《First Love》


 Chapter 1

    Enjoying my breakfast, I watched my wife scurry around the house making sure I had everything I needed. She tended to overly worry herself about me. It¡¯s been that way even when we first started dating in college. I wish she would quit worrying and sit with me. After all I¡¯m going to gone for a month.


    ¡°Veronica won¡¯t you join me this fine morning? It¡¯ll be our last meal together for quite a while.¡±


    ¡°I wish to, but your flight is in two hours and I need to be sure you haven¡¯t forgot anything.¡±


    ¡°Nothing gets past or forgotten by yours truly.¡± I stated pointed my fork to the sky.


    ¡°Well ¡®yours truly¡¯ what about Valentines, your latest doctor¡¯s appointment, and my birthday. Those are just a few of the many events you¡¯ve ¡®never forgotten¡¯¡±.


    ¡°The evidence is mounting I suppose. Let¡¯s forget all that for now. All that matters is the present. A present where I can sit and bask in the presence of my beautiful wife.¡±


    ¡°A few minutes wouldn¡¯t hurt.¡± She said shrugging her shoulders and taking a seat besides me to enjoy the breakfast she had made. Her beauty was striking. Luscious brown hair that rolled down her back and a well-tanned complexion covered her curved body. Both felt like the fine silk they appeared to be, yet no matter how much I felt I always longed for my hands to repeat their motions. It was in early winter that I truly held the warm silk in my grasp. The snow falling outside pushed us together that moonless night and it was unlike any of the other times before. Laying there in each other¡¯s arms, I was lost in her dark eyes. I can never forget her black eyes. Many find black to be a dull color, but her eyes strayed far from that path. They were fill with much more life then the next thousand pairs I would see. Her passion, love, and joy were overflowing every time I gazed upon them and I couldn¡¯t help but grin.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    ¡°Must you leave?¡± She asked. ¡°Why can¡¯t the company send someone else abroad?¡±


    ¡°They could¡¯ve but I was Alan¡¯s first pick.¡±


    ¡°What about me? What of your child?¡±


    ¡°You two are why I took the job. The bonus I¡¯m getting from it is all for you and him.¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re actually a her. I¡¯m sure I told you before James.¡±


    ¡°Yes, quite right. I can be forgetful at times.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m very much aware dear, but I love you regardless.¡± She assured me with a kiss. ¡°Now did you pack enough socks?¡±


    ¡°Is none enough?¡±


    She sighed before leaving towards the bedroom. I¡¯m still surprised she married a forgetful simpleton like me. That she even allowed me to propose when I did amazes me. When was that again?

 Chapter 2

    ¡°Alan could you repeat that? I couldn¡¯t hear you over the passengers two rows back.¡±


    ¡°I said when we get there look for a man named Kotaro. He¡¯ll be holding a sign with the company name.¡±


    ¡°Must be difficult being the son of the CEO.¡±


    ¡°It can be at times, but it does come with perks. One of those being getting to go to Japan with my best friend. It¡¯ll be just like when we came during college. Well not quite. Will have more than one pair of clothes and be staying in a hotel instead of wherever would take us. Good times regardless. Remember that time you walked into the wrong the bathroom and came running out with an old woman chasing you?¡±


    ¡°Can¡¯t say I do.¡±


    ¡°I do hope your Japanese has improved since the last time even if your memory hasn¡¯t.¡±This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    ¡°I¡¯ll have you know I took Japanese in college and passed the langue proficiency test with flying colors.¡±


    ¡°Because I helped you cheat on it.¡±


    ¡°Out of the kindness of your heart.¡±


    ¡°No because you said if I didn¡¯t you would tell my girlfriend at the time, I was cheating on her. She found out a few weeks later anyways. Let that be a lesson for you. Never leave your phone unlocked when your woman is around.¡±


    ¡°Or don¡¯t cheat on them.¡± I suggested.


