Sunlight snuck through the fancy curtains in the hotel room, softly touching Elena's face. She woke up slowly, her head hurting from drinking too much. As she became more awake, she felt a strange warmth against her back and a strong arm holding her around the waist.
When the events that had occurred the previous night surged through her fragmented memories, panic coursed through her veins. The night before, she had received a photograph of her boyfriend Eddie and his ex-girlfriend Rose. The photo showed Eddie comfortably asleep in Rose's arms. She then angrily confronted Eddie, and he felt ashamed and outraged. The two then erupted into a fierce argument, and...she went to a bar, where she encountered Eddie's brother Alfie. Oh, damn, Alfie...
Elena bolted awake, her heart racing. She gently turned her head, dreading what she might see. But the fact remained - lying peacefully beside her was Alfie, her fiancé's brother. His sleeping form was vastly different from his usual self - the impeccably dressed, unapproachable man. Now, his strong arms rested on her waist, and his flaxen hair was somewhat disheveled.
"Oh God," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "What have I done?"
Alfie heard her whisper and snapped his eyes open. For a moment, he seemed a little dazed, but then a slow, satisfied smile spread across his face." Good morning, my beauty," he murmured, his voice husky with sleep. And then, his hands gradually worked their way up and began to knead her round breasts. Brown eyes colored with lust.
His kneading motions left Elena spellbound, and when his lips covered hers, she didn't resist, but reveled in the French wet kiss. However, when his hands drifted to his body, Elena awoke as if in a dream. She broke free of Alfie's erotic bonds and jumped off the bed, clutching the thin blanket to her chest to cover her naked body. She stammered, "This ... was a mistake, we can't do this anymore." Her blue eyes widened with shock and guilt.
Alfie propped himself up on his elbow, his muscular chest and arms in full view. Due to his recent movements being interrupted, there was a hint of dissatisfaction in his gaze. "Is that so?" he asked, his dark eyes appraising her peach-like figure. "But I think I'm in the right place, aren't you unsatisfied with my performance yesterday, darling?"
"Don't," Elena warned, her voice shaking. "We were drunk. This never should have happened."
Alfie sat up completely, his body fully exposed to Elena. She averted her gaze unnaturally. Alfie's voice rang out, "Elena, look at me, what are you hiding from? I've actually wanted you for a long time." He confessed, his voice low and strong." Do you remember when I came to visit Eddie during your freshman year? I saw you give a speech at some student event. You were wearing a beige shirt and a black suit that day. But your voice was so passionate, your serious expression so captivating, and your body made me react. That's when I knew I wanted you I wanted to possess you, like last night you were mine."
Elena closed her eyes, trying to block out the memories of their passionate encounter. The way Alfie's hands had roamed her body, igniting fires she didn't know existed. The way his lips had claimed hers with a hunger that left her breathless.
"So what?" Elena said weakly. "Alfie, I'm with Eddie, and I'm his girlfriend. We're getting engaged in two weeks, and I'll soon be his fiance."
"Ah yes, my dear little brother," Alfie's tone turned bitter. "The same brother who couldn't keep it in his pants with his ex-girlfriend. Tell me, Elena, why are you still with him?"
At the mention of Eddie's infidelity, another pain welled up in Elena's heart. If she hadn't found out yesterday that Eddie was having a one-night stand with his ex-girlfriend from high school, Rose, the current situation wouldn't have happened. Rose was Eddie's high school girlfriend who ended her relationship with Eddie when her family went bankrupt, forcing her to drop out of college because she wasn't in the same world anymore. If Rose hadn't run into this situation, maybe Elena wouldn't even be with Eddie. Again it's Rose again, who suddenly reappears in their lives, picks up a drunk Eddie at a bar he frequents, takes him to a hotel, has a one-night stand and then sends her pictures afterward.
"It's complicated," she muttered, gathering her scattered clothes from the floor.
Alfie rose from the bed, unashamed of his nakedness. He approached Elena slowly, like a predator stalking its prey. "It doesn't have to be," he said softly, reaching out to tuck a strand of her chestnut hair behind her ear. And gently stroked her face with his hand,"You deserve so much more than what Eddie can give you. You deserve passion, excitement... me."
For a moment, Elena allowed herself to lean into his touch, to imagine a life where she chose Alfie instead. But reality came crashing back all too quickly.
"I have to go," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "This can never happen again. Eddie and I... we're supposed to be leaving for the States soon. We have plans."
Alfie's eyes flashed with something dangerous. "Plans can change, Elena. Do you really want to spend the next few years of your life pretending to be happy with a man who couldn't appreciate what he had?"
Elena felt tears pricking at her eyes. "You don't understand. Eddie... he pursued me relentlessly when we first met.We have been together for almost four years, it was he who brought me into your world, I thought we were deeply in love. He made me feel special, wanted."
"And now?" Alfie challenged. "Does he still make you feel that way? Or has he become complacent, taking you for granted?"
Elena couldn't answer. The truth was, things had changed between her and Eddie. The passion that had marked the beginning of their relationship had faded, replaced by a comfortable familiarity that sometimes felt more like friendship than romance.
"I have to go," she repeated, more firmly this time. "This was a mistake, Alfie. One that can never happen again."
As she hurried to dress, Alfie watched her with a mix of desire and determination. "You can run now, Elena," he called as she headed for the door. "But we both know this isn't over. Not by a long shot. I've waited years for you, I can wait a little longer.I won't give up. And I believe you are a smart girl, you know, with me, I can give you more than him. I know your ambitions in your career, and only I - the true power holder of the Eric family, can satisfy your ambitions."
Elena paused, her hand on the doorknob. Without turning back, she said, "Goodbye, Alfie." Then she was gone, leaving behind the tangled sheets and the lingering scent of forbidden passion.
As the door clicked shut, Alfie fell back onto the bed, a smirk playing on his lips. "Oh, Elena," he mused aloud. "You have no idea what you've started. But you will."
Outside in the hallway, Elena leaned against the wall, her heart pounding. In just a few hours, she was due at a bridal boutique to try on dresses and need to go to the flower shop to select the flowers for her engagement party. How could she possibly face Eddie now, knowing what she'd done?
With a deep breath, she straightened her shoulders and headed for the elevator. She had made a terrible mistake, but she was determined to put it behind her. After all, she loved Eddie... didn't she?
As the elevator doors closed, Elena couldn't shake the feeling that her life had just become infinitely more complicated. The thought of facing Eddie again made her head start to hurt. It was clear that Eddie had made an unforgivable mistake, but because of that night's events, everything had become more complicated. She had also made a mistake, and this mistake was related to Eddie's brother, which made her feel even more unreasonable when facing Eddie again. "Oh, damn, what is all this about?" She murmured, rubbing her temples as she rode the elevator.