“Adaline?” The door creaks as I push it open, walking into what I suppose is her room on hesitant steps. “Are you in here?”There’s no response. I walk further into the room, my eyes sweeping across the space. Adaline has the same taste as her mother.White everything—from the walls, to the sheets, to the curtains. And anything that is not white is either beige or black. Classy and mysterious.“Adaline?” I call out again, refocusing my mind on why I’m here. There’s still no response but I can hear the shower running. The door leading into her closet is open, so I take that as an invitation and step in.One step. Two steps. “Adaline?”When she doesn’t respond, I stop in my steps, a scoff leaving me. Smart girl. She’s luring me—into her bathroom.Fine, if that’s the game she wants to play, then I’ll oblige her.Anticipation pulses like a roar in my head as I wrap a hand around the door knob, twisting it slowly, taking my time with it so she feels exactly how I feel.Desperate.Needy.T
It’s been long minutes since I returned to Jameson’s office and quite frankly, steering my mind away from Adaline’s bare ass splayed on that island has been a hassle.And all I’ve done since coming in here is chug one glass after another of scotch.Jameson, although matching my reckless drinking pace, has been staring at me with narrowed eyes, seemingly wondering how my mood went sour after I went to meet Adaline.I groan and slam the glass down on the table for the… I don’t know, I’ve lost count.“You’re in a mood,” Jameson points out, taking a slow sip of the remaining drink in his glass.His eyes are already hooded, but the man is just as stubborn as his daughter. “You think?” I ask.He lifts his shoulder in shrug. “Just saying, my man. What happened?”“What happened is that your daughter is an infuriating woman. I’m this close to admitting she’s too much for me to handle.” I bite out, a growl in my voice.Actually, what I mean to say is that his daughter is beautiful, so beautifu
I’m done packing my bags—just the necessary things I’d be needing for my stay at Michael’s. I don’t know how long I’ll be there before I have to come back home, but I’m sure I won’t be lacking anything.If there’s anything I need, Michael can sort it out.I zip up the box and stand in front of the mirror, adjusting the sleeves of my dress and smoothing out the fabric. My fingers twitch slightly with nervousness as his words echo in my mind.The things he wants to do to me, how he wants to do them… I inhale a deep breath, shaking my head to rid myself of such thoughts before focusing on styling my hair.The door creaks open behind me.I glance toward it, half-expecting Michael to walk in and tease me about taking too long.But it’s not him.It’s Kate.“You look happy,” she says with a soft smile, stepping inside and closing the door gently behind her. “Happier than you were yesterday…”I nod, my lips curling faintly. “Yeah… I took your advice and spoke to Michael about how I feel. And
It’s almost noon, and I can’t say my day has gotten better.From the moment I woke up—after just a few hours of sleep that can be considered “adequate,” yet somehow still exhausted—with a splitting headache, to now, sitting in my mother’s art room, pretending to work on a piece… nothing has changed, everything has just been going downhill.I haven’t made a single decent brushstroke. My eyes aren’t even on the canvas—they’re fixed outside the window, watching the rain pelt the ground aggressively. Of all the days, it chose to rain today.The rain had better wash away this worry of mine before I completely crash out.My fingers shake around the brush, making it slip from my hand for the millionth time today, falling straight onto my shorts and staining them red. A low groan rumbles in my throat and I collapse back into the seat, slouching and pushing my lips out into a pout. My jaw clenches hard. My teeth feel like they’re grinding to dust.This isn’t how I envisioned my day.But it’s
Today’s been nothing short of chaos—going from one meeting to the next, shaking new hands while cutting ties with old ones. And in all of these, the only person I’ve thought about is Adaline.I want to know what she’s doing, how she’s doing..It’s maddening not knowing.I thought about dropping everything and going to her. I thought about showing up at her door, giving her the clarity I know she needs. She craves communication, she always has because it makes her feel in control of situations even when she’s not. So I’m certain that the silence I’ve left behind is slowly driving her out of her mind.But I didn’t go.Because I need more time.Just a little more time.Maybe it’s cowardice. Or maybe it’s protection. Either way, it doesn’t matter. Not yet.Maybe this is for the best.I flick my lighter, watching the flame curl out like a tongue, licking the end of my cigar until it chars and glows red. I take a long drag, the smoke filling my lungs. I pull the cigar away, exhaling slowly,
I rise, adjusting the cuffs of my shirt as I crush the end of my cigar into the ashtray. Without another word, I step out of the office, Caleb following behind me, and head down the hall toward the underground VIP lounge—the place where real conversations happen. Where the masks come off and the deals get bloody.The underground lounge is a little quieter than the main club, but there’s still music here, although more tame so we can hear each other speak when talking business rather than screaming at the top of our lungs. I push open the door and step inside. It’s a haze of smoke, perfume, and poor decisions.Three men—Jorge, Luis, and Santino—are lounging on the dark velvet couches like kings on thrones. Shirt buttons open. Cigars burning. Their suits wrinkled from how tenaciously the dancers are grinding on them.They’re laughing so loud and throwing cash into the air like they’ve never received a lap-dance from a naked woman before. Luis slaps a dancer’s thigh while Jorge pops ope