    ¡°Impossible. No man can say they¡¯ve never at least tried to.¡±


    ¡°I haven¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°That tells me one of two things James. One being you¡¯re not a man or two, which is far more likely knowing you, you forgot about it. For any other man to forget would mean they had a horrible time, but in your case I¡¯m not sure.¡±


    ¡°I may be forgetful¡­¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s put it like this. If your head wasn¡¯t screwed on you would¡¯ve lost it by now. But please continue your thought.¡± Said Alan interrupting me.


    ¡°It¡¯s nothing.¡± I sighed before looking out the window and thinking ¡°I wonder if she¡¯s still here.¡± As Sapporo lit up below as the sun set on the horizon.

 Chapter 3

    ¡°Do you see Kotaro yet?¡± Asked Alan as we stood back to back searching the crowds.


    ¡°Not yet. I can barely see anyone in this sea of people.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a bit ironic isn¡¯t it?¡±


    ¡°I suppose it is.¡±


    ¡°I think I see him.¡±


    ¡°Where?¡± I asked looking over his shoulder. ¡°I don¡¯t see him.¡±


    ¡°By the vending machine. To the left of the restrooms.¡± Alan pointed out.


    It took me a moment, but I finally saw Kotaro holding the sign reading Dyson Electric. Suitcases in hand, we assimilated into the columns of busy bodies until emerging on the other side before Kotaro.


    ¡°Welcome to Sapporo Mr. Dyson. I hope the flight was well for you and your companion.¡± Kotaro spoke with a broken accent before bowing.Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.


    Alan reciprocated the bow before stating ¡°The flight was well my friend, but please allow me to introduce you to my companion James.¡±


    Kotaro bowed to me and I quickly bowed back unsure of how far I should bend. After he led us outside and flagged a cab. The three of us crammed into the back seats and Kotaro told the driver our destination. With Kotaro and Alan talking in Japanese, most likely about the company, I found myself looking out the window at the city around me. Seeing the lights of the city from above hardly compared to being in their glow at the beginnings of night. Yet even with the moon above the city seemed as alive as day. People filled the sidewalks and cars plowed the streets. Coming to a red at an intersection I found my eyes upon a woman in front of a bakery.


    Her hair was shortly cut and painted in the blackest hue. Her skin showed youth and beauty through its radiant texture of pale snow that brought with it a sense of nostalgia. This nostalgia ignored my flesh and bone piercing straight through my heart. Only when she turned towards me and I saw her deep blue eyes did I know why I felt this longing. I wanted to get out of the car, to hold her, and talk to her one more time, but the cab drove on. She faded into the night as I watched through the back window. Turning towards the front my vision throbbed with the rapid beat of my heart. It was for the best I wanted to say, but my heart held my throat.

 Chapter 4

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong champ?¡± Asked Alan as he laid across one of the hotel beds. ¡°You¡¯ve been so glum chum.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not glum and nothing¡¯s wrong.¡± I told him as I typed away at the laptop.


    ¡°If that¡¯s true then let¡¯s go have a drink. Just like we always do.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t drink, and you know that.¡±


    ¡°Why is that?¡±


    ¡°Veronica doesn¡¯t like it when I drink. Regardless, I¡¯m not interested.¡± I enforced while I delved deeper into my work.


    ¡°All I¡¯m hearing are clicks and dancing fingers. What are you doing over there?¡±


    ¡°Just work. The reason we¡¯re here after all.¡±


    ¡°That can wait for the morning. Let¡¯s get out of this stuffy room and hit the streets.¡±


    ¡°Why must you be so insistent on my going with you?¡± I asked turning the office chair towards Alan.


    ¡°Besides not wanting to be alone I thought you might know some interesting places around.¡±Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work!


    ¡°Why would you think that? I don¡¯t live here.¡±


    ¡°True but you¡¯ve been going out every night since we got here. You wouldn¡¯t have gone out for two weeks straight if there wasn¡¯t anything interesting going on. So, tell me what you¡¯ve found. What¡¯s the name of the place or, may it be, the girl?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve found no one and nothing.¡±


    ¡°I get it. You want to keep it on the down low. Make sure the wife doesn¡¯t find out. You¡¯ll loosen up about it one day and when you do, I hope I¡¯ll be the first you tell.¡±


    ¡°I need some fresh air.¡± I said getting up and heading to the door.


