Jake
As I hugged Laura, my heart was pounding so hard I wondered if she could feel it. She pulled back a little, raising an eyebrow.
"Babe, are you okay? You seem... tense, and your heart is beating so fast… why? Is anything wrong?" she asked, her hand sliding gently over my shoulder, while her eyes reeked of concern.
I swallowed, trying to keep my voice steady. "I'm fine, just a long day at work. Nothing a night in with you won't fix." I replied.
She smiled, clearly satisfied with that answer, and gave me a quick kiss before settling back into my arms. I held her tighter, but my mind was miles away. The fact that Chloe was here, in our home, felt like a ticking time bomb I couldn't defuse. I had believed her earlier at the office when she'd sworn she was done with this obsession. I thought that was it, that we were finally free.
I glanced toward the door, half-expecting Chloe to walk in any second, but Laura's voice brought me back.
"So, you told me you got something for me, what is it? she asked, her eyes twinkling with excitement.
"Actually," I murmured, reaching into my pocket, "I was planning to surprise you with it, but I can't resist." I pulled out the little box, flipping it open to reveal the necklace I'd had custom-made for her.
"Oh, Jake!" Laura's face lit up as she saw the delicate half-heart pendant, and she gasped when I held up the matching one I'd gotten for myself.
"They're made to connect," I explained, smiling as I handed hers over. "When we're together, they make a full heart. I thought it'd be something... special, something just for us."
Her fingers brushed over the pendant, and her eyes grew misty. "It's perfect, Jake. Really. I'll wear it every day."
I felt a pang of guilt as I glanced toward the door. Chloe's presence in the house tainted the moment, a dark cloud over what should have been a happy night. She could still even be right there outside the door, eavesdropping on our conversation.
When Laura suggested heading to bed, I was torn. She had this soft smile, her eyes brimming with love and trust. She leaned closer, and I could feel her intentions. But I couldn't bring myself to get too close while Chloe was just a room away.
I kissed her softly, lingering in the warmth of her lips, but I made up an excuse, saying I was too tired. "Let's just take it slow tonight, yeah?"
Laura looked a bit disappointed but nodded, leaning against me.
"You really wore me out this afternoon, and if you do the same to me this night, I might not be able to go to work tomorrow or even stand from the bed in the morning." I let out, trying to cheer her up, and it worked.
"Ohhh really?" She beamed with a proud smile while I nodded.
I kissed her again and this time, I made sure it lingered till she was satisfied before pulling away. She soon slept off afterward.
Once I was sure she was sound asleep, I slipped into the bathroom, closed the door, and ran the tap for a bit of cover. I pulled out my phone and dialed Chloe's number.
After a few rings, she picked up, her voice calm and unbothered. "Jake, it's late. Missing me already?" I could hear the smug smile in her tone.
I clenched my teeth. "What are you playing at, Chloe? I need you gone by morning. Before Laura even wakes up."
She let out a small, mocking laugh. "Oh, come on, Jake. Why so hostile? I thought we had an understanding."
"There is no understanding," I shot back, struggling to keep my voice low. "I thought you said you'd back off. That you were done with this."
"You believed that?" she asked, amusement coloring her words. "I thought you knew me better by now. I'm not leaving, Jake. Not yet. You bring me so much satisfaction, more than I had ever gotten my entire life so, no, I'm not leaving you!""
A wave of frustration hit me. "Listen, I'm serious, Chloe. Either you walk out of this house in the morning, or I'll drag you out myself."
There was a pause, then her voice turned cool, almost dangerous. "Try it, Jake. See how well that goes over with Laura when she wakes up to find you dragging me out of here." She sighed. "I'll leave when I'm ready."
"Chloe…" I started, but she'd already hung up.
I let out a low curse, gripping the edge of the sink. She wasn't going to leave, not unless I found a way to force her out.
The next morning, I got up very early, and got in the bathroom. I took a quick shower and got dressed, making sure I was as quiet as possible so I wouldn't wake Laura. I knew Chloe wasn't going to leave without drama and I didn't want that energy around Laura. I was determined to handle this before she woke.
I closed the door gently and then made my way into the guest room, but Chloe wasn't there. My pulse quickened, and just then, my phone buzzed with a text message. It was from Chloe.
I looked around the room, curious to know if she was watching me from somewhere because it didn't seem like a coincidence that I got her text the same time I got in the room, looking for her.
"Looking for me, Jake? Check under the pillow." That was the text.
I let out a frustrated breath, marching back to the guest room and tossing the pillow aside. Underneath was a note, her handwriting taunting me.
"Go to the place we had the craziest and wildest sex!"
I gritted my teeth, knowing immediately where she'd be. I stormed down to the kitchen, and sure enough, there she was, setting the breakfast table in nothing but lingerie, her skin glistening with oil that seemed to catch every glimmer of morning light.
Before I could react, she smiled and gestured to the table. "Good morning, Jake. Why don't you sit down and join me?"
My fists clenched. "Chloe, what the hell are you doing? This isn't your house, you have no right walking about almost naked! Get dressed and leave. Now." I said firmly.
She raised a brow, unfazed. "Oh, Jake, don't be so rude. You wouldn't want to wake Laura with all that shouting, would you?" She let out.
I dropped my voice, barely managing to control my frustration. "Chloe, I'm serious. I want you out of this house. If Laura finds you here like this—"
"Relax," she cut in smoothly, sitting down and crossing her legs slowly, deliberately. "Laura's still asleep, and I made sure I wasn't loud enough to wake her. So, why don't you just take a seat, and we can... talk."
I shook my head, refusing to move from the doorway. "I don't want to talk, Chloe. We've done enough of that and I'm done with your risky hide and seek. I want you gone. We agreed—"
She interrupted me with a smirk, leaning forward. "Oh, don't act like you're in such a rush to get rid of me. You think I don't know you missed me, Jake? You think I don't remember how close we used to be?"
I let out a humorless laugh. "We were never close, Chloe. The sex was nothing to me but apparently it was the best for you. It's not my fault that you haven't had much satisfactory orgasms in the past. Whatever you think we had, it's over. I'm with Laura now. I'm engaged, and nothing you say or do is going to change that."
Her eyes narrowed, and for a moment, her facade of calm broke. "You think she's better than me?" she hissed, her voice barely above a whisper. "You think she can give you what I did?"
"This isn't a competition," I said firmly. "It's over, Chloe. You're wasting your time."
She smiled, leaning back. "Well, in that case, you won't mind having breakfast with me. Come on, Jake. It's just breakfast. What's the harm?"
I hesitated, glancing toward the door. The last thing I wanted was to create a scene that might wake Laura. I needed Chloe gone, but I had to handle this carefully.
"Fine," I said finally, voice strained. "But this doesn't change anything. After this, you leave. For good."
Her smile widened, victorious. "Good. Now, let's sit down, have a nice meal, and... negotiate."
I sat down while she wanted to serve me but I stopped her and filled my plate myself. She chuckled and then sat on the counter in front of me, spread her legs, and then grabbed the jug of yoghurt beside her.
She poured it over her boobs and let it slid down till it was dripping between her legs.
She then started to lick it slowly, and moaning. All the while, her gaze didn't leave my eyes. She stared so deep into my eyes that it felt like I was hypnotized, and couldn't even get past the first bite of toast bread which remained unchewed in my mouth…