elevator and Aiden's office. Before entering his office, I greet his bodyguard, Pierre. With a warm smile, he gently speaks, "Bonjour mon amie, you look lovely today." I softly giggle and note how his large and demanding demeanor never matches his kind words. He's always so kind to me. With an inviting smile, I ask him, "would you like a muffin?" I open the basket, allowing the scent to fill the air to seduce him. With one whiff, he immediately agrees. "How do you expect me to protect your husband if you fatten me up?" I softly giggle as he chows down the muffin like a child and then return to his menacing posture.

He was one of the best mercenaries my husband hired, and now he was Aiden's sole protector. Aiden can handle himself, but Pierre has always been the strongest in his clan. Aiden was smart to keep him close. I liked him; he never ignored me, and he always showed me kindness. Even when I would show up bruised and battered, Pierre would acknowledge my presence, unlike the other people who worked under Aiden.

With that thought, I remember Viktor and turn towards him. I take out a muffin and place it in his hand. "I didn't forget about you, "I whispered. He silently nods and eats it. He never really spoke, as he was under strict instructions to never get too close to me. Aiden was always the jealous type, but it never bothered me. Viktor was the closest thing I had to a friend, and I would be dammed if I did not gift him occasionally. Besides, Aiden has already done his worst to me. What more can he do?

I turn back to Pierre, and ask, "Is he in there?" I nod towards Aiden's office and Pierre responds with a nod of his own. I take a deep breath and enter his office, leaving Viktor and Pierre in the entrance room.