    ¡°Then why don¡¯t we enjoy the air together?¡± Alan suggested.


    ¡°No.¡± I said before closing the door behind me.


    Walking the street, I found the air to much colder than the previous nights. For mid-June it seemed supernatural to see my exhaled breaths before my eyes. Not like they looked long enough to question what they saw. They busied themselves darting back and forth as they scanned the people around me. Set on finding the beauty with the blue eyes. Walking all the way to the bakery on the corner I waited. I never once caught sight of her and as I prepared to head back, as the dates changed, my eyes rested upon her.


    ¡°Lexi!¡± I called across the intersection, but she didn¡¯t hear. Slamming the button, I waited shaking in my shoes until the light changed and I ran across yelling ¡°Lexi!¡± She didn¡¯t hear me. Chasing after her through side streets and alleys it seemed I was chasing a ghost that always lingered but never touched. Even if that were true something inside me wouldn¡¯t rest till, I had her touch. I continued as I had until she stopped in front of that same corner bakery. Alone she stood in a still night, that held no sound besides the steps of my feet, as she turned to me.


    ¡°It¡¯s been awhile James. I¡¯ve longed for you for such time.¡± She uttered with a voice the scarred the night and all nights to come.

 Chapter 5

    ¡°What brings you here James? I don¡¯t believe it was the Sapporo night life.¡± Lexi asked with a sip of her coffee.


    ¡°I¡¯m here for work. I¡¯m staying for a month at the hotel just down the street.¡±


    ¡°I see but that doesn¡¯t explain what you were doing out so late chasing a girl down alleys and streets.¡± Her blue eyes glided towards the window and looked outside at the still barren intersection. ¡°You scared me you know?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I didn¡¯t mean to, but I wanted to see you again.¡±


    ¡°And why¡¯s that?¡± Setting her cup down it echoed through the empty bakery.


    ¡°It¡¯s obvious isn¡¯t it? I haven¡¯t seen you in years. All I¡¯ve heard from you are letters and that last one of those I received was my senior year of college. I couldn¡¯t write back because you never gave a return address.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t? It must¡¯ve slipped my mind.¡± She whispered swirling her coffee slowly with a spoon. ¡°Do you want it now?¡±


    ¡°No, it¡¯s fine.¡±


    ¡°I see that ring on your finger. Was it someone I knew?¡± She asked grabbing my hand in hers.


    ¡°I met her in college.¡±


    ¡°And does she know who I am and that you¡¯re with me now?¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I won¡¯t tell her a single thing.¡± She assured rubbing my hand softly.


    ¡°I don¡¯t intend to keep this secret from her. I¡¯ll tell her when I get back. How I found an old friend in my travels.¡± I said pulling my hand from hers.If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.


    ¡°You mean lover, don¡¯t you? Or have you already forgotten about me?¡± She grasped my hand again and pulled it against her breast.


    ¡°That doesn¡¯t matter. It has faded to the past, but our friendship stays.¡±


    ¡°Friends you say. Okay James friends will be. Even if it disappoints you.¡±


    My eyes looked towards her.


    ¡°I can already see it in those brown eyes of yours. They are filling with disappointment at this very moment which means your heart must be showered with it. You wouldn¡¯t be satisfied with just being friends and why should you?¡± She told me as she got up and slid into my booth before whispering in my ear. ¡°When we can be lovers instead. Just two old lovers restoring a flame that never died.¡± She pressed her body against me, and I seemed to melt into her.


    It wouldn¡¯t hurt anyone. Veronica wouldn¡¯t know. No one would know besides Lexi and myself. Surely a night together wouldn¡¯t be the end of the world. Just one night together¡­NO I shouldn¡¯t.


