ACT 5

YOU LIED TO ME

The drive from Nathan’s flat to the Eureka Tower took at least ten minutes, more if the traffic was heavy. Nathan did it in seven. On the way he called Cassie from the car to say he was on his way over. He didn’t ask if he could come, he just told her. Cassie could detect from his voice that something was wrong but did not ask.

She let him into the car park and Nathan stood in the lift lobby repeatedly jabbing at the ‘up’ button until the lift arrived.

Cassie opened the door as soon as he knocked.

‘You lied to me, you lied to me all along.’ He spat the words out at her. ‘Bitch, bloody prostitute bitch.’

Cassie looked as if she had been slapped.

‘Sit down Nathan. Tell me what this is about.’

‘I won’t sit down,’ he replied and started pacing around her lounge room.

‘Nathan. What on earth is going on? I’ve never seen you like this, please, calm down, talk to me.’

‘Sylvia came to see me this morning,’ he said.

He headed for the bar and poured himself half a glass of scotch. He did not offer Cassie one. He then sat down, drank the scotch in two long gulps. Cassie’s eyes were welling up with tears. She began to sob quietly. She sat opposite Nathan, tried to take his hand but he pushed her away.

‘I’ve been meaning to tell you for weeks. I was scared. I didn’t want to spoil what we have.’

‘What we have?’ Nathan’s voice became louder.

‘Tell me Cassie, just what do we have? You were paid to fuck me. Just like all those other men paid you. Although this time it was a woman who paid. My wife, with my money.’

‘That was over two months ago Nathan, I admit it. At first it was just another job. A little kinky, I thought at the time but just a job. Yes, I was paid, but only the once. The last two months we have been together had nothing to do with that.’

‘How do I know that? How do I know that Sylvia has not been paying you all along? I wouldn’t put it past that bitch. And using my money.’

‘You’re angry Nathan. I understand that. But I think you do know. It was just that one time. I swear, you have to believe me.’

The half glass of scotch on an empty stomach was beginning to have its effect and Nathan calmed down. He was still trying to process the whole thing. And then he welled up and a moment later they were both crying. Cassie moved next to Nathan and put her arms around him. He did not push her away. Her tears streaked her eye makeup and small, black rivulets were flowing down her cheeks. She made no attempt to wipe them but kept her arms tightly around Nathan.

‘I love you,’ she whispered in his ear. ‘I think I began to love you even on that first night. That first night when I was getting paid. I just didn’t know it then. Didn’t plan for it. Didn’t expect it. I know what you must think of me but I can’t undo what I did. Is there any way you could put that first night out of your mind and focus on the last two months? I don’t mean right now. But some time soon.’

No reply. Cassie was holding Nathan as tightly as she could as if this would physically transmit her love to him. Nathan stopped crying but still did not speak. Cassie remained silent too. They sat like that for the next ten minutes, Cassie holding him tightly and Nathan staring into space, mute.

Eventually Nathan pulled her arms away from him. He did this gently. He turned to face Cassie.

‘I don’t know what to think Cassie. I want to believe you. I desperately want to but I can’t think clearly and the scotch isn’t helping. Do you mind if I lie down on your bed for a few minutes?’

‘Not at all, go on, you know where it is. I’ll be here waiting.’

Nathan emerged an hour later, bleary eyed and groggy. Cassie was sitting on the couch in exactly the same spot as she had been when he had left. Nathan sat opposite her.

‘I think I should go home but I don’t think I’m in a fit state to drive. Is it okay if I leave my car here and call a taxi?’

‘Stay.’

‘I think it’s better if I leave.’

‘Stay, please. I’ll make us some lunch. You look a wreck Nathan. I know you haven’t eaten today. Let me make you an omelette. You like my omelettes.’

‘Okay, I’ll stay,’ he said wearily. ‘I haven’t got the energy to argue.’ And with that he lay down on the couch and closed his eyes.

Cassie went to the kitchen where she took out the ingredients for the omelette. Nathan liked it with ham, cheese and mushrooms. She turned on the coffee machine and busied herself for the next twenty minutes or so preparing lunch.

She came back into the lounge room carrying the tray laden with two plates, an omelette on each and two cups of coffee and assorted cutlery. Nathan sat up as Cassie put the tray down on the coffee table and sat opposite Nathan on the other couch.

‘Smells great,’ he said. ‘And coffee too, I need it.’

They both ate in silence. Nathan polished off his omelette, Cassie left half of hers. They both drank their coffee and Cassie took the tray back to the kitchen. She returned to the lounge room to find Nathan sitting on the couch staring straight ahead.

‘Feeling better?’ she asked.

‘Yes, I am actually. Thanks Cassie.’

‘Is it okay if I give you a kiss?’

Nathan stared at her and then smiled.

‘You have my permission to do so, Cassandra.’

Cassie moved over and sat next to him on the couch. She started with a peck on the cheek and then another and another and before long they were both lying on the couch, kissing, hugging and crying.

‘I love you’ they said in unison.