You can take this heart
Heal it or break it all apart
No, this isn't fair
Love me or leave me here.
-Little Mix
A T H A L I A
No lies, the thing I was already scared of had happened. I became addicted. Addicted to those rolled-up sleeves, to his husky voice, and when he stared at me, shit! I felt the heat rise inside my body.
My focus on the laptop couldn't stay stable, not when he was that close. Cade's breath sent a warm sensation down my skin, causing my hormones to dance in a lunatic way. "It's fixed now; I don't think any more glitches will happen again," he said, stepping away from my chair.
I had been trying to fix the glitch on my monitor for the past few hours, but in the end, I sought help from him. I gave him a thankful smile, adjusted myself in the chair, and went back to whatever I was doing.
"I think you all should have lunch now," said Cade, taking a glance at his watch.
"Let's go to the nearby restaurant," Lily suggested as I was cleaning up my desk.
"Yeah, sure." Since Nathan and Vi were out for some work and Cade never joined us, it's just Lily and me going for lunch.
"Can you make a cup of coffee before leaving?" Cade asked me from inside his cabin. "Wait for me downstairs." I told Lily, and went inside his cabin.
He was focused on the screen while I grabbed everything to make coffee. I heard him cursing and groaning from behind, frustrated, that's how he stays most of the time.
I placed the cup on his table; he removed his glasses and looked up at me. "Close the door." He ordered, rubbing his temple.
"Why?" I asked, "Just close it," He said. I closed it, more like locked it.
"Come here." Cade pushed his chair a little away from the table. Demanding and confident, I know what he is asking for right now.
As soon as I reached closer to him, he pulled me down to his lap. Sometimes I actually feel like I've become his fuck toy, and damn it feels so good. I regret asking for help two weeks ago. He is not forcing himself on me, as he promised, but we still haven't done anything except kissing or Cade sucking my skin whenever he feels tired.
He took a sip from the cup, holding me down. "Cade, Lily's waiting for me." I said, pushing myself away.
"Jeez, you are so cranky. She can wait for 5 minutes." Cade placed the cup on the table and grabbed me by my hips. "Only 5 minutes then." I challenged him.
"As you wish bébé." His left hand traveled up to my neck, and he sank his teeth into mine. He held my waist and pushed me to the table, making us both stand, as he deepened it, my fingers tangled with hairs.
Maybe I shouldn't have challenged him; he becomes more aggressive when I give him less time to complete. He trailed his lips down to my collarbone and looked up at me with a grin. A well-known wicked grin, I shot him a 'no' glare. I moaned when he bit me there, leaving a fresh red hickey which I can't cover with makeup right now.
I shoved him away from me and grabbed my purse. "Your 5 minutes are done; I'm leaving."
I rushed outside without giving him any chance to grab me again. All I heard was him laughing and shouting 'let's continue this once we're in bed.'
I raised up my collar to hide the bite mark and waved at Lily. "What took you so long?" she asked, walking with me.
"Well, I messed up with coffee." She gave me a look of uncertainty at my reply.
"Whatever, I'm starving." We entered the restaurant and ordered pancakes.
Our pancakes arrived earlier than I expected. Mine with chocolate and hers with vanilla.
"You won't mind giving me a bite." Lily asked, staring at my food.
I gave her a fork full bite, but her expression changed. "Is that a hickey, Athalia?" She asked, nervousness rolled up on my tongue.
"W- what, no, it's a rash." I said, focusing back on my plate. "Those are teeth marks; you better stop lying. Tell me who did this."
"Tell me who did this." This time, she almost climbed on me, and the next thing that happened was me crash-landing on someone.
To make the situation worse, it was Asher. We both fell on the floor. I immediately tried to get up.
"With whom are you fucking around nowadays?" He said, checking me out from head to toe. I am wearing a bit of makeup and cute dresses more often now, but he should no longer worry about me, my outfit, or my make-out sessions.
"None of your concern," I said and ignored him, sitting in my place again.
"I guess I can have lunch with you. Your table is almost empty," said Asher, taking a seat beside me. All I need is an excuse to get out of here. I would have hugged him if he was the same old Asher, but he is not. He never was; he faked everything.