    ¡°It¡¯s getting late. I should get back to the room before Alan worries about me.¡±


    ¡°Won¡¯t you walk me to the train station before you go? The night is dark and full of terrors.¡±


    She was right. Plus, it would be rude not to and before I knew I found her arm wrapped around mine all the way to the station. Up close I could see that her beauty from our high school days hadn¡¯t faded. Quite the opposite. It seemed that our time apart had only grown her to be more stunning. I hadn¡¯t known soft tell I felt her hands and arms against me. They made Veronica seem of wool with the way they glided across me. She was truly of silk.


    ¡°Thank you for walking me James.¡±


    ¡°It was no problem at all. For a friend I would do anything.¡±


    There she was leaving my life once again, as I felt my heart beat like a drum, before she turned back and asked.


    ¡°You said you were staying for a month?¡±


    ¡°I only have two weeks left.¡±


    ¡°Would a ¡®friend¡¯ be able to show you around in the time you have left?¡±


    ¡°There is no problem with that. Should we meet in front of the bakery again?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I do enjoy that bakery, but what day would work for you? I wish not to be in a rush so that we may take as long as we need.¡±


    ¡°If I finish my work this week the next should be free. How about the last Saturday?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d much rather the Monday before. In case you wish for more time. There¡¯s soo much to see after all.¡±


    ¡°Then Monday at noon?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a date. I¡¯ll see you then James.¡± She said with words that held in my ears.

 Chapter 6

    ¡°I can¡¯t believe that meeting lasted all night. Please tell me that was the last one we have to attend?¡± I asked Alan as he fell into his bed.


    ¡°Yes, thank god.¡±


    ¡°Good.¡± I yawned. ¡°You get all the files I sent you?¡±


    ¡°I did but you know you had all this week to do them too. Our flight isn¡¯t till Sunday.¡±


    ¡°I wanted to get done. I¡¯ll see you later.¡± I told him has I threw on a new shirt.


    ¡°Where are you going? You hardly slept since we got here, and you just sat through an all-night meeting. Give yourself a rest.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll be fine.¡± I said heading to the bakery. A short walk later and I found Lexi standing out front in a white mini dress with a floral pattern across it and topped with a straw sun hat.


    ¡°You shouldn¡¯t keep a girl waiting.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s twelve.¡±


    ¡°What is time anyways? The difference between years and hours?¡± She asked. ¡°Regardless, let¡¯s not dally. There¡¯s so much I want to show you.¡± Wrapping her arms around mine she dragged me deep into the city.


    The afternoon flew by as I toured the city with her as my guide. I was awfully tired, but every time I looked at her, I was rejuvenated just enough to continue. From one side of the city to the other we went, never seeing anyone, until the sun began to set. We were sitting on bench upon a lonely shoreline enjoying ice cream as the sun begin to set. It was a dying sun that reflected on the water¡¯s dark surface. The water remined me of her eyes in a way. A dark blue that surrounded a bright center and looking at her I saw just that. Yawning I felt my eyelids beginning to droop.The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.


    ¡°That was a lot of fun. Thanks for showing me around.¡±


    ¡°Your welcome, but that was only the surface of what to see. We can go again and again. All week if you would like. I could never tire with you around.¡± She suggested sliding towards me. ¡°Why not give me your number sleepy and we can plan tomorrow when you get a night¡¯s sleep?¡±


    ¡°Shall I walk you to the station before I go?¡±


    She held her breath for a moment before answering in my ear ¡°I would very much like that.¡±


    Taking my hand, I walked her to the nearest station. I intended this to be our last meeting.


    ¡°May I show you one more thing before we part?¡±


    ¡°What might it be? Couldn¡¯t it wait for another day?¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t tell you or it will ruin the surprise. Besides it¡¯s only a short train ride away and, would you look at that, we¡¯re already at the station.¡±


    I was hardly staying awake at this point, but her offer was irresistible.


