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TWENTY THREE

last update Last Updated: 2024-12-08 12:59:53

- NINA -

“Don’t you dare answer that.” Cain’s voice resonates in my ears as he makes his presence known from behind me in the café.

My heart skips a beat when I hear him and my body hair stands. He sits opposite me, on the seat tucked in the double seater table I’m sat, staring at me menacingly with a dark grin.

He was monitoring her chat again. This disgusting pig! My nose flares up and I feel my brows furrow with a frown. I hang up, ending the incoming call before it even started. “You’re a grown man Cain.” I say, clenching my fists and leaning comfortably in my seat. My stance, although easy, holds authority. “Stop playing petty games and get a life.” A half smile forms on my face. The one that shows how utterly disgusted I am at him.

“This is my life.” An eerie smirk follows that darkened tone, making me nervous but I don’t show it.

I lean closer, resting my torso on the table with one of my elbows pressing the table to support my pose. My legs cross underneath the ta
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  • TEMPTING THE LONER   TWENTY FOUR

    - ISOBEL -I look at my maps then at the time on my cell phone as I step into the café. This is the one. Nina should be here somewhere. I run my eyes around the eating area, looking for the lady who both pissed me off and made me worried at the same time. I swear she’ll get what’s coming to her but I have to find her first.My lips flatten as I still search for her, examining the café. I can’t find traces of her. Not even one. I can’t even hear her voice in the midst of the chatter here. Although scantier than the one I usually go to stalk Cameron, the not-so-subtle noise in this place is unmissable.I look at my phone and unlock my screen, heading to my chat with Nina. I want to alert her of my arrival.“She’s here.” A man’s voice trail in my ears. This makes me sigh, if I didn’t know too well, I’d say it was familiar. Eerily familiar. Pfft. I roll my eyes. Amongst the sea of people, someone raises her hand up. I try my luck and look at the person. Seeing her ginger hair now, I’m

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  • TEMPTING THE LONER   TWENTY FIVE

    - CAMERON -Have you ever felt so insanely relieved and happy for no reason at all? That moment when you wake up and your day already feels like it’s going to be perfect and you can’t help but smile while doing the needful chores and everything else that needs to be done? That’s how feel today and the reason is none other than the lady I ran into yesterday. The one I dropped off, Isobel. For a woman to have me feeling this good despite the other shit going on in my life, she must be something. And I can already tell that Isobel surely is something extraordinary. Or it’s just my dick talking. I stare at my reflection in the mirror as I put on a tie. I’m knotting it around my neck, underneath the collar of my white, long sleeve shirt which is tucked well inside my black, inner suit. I doubt that, I say, responding to my earlier thought. She’s insanely attractive, yes, but I doubt my attraction towards her is solely sexual. Or is it? I wouldn’t know till I bed her and I don’t know wh

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  • TEMPTING THE LONER   TWENTY SIX

    - ISOBEL - I’m not working today. Not after how shaken I was by yesterday’s run in with Cain. Laying on my bed with my tummy pressed on the sheets and eyes glued to my laptop, I’m researching ways to start a fire. Secure ways without leaving trails. If there’s one thing I am bad at doing other than approaching a long, lost crush, it’s committing a crime. I need to have thorough information if I want this to work and the internet is the best place for research. I scribble something down on my sketchpad. Gasoline. I need lots and lots of gasoline in the house. Since I can’t get my hand on Chlorine trifluoride, it’s what I’ll work with. My thumb make it’s way to my teeth and I chew on my finger tip. I have a long list of things written down here. I’ll have to review this list and choose the ones which are best suited for me. The ones I can buy without catching alarming awareness.I also need to think of a way to get mom out of the house when I pull this whole charade. I don’t like h

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    - ISOBEL - It’s Friday night. I apply a red lipstick on my lips while sitting in front of my dresser mirror in my room. Cain is out of the house, as well and mom and dad. Also, Cain will be out of the house way longer than tonight. Way much more. Our plan is in motion and it will be exercised tonight. I swallow. I’m taking a bold step. The house will be set on fire and mother, nor anyone, won’t be there to see it. ‘It was accidental’ will be the story. Maybe somebody left the gas running. And if not, maybe it was the son who caused the fire. I press my lips together, spreading my lipstick around, then pout in front of the mirror. I missed this. I missed dressing up elegantly to go on a date. I haven’t had one in forever. As shocking as it seems, it’s been years since someone took this pretty lady out on a date. Not because I haven’t met men my type, far from it, I’ve met them all, but because, whenever any man comes close to getting to know me, a certain bone head

