1
king around, keeping our r
2
loped a taste for it a
3
confronted me in front of my
4
are you going to
5
6
rty when Brody pulled me into the stairwell,
7
ot a birthday p
8
urmu
9
eaned in
1
minty scent hit me, and before I knew
1
used, resting his forehead agains
1
at?" he aske
1
I made the next mo
1
t the stair rail, g
1
ake a chanc
1
tea
1
ut your g
1
g my palm, trying to shake
1
o radiated danger – wild, ruthle
2
the start he
2
ouldn't get
2
s a way of dr
2
e I'd just said the funniest thing. "I
2
really
2
pretendi
2
ond, but quickly
2
me, but I hadn't realized he'd sunk thi
2
s pocket. He lit it, exhaling a cloud of smoke t
2
ickered in his dark eyes, like a bri
3
nna be
3
ked a
3
d an octave, huskier now, blending into the nig
3
er, meeting hi
3
know what y
3
my cheek. "Of course I do
3
to get back at
3
ask
3
ere kids. And now, his best friend had slept with Brody's
3
n game against the
4
ound his waist, givi
4
t's
4
4
rody to take me st
4
to a hotel?" I asked,
4
ugging at
4
ound his room
4
sweetheart and chang
4
An hour passed before Brody suddenly slammed a vase ont
4
is so borin
5
our preci
5
n was my
5
ther right after graduation. Though we went to
5
ect – attentive and al
5
d he would always be
5
up competition and got busy, pulling a
5
ion and, wanting to support h
5
household together, building our relatio
5
were the couple destined to
5
along the way,
6
king at my heart. I moved closer to Brody, kne
6
made the
6
make thin
6
ng, I woke up
6
curled up together on a cramped sofa, our
6
I took the chance to trace the lines of his
6
ut of the moment. I quickly withdrew
6
re aw
6
opened his ey
6
r the
7
hone to see it w
7
n urgent work issue to attend to. I wonde
7
e the guts to bring som
7
what
7
nsw
7
shifted, almost as if he were trying to sou
7
et that I l
7
ask
7
ly. Did he really expect me to i
7
re busy. When are
8
as
8
k today. I've g
8
of yours
8
ck at Brody
8
rry, I'll
8
Brody stretched l
8
ough. How about w
8
edule, feeling a
8
s all day. Maybe
8
H
9
r boyfriend c
9
, giving me a
9
ot b
9
u're any
9
girlfriend d
9
m behind, the warmth of his chest pressing against my back. I
9
you going
9
ho
9
icular, lost in thought for
9
was going
1
1
at home, I dro
1
ran into Cole and
1
alk, kissing goodbye after what
1
gus
1
ar and, in a panic, pushed
1
driving, pretending I
1
after, Co
1
aky, but he trie
1
Did you ea
1
t. I'm
1
grab breakf
1
ng by you
1
ed nonc
1
h. "Nah, don't worry abou
1
it'll be delivered to your off
1
e so s
1
sa
1
co
1
oyfriend,
1
u
1
ost g
1
inished organizing my plans and st
1
issed call and three
1
ed to respond
1
er hand, had sent
1
un
1
re
1
with
1
the s
1
er to
1
the t
1
?
1
ano
1
e to sneak around wh
1
the f
1
sent just three mi
1
our office. Come dow
1
moment before typing a si
1
1
ing cozy in the car when a video c
1
down on Brody's leg h
1
s, I stepped out of the c
1
e so red? You're not f
1
, sounding
1
hed my
1
rom the wind,
1
ng at me with a tho
1
eat, worried that I
1
hen h
1
ght a cold. Your vo
1
w perc
1
work early and was heading home to spend ti
1
ld Brody the news. He leaned
1
bit longer, maybe
1
ok my
1
, got
1
unging on the couch, watchin
1
your spirits like
1
u've had a
1
ng up to grab my b
1
itated, his nose twitching.
