It wasn’t about her, he thought as he buttoned his trousers. Wasn’t about the woman, still lying in the bed he had just got out of. Wasn’t about his wife, who was completely oblivious to this affair.
Until she would find a careless message, detect a smell she didn’t recognise, or see a behaviour that was out of character.
It wasn’t about power, about proving he still had it, that he was still in the market.
Wasn’t about desire, because he wasn’t mad about this woman.
Wasn’t about love that had turned cold, because he still loved his wife.
The woman in the bed made a moaning sound as she looked at him, smiling. He smiled back with his mouth. His eyes were cold. He understood what had just happened was unnecessary, pointless and would destroy everything.
He buckled his belt and gave her a kiss. Wet and devoid of passion.
What was it about? The job he didn’t enjoy? The mundanity of daily life? What his kids were turning into?
He put on his jacket.
Whatever it was, it was not about his wife.
Neither was it about the woman smiling at him.
He opened the door and stepped out into the chilly night. Wondering what to do next.
This story is the twelfth installment in the Moments series
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