MICHAELThe day concluded with my satisfaction and Tasha's exhaustion. She drifted off to sleep after I had drained her of her strength.Although the day had its blessings, there was circulating news about Martin Montero's only son entering into another upcoming marriage."You know bringing her here wasn't a smart move," Aaron warned me as we sat at the bar stools. "What kind of job did you tell her again?""A chauffeur," I replied, hearing him scoff."Only people with millions in their pockets can rent a night in this place let alone own a luxury place here. When did you become so stupid?""I wasn't thinking straight," I honestly admitted, taking a shot. "But I don't think she needs to know. I'll avoid the bullets as long as I can.""That's a recipe for suicide," he clicked his tongue. "Once she figures you out, especially that you're getting married, your ass is going to be deep fried."Getting married. Fuck, I am in trouble."Since you agreed to marry Elena, I suggest you stop play
NATASHAUpon awakening, I discovered that Mike had left our bed. He had, however, left a note indicating that he was at the bar. I decided to freshen up and explore this luxurious place.I marveled at how Mike managed to afford such an extravagant location. Everything seemed so expensive.The beach was sparsely populated, likely due to the season."Beautiful," I murmured, my gaze captivated by the horizon.The sun was gently sinking into the ocean, its orange light casting a warm glow on my skin. I could feel the gentle touch of the heat on my skin.After spending several hours inhaling the salty air, I closed my eyes.This was freedom.My parents were not around to dictate my actions or my future. They weren't here to scrutinize my every move and warn me against every decision I made.I was here with someone I trusted.Mike. Although he remained a mystery to me, he made me feel perfect. Was I wrong to think this way? Was I wrong to feel this way?Regardless of where this journey migh
MICHAEL"What?!" I yelled, my frustration reaching its peak as shocking news hit me like a tidal wave."You heard me," Aaron calmly replied. "The woman you slept with wasn't Tasha. She was with me. Should I say that you made her cry," he casually added.I froze, feeling as if my heart was about to give out. "What are you saying?""She stayed at my inn," he answered."She stayed at your place," I repeated through gritted teeth."What, did you expect her to sleep with you when you literally had a woman in that same bed? Man, you're messed up." Point taken, and I was defeated.My headache weighed me down even more. "Damn it, who was that woman? How did she get in here? I thought she was Tasha.""Don't know," Aaron mumbled, his voice tinged with uncertainty.I groaned and pushed the blanket off me, not bothering to cover myself.Aaron cursed under his breath and looked away. "Have some decency, man. There's a woman outside," he scolded."A woman?" I raised an eyebrow as I wore the robe."
NATASHAI still felt the heaviness in my heart when I woke up the next day. Luckily, Aaron was there to comfort me.But what would be even better is if I could get a ride back to my flat."Is he sober now?" I asked Aaron over the phone."Well, I put a pillow on his face. I think he's sober now," he chuckled."Did he...?" Should I ask? No, I shouldn't. I'm just one of Mike's many women. "Can you just tell him that I want to go home?""You know, I'm starting to feel like a messenger or a mailman. Do I look like one to you?" He sounded hurt, but I could tell he was joking."Alright, I'll just ask him myself. But thank you for being here for me," I sincerely said. "You're such a hero.""Don't mention it," he waved it off. "Who am I to leave a pretty young lady alone? Besides, I'd hate to hear that you slept on the beach and got taken by Aquaman.""You're silly," I giggled as I started to walk outside the inn.I clutched the cardigan Aaron gave me this morning. He bought me a new sundress
MICHAEL"I told her to wait at the bar," Aaron had told me, his hands fidgeting as I locked the door. "She's not answering her phone, and she's not at the inn."I paused, my eyebrows instinctively lifting. "Relax, she's probably just around. Having fun?" I tried to dismiss the image of Tasha from my mind, to ignore her existence, but Aaron's news was distressing."Then why isn't she answering my calls?""Maybe she's just fuckibg around." I turned and tossed him the keys. "Let her be. Like she told me, she's an adult. She knows what she's doing.""But you're the one who brought her here," he pointed out. "We're in Hampton, and it's not exactly a short walk to Delaware. Did you think of that?""Do I look like a complete idiot to you?" I pointed at my face, my nostrils flaring when he nodded."When have you not?" He retorted.I walked past him."Hey, she's your responsibility. To tell you, if she goes missing, you're the last person seen with her.""Not me." I lifted both of my hands. "I
NATASHA"Mike," Laura echoed my words. "Mike, as in Michael Montero? The same Michael Montero who was your former fiancé? The one we talked about being a womanizer?"I nodded, my eyes closed, trying to withstand the headache that felt like it was splitting my brain in two."So, let me get this straight. You ran off, met this guy, lost your virginity to him, and now, you're crying over him?""Did you really have to reiterate everything?" My voice took on a nasal tone as I sniffed."I still can't believe you've been in contact with your sister all this time," Richie, Laura's husband, interjected. "You could've told me.""Quiet!" Laura held up her forefinger. "The girls are talking.""I just feel like you didn't trust me, like you lied to me." Richie placed his hand on his chest. "I feel betrayed.""My sweetie pie, I can't comfort you right now, but I promise to explain everything to you once the girls have sorted out their issues, okay?" She gently reassured her husband with a pouty fac
MICHAELWaking up on the right side of the bed, my mind was fixated on one thing and one thing only."Have you ever considered the possibility that you're possessed?" Enzo asked, pulling me out of my trance.My pen twirled between my fingers as I rocked back and forth in my swivel chair. A mischievous smirk played on my lips as I pondered my plan."I'm starting to believe that theory," Aaron chimed in. "He had the deepest frown on his face last week, and now he's completely lost it."It had been ten days since I last saw Tasha, but that didn't mean I lost sight of her.With just a sprinkle of money, I had my eyes and ears everywhere, ensuring she wouldn't slip away."Hey, crazy, have you had lunch yet?" Enzo waved his hand in front of me.Tossing the pen onto the neatly organized table, I let out a satisfied sigh and grinned widely. "I'm content. My day is bright, and I have a wife."Never in my life did I imagine I would proudly utter those words, but my mouth spoke what needed to be
NATASHAI can feel my right eyelid twitching as I fight the urge to jump into his arms.There he goes again. Why is he even here? Because of guilt?"What are you trying to say, Tasha?" He asked.Sighing heavily, I grabbed the door. "I'm tired, and I don't have time for this." I pushed the door closed, but before it could, Mike blocked it with his foot."Let's talk this through."Frustration washed over me. He should stop this!"I'm lost." He acted innocently. "What I came here for is to confess something to you, something I never thought I'd feel.""Oh, really?" I chuckled nonchalantly."Yeah," he stepped closer, but I kept my distance. "And I feel like... I feel like I like you.""I didn't know you would feel that way, Michael Montero."I noticed the way he paused when I uttered his full name."Yeah, I already know." I shook my head. "I ran away from you for a reason, you know that?"His surprise eventually faded, replaced by a composed expression and relaxed posture.Standing at my