1
friend's post-h
1
g my thoughts,
1
I can quit if
1
arms around me,
1
uit your job. Let m
1
ot daring to move, feeling wa
1
nce, Cole squee
1
I'm not doing e
1
and forced a gentl
1
k yourself, Cole. I'm really tire
1
h some work, Cole suddenly came up behin
1
ively push
1
d at me,
1
ou being s
1
st
1
always bee
1
e evening without exchanging a word. And even if we did talk, i
1
thing. He lifted my ha
1
th the red
1
d in my mind – his lips pressed against my
1
from the
1
cing at the mirror to
1
rther, just asking
1
ly lay back on the bed,
1
zed something – he was only tr
1
already been compensated, c
1
1
third anniversary party, and
1
l busy, so we were greeted by h
1
e woman Cole wa
1
e that someone so sweet and innocent-
1
hile! Your makeup skil
1
arm with mine. Then, as if on c
1
ut acted li
1
impressive too. Those
1
sweetly, batt
1
e naturally l
1
u
2
didn't grow leg hair,
2
Cole and Lillian joined the others in a round of ca
2
g a limited edition LV handbag, inst
2
lucky Lillian was, Brody stopped i
2
get this limited editio
2
you
2
t second before forci
2
else would it be
2
hyping him up,
2
it was time t
2
n-existent tears. Then, with all the emotion I cou
2
early on my birthday. But I know it was for y
2
o make it up to me. I'm so touched. T
2
ftened with guilt, a
2
nough for you yet
2
tain herself, leaned o
2
so jealous
2
her back, h
2
t, I he
2
an po
2
uy me o
2
ced at her
2
see how
2
se the restroom, not expe
2
e inside, loc
2
thank your other bo
2
u're acting
2
push him away, b
2
wed as he toye
2
doing. If you want
2
yed s
2
ny ways to p
2
part ways – one choosing the high road,
2
led, ruffli
2
the convenient too
2
ef
2
ent, i
2
2
mmediately noticed that Lillian's eyes
2
was deliberately chatting with other p
2
most likely, Lillian had thrown a fit out of jeal
2
ually from her own boyfrien
2
ing Cole's name to give me the bag, just t
2
een them – a perfectly calculated mo
2
ing, "Why did you suddenly spring for such an expensive bag? I could never afford somethin
2
t bag, so I thought I'd mess with her a bit. Just
2
, Brody return
2
s, each holding a bottle of li
2
fever pitch as the small
2
red and appla
2
Cole whispered in my
2
ou settle down with. Great as a
2
lip and
2
're the re
2
ks later, Cole, tear
2
to have a dr
2
ding the alcohol-laden breath h
2
t. I'm
2
all a d
2
my shoulder, pr
2
of nausea and
2
, rubbing against me like a
2
ou loosen up a
2
really
2
ed to p
2
the weight
2
at some point and
2
s goin
2
ed, nerv
2
rly drunk. He shot Cole a ha
2
me against the back of the couch, trapping me in a sma
2
d see the anger and bitte
2
ll away, but Brody just smirked, a cruel, vengeful glint i
2
, everything
2
unged at Brody, yanking him back by the
2
ting bone marked the begin
2
to break up the fight,
2
he music, adding a rowdy
2
l unfold. Every now and then, when the opp
2
, Cole managed to push his way out of the brawl, s
2
htness shattere
2
k, so I'm letting it slide
2
bruised, trying to act magnani
2
ying to cover his guilt, I migh
2
hair fell messily over his forehead, casting shadows over his eyes, making
2
plessly all night, finally stopp
2
re drunk. Le
2
ly, his gaze briefly lockin
2
y, the intensity of that gla
2
o bold, too wild, com
2
ea
2
un
2
casually, wa
2
to my side, grabbing a napkin and harshly wiping
2
ng his hand away, I st
2
d an eyebrow at me, his eyes f
2
ted, knowing he was deli
2
2
t at the bar, Cole had
2
after work, and would even bring me flowers. He'd
3
t my wi
3
n at work, and if I passed, I'd be promoted. I was busier th
3
alling me for the e
3
voice came through,
3
etting off work
3
e typing away
3
wait up for me. Just have di
3
together in ages. I booke
3
skip the overtim
3
an't. After I get promoted, I'l
3
sa
3
nd immediately switched my phone
3
rayal, I'd come to realize ju
3
ime and energy, but
3
office, only to find Brody leaning against his black Range Rover, t
3
ning his silhouette, giving hi
3
e you do
3
s I appro
3
of us stubbornly waiting for th
3
, snuffed it out, and pulled me into his
3
ssed
3
so ti
3
ng myself relax
3
ng his arms around me, rest
3
let yours
3
you been wait
3
as
3
Only five h
3
noncha
3
ess. Was this
3
e, he'd rather wait
3
adn't been
3
. So
3
m not going h
3
past him and get
3
y. We didn't do anything more than talk
3
felt someone gently press
3
yes to find Brody's gaze on me,
3
re aw
3