"Is this a bite mark, Rose?" He asked, removing the piece of cloth around my neck. I jerked his hand off from my collar. He still calls me by my middle name, but now it sounds more like a taunt than a love song.
'You are beautiful like a rose, and roses are my favorite.' Why can't I just forget all of this? I hate his voice roaming in my head.
I held back a bite; he gripped my hand and placed it in his mouth. Even his touch stinks now.
"Can you please bring the bill? I would like to leave." I asked the waitress. She handed me the bill along with the swiping machine. I was about to get up, but he pressed his lips against my hair and murmured, "Stay away from him, Rose; he'll shatter you." Anger flushed through my skin.
"The last thing I remember is being on a hospital bed, losing all my chances of becoming a mother." I said and left without even waiting for his reply.
"Why don't you hit him with pancakes on his face?" said Lily, checking her notifications.
"I just don't want any drama. Let's go back." I said, dragging her but she stopped.
"You still haven't told me who gave you this love bite." And here we go again with Lily.
✾ ✾ ✾ ✾ ✾ ✾ ✾ ✾ ✾ ✾
I hated business parties because they overloaded me with boredom, but I loved them too because I got to wear my new sassy dresses.
Lewis texted me at noon that we were attending a party, especially for the return of his dearest son.
"How much time would it take to get ready?" Lewis shouted from outside my room.
"It would take time," I shouted back.
"Then come to the venue with Cade. I have to leave early." Lewis's footsteps slowly faded away.
I grabbed my crimson off-shoulder net frock from the closet. I couldn't even recall when I bought it. A little makeup, cherry-colored lipstick with clear lip gloss, and eyeliner. Enough to make my beautiful face gorgeous.
My favorite moon-designed earrings and heels. I was obsessed with their color, 'Bloody red.' And within a blink, an hour had passed. My phone lit up with the caller's ID 'Mr. Arrogant.'
"I'm leaving if you're not coming down in 5 minutes," Cade said through the phone.
"Jeez, so cranky. Can't you wait for 5 minutes?" I threw his comment from the morning. He sighed before ending the call.
I made my way downstairs. Cade was leaning against the car in a white silk shirt and a blue coat.
"Are you supposed to drive?" I pointed at the keys in his hand. His attention turned from the phone screen to me. For a second, there was a pause of expression on his face. Surprised.
"Cade," I snapped. He blinked a few times.
"Yes, I'll drive," and opened the door for me.
"Je vais te baiser ce soir." He leaned and whispered against my ears in a foreign language while I was fixing my seatbelt.
"What?" I asked in confusion, my ears almost red from his breath. "You are looking beautiful," he replied and shut the door.
"Thank you," I grinned.
He drove in silence but peeked at me a few times at red lights. Then the venue was here - Hotel Heaven Sky. The doorman opened my door. I thanked him with a smile while Cade threw the keys in his direction. No wonder why I call him Mr. Arrogant.
His hand traveled to my waist as he whispered, "Smile for the flashlights." Cameras! I hate this. We bustled through them and reached the hall.
"That's why I run away," Cade said to himself. The hall was dark with a few colorful lights, mostly like a bar. Cade parted away when Lewis called for him. I sat on the bar stool and ordered tequila, although I knew I wasn't going to drink it. Just a few sips.
"Getting bored?" I almost choked on my drink hearing Nathan's voice. "Yeah," I replied. "Where is Lily?" I asked him.
He leaned against the bar counter and took a sip of his whiskey. "She's out with Vivene, on a date night."
Lily always bewitched me when I needed her. "Sounds romantic," I replied.
He was staring at something or someone. "Is that Asher?" he said, and I twisted my head. Asher was coming in my direction, not a scene, not here.
I stood from the stool without taking a second and pulled Nathan with me between the mob. "What are you doing?" he puzzled. "Don't want any drama," I replied.
I felt relieved when he disappeared from sight. The dance floor was really crowded, and I missed a step, and my left heel broke. "Shit!" I cursed. Nathan held my left hand, preventing me from falling.
