Strictly In The Bedroom 2

Chapter 9 Cathartic

M A L L O R Y

Crying has always been a way to release emotions, whether it was caused by mental stress, physical stress, emotional stress, spiritual stress, absolute sadness, raging anger, or other feelings that were too difficult to express with words. It was a natural response that could be cathartic.

“Are you okay?” Liz asked softly as he slowly walked nearer towards me.

There was always something so fascinating about that simple question. There was always something about that simple question which would affect us a lot. The more I tried to hide my pain, the more that question hurt me, and the more it would make me cry. When someone would ask if you are okay, it was like they were acknowledging the pain you were in, and sometimes, that acknowledgement would be enough to make us feel it even more strongly and cause us to cry even more. It was like they were validating our pain and offering an opportunity to let it out.

There was always something so fascinating about that simple question as it would make us feel more vulnerable and the tears would just start flowing even more. It was like giving permission to the person to feel and express their emotions through tears, to ‘let it out’.

There was always something so fascinating about that simple question as if he supported and understood, and this moment right now with the way he was looking back at me, it was truly a cathartic experience with a stranger like him, just to let the tears flow and release the emotional pain that was being stored inside me.

I stared at Liz standing in front of me, as his attire was cool, casual but sophisticated. His hair, golden blond with frosted tips and dark roots, was styled in a middle part with an undercut. His outfit had a relaxed and confident vibe while still being stylish and polished. He wore a fitted black polo shirt that showed off his bulging muscles and toned frame. He paired it with tailored black denim jeans that highlighted his long legs and fitted to his physique.

He wore fashionable white sneakers, and his accessories included a stylish watch and a sleek chain necklace. His outfit was comfortable yet sophisticated, making him look cool and effortless but still put together and polished. It was a nice balance between casual and sophisticated, suited his athletic physique perfectly.

But despite looking dangerously handsome, he was wearing a sympathetic look as he looked at me, acknowledging my pain and the difficulties I was going through with just looking at how in pain I was.

“I just wanted to be held for now.” My lips trembled as I cried while focusing my eyes on him.

Without asking any further questions, Liz’s long arms immediately wrapped around me in a warm embrace. He held me close and let me weep into his shoulder, providing the comfort and support that I needed in that moment. He held me close, our chests pressed together, as he was letting me cry and letting go of all of my emotions as I needed to. It was a comforting moment where I felt cared for and protected, a moment that made me feel like my emotions were validated and cherished despite the difficulties in my life.

Although Liz was not the person I expected to see at this moment, I found myself taking comfort in his embrace. The warmth and support I found in his embrace was just what I needed to get through this difficult time. It was a surprising but welcome presence, and I found myself grateful that he was here to provide me with some much-needed comfort and strength.

He did not ask anything, he just held me.

I inhaled his aroma as I gave him a hug—it was like fresh musk. Even though I did not really know him, the fresh aroma immediately calmed me and gave me a sense of security. He provided me with the comfort that I needed at this moment and asked for nothing in return or asked anything about what was wrong with me. Leaning into the hug while he was hugging me back, I breathed in the scent and let it fill my senses, feeling safe and comfortable in his strong arms, if only for a little while. He smelled really manly, and somewhat like a strong masculine cologne that did not hurt my nostrils, which enhanced his male appeal and, to be honest, made me weak in the knees.

After a few moments of crying against him and letting him comfort me, I slowly pulled away and wiped away my tears off my cheeks. “I’m sorry,” I muttered under my breath, feeling like my makeup had probably smudged now as well because of my tears. I knew I had been a mess of tears and emotions, but his embrace had been what I needed and I had found solace in it even just for a while. “I am such a mess right now and you had to see it.”

“You are not. Anyways, it is okay.” He gently replied, his voice full of concern and compassion as he reached out to rub my back reassuringly. “You bumped into me along the front door when I was heading in the club, I called for you but you did not hear me. So I followed you.”

Oh, so he was the one who I bumped into earlier then. “Oh…” I muttered softly, responding to him.

“Umm, I am sorry that I was late by the way, I had to finish my research at school for a deadline.” He answered and smiled weakly at me.

His words reminded me of how vast our age gap was that it even made me chuckle under my throat, “No worries.” I answered him while forcing a weak smile on my face. “I am sorry again that you saw me in this kind of situation.”

“It is fine. Did something happen inside?” He asked.