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  • TEMPTING THE LONER   TWENTY EIGHT

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  • TEMPTING THE LONER   THIRTY

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  • TEMPTING THE LONER   EIGHTY FOUR

    - CAMERON - I stand in front of my mirror, getting dressed for my evening. I have a surprise date planned tonight for the two of us. One I know she’d love. It’s been a while since I caught myself getting dressed for a lady. It’s been a while since I found myself trying to leave a remarkable impression about myself to someone and I can’t deny, while I do feel rusty in that aspect, I sure do enjoy putting in the work, if this can be considered as work. The ends of my lips curl into a smirk. I walk to my perfume drawer. I press the button at the side and the glass door display slides open. I take my favourite cologne out and spray it on both my wrists when I hear the chime of my phone. I walk to my room, holding the bottle of perfume in my hand, to get to my phone which is on my bed. The moment I stand right in front of my bed, I pick my phone up and stare at the screen. ‘Don’t wait for me, I’m not coming.’ This makes my jaw clench. I guess my night just took a turn and

  • TEMPTING THE LONER   EIGHTY THREE

    - ISOBEL - I still don’t get it. Imagine dashing away from a conversation, leaving someone alone with no word or text as to why. Especially after I opened up. It shouldn’t bug me as it does. After working today, he was the only one I could think about. What happened in the park was the only thing playing in my mind. Did I scare him off with my question? Did he only respond that way to ease my mind just to leave at the first chance he got? I huff, my eyes on my phone. I am laying flat on my bed with my hands holding my cell phone to my face. I have received no text from him. Not a single one. Now, if I had people in my who I could talk to, I’d probably be out for drinks but here I am, fantasising about a man who left me at the park. This is pathetic. I am too old for this and I certainly am too much of a catch to have one man invade my head and plague my thoughts this much. So many people would want to be with me. So many men. But are any of the men him? M

  • TEMPTING THE LONER   EIGHTY TWO

    - CAMERON - I arrive at the hospital. Richard is registered in one of the rooms here. I still cannot believe he got involved in a car accident. What on earth was he doing? His job? He needs to take it easy. He’s all I’ve got. Literally. I know he works for me but I do care about his wellbeing and that man does not seem like someone who values his own wellbeing considering he’s always here to help twenty-four seven. “Thank you.” I say to the nurse at the entrance check out who just let me know his room number. “Anytime Mister Su Li.” She responds. I dash away when I hear her call forth the name of someone. Probably the relative of a patient admitted in here. I let out a sigh while taking the elevator. My mind is a total chaos right now. Please, Richard, be okay, I say to myself in my head trying to blow off some steam. Part of me is plagued by something. Did he get this accident while trying to do my bidding? I can’t tell but I hope not. I hope he’s safe and out of da

  • TEMPTING THE LONER   EIGHTY ONE

    - CAMERON -She's hurt. I've been in a place where I forgot myself so I can easily tell when someone is going through the same thing.I don't know what Isobel's demons are or what it is that happened that makes her want constant reassurance, but I'll be here to give it to her. I'll always be here to let her know that she can lean on me and I would never judge her. Ever.I watch her make her way to the ice cream van with the kid. I squint, resting my elbows on my knees to have a good view.I'm not staring at any other part of her but her waist, hips, and my favourite part? Her ass. I feel like an asshole but I can't help myself. I avert my gaze away, trying to be decent when a call cuts me short.My brows furrow when I dip my hand in my pocket to bring my phone out. The caller ID is vague to me. I pick up, holding my phone to my ears. "Hello?"The caller murmurs something to me. This makes my heart skip a beat. I'm afraid I have to leave. It was Richard. He just got into an accident. O

