Betrayal

BETRAYAL

Erotica by

ISABELLE ALI

You want to believe that there’s one relationship in life that’s beyond betrayal. A relationship that’s beyond that kind of hurt… and there isn’t.

―
Caleb Carr

1

The moonlight cascaded through the open window as he grabbed Kali and threw her on the bed. His hands explored her body, his lips leaving moist, hot kisses down her chest and stomach as he tore off her dress.

She pushed him away, but he didn’t relent. She slapped him and he pinned her arms down, his lips to her
s, his tongue gently in her mouth. Kali loosened his grip and her hands went down to his belt. She unbuckled it and then pulled off his shirt, revealing his muscular chest. Her hands roamed his body, her mouth not leaving his until their nude forms entangled and she felt the hot ecstasy of him inside her.

He pinned her arms down with both hands and thrust deep, long thrusts until she was screaming.

Sweating and panting, the next few moments were a blur. She couldn’t even begin to guess how long the lovemaking lasted, but when it was over, he wrapped his arms around her and kissed her neck. She felt light, almost dizzy, and she leaned over and kissed him in the dark.

Adam’s wedding ring reflected the moon
light and she traced her finger over it.

“I remember when I bought that for you,” she sai
d. “I was so broke I had to skip two days worth of food. And still all I could afford was something from the mall. Maybe I should get you something else now?”

He kissed her, his hands running down to her hips and pulling her close. “I love it. I don’t want another one.”

Their fingers interlaced as she rolled on top of him, and he drove inside her again with a groan. The moon lighting their bodies a fluorescent blue.

2

By the time Kali woke, Adam was already in the shower. She could hear the water running and saw the steam escaping from the bathroom. She rose and peeked inside. He was a muscular man from the hour he spent in the gym everyday. But then again, a doctor had to be the pinnacle of health. At least that’s what he always told her.

The home they lived in sat in Broad Beach, one of Malibu’s most exclusive communities. Sometimes when she woke up in the morning and saw the gold trim on the faucets
, or the bathroom that was larger than any apartment she’d ever lived in, an excitement filled her belly. Something, she thought, akin to what Cinderella felt at the ball.

She strutted over to the shower, opened the door, and leaned in and kissed her husband. He playfully wrapped his arms around her and tried to drag her into the shower. They laughed before he kissed her passionately, and let her go.

“Lunch today?” she said, going over to the mirror and checking her face for blemishes or acne.

“Can’t. I’ve got a surgery scheduled for noon. Breast augmentation.”

She shook her head. “Lord forbid someone doesn’t get their tit job on time.”

“Hey, those tit jobs are paying for our kids
’ college.”

Kali stared into the mirror. Today was her
fortieth birthday, and it felt like it. A new wrinkle appeared near her eye. Hardly noticeable, she knew, to anyone but her. Yet there it was. And she couldn’t focus on anything else. Her hair, once powerfully blonde, dulled a bit now. Her skin was losing the sheen of youth and the sparkle in her eyes seemed to be dimming. She couldn’t verify any of this of course. Adam told her she grew more beautiful everyday. But she knew it wasn’t true. No one could outrun time.

“You men have it so easy,” she said. “You grow more distinguished with time while we fall apart.”

“It’s to make up for the fact that we’ll never know what it’s like to carry a child.” He turned the shower off and poked his head out. “What’s in that drawer do you think?”

She glanced to her husband and then down to one of the drawers underneath the sink. She pulled it open. Inside was a velvet jewelry case. Kali opened the case, revealing a diamond necklace.
Her hand covered her mouth.

“Oh my gosh, Adam, tell me you didn’t.”

“Happy birthday.”

“I saw this at Tiffany’s like ages ago. How did you remember?”

He shrugged. “I remember when it’s important.”

She ran to him, throwing her arm
s around his neck. They kissed before she pulled away and tossed him a towel. “Maybe you’ll get a special surprise tonight,” she said.

“Maybe?”

“I like to keep you on your toes.”

Once Kali had showered and changed, she went downstairs and prepared breakfast.
Omelets and orange juice. Her two kids, Sandy and Max, came scampering in as she dished out the food. Adam was in the kitchen as well and grabbed a piece of toast.

“You can’t have just that,” she said.

“Gotta run. Early consults. I’ll have a salad for lunch. Promise.”

He kissed her, and then the kids and was out the door.

As Kali cleaned up, she heard the car horn. It was her neighbor Tami’s turn to take the kids to school.

“Alright
guys, finish up, hurry.”

The kids shoved forkfuls of omelet into their mouths and said, “Bye mom,” as they headed out the door. Kali followed them, waving to Tami. The kids piled in. Kali waved to them but they didn’t see. Once friends were in the picture, they couldn’t focus on anything else.

Kali shut the door and went back to the kitchen. An extra portion of omelet was in a Tupperware container and she took it and headed out the door. The day was warm and the sun was out in a cloudless sky. The ocean, from her porch, looked like a gleaming blue gem. She watched it as she hiked to the next house over.

After ringing the bell, Derrick came to the door. He smiled.

“You know,” he said, “you don’t have to do this.”

“I love doing this. Where is he?”

“In the kitchen, waiting for you.”

