Chapter 28: The Night With Him
1125words
"Nathan?" I called out weakly, leaning against the wall for support.
He stopped mid-step and turned to look at me.
"Scarlett?" he hurried over, wrapping an arm around me. "What's wrong? Oh my God, you are burning up!"
"I need your help, please," I begged, my voice barely a whisper. The pain was unbearable, and my legs felt like they would give out.
"I need to call a doctor. Come on," he said, leading me into his hotel room.
"I don't need a doctor, Nathan. I need you," I blurted out, throwing my arms around his neck.
"You are not well. I have to call a doctor," he insisted, concern etched on his face.
"Which part don't you get? I want you to make love to me. Please, I'm losing my mind," I said, pressing my lips to his.
In that moment, it felt like I was transported to another world—one filled with only love and happiness. His lips were just as I remembered: sweet, tender, and magical. The feeling soothed my troubled soul, and all I wanted was to be in his arms.
"Scarlett?" Nathan said softly, pulling away. Reality came crashing back, and with it, the pain. "Tell me what's happening to you," he urged.
Instead of answering, I kissed him again. I couldn't let go of this feeling. It was what made me feel whole. Despite the painful memories, all I wanted was to stay in this moment with him.
He lifted me into his arms and gently laid me on the bed. "I missed you," he confessed, and I pulled him down on top of me.
His touch was like an angel's caress, easing the fire in my soul. His kisses burned through me, and I let out a moan—half pleasure, half pain.
"I don't want to forget this moment," I whispered.
"You won't, silly," he replied with a soft smile.
"She is going to be angry."
"You are all I have ever wanted," he murmured, fumbling with the clasp of my bra.
"Why did you leave me?" I asked as he unclasped my bra, tossing it aside. Our bare bodies touched, and a broken moan escaped my lips.
"I was helpless," he admitted.
"You should have told me."
"There was no way out for us. I had to accept it."
"Without asking me first," I muttered as I felt him enter me.
The words we didn't say hung in the air, unspoken but understood. Our moans filled the room. In this moment, nothing else mattered—just the two of us.
The golden sunlight streamed through the window, waking me in the arms of the man I had once loved with every fiber of my being. I propped myself up on an elbow, gazing at him.
"If only I had you all to myself," I thought. Quietly, I slipped out of bed, freshened up, and dressed before Nathan woke.
"You are leaving already?" he asked, sitting up as I put on my heels.
"Pretty obvious," I replied.
"We still have so much to talk about."
"I know." I tossed a wad of cash onto the bed. "If that's not enough, I will send more."
"What is this for?" The confusion on his face was priceless.
"Sugar boys get paid after a night, don't they?"
"What? Have you lost your mind?" he snapped, and I laughed.
"What did you expect, Nathan darling? People can become anything overnight, and it's funny you chose to become a sugar boy to a younger woman. Let me know if you need more money," I taunted as I headed for the door.
"You have lost your mind, Scarlett."
"Touché," I replied as I left.
***
I opened the door to my bedroom and saw Gabriel sitting on the couch.
"Gabriel?" I called, unsure if I was really seeing him.
"Where have you been?" he asked, standing up and closing the distance between us.
"I don't owe you an explanation," I shot back.
He leaned in and sniffed the air around my neck.
"What's that supposed to mean?" I pushed him away.
"A man's cologne," he said flatly. "Who was he?"
"None of your business," I muttered as I walked past him.
"I knew coming here was a bad idea. My resignation letter is on the bed. And please, delete my number," he said, picking up his phone and heading for the door.
"Wait, Gabriel," I called after him. I couldn't handle being abandoned again. I moved in front of him, blocking his path. "You don't have to go. I had no choice. I couldn't control it, and you weren't around," I explained, desperation in my voice.
"You never wanted me around."
"Well, now I do. I need your support. If I don't get my revenge, I will never find peace."
"That's where you are wrong. I know we don't share the same beliefs, but no one finds peace through revenge. Hurting others will only hurt you more," he said, taking my hands in his. "The only way to find peace is to forgive and forget. Hurting Nathan or his family won't bring you peace. I just want to see the best version of you. Is that too much to ask?"
"It's not as simple as you make it sound. I'm not going to kill anyone. They just deserve to be punished," I insisted.
"I hope you won't have to learn your lesson the hard way," he replied.
"Anyway, why did you come back?" I asked, wrapping my arms around his waist and gazing into his eyes. "You said you wouldn't."
"The heart wants what it wants. I can't imagine my life without you," he admitted.
"That's deep. Why?" I asked, genuinely curious.
"Because you stole my heart," he whispered, sending a shiver down my spine.
I shook my head. "I'm not a thief."
"But you have captured someone's heart," he said, pulling me closer.
"How did that happen? I'm not your type. You never wanted a selfish, vengeful woman. And I'm older than you," I pointed out.
"I can't control my heart. I don't care about your age. I just love you, and I don't want this to end," he confessed. I could hear the sincerity in his voice, but I knew better.
I tilted my head. "You know you are going to get hurt, right?"
"For you, I would endure anything," he said.
I once believed in Nathan's love too, and we ended up like this. I couldn't risk loving again, but I didn't want to let go of Gabriel. I enjoyed his company and cherished how much he cared for me.
"Gabriel..."
"Don't say anything," he cut me off with a kiss. It was tender but sharp, cutting through me like a blunt knife.