  • TEMPTING THE LONER   EIGHTY

    - ISOBEL - With every step he takes closer to me, my heart races with anticipation. This is nothing extraordinary, he’s just here to keep me company yet I can’t get over the kind gesture. Maybe it’s because I’ve not had friends since I was a teen and lost touch on what it’s like to have people to hang around with, I shrug, I am not sure, but the feeling is nice. I’m as lonely as the word lonely can get, I have nothing of extra value apart from my savings, which I managed to have from mostly my dad and hard work but other than that, I’m just an ordinary lady yet this man who seems to have everything is going through this ‘ordinary’ path to be with me. I like it but I can’t help and wonder why. I certainly hope Nina didn’t put him up to it, something tells me that for him to be present in her congratulations party, they must have some sort of relationship beyond the work place and it would suck if she did because that would mean his actions are nothing but pitiful to me, but I d

  • TEMPTING THE LONER   SEVENTY NINE

    - ISOBEL -I wait a little longer. The small fingers which cling onto mine alerts me that I need to act fast. "I think that speaks for itself, you're not needed here, at all." I emphasise on the last two words on purpose.First off, it's a bad look for me as the baby sitter. I can't have men hanging around me whine doing my job. Cameron is the only man I have in my life and he's not even in my life anymore exactly and that makes it worse.No parent would want their child with a stranger who's accustomed with the nanny. Especially if that child exhibited signs of discomfort which James is giving off now.Cameron stands up. He's facing me. My brows are furrowed. "Thank you for offering and dropping by but we'll be fine on our own. I'm working." I say to him.He's rich. I'm just a babysitter. I don't complain about my line of work though but he won't feed nor pay my bills."Another time, please." I add, my tone serious. I can't come off as welcoming. Not in this case."I'm sorry for both

  • TEMPTING THE LONER   SEVENTY EIGHT

    - ISOBEL - “If I didn’t know better, I’d say you’re stalking me.” I say the moment he gets over here. Good thing I decided to change outfits today. I can’t imagine how embarrassed I’d be if he got to see me in an I don’t give a shit outfit. Cameron probably might not care but I will. In fact, he should. He’s a freaking CEO. The people who he associates with should look befitting I guess. Or I at just be overthinking? I drape my eyes up and down his body. Cameron always looks so perfectly dressed. And no, I don’t think I’m overthinking. If I haven’t spent a night at his place, I’d assume he wears corporate clothes to bed. “I don’t know, maybe.” He responds, looking at me straight in the eyes with a sinister look on his face. This suddenly makes me feel uncomfortable. For what it’s worth, between the two of us, I’m the stalker and stalkers don’t fret nor expose it! Tch. My eyes are still glued to his. His darkened gaze makes my stomach clench. Cameron diverts his attenti

  • TEMPTING THE LONER   SEVENTY SEVEN

    - CAMERON - I drink out of my coffee, sipping it while letting the hot liquid burn my tongue. I’m meeting someone here today. A very important person. I bring the coffee mug to my mouth again, breathing into it through my mouth and inhaling the steam, while staring out the glass walls of this café, my attention outside before taking a sip. To think just not long ago, this was me in this same spot almost every morning, battling with severe depression makes a half grin form on my lips. Slowly but surely, I feel the sad feeling slipping away. And it’s nice. The door bell chimes and my attention is diverted to the door. A familiar figure waltz in with someone. I’m torn with a sense of deja vu as Isobel makes her way inside with a little boy by her side. One whose face I remember a little too well. This makes my grin widen. Funny how fate has it that I have someone to meet today too. Just like the first time we met. The representative of the airline I’m about to purchase is

  • TEMPTING THE LONER   SEVENTY SIX

    - ISOBEL - “You did not!” Nina exclaims. I don’t have to look at her to know she’s stunned. I’m standing in front of a mirror in my room while zipping up the back of my shirt on my own. “I did.” I respond. My back is to her. “No you didn’t.” She pushes, sat on my bed. I laugh. “I actually did.” “No freaking way!” Nina says. I walk to the other end of my room where my bed is to get my watch from my bed table. I place it on my wrists and put it on myself. Nina can comfortably aid me with dressing up but I’d rather do it myself. I’m used to it so I find no issue doing it alone even though she’s in here. “Nina,” I take a short pause. “As I have said a thousand times already,” I emphasise on this statement, “I did.” I finally add, meeting her gaze with a smile. Even I can’t believe it to be honest. I left him that way. The look on his face as his body parted from mine was cinematic. The sight of his erection pleased me. For so long, that man has left me wanting and it’s

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