Kali walked into the home. She traversed the atrium and the large front room and found a young boy sitting in the kitchen. He was ten, same age as her
Max, and was patiently awaiting breakfast.

“Morning, Richard.”

“Hi,” he said shyly.

She took a dish from a cupboard and placed the omelet on it. After making some toast and pouring juice in a glass, she placed it all in front of him and then sat down.

Richard had lost his mother to breast cancer almost five months ago. Her mother, Debra, was one of Kali’s closest friends. Kali knew that one of Debra’s favorite things was cooking breakfast for Richard every morning. Now that she was gone, Kali always made an extra portion and brought it over.

Richard ate in silence and Kali watched him. He had Debra’s eyes and her hair color, though his skin tone had gone toward Derrick who was
half Persian.

“Thanks,” he said when he was done. He rose and ran into the other room so his father could give him a lift to school.

Kali took her Tupperware and headed back to her house.

“Thank you,” Derrick said. “I know it puts you out.”

“What are friends for?”

3

After the kids were off to school and Adam was at the clinic, Kali simply had to find ways to fill the time. Working out had lasted only so long and was now a bore. She’d tried taking up hobbies but other than painting, there were few that interested her. And she’d abandoned painting long ago for marriage and family.

She had a job briefly at a museum, but that didn’t last long either. When the schedule started interfering with her family time, she informed them that she’d be quitting. Other than that, there wasn’t much one could do with a bachelor’s degree in art.

Just as she was walking out onto the balcony to sip
coffee and watch the ocean, her phone rang. It was Elaina. 

“Hey,” Kali said.

“Happy birthday old woman.”

“Don’t rub it in. What’re you doing?”

“I’m outside your house right now.”

“Well come in then.”

“No, you come out. I’m taking you somewhere.”

“Where?”

“Would you just come out already.”

Kali sipped her
coffee and then placed it down on a side table. “Fine, I’ll be out in a sec.”

After slipping on her shoes, she turned on the home alarm and went out to find Elaina relaxing in her BMW with the top down. Kali hopped into the passenger seat and Elaina pulled away without a word.

“Where we going?” Kali said.

“It’s a surprise.”

“Last time you surprised me for my birthday you took me to a strip club. It’s not a strip club, is it?”

“No, Ms. Prude, it’s not a strip club. You’ll love it, don’t worry so much.”

They got onto the Pacific Coast Highway. The view from the highway heading out of Malibu was something that a postcard could never capture. Lush, green vegetation, mountains, and the glimmering ocean. Never, not once, when Kali was scraping by in a studio apartment in West Hollywood, a starving artist with no prospects, did she think she would live someplace like this.

“What did Adam do?” Elaina asked.

“He got me a necklace I pointed out to him like six months ago.”

“Mm, mm. Gorgeous and thoughtful. If you ever get sick of him let me know.”

“Please, you wouldn’t be happy married.”

“Who said anything about married?”

Kali tapped her friend’s shoulder. “You’re so bad.”

She grinned. “You
gotta do what makes you happy. But I guess sometimes what you think will make you happy is just the opposite.”

“As in you’re never
gonna get married and just be ninety years old with a bunch of cats?”

“As in I can kick your ass so I would watch it.”

They both chuckled as they rounded a corner of the highway. The drive was pleasant and as they entered Los Angeles proper, Kali knew where they were going. Tatyana’s. Her favorite restaurant in Beverly Hills.

Rodeo Drive was already busy as they pulled up to the valet at Tatyana’s. Kali remembered she’d come here once as a starving student and the glitz and glamour had overwhelmed her. She felt embarrassed in her torn jeans and worn out UCLA T-shirt. The women here looked like they were
pulled from fashion magazines.

Now, she hardly considered them. And Rodeo Drive, despite the upscale restaurants and stores, despite the celebrities that were around every corner, was nothing but a littered street with too many people and cars. Funny the things you could grow used to.

They were sat on the veranda and Elaina ordered two mimosas. The crowd was sparse this early but a few men in suits and women in designer jeans, meant to look like they had just painted a house, were lounging around, sipping drinks and laughing.

“So,” Elaina said, “
how’s being thirty?”

“I remember being t
welve on my mother’s thirtieth birthday and just thinking how old that was.”

She smirked. “Doesn’t seem so old now, does it?
That’s still just a kid.”

“I don’t feel like a kid. My
grandmother died at fifty-eight. If we stick to that pattern, that means I’ve lived more than two thirds my life already.”

Elaina leaned back in
her seat and placed Donna Karen sunglasses on. “So you better enjoy the time you have left.” She took something out of her purse and slid it across the table. They were plane tickets to Paris.

“Shut up,” Kali said. “You didn’t?”

“I did.”

“Oh, wow. Thank you so much. I don’t know what to say. Adam and I will send you photos like everyday.” Elaina was quiet a moment. “I’m kidding, Elaina. Clearly this will have to be a girl’s trip.”

She smiled. “I won’t say no.”

“When are
we leaving?”

“Tickets are for
two months from now. I figure that gives you and Adam enough time to find a nanny to help out with the kids.”

Kali looked at the tickets. “This is the nicest thing anyone’s done for me.”

“You’re welcome.” She held up her glass. “To new adventures.”