“Don’t lie to me, I know you like me.” Gaston raised his eyebrow defiantly. He could not be faulted for his lack of self-confidence. And this time, he was convinced that Aphro liked him more than she verbally showed. “And I? I cannot fall in love with you.” He chuckled. “The reason behind our meetings is…” Gaston could not explain it in words. He preferred to act than to speak.
And so he did this time.
Leaving a brief harsh kiss on her lips, he thought that was enough of an answer. It was an intimacy they often indulged in, but, unlike those fairy-tale kisses, theirs were devoid of what usually defined them - love. They had heat, almost electric voltage, and lust, but… they weren’t real. They lied into their eyes, pretending to be something that was not given them to be. Though Gaston knew love wasn’t their fundament… in nature, he couldn’t be sure of it. After all, he has never experienced the kiss of true, vital love that exists spontaneously and never dies completely. A kiss that every princess desires, chasing frogs, jumping around the pond. A kiss that he didn’t know existed and that he didn’t believe existed.
Will he ever start to think it’s real? Well… only the future will show.
“Are you crazy, Aphro?” Gaston broke free from her embrace. “Belle can’t find out about us, do you understand?” If I stayed here, what would I tell her?" He turned his back to her and headed for her bedroom door. “You don’t have to give me a lift.” She was acting weird, and Gaston was starting to dislike it. He didn’t mind the attention, but Aphro began to freak out a little. “I’ve stayed long enough. Longer than usual. I have to go." He addressed her firmly. “Goodbye, Aphro. We’ll probably meet next week.” And he left without adding anything else.
It was awfully late - 11pm. D*mn it.
Belle would suspect something. Gaston was sure of it.
He had to hide all traces. Have a credible alibi. And there was only one person who could provide it for him.
LeFou, if Belle had asked, we were together.
Realizing how weird that may sound without context, he quickly added to clarify:
In the tavern.
He removed both of the messages to not leave any traces behind.
LeFou was the only person who knew about Gaston’s secret endeavors. After all, the man liked to brag about his mistresses. The past ones, the ones he had now… and even the ones he would like to court in the future. He couldn’t possibly talk about it with his wife for known reasons… so LeFou was the only person left.
And Gaston was sure, that his best friend would never rat him out.
Never.
“Belle, I’m back!” he sounded as if nothing had happened, as if he hadn’t done anything wrong. He has always liked to make people aware of his presence. Gaston left his jacket on the hanger and headed for their bedroom. “You must have missed your husband terribly, Belle.”
