Rendezvous Below the Waves

"You're sure about this?" Ben asked me, his hands shaking so much that I could barely see the glint of light from the ring he held.

My heart sank to the pit of my stomach. I couldn't tell him now of all times.

"Of course," I replied, "I've never been more sure of anything in my life."

"Chloe, are you listening to me? We need to think this through. This isn't something you can take back."

"I know Ben. It's not like when my parents got married and forgot about their vows. We're not going to be the next Kim and Kanye."

Ben let out a laugh. Soon after, tears began streaming down his face. He placed his large hand on my cheek and wiped away his tears with his thumb. His eyes were still red and puffy, but the smile on his face was beautiful. "Oh Chloe, you have no idea what this means to me," he said as he clutched me tightly in his arms and kissed me passionately on the lips.

We had been together for close to a year now and we hadn't told anyone about our relationship. The future was still reeling from the scandals that came out following the President's divorce from his wife over accusations of an affair with a member of his security detail. The country was still divided over whether or not it was appropriate for the First Lady to retire from public life in order to pursue her own career as a writer or if she should be condemned for her lack of respect for the institution of marriage by staying at her husband's side while he became embroiled in scandal after scandal during the first term of his presidency. It was clear that everyone wanted us to keep our distance now more than ever before, but that wasn't going to stop us from being together.

* * *

We kissed for what seemed like hours until Ben finally broke off our embrace and gave me a sly little grin. "How about we go celebrate at that new restaurant down by Lake Michigan?" he asked as he twirled a lock of my hair around his finger slowly and seductively. "I hear they have a pretty good view."

* * *

"Have you heard from him?" I whispered into my phone as I sat at a table overlooking Lake Michigan alone with just my thoughts for company. It had been exactly a month since Ben proposed and his absence made it impossible for me to ignore how empty my life felt without him. Despite our best efforts to maintain secrecy, there had been rumors among some of our coworkers regarding Ben's desire to quit his job at SONNET and move in with me the day after we were married. A few even went so far as to mention how they had seen us together kissing at one point or another during our time working together at SONNET which resulted in intense speculation and gossip among many of those who knew us both personally and professionally. As far as I knew though, nobody had any direct proof that there was anything more between us than friendship until Ben's sudden absence left many speculating that he had been sent away somewhere across the country by SONNET headquarters following some kind of internal investigation or disciplinary action against him for some violation or other involving his personal affairs with me or someone else in the facility.

* * *

"It's...it's complicated," Ben replied when I called him earlier today hoping for some news about why he hadn't returned home yet after disappearing suddenly three days ago without even so much as an explanation as to where he went or when he'd be back. I could hardly hear him over the sound of laughter and loud music playing in the bar where he was currently located, waiting tables somewhere in downtown Chicago according to Google Maps which showed Ben on camera right outside a place called "The Hole In The Wall". My heart raced every time I zoomed in on him on camera and tried desperately not to stare too intently so as not to get caught by one of the bouncers who walked past occasionally. I wondered how long it would be until we could be together again, without the uncertainties and complications that seemingly followed us at every turn.

* * *

"You look beautiful tonight," Ben said as we sat facing each other across from one another at our table overlooking Lake Michigan, with the Chicago skyline lit up against the backdrop of the night sky above us. The city lights reflected off the water below, making it seem like we were sitting on top of a starry sky miles above the Earth instead, enveloped by the vastness and beauty of it all. We were surrounded by darkness, save for the occasional flashes of light here and there. We were drawn to each other, navigating the turbulent waters of life together, guided by a love that was unyielding and powerful in its ability to connect us despite the challenges we faced.