We exited from the crowded place. He helped me sit on a stool. I touched my left ear, and my earring was lost. What can be worse for a day?
"Don't worry; I'll try to find it," Nathan said and hurried back to the dance floor, leaving me all alone. I examined my heel, broken into two pieces.
Almost an hour passed, and no sign of Nathan and any familiar face. I should leave before any mishap strikes me again.
I called Cade, no answer. I called Lewis; again, there was no answer. Apparently, I have to walk to find them. Barefoot.
Did they leave without me? I checked almost everywhere but couldn't spot any of them. I really don't want to book an Uber at this hour.
Now only the river terrace is left, and the meaning of my fate is doom. Asher is sitting on the floor with his knuckles covered with blood. Run 'Thalia Run.' But someone's glimpse made me freeze. Cade is standing, breathing heavily, his lips bleeding, and angry.
Looks like I have to deal with drama today. Nathan was there too, but he was fine. Their eyes moved towards me when I stepped inside. "What happened?" Surprisingly my voice echoed.
Asher wiped his mouth. "This is what I meant by shattered, Rose," he said. I looked at Cade, who was just staring at the floor. I really don't care about a single word Asher said; he is a liar, and he lies most of the time when he feels jealous.
"What the heck happened?" Lewis stormed from the back door. Asher got up with a smirk on his face; he had planned this. "Can't you stop fighting for my sake?" he scolded Cade, while Asher had the proud full look on his face. Fucking Asher.
I don't know how to control Cade or Asher, but I do know how to control Lewis. That daughter look, it always works. "Sir, you should head back to the dining before anyone suspects." I elbowed Nathan to support me.
"Yes, you should go; you can scold Cade at home," he said; can't something meaningful come from his mouth.
"Leave from the back door, now," said Lewis, giving Cade a last death glare and left. Asher was leaving with a satisfactory look. "What happened?" I again asked Cade, but instead of answering, he pulled me in a tight hug. I wrapped my hands around him, hugging back and closed my eyes.
When we pulled off, Asher was still there. Just shocked. "Let's go," Cade said, holding me. Once we reached the parking lot, there was silence. "What happened to your feet?" asked Nathan.
"None of you picked up my calls; I had to walk barefoot to find you," I replied with a pout. My feet became dirty; Cade took heels from my hand and picked me up in his arm, one under my legs and the other with heels supporting my back.
"Sorry," he whispered. "I can walk; it's ok," I whispered back, putting my hands behind his neck.
"You are going insane for Athalia, aren't you?" Nathan shouted from behind. "What does he mean?" I asked him. "Nothing," he replied; Nathan shouted back. "He punched Asher because of you."
"Did you?" I asked again; he opened the door, placed me inside and tied my seatbelt with no response. "Cade, did you?" I held his collar this time.
He stared into my eyes, his pupils dilated. "I'll tell you at home; my mood isn't good right now," he said, starting the car.
Once we reached home, he picked me up again. "I can walk," I said, but he didn't put me down. "It's ok. Your feet must be hurting."
My heart pressed my tongue, preventing me from arguing. Mae noticed us, but before she could ask anything, Cade carried me to his bedroom and seated me on his bed.
"Wait," he said and went to the bathroom. He came back with a bowl, a wet towel, and antiseptic. He bent down and started wiping my feet. "Cade, I can do this," I told him. It was he who was actually bleeding, not me.
I snatched the towel when he was not answering back. "I'm sorry," he said. "He was bad-mouthing about you. I tried but lost my temper." He gave me the explanation.
"You did the right thing." I wiped his cut with the corner of the towel. "I'm not angry," I said as he laid his head on my lap.
"Athalia?" He asked, pressing his forehead against mine. "Can I kiss you?"
"Will this make your mood light up?" I asked. He slightly nodded his head. "Then ok." Guess we are finally doing it tonight.
He pressed his lips, but it was not the same as every time. It was not the same hungry or wild one; he lightly stroked my tongue. Slow and gentle. I felt the heat rise between our bodies. His eyes opened; he looked at me. He was no longer Mr. Arrogant; I saw the actual Cade he was hiding from the world.
Hurt and shattered.