Trapped In His Vows

COFFEE HANGOVER?

Sunlight poured in the parted red drapes,lighting up long golden stripes on the marble floor. Dust moved unerringly in the warm light ,as if pinned and couldn't move elsewhere. The housekeepers had clearly done their job, everything was neat, in place. The light slanted over Julian, still sprawled on the leather couch, one arm thrown over his eyes.

He growled low, squinting as the brightness pierced through his headache.

Where the hell was he? His gaze wandered, lost, attempting to locate his bearings.The living room. He had passed out here. Great.

He groaned and pulled the throw blanket tighter around his waist. His head throbbed like someone had taken a sledgehammer to it, and his stomach churned from the hangover

Then he saw her. A woman, barely dressed, stood across the room, zipping up her skirt.

“You’re not Isa, right?” he asked, eyes narrowing as he tried to connect the dots.

“No. I’m Ava,” she replied flatly, not bothering to look at him.

He glared, his voice low and frosty. “Didn’t ask for your name. What are you doing here?”

From somewhere behind the couch came another voice. “Nick said you insisted she come home with you. Though, how he got past the cops, God knows, he was drunk as hell.”

Julian blinked, brow furrowed. That wasn’t Ava.

He turned his head. Standing behind the couch was Richard, his butler, wearing perfectly in black suit, crisp white shirt, and a perfectly tied bowtie. He held a folded maroon bathrobe.

“Richard?” Julian c****d his head.

The butler gave no reply, just looked down at the robe and then back at him.

Julian got the message. He sighed and sank deeper into the couch.

“Was the s*x good?” he muttered, shattering the silence.

Richard blinked, wide-eyed. Julian really could’ve phrased that better. Ava paused, halfway through pulling her dress on.

“Oh, I know it was,” Julian said with a smirk, cutting her off.

Ava forced a tight-lipped smile. Julian studied her. She wasn’t Isa, but her hair... he liked that.

Ava stood frozen for a moment, unsure of what to say. The discomfort in the room hung heavy.

Richard cleared his throat.

“Richard,” Julian said, snapping his eyes away. “Tell security to see her off, will you?”

“Of course, Mr. Carter.” Richard gently placed the robe on Julian’s chest. Then, turning to Ava: “Miss?”

Ava dressed quickly and pouted as she slipped out of the living room. Richard followed her out.

As soon as the door clicked shut, Julian slid into the robe and left the couch. He walked barefoot toward the stairs.

On the second landing, a sudden sharp crash shattered the silence. Porcelain. A vase? The sound had come from the farthest room at the end of the corridor.

Julian froze. The door to that room was ajar.

His heart pounded.

“Dad?” he called, barely above a whisper.

**********************************

Ashley stepped onto the porch. Ah, the sun was out already. Its golden rays spilled over the small patch of white lotuses.The air was warm. She breathed deeply. It was soothing.

She turned towards Heather who sat on the porch swing with a pale pink wooly blanket draping over her shoulders. Had she come out to watch the sunrise? What time is it?

“Hey babe,” Ashley called out walking over to her with two mugs of espresso.

“How long have you been out here?”

Ashley sat beside Heather and handed her a mug. She quickly slipped under the blanket with her.

“So, what are we watching?” She asked, pecking Heather on the cheek.

Heather took a sip.

“Nature?” Heather replied softly, not sparing her a glance.

“Ahh.” Ashley raised her brows and nodded slowly. She understood.

“I've been out here all morning. Thought I could get some fresh air" Heather continued.

“Okay” Ashley said halfheartedly, not looking at her. She continued sipping her coffee.

“I've missed you though,” Heather whispered, her voice close to Ashley's ear. She gazed at her, then smiled.

Ashley swallowed hard, pretending not to hear her. The air between them grew awkward. She made it that way.

“So how's med school?” Heather leaned in, sensing the shift. The last thing she wanted was for Ashley to feel uncomfortable around her. She was her safe space.

“School is…school” Ashley clutched the mug tightly with both hands. Beads of sweat had begun to appear on her forehead. She wasn’t supposed to be this uncomfortable around her,right? She was her girl. Besides, there was something she’d been meaning to say.

“Oh” Heather reclined and took another sip.

Olivia stepped outside. She'd caught them from the corner of her eyes but feigned ignorance.

She was going for a walk, wearing a black gym suit and a sky blue headband. Her brown hair tied up in a scattered bun.

She placed a foot on the doormat and bent over to tie her loose shoe lace. Her phone clattered onto the floor.

“Damnit” she cussed under her breath. She didn't want them to see her leave, or maybe she did.

Heather turned to the noise.

“Olivia?”

Ashley didn't move. She didn't turn. Not that she wasn't bothered, but either way. She just stared into space slowly sipping her coffee.

“Hey… Heather,” Olivia got up, rubbing her palms together. She turned to Heather.

“How are you feeling?”

“I'm good,” Heather smiled. “You can come join us if you want.”

“Uh…I've gotta run. Would've loved to…” She stuttered, quickly picking up her phone.

“Don't you love threesomes, would've loved a threesome, you know, Olivia.” Ashley finally turned to her with a sly smirk and a wink.

Heather shot her a look. She frowned. Ashley didn't have to say it that way. She wasn't in the mood for their usual pettiness as they were always at each other's throat.

Olivia didn't respond. She rolled her eyes and went down the steps.

“Think about it.” Ashley called after her.

“You didn't have to say that, you know,” Heather said quietly, taking another sip.

“I was only kidding,” Ashley said, turning to her. “You should know that.” Ashley winks at her.

Heather sighed.

“Besides, no pressure but…when are we going to be official? Aren't you tired of hiding? Babe?” Ashley turned away from her,slipping out from under the blanket.

“I know” Heather lowered her cup. “Could you give me more time to process all this? I still have to tell my father.” She stared at her cup.

“Yeah, sure. Anything, love.” Ashley kissed her forehead, smiled faintly, and walked back inside without another glance.

Heather sank deeper into the seat with a sigh and finished her coffee.

Ashley shut the door behind her and leaned against it, biting her lower lip. She hoped she hadn’t hurt her.