    ¡°Sure. I won¡¯t know if I¡¯ll ever be back here again. Might as well.¡± I told her as she led me into the station and onto a desolate train. For no one to be on the train, even if it was late, left me with a strange feeling. Sitting in the aisle seat and with Lexi at the window I waited for the train to fill with at least another soul, but it never did. I couldn¡¯t see out the window and was left gazing up and down the aisle at empty seats until I asked Lexi. ¡°I thought it was a short ride? How far are we going?¡±


    ¡°You had much more patience before James. The train only left the station two minutes ago.¡±


    ¡°Two minutes? It¡¯s felt like an hour at least.¡±


    ¡°You poor dear. They work you to hard. Why not take a nap until we arrive? You can use my lap as a pillow. I don¡¯t mind one bit.¡±


    ¡°No, I¡¯ll be¡± I didn¡¯t get to finish my sentence as Lexi shushed me and lowered my head onto her. It felt like I had landed on a cloud.


    ¡°You are already looking much better. Please stay as long as you need. I¡¯ll wake you when we get there. It shouldn¡¯t be long now.¡± As she stroked my head.


    I wanted to pull myself away, yet I didn¡¯t. It was the most peace, warmth, and home I had ever known. All from her my first love.

 Chapter 7

    The train could be heard clinking under me between breaths as I laid awake with my eyes closed. Where I was didn¡¯t matter. The comfort I had wasn¡¯t worth losing as a hand brushed against my cheek.


    ¡°I know your awake and enjoying yourself. Stay there a little longer. Our destination is still twenty minutes away.¡± Came Lexi¡¯s voice from above as her delicate hands massaged my face. Such fine fingers she had as I held them against me, guiding them towards my neck. It was quite stiff from laying here, but she made it all go away. ¡°Time to get up.¡± Whispered her voice.


    ¡°How long was I asleep?¡± I asked as a hand intertwined with mine.


    ¡°You slept as long as you needed. You¡¯ve been staying up late for me, haven¡¯t you? Now I¡¯ll return the favor tonight. Will be up till the moon leads the day.¡± Nestling her head into my chest I knew she was digging to my heart.


    ¡°Where are we?¡± I asked as I moved past her back to our seats.


    ¡°About a hundred and sixty miles north of Sapporo.¡± She replied standing much to close.


    ¡°Why?¡± As my arm rubbed against hers.


    ¡°Why what?¡±


    ¡°Why did you bring me this far away? What if I still had work to do?¡± My tone let loose the anger that had boiled over.


    ¡°Do you?¡±


    ¡°No but¡± I uttered before being outspoken.


    ¡°I¡¯ve never brought anyone, woman or man, here before. It¡¯s always been a room for one when I come. The beauty of mountains and ocean are truly captured with this ryokan nestled between them. I only hoped to share that experience with someone else for once. To share it with you.¡±


    I didn¡¯t say anything, but I followed her off the train and onto what barely could be called a train stop.


    She led me through a seaside village she was familiar with. We seemed like ghosts, however. All the lights were out and nothing but our walking feet, steady breathing, and my beating heart could be heard as they echoed off the peaking mountains that surround us on two sides. It soon grew to three as the inn Lexi praised laid atop a hill upon the foaming sea with the mountains clinging to every other side. A place nearly severed from this world but clinging on still by a single worn path that twisted and curved by the rugged peaks that laid on stone thrones. We walked that abandoned path to the inn and I discovered reservations had already been made as an elderly woman, of nothing but bones, called ¡°A room for two facing the sea just as requested¡± as we were shown towards it. But as I went to go in, I felt skeletal fingers behind a tissue as they clung on my cheek and seemed to tear my flesh.Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    ¡°A bit of lipstick dearie.¡± The elderly lady said as she left laughing to herself.


    Inside I found two robes laid out for Lexi and myself. I was going to put one on when I was stopped by a silk hand.


    ¡°Now¡¯s not the time for a yukata. I don¡¯t wish to dirty it as I show you the peaks.¡±


    ¡°All we can see is the sea from here and even that can¡¯t be seen well in the moonlight. We should wait till the morning.¡± I said looking out the window at the boiling waves and at my cheek, in the reflection, that still had remains of lipstick.