I shook my head sideways, “No, nothing like that. Just…” I paused, took a breath in and exhaled it out heavily while gluing my eyes on his pair of beautiful light blue eyes as I asked, “Can you take me somewhere else?”

He blinked his eyes at me, “Sure. Umm, any place in mind? I mean, do you want somewhere a bit quieter and with less crowds but still with drinks?”

“I do not care. Just take me anywhere, no more drinks.” I answered him.

He nodded his head, “Okay. I know a place around here. Do you mind if we walk? It is just near.”

“Sure.” I answered, as I texted Max and Gia that I was heading somewhere, while we were both walking together now. “Wait.” I hollered, stopping him from walking and he did so, while I stood in front of him and turned on my camera, “Smile.”

“What–”

Snap. I took his photo and told him, “I am just sending it to my friends, just in case you would do something to me.”

He chuckled lightly under his breath, “That is a first.”

I took a step back and took another photo of him, head to toe, Snap. “So they will know what you wore, just in case.” I honestly told him, and maybe it was the alcohol talking, but for now, my tears stopped from falling.

He laughed once again, another soft one, “At least let me pose.”

I smirked at his playful comment while sending the pictures to my group chat with Gia and Max, as we continued walking together. By the time we reached the place, he brought me to a small and a bit secluded courtyard with comfy furniture and ambient lighting which was completely opposite to the club. It had a small winery place where the outdoor sitting area was absolutely so comforting that I just loved the silence that came with it.

“We do not have to drink.” He told me as we sat down.

I smiled at him after I saw the winery’s outdoor menu, “Wanna try those?”

He glanced at where I pointed before turning back towards me, “Pastéis de Nata?”

“Yeah, whatever that is.” I chuckled dryly.

“That is Portuguese custard tarts.” He smiled as he stood up, “Let me buy us some.”

I nodded my head as I watched him head to the small winery place which also served pastries, and returned to where I was, holding a container with four pieces of the Portuguese custard tarts, with two bottles of fresh juice.

“Thank you.” I told him, taking a piece from the container and munched in it. “Wow.” I mumbled as I chewed on it.

“Good, right?” He smiled before taking a bite from his own piece, while I nodded in response to answer, taking another bite. “This was the first place I thought of where I wanted to take you, but then I thought that maybe you would find me a creep for bringing you in a small courtyard.”

I chuckled, “So you opted for the club?”

He nodded while smiling handsomely, “Mhm. It is not such a downer place, right?”

“No, you should have stuck with your first option.” I smiled at him.

He lightly laughed under his throat, “Yeah, I will take note of that next time.”

The place was actually nice, with comfy and cozy outdoor sitting area furniture, ambient lighting, and beautiful decorations around. It was overlooking the city with an amazing view as the stars seemed like twinkling lights above us, and the refreshing air was brushing and kissing against our faces and through the strands of our hairs. This was definitely a place best to enjoy and relax in, away from the crowded club filled with sweaty people with blinding lights and thick smoke from the machinery and from the people’s collective smoking inside.

“I hope my crying did not ruin my makeup.” I faced him so he could check.

He shook his head, “No worries, still a pretty face for a 61-year-old ancient ruins auntie.” as he said it teasingly.

I erupted in laughter as he was smiling at me, “You are never going to stop annoying me with my age, are you?”

He smiled handsomely, as I stared at his dimple and the way his lips made contact with that custard as he took another bite from it. “I just wanted to make you smile.”

“By mocking me with my age?” I chuckled lightly, trying not to stare too much at his lips.

But I could not help it, damn it, I glanced back at his lips once again as soon as he licked it, then he told me, “At least I am making you smile.”

I smiled wider as he was smiling handsomely at me. I informed him, “Mallory.”

His brows shoot up, “Sorry?”

“Mal stands for Mallory.” I smiled sheepishly.

“Hm, I did not know we were on that level already.” He responded, using my own words against me, once again.

I found it amusing and let out a slight chuckle so I used his own words against him, “Just being a step ahead.”

His eyes locked on mine, his smirk indicating his playful intentions. He stroked my cheek gently as he neared his face on mine, his lips slowly closing in on my own. A sudden burst of heat flared in my stomach as he abruptly pressed his lips against mine, kissing me softly but a quick one. Once he pulled away, his gaze remained locked on my lips and his eyes seemed reluctant to break away from their hold, as if he wanted to kiss me again and again.

“That is it?” I asked.