I wake up to a loud sigh and the rustling of curtains. I can’t say I’m a light sleeper, but today, even the fall of a feather seems to make me open my heavy, sleepy eyes... and I find Julian’s broad back just right there, on the balcony, with the moonlight illuminating his skin.
Standing up softly, I approach with slow steps, hoping that he will turn and greet me with his usual brilliant smile. But he doesn’t. Julian seems to be absorbed in deep thought, so much so that when I stop at the balcony door, he keeps his eyes downcast.From where I’m standing, I can see that he’s looking at his cell phone, but I don’t know what. Whatever it is, it’s giving him a reflective, strangely introspective expression.A few long moments pass while I’m observing his unshaven face and his eyes that shut a few times with restrained tears.But since he still doesn’t seem to notice me, I approach him even more and call outJulian’s words make me gasp, or maybe it’s the contrast between the heat of his body on my back and the cold of the railing against my belly.But soon, he pushes my hair away, and his lips meet the nape of my neck in a wet, indecent kiss, with his tongue flicking across my skin, making me breathe deeply again.He pulls my robe away with a swift, eager movement, showing off my bare shoulder, and quickly puts an equally seductive kiss there. I tilt my head to the side, and my gesture invites his mouth to my neck.Julian’s tongue slides across my skin, bringing me pleasurable goosebumps. He licks with his whole tongue, slowly, as if savoring my taste... then, his teeth nibble pleasurably, a light nibble that soon turns into a hickey that will surely leave its mark.Moving his hips forward and pressing the exposed erection behind me, he focuses on my shoulders again, trailing slow, wet kisses, sliding the robe down my arms until it exposes my breast
When I finally managed to fall asleep, the sun had already risen. But that was no problem for Julian... as soon as he let go of those bombastic words, he fell into a deep sleep. His strong arm remained on me, holding me in a spoon while his heavy breathing tickled the back of my neck and possibly my chest.I was anxious… my heart was fluttering and uncertain. My father didn’t react in the best possible way to my relationship with Julian, but I can’t blame him for that. In fact, I think he responded better than expected. His cold shoulder to his best friend was understandable... and I confess, I also expected him to resent me.But things have finally started to settle down, I think. Julian and Daddy seem to be on good terms, but I’m scared that the news of my pregnancy will upset this little bit of progress. No, it can end things for good. I’m not going to lie… the thought of it scares me.My father is the only family I have left.
My father somehow looks different tonight. I can see feelings shining in his brown eyes, so similar to mine, and I can swear that it’s slightly wet with tears that he refuses to shed.There’s not a hair out of place in the elegant hairstyle or a wrinkle in the extremely fancy blue suit. Although Dad and Julian have a few billion dollars in assets, they don’t show it off. Of course, there’s no denying that they live comfortably and have an extremely luxurious lifestyle, but beyond what money can buy, Father tries to enjoy the things he wants without prying eyes on what’s in his pockets. And maybe because Julian admires him so much, he also carries this light-hearted personality.That’s why it’s such a surprise to be called into a restaurant like this now. It’s not the first time Dad has taken me to places like this, but every time, it feels like a first. My nerves get rattled, and my legs feel shaky. Even now, I feel a little
Julian tenses up. His breathing becomes heavy, deep, and slow.His family has always been a sensitive and somewhat mysterious topic. We don’t talk about it, and even though I’ve grown interested in the Adams, I haven’t found the perfect moment to ask about it. I know they stopped talking for a while after I arrived in New York, but it was always a mystery why they fought and drifted apart. I thought it was because of his closeness to my father, but I’m not so sure anymore. Some questions have been on my mind for some time, but I try to avoid thinking about them.Now, my father is bringing up the subject in such a serious way that I feel insecure. Julian seems really defensive about such a simple and innocent question, and I confess that it makes me uncomfortable. I know we’ve sworn not to keep secrets from each other, but there still seem to be some truths hidden up our sleeves. I just hope this isn’t some big and scary skeleton in the c
“Which wine should I get? Maybe 2015 to prove my point? Or maybe the best Burgundy I have here? It’s a perfect occasion, after all.” My father says enthusiastically, walking over to the shelves full of expensive wines behind the kitchen island.I run my eyes all over the lounge, observing every detail of the apartment that has been my home for the last few years. And although this is still technically my place, it feels strangely nostalgic to be here. I’ve spent so much time in Julian’s that I really don’t seem to belong in this apartment with my father anymore.My gaze falls on Julian and Daddy standing together in front of the shelf, choosing the perfect wine for the end of the evening. They’re talking so passionately that I don’t even feel like I’m here. So I take my time to appreciate how they smile at each other, how they are so at ease in each other’s presence. It makes my heart feel at peace. Still, t
Seven years ago, I found out that I’m a father. And I just needed to look at those big brown eyes, her features that reminded me so much of myself — of my family.But the truth is that, for a whole week, I didn’t sleep.Of course, I welcomed Angelee from the first moment. I believed in her and hugged her tightly, but there was a dark side that I didn’t want to acknowledge... I didn’t want to accept this truth.For more than thirty years, my life has been shaped by the wishes of others. My parents, Kristen... It was kind of scary to regain control. Admitting the uncertainties and fears I had at that time sounded like a sin. I didn’t allow myself to understand them.But Angelee’s words today made me realize something... That I am a human, after all.A human that made mistakes and has been blinded for too long.But I never imagined that my guilt was a burden for Angelee. In fact, I never rea
— MICHAEL O’NEIL (POV)[…] 24 years ago.ㅤ“Look at this little beauty!” Jack says with a smile that almost reaches his ears. He pats the hood of the car, his newest toy, as he would say. The yellow of the sunset paints the sky and reflects in the red of the bodywork. “This baby is fast! Faster than anything I’ve ever seen!”I cross my arms, looking at the new car. It’s long, beautiful, sporty, and visibly fast. With a single glance, even a layperson can see that this thing is fast.“Faster than Mike’s car?” Julian asks with a mischievous grin. His loud voice shows that he’s up to something. “I thought Mike’s car was the fastest.”“It is,” I say with a playful tone, winking at the nine-year-old who raises his eyebrows.“I’m telling you, my baby can easily beat Mike’s speed. I mean,
I can’t open my eyes. Every little movement seems to drain all my strength. I want to cry. I’m so desperate, so scared, but I can’t open my eyes.What’s happening?The smell of gasoline is so strong that I’m having trouble breathing. Everything is dark because I can’t open my heavy eyelids. But I can hear it... not very clearly, but it sounds familiar. I know that voice...“Of course, I’m going to get him out of here! Both of you!” Mike says urgently, and I try very hard to react, but... I feel helpless. “But Jack, you, the tree...”“You need to get him out of here NOW.” Wait, brother? His voice sounds so desperate... “Don’t you smell that? The gasoline is leaking, Michael! There’s so much gas escaping from this shit! At any moment, it could explode!”Explode? Gasoline?The words fall slowly into place, and I finally remember how much fun we were