Three months later.It’s been exactly three months since Michael left. Three months without a message, or call, or visit, since he disappeared like he doesn’t exist.And somewhere between heartbreak and healing, I made peace with it. Even if it felt like my insides were ripping apart, even when my pride was crushed, I accepted the burn and moved on.There’s no use dwelling on the silence, on dwelling on someone who means nothing to me.I think of him sometimes. More than I’d like to admit. In the mornings, when I’m brushing my teeth and I glance up at my reflection. At night, when the world goes quiet and there’s nothing but the hum of my laptop, I remember the way he used to look at me with those creepy eyes that someone found a way to make me feel giddy.But it doesn’t matter now.Michael made his choice, and I’ve made mine.I buried myself in work, picked up the pieces of my pride, and continued my studies—online. I’m studying to become an accountant. Dad thinks it’s a good career
“I don’t think that’ll be necessary.”Then I walk out. And it’s not because I’m over him. But because I need to get away from him before the tears brimming my eyes start streaming down my face and he sees the effect he has on me. I run into the rest room, and lock myself inside one of the toilets, unbuttoning my shirt as I gasp, chasing my breath. I tell myself that Michael is not here. That was just a brief moment of mental relapse. But who am I kidding. He was there. He is here. Tears wet my cheeks and I wipe them off, sniffing while I gently slam my head into a wall until I’m able to calm my racing mind. And by the time that happens, my thirty minute lunch break is already over. Frustration is a little word to describe how I feel as I rush to the company cafeteria and get a coffee before rushing back to my office. I bring the cup between my lips, taking a slow sip as I open my office door and step in. My brows knit. My eyes narrow. And I stop dead in my tracks.What the…Mich
I’m waiting outside the company building, beside my father’s car as I wait for him to round up his brief meeting with his secretary and drive me home. My apartment isn’t very far from the family’s estate. Dad initially refused my request of moving in on my own, but when I threatened him with going to my grandmother from my mother’s side and giving up the career path he chose for me, he finally agreed with the condition that he drives me to and from work. I’m scrolling endlessly on my phone when I hear his approaching footsteps and the click of the car as the driver unlocks it. I stare up from my phone, my eyes meeting Dad’s for a brief moment. He simply eyes me as he rounds the car, climbing in—that’s all the acknowledgement I get from him.Someone is in a mood. I climb in and settle at the edge of the seat, still scrolling on my phone. The energy isn’t really helping my already frayed mind. I steal a glance at Dad, rolling my bottom lip between my teeth and nobbling for a moment
“I don’t think that’ll be necessary.”Then I walk out. And it’s not because I’m over him. But because I need to get away from him before the tears brimming my eyes start streaming down my face and he sees the effect he has on me. I run into the rest room, and lock myself inside one of the toilets, unbuttoning my shirt as I gasp, chasing my breath. I tell myself that Michael is not here. That was just a brief moment of mental relapse. But who am I kidding. He was there. He is here. Tears wet my cheeks and I wipe them off, sniffing while I gently slam my head into a wall until I’m able to calm my racing mind. And by the time that happens, my thirty minute lunch break is already over. Frustration is a little word to describe how I feel as I rush to the company cafeteria and get a coffee before rushing back to my office. I bring the cup between my lips, taking a slow sip as I open my office door and step in. My brows knit. My eyes narrow. And I stop dead in my tracks.What the…Mich
Three months later.It’s been exactly three months since Michael left. Three months without a message, or call, or visit, since he disappeared like he doesn’t exist.And somewhere between heartbreak and healing, I made peace with it. Even if it felt like my insides were ripping apart, even when my pride was crushed, I accepted the burn and moved on.There’s no use dwelling on the silence, on dwelling on someone who means nothing to me.I think of him sometimes. More than I’d like to admit. In the mornings, when I’m brushing my teeth and I glance up at my reflection. At night, when the world goes quiet and there’s nothing but the hum of my laptop, I remember the way he used to look at me with those creepy eyes that someone found a way to make me feel giddy.But it doesn’t matter now.Michael made his choice, and I’ve made mine.I buried myself in work, picked up the pieces of my pride, and continued my studies—online. I’m studying to become an accountant. Dad thinks it’s a good career
