a haunting forgetfulness

(The mist and the raven - Bastien Lecouffe Deharme.)

The beginning of his hell...

He sat across from her. He thought he was listening to what she had to say but found his interest being distracted. 
Not difficult. She was beautiful. At first he had not noticed . 
A woman who cared not to make an impression immediate. Hers was one of those subtle games played. A game more dangerous and addictive for it knew to creep up on one without one being aware of it.
She had asked him out for a cup of coffee. He had had the pleasure of her company once before, and it was in passing. They had happened to be at the same function, a work function. She was one of his associates date for the evening. 
What had intrigued him, on that evening, was her ability to be ever present and looming in her attendance, yet, no effort made to be part of any conversation or group of people.
As the evening progressed, he had made a mental note to share a word or two with her but, before he could, she was gone. His associate informed him that a previous engagement called for her to honour it.
Pity. 
Anyway. 
He hoped their paths would cross again. 

It was a surprise when the call came. She spoke to him as if they were long lost friends of some sort. So matter of fact. He didn't even have a chance to refuse her invite. It was more in the line of knowing where his mind was at, and that word or two he wished to have shared with her nearly a week ago, was going to happen now.

"I can imagine you didn't hear a word i have said." he caught her saying, an amused naughty grin on her sensual mouth.
"Sorry. My mind did stray. You were saying...?" slightly embarrassed that she had caught him out.
"I was saying... apart from the that function, have you and i met before? I get the feeling i know you. That is why i asked you out."
She didn't seem the sort to play silly games, so he took her question seriously.
"No... should i know you?"
"I don't know. I thought maybe you could tell me something i may have forgotten."
"Forgotten?" he asked , curiosity beginning to set in. He felt a prickly feeling in the nape of his neck and all of a sudden he had this eerie feeling that he actually may know her.
"Never mind. I suppose i am just being silly!" And from that point on, their visit became light and full of banter. It was a few hours later, before either of them considered to look at their watches. What spurred them to do so, was the quietness of the restaurant, realising they were the last patrons seated.
"My word! I do hope i didn't keep you?" She said " I so enjoyed myself."
"I am not shy to say if i am bored and have to go. "
"I know." she said as the waiter put the bill on the table, aiming to pull it toward herself.
"Now that would be an insult." He said, taking the bill away from her .
She smiled.
"Thank you." And stood up, readying herself to leave.
It struck him as a little rude and strange that she would do that. He handn't even settled the bill as yet.
"You wont mind my hurried departure?" as if reading his mind.
"Not at all." Where-as, in fact, he did.
She swept her coat in her hands and placed her bag over her shoulder and leaned into him, placing the softest of kisses on his lips.

It struck him....he did know her!
And with that she was gone. His heart was clenched in pain as he watched her leave. Those lips, that soft sensual mouth....that scent. 
Could it be...? 
A brief liaison so many years ago....a liaison he nearly broke his marriage for....a liaison he regretted he had not broken his marriage for.
Was it her? 
Intimate images that haunted him for years, all of a sudden came back and he began to gasp for air....(to be continued).

RB.