A Kiss Before Goodbye

Maria lay in the king-sized bed, safe in the solitude of her dreams. She shifted slightly, her shape above the silken bedcovers changing strangely. Her hair was a light brown, like her eyes. Her face was petite and delicate, with a small nose and delectable red lips.

The morning awoke her. The soft air of noon drifted through the room. She lay there with her eyes shut. She heard her husband, Alex, quietly open the drapes. She could feel the warm summer sunlight on her face. At a time like this, she was utterly content. Opening her eyes, she sat up on the bed, leaning against the headrest. For a moment the world was a pleasurable blur. It quickly came into focus. She greeted ‘good morning’ to her husband, who now stood motionless, staring at her.

The contentment quickly faded.

“Alex?” she asked in a trembling voice. She pulsed with fear.

“Yes?” he replied.

“You’re in you-” She faltered, swallowing hard, she started again ,“You’re in your working cloths.” She was right. He stood by the door, his black hair neatly brushed. He was wearing a black suit and tie.

“Yes.” He said, perfectly calmly.

He strode over to the bedside, his shoes clicking on the hardwood floor, pulling up a wooden chair the dresser; he took a seat by his wife. Maria recoiled slightly. She couldn’t run, she knew that, she couldn’t hide either, and she definitely couldn’t fight him off. There was no way out. Beads of sweat trickled down her forehead, burning a cool path in her senses.

He sighed. Looking at Maria with empty eyes, he said, “A contract’s a contract, darling.”

“I-I know, but-”, Alex interrupted her, placing a gloved finger on her lips. He shushed her soothingly.

“Don’t worry about it, darling. It doesn’t hurt” He reached to his left hand, and carefully removed the glove. On his finger was his wedding ring. A symbol of devotion and ever-lasting love, apparently, Alex ignored these things. He slid the gold ring from his finger, and placed it carefully on the lamp stand by the bed. After returning the glove to his hand, he reached inside his blazer and produced a gun. Maria had no idea what kind. That was her husband’s area. On it’s end, Alex has tightly secured a silencer.

Maria’s chin began to tremble. He had betrayed her utterly. Tears began to roll down her cheeks, leaving red streaks. “Please, Alex, don’t”. He shushed her again. It was pointless, she knew, she could not dissuade him from the task at hand. Alex was a perfectionist. Never go back on a deal. Never betray a client. No women, no children. And always finish the job. Maria had never looked much into his line of work. Of course, she knew what his job was, she had known since before they had married. It had never mattered much, until now.

She didn’t want to appear weak. She couldn’t leave herself vulnerable, she had to be strong.
“At least tell me who hired you.” She asked, she was trembling violently now. She forced herself not to scream. For the first time in long time, she looked her spouse in the eyes. Those eyes showed no emotion, no remorse or guilt, he honestly didn’t care if Maria lived or died.

“Oh, my love, you know I can’t do that. It’s against my rules.” He replied.

“Fuck your rules Alex!” She screamed. “I’m your wife”, she whispered, trying to fight back to tears.

Alex held the gun up to the sunlight, turning it. Seemingly satisfied, he pressed the barrel against his wife’s forehead.

Maria was weeping bitterly now. She was shaking and quietly begging him not to do this. Shaking her head, she told him she loved him in an attempt to stop the inevitable.

Her husband leaned in close to her and kissed her delicately on her tear-soaked cheek with a wry grin. It didn’t fit him, it looked false on his stone face.
“Alex,” she said, barely able to speak amidst the tears and fear, “What about ‘no women, no childr-”

Alex pulled the trigger with a click and quiet thump.