, shiftin
3
ed anymo
3
, but it took me a few secon
3
ed last night because I
3
onsidera
3
me, I leaned into him, taki
3
om feeling satisfied and
3
up with people, and I ende
3
oor, I heard a
3
e gap in the crowd
3
Lillian about what
3
ust what
3
they didn'
3
d on the ground floor and e
3
he button to go back up
3
bout to close, Cole turned a
3
ol
3
you doi
3
ckly seizing contr
3
arted into the elevator and press
3
a client. Wh
3
is shirt, avo
3
girl with you jus
3
eady knowing
3
vator so quickly because he
3
g
3
g about. My client's a guy
3
ocent look, but his fidgeting
3
odd
3
a couple loses trust, the
3
omething like guilt, and he
3
at work? Is that why you're
3
easily, soft
3
e. Hey, when this busy period is ove
3
ormance, the elevator unexpecte
3
completely confused as his ga
3
two
3
, his face full
3
o my throat. What
3
omantic. Tired of sle
3
s eyelids, speak
3
ith a cheeky grin, "Gotta keep things interesti
3
one woman, you have
3
stand with all the
3
fore stepping into the elevator
3
ked and
3
be late for wo
3
ly, placing a hand
3
ht. I have something
3
3
and headed to the curb to hail a taxi. I didn't want to
3
would end up in such a me
3
used to dream of a simple life – just the two of u
3
peaceful, c
3
And now, I was left picking through the wreckage, just t
3
you and B
3
hortly after I g
3
m Brody to avoid any suspicion, and frankly, I
3
ings had definitely
3
disgust washed over me. Was he trying to act all lovey-dovey in front
3
g to get suspicious and
4
just think Brody's not a good guy. Yo
4
t anothe
4
kno
4
ped
4
im, but after editing my response a few times, t
4
ted me to join him f
4
esitation
4
unded s
4
te you, you're always too b
4
the only guy without a girlf
4
trying to s
4
reason, Col
4
pause, he ask
4
when Brody kiss
4
re you serious? T
4
ould
4
, just go pun
4
ickly hung up,
4
tion. Having this secret, illicit relationship to vent my frus
4
the first thing I saw was Brody standing by
4
n a soft, hazy glow that blurred his expression, bu
4
athering has
4
ng up with
4
aw me, no pleasantries, jus
4
or a moment befor
4
Isn't that a bit
4
reached out as if to touch my hair,
4
then smiled faintly and said, "If I don't bre
4
olved with you, I stopped car
4
isn't worth the energy.
4
ng inside me, trying to find some sense in the
4
you want. I hav
4
mmed for a moment, and he lo
4
hing I feel like sayin
4
before I could, he turned and got into his
4
ar into the distance, I felt an
4
he a
4
tten upset ou
4
the parking lot and
4
t up with a message fr
4
Wait for me to wrap things up, th
4
ion marks, clearly not under
4
purpose, taking his time before reply
4
mean? I don't have the e
4
d blu
4
s Cole's going to be busy. You can just f
4
lied, dea
4
ily, growing
4
th Cole just yet. You know wh
4
norted
4
s a slow burn,
4
way, I'll lea
4
n, I texted Cole to back ou
4
to tell me he was drunk and didn't want to dis
4
he found all sorts of e
4
ven grab my phone and reply
4
f how hard you'
4
take care o
4
t be with me, but don'
4
take care o
4
u eatin
4
ping
4
t me. I'll alway
4
to take care
4
ows how to sweet-talk a m
4
ave to tack on "take care o
4
t of Lillian's latest social media post. She
4
xpensive than the
4
at piss
4
I'll get you some
4
y te
4
and instead di
4
ger bond with Cole's family, pouring money into gifts
4
4
home to grab some fresh clothes. Just a
4
th dark circles under his eyes – clear
4
minders to "take care of your
4
ust go
4
es and took off his jacket before stumbl
4
alcohol. Do
4
aking a s
4
ulled me into a rough embrace, lower
4
my spine, but I k
4
omething on
4
I couldn't let it show. Not yet,
4
buried his face in the crook
4
I'm so
4
le, I finally got the full picture – his moth
4
oney had work
4
was a catch, with plenty of better option
4
o win her over with gifts and fla
4
tle longer to tal
4
hopeful. "We're both in the pr
4
ps, looking at
4
ace. He quickly pulled me in
4
hunter's been after me lately, and I'm thinking about steppi
4
xcitement,
4
lented. I know you'll do gr
4
made the right c
4
launched into a passionate discussio
5
ned pat
5
om, slipping on a sanitary pad just in case.
5
d within seconds
5
my guard down and collapsed on the
5
aming about Cole – maybe it was just my subconscious cling
5
p, the sky wa
5
ade it hard to tell whe
5
powered back on, revealing a dozen mis
5
one perso
5
sent just five m
5
ou trying to d