There was a faint scent of cinnamon and roasted chicken lingering in the apartment.

Lukas was in the kitchen preparing the dinner, and Lynda slightly opened the iron kitchen door, a gaze of surprises in her face

“No, not at all, I am to prepare the meals for you” Lynda uttered in bewilderment, her countenance bright and radiating, but Lukas insisted, weaving off every offer Lynda has made to take over the kitchen for the preparation of the dinner.

“Just, don’t disturb yourself, sit and relax”, he told her, smiling as he gently lead her out of the kitchen

“You are always the one doing everything. Tonight it is my turn.”

She chuckled as she sprawled on the sofa. Lazily flipping through a glossy magazine she had picked up earlier that afternoon. The front page featured a woman putting on an alluring and expensive diamond necklace, dressed in a revealing gold braided gown. Lynda’s finger lingered on the image as she daydreamed about what it would be like to wear that heavy string jewels around her

“Dinner is ready” he called from the dining table, Lynda turned her gaze toward the sound, “come over to the table” Lukas employed, and simultaneously curling his fingers in and out, a sign of invitation.

He set two plate on the table and took a seat directly across from Lynda. The meal was simple, chicken breast, roasted vegetables, and shiny buttered rolls, yet, he placed it down with such pride that Lynda could not help but smile.

“You are spoiling me, you know,” she joked as she slid into a chair

“That is the idea,” he replied, settling across from her. “I just want you to feel cared for. Always.”

They ate slowly, conversing in a soft pleasant tone. Lukas asked her about her day with calm attentiveness. She shared details about the boutiques she had visited, and how she observed other women stepping out of sleek black cars, their heels resonating in the marble lobby,

“One day” she said with a touch of longing, “I want to be part of all that. Charity events, society parties, art show openings”

Lukas just nodded, thoughtful. “If that is what you want, we will get there”

There is no seriousness in his voice as he speaks, to him even if it takes a decade for it to happen or it does not at all, his seems to be contented

Lynda was still for some moment, repeatedly moving her fork above the plate, as she gave out a black smile, just to cover up her frustrations and anger to that statement

Immediately as the dinner was over, Lukas held her hand and lead her into the living room, the lights was glowing very low, creating a soft amber glow through the walls. He brought out an old jazz cassette and tugged it into the DVD player, extending his hands to her “dance with me”?

There was no seriousness in his voice to him it was a mere statement, he is contented with what he has achieved.

Lynda was really hit by his words, she stopped eating, allowing the cutleries to hover over the plate for some time, finally she gave out a soft smile just to cover up her frustrations, even though she was burning with anger and disappointment inside her

As the finished the meal, Lukas drew her into the living room, the illumination was faint, and he turned on the music “Dance with me?”

She snorted. “Here? In the living room?”

“Why not?” he responded

Smiling boyishly, he held her in her two arms, a move almost impossible to resist, she allowed him to draw her in a slow dance, both of them moving gently in the dim light, with his hand running over her back as the dance,

Lukas softly kissed her as the music was fading away, then increased with a deep hunger, until they tumbled together onto the couch, their grin muted between their breaths. He reverently and urgently traced her body, murmuring promises against her skin.

Afterwards Lukas held her close to his chest, firmly gripping her arm like he doesn’t want her to. “You are everything to me,” he whispered. “As long as I have you, I do not need anything else.”

His words did not move her instead it reminded her of her long awaited dreams and his non cooperative attitude towards its realizations. She pressed a kiss to his shoulder, turning her face away so he could not see her real expression. The truth? She wanted more, so much more.

The upper week, some couple of Lukas’s friends were invited to their home for a small get together, Lynda made the tables and dressed the small space in front of their apartment in such an edifying manner

Her dressing was electrifying, a sappier that exposed her beautiful curves, as she moved around, their guests turned their heads toward her, admiring her sense of fashion and her well calculated composure, and Lynda appreciated the admiring glances with faint smiles and brighten countenance. She spoke just right, charming and attentive, the way she had learned when she really wanted people to listen.

Meanwhile Lukas was the happiest of them all, proudly laughing and smiling at every occurrence he poured drinks freely making sure that everybody is satisfied and at home

At one point, she overheard him say to a colleague, “I have never cared for luxury. I just want a simple life, a family, and quiet evenings like this.”

That statement left her in an uneasy state, which can be seen from her face she kept her smile in place all evening, but it stuck in her mind, He just does not get it. He do not crave for what I crave.

When the party was over and all the guest all gone, Lukas held her down on his laps, kissing her playfully on her neck

. “You were amazing tonight. Everyone thought you were great.”

Lynda rested on him, allowing his kisses reach down her checks, his hands rolling over her legs, soon their laughter turned into gasps, teasing turned into urgent need, and they melted into each other all through the night

However as the glued into each other a thought kept arising in her mind, “certainly he loved, Admired, definitely. But only here, only in this small circle. I am meant for more.

A few days later, Amara wandered the city alone. Walking on the pavements of boutiques with designer dresses, eateries full of people laughing, and fixing her gazes on flashy cars that passes by on the road, she was engulfed with the thought of seeing herself have these pleasures and not just looking at them from the outside. Pressing a hand to her chest, she thought of Lukas’s words: You are my whole world. I do not need anything else.

The anger in her mind just grew up, she welcomed his love, his caring and his faithfulness, however inside her she is disturbed that his love will never be enough to satisfy the hunger in her and the type of life she has mapped out for herself.

Rolling back her hair with her hands, she glanced at the high buildings, their sparkling windows, and for a moment she looked into their mirrors and saw her reflection on it, small, somewhat frail, but smouldering with ambition

Then she came to the conclusion that love alone cannot blow off the fire, the hidden desires are coming up now whether she like it or not