    ¡°Don¡¯t play around James. I know you came for something besides mountains. I should say someone really. I¡¯m untouched you know. I¡¯ve refused all men because I¡¯m only for you.¡± I heard a dress float to the floor like a feather and I saw in the window¡¯s reflection Lexi¡¯s bare body.


    I can¡¯t allow myself to go through with this. Does marriage and loyalty mean nothing in this world? I thought as I looked at my wedding ring.


    My eyes focused on hers in the window. They still held deep blue in them, but they were different from before. The blue before held life and joy or at least I believed they did. For now, they held nothing. A nothing that scared me.


    ¡°Lexi I¡¯m not playing this game with you anymore.¡±


    ¡°You say that but you¡¯re still here.¡± Her reflection nimbled towards me. ¡°Do you speak truthfully or do only lies leave you?¡±


    ¡°I never lie. I¡¯m heading back to the station.¡± But her hand caught mine and I hadn¡¯t the will to pull away. Why couldn¡¯t I?


    ¡°You don¡¯t pull away? You¡¯re much stronger then I, yet here I am keeping you or do you stay because you long for that which we never shared. A night.¡±


    ¡°I shouldn¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s only a night. Who would a night together harm anyhow? Only you and I would know.¡± She spoke into my ear softly with a voice that seemed to tread on clouds themselves.


    ¡°But it¡¯s wrong.¡±


    ¡°What you¡¯re trying to do is wrong. Your deepest desires shouldn¡¯t be locked away. Throw yourself onto me. I¡¯m open to you. I know it¡¯s what you seek, and you know that you¡¯ll never be satisfied otherwise.¡± As she unbuckled my pants.


    ¡°I can¡¯t fall to your seduction. You¡¯re a temptress!¡± I pulled away with what resistance I could muster.


    ¡°You must remember the sweeter names you called me before. One and only, sweetie pie, lovely, darling, Lexu, but to call me temptress is wrong. If I recall correctly, and I do, you were the one who approached me. Myself out of all the two-million inhabitants of that city was hand selected by you¡­you didn¡¯t have to you know? You could¡¯ve as easily went on your marry way, but you want me no matter how often you tell yourself you don¡¯t¡± She said pressing her body against mine as my hands felt every inch and crevice of her. Pushing her to the laid-out mats I shuffled towards the door and held the handle in my hand.

 Chapter 8

    ¡°Mama mama papa¡¯s home!¡± My daughter yelled as I swung her in my arms.


    ¡°James why didn¡¯t you call? I would¡¯ve made you something for dinner. I swear if you¡¯re going to be disappearing two months of the year you can at least tell us if you¡¯ll be back early.¡± She said kissing me.


    ¡°I wanted to surprise you both. Alan finished his work early so we got the first flight we could. Do I smell a pie?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s mine papa. Mama¡¯s showing me how to make one just like hers. It¡¯s apple pie.¡±


    ¡°Apple pie? I love apple pie. Why don¡¯t you and mama put the finishing touches and will eat it together once I put my suitcase away.¡± I said kissing her and Veronica before going to the bedroom with my suitcase.Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    Putting it on the bed I unpacked what little clothes I brought and the souvenir I bought for my girls. A jade necklace for Veronica and a handstitched doll for Jane. In the bathroom I began to wash my hands when Veronica walked in on me.


    ¡°Pie¡¯s ready James.¡± She said before her eyes turned furious. ¡°Whose lipstick is that James?¡± She questioned.


    Looking in the mirror I saw my cheek was stained. ¡°It must be yours dear. Just a little while ago you gave me a big smooch remember?¡±


    ¡°I did, didn¡¯t I? To think I was getting jealous of myself.¡± She laughed after a moment¡¯s thought.


    I laughed too. ¡°I¡¯d never do that to you dear. Just allow me to wrap of my business in here and I¡¯ll be right out to try that delicious smelling pie.¡±


    Veronica left the room giggling as I turned towards the mirror, with a towel in my hand, and stared at where a pair of lips had marked me before gently wiping them away with a smile.