I rise, adjusting the cuffs of my shirt as I crush the end of my cigar into the ashtray. Without another word, I step out of the office, Caleb following behind me, and head down the hall toward the underground VIP lounge—the place where real conversations happen. Where the masks come off and the deals get bloody.The underground lounge is a little quieter than the main club, but there’s still music here, although more tame so we can hear each other speak when talking business rather than screaming at the top of our lungs. I push open the door and step inside. It’s a haze of smoke, perfume, and poor decisions.Three men—Jorge, Luis, and Santino—are lounging on the dark velvet couches like kings on thrones. Shirt buttons open. Cigars burning. Their suits wrinkled from how tenaciously the dancers are grinding on them.They’re laughing so loud and throwing cash into the air like they’ve never received a lap-dance from a naked woman before. Luis slaps a dancer’s thigh while Jorge pops ope
Today’s been nothing short of chaos—going from one meeting to the next, shaking new hands while cutting ties with old ones. And in all of these, the only person I’ve thought about is Adaline.I want to know what she’s doing, how she’s doing..It’s maddening not knowing.I thought about dropping everything and going to her. I thought about showing up at her door, giving her the clarity I know she needs. She craves communication, she always has because it makes her feel in control of situations even when she’s not. So I’m certain that the silence I’ve left behind is slowly driving her out of her mind.But I didn’t go.Because I need more time.Just a little more time.Maybe it’s cowardice. Or maybe it’s protection. Either way, it doesn’t matter. Not yet.Maybe this is for the best.I flick my lighter, watching the flame curl out like a tongue, licking the end of my cigar until it chars and glows red. I take a long drag, the smoke filling my lungs. I pull the cigar away, exhaling slowly,
It’s almost noon, and I can’t say my day has gotten better.From the moment I woke up—after just a few hours of sleep that can be considered “adequate,” yet somehow still exhausted—with a splitting headache, to now, sitting in my mother’s art room, pretending to work on a piece… nothing has changed, everything has just been going downhill.I haven’t made a single decent brushstroke. My eyes aren’t even on the canvas—they’re fixed outside the window, watching the rain pelt the ground aggressively. Of all the days, it chose to rain today.The rain had better wash away this worry of mine before I completely crash out.My fingers shake around the brush, making it slip from my hand for the millionth time today, falling straight onto my shorts and staining them red. A low groan rumbles in my throat and I collapse back into the seat, slouching and pushing my lips out into a pout. My jaw clenches hard. My teeth feel like they’re grinding to dust.This isn’t how I envisioned my day.But it’s
I’m done packing my bags—just the necessary things I’d be needing for my stay at Michael’s. I don’t know how long I’ll be there before I have to come back home, but I’m sure I won’t be lacking anything.If there’s anything I need, Michael can sort it out.I zip up the box and stand in front of the mirror, adjusting the sleeves of my dress and smoothing out the fabric. My fingers twitch slightly with nervousness as his words echo in my mind.The things he wants to do to me, how he wants to do them… I inhale a deep breath, shaking my head to rid myself of such thoughts before focusing on styling my hair.The door creaks open behind me.I glance toward it, half-expecting Michael to walk in and tease me about taking too long.But it’s not him.It’s Kate.“You look happy,” she says with a soft smile, stepping inside and closing the door gently behind her. “Happier than you were yesterday…”I nod, my lips curling faintly. “Yeah… I took your advice and spoke to Michael about how I feel. And
It’s been long minutes since I returned to Jameson’s office and quite frankly, steering my mind away from Adaline’s bare ass splayed on that island has been a hassle.And all I’ve done since coming in here is chug one glass after another of scotch.Jameson, although matching my reckless drinking pace, has been staring at me with narrowed eyes, seemingly wondering how my mood went sour after I went to meet Adaline.I groan and slam the glass down on the table for the… I don’t know, I’ve lost count.“You’re in a mood,” Jameson points out, taking a slow sip of the remaining drink in his glass.His eyes are already hooded, but the man is just as stubborn as his daughter. “You think?” I ask.He lifts his shoulder in shrug. “Just saying, my man. What happened?”“What happened is that your daughter is an infuriating woman. I’m this close to admitting she’s too much for me to handle.” I bite out, a growl in my voice.Actually, what I mean to say is that his daughter is beautiful, so beautifu
“Adaline?” The door creaks as I push it open, walking into what I suppose is her room on hesitant steps. “Are you in here?”There’s no response. I walk further into the room, my eyes sweeping across the space. Adaline has the same taste as her mother.White everything—from the walls, to the sheets, to the curtains. And anything that is not white is either beige or black. Classy and mysterious.“Adaline?” I call out again, refocusing my mind on why I’m here. There’s still no response but I can hear the shower running. The door leading into her closet is open, so I take that as an invitation and step in.One step. Two steps. “Adaline?”When she doesn’t respond, I stop in my steps, a scoff leaving me. Smart girl. She’s luring me—into her bathroom.Fine, if that’s the game she wants to play, then I’ll oblige her.Anticipation pulses like a roar in my head as I wrap a hand around the door knob, twisting it slowly, taking my time with it so she feels exactly how I feel.Desperate.Needy.T