Chapter two
1082 Words
Robert rushed out of the bathroom just moments after finishing his phone call. A few steps from the door, he flung his phone onto the bed, barely aiming, before hurrying back to the shower.
His tower slipped dangerously from his waist as he shoved the door open, his movements betraying his restless urgency.
There she sat, staring blankly at everything and nothing in the dim, silent room, as if she were a stranger to it.
Robert's phone buzzed repeatedly, each vibration echoing through the quiet room. Alyssa glanced at the screen. She caught sight of a familiar face in the picture that accompanied the text message.
She quickly averted her eyes, telling herself she didn't care who he was texting. But deep down, she knew she was lying. Every instinct in her screamed to reach for the phone, to feed the growing curiosity that simmered within her.
Just as she was about to give in to her curiosity, the bathroom door swung open with a force that shattered her thoughts, followed by a sharp slam that quelled her intrigue.
Robert emerged from the bathroom, his body glistening with water, bubbles breaking and dripping down, spilling onto the floor.
The phone buzzed again. Robert flashed a sly grin as he reached for it, muttering under his breath, "get ready to be sick of me tonight.”
Alyssa's expression tightened. A wave of unwanted thoughts rushed through her mind.
Why did it suddenly bother her that he was about to see another woman?
Wasn't this supposed to be a contract marriage, just a business arrangement?
Or had she actually started to fall for him after the intimacy they'd shared last week?
No, that was absurd. She was just being delusional, she told herself.
Alyssa's despondent mood was swiftly overshadowed by a flicker of hope. Yes, she needed to return to her phone call with Claire.
Perhaps, just perhaps, she could find some semblance of warmth in their conversation.
She reached out to grab her phone, her gaze briefly meeting Robert, who was absorbed in whatever on his screen was making him giggle repeatedly. With a quiet sigh, she dialed Claire's number. It rang once and then connected.
Claire's voice was soft, tinged with sleep. “Oh, Alyssa, I thought we'd continue tomorrow. I really need to be somewhere in a few minutes.”
Alyssa paused for a moment, gathering herself. She forced a faint smile, barely visible, and whispered, “Are you hanging out with Mr. Big-Down-There tonight?”
Her eyes flickered back to Robert. He was already dressed, his tailored suit immaculate, every crease in the trousers sharply defined.
He fastened the buttons of his long-sleeved shirt with a casual whistle, admiring himself in the mirror.
“Not really. I need to catch up with an old friend,” Claire replied, her voice hinting at a weariness that suggested she was growing tired of the conversation.
“Alright then, goodbye” Alyssa muttered under her breath.
The bar was packed with people, the air thick with the pungent blend of liquor and cigarette smoke. The blaring music echoed loudly, almost deafening in its intensity.
Robert moved through the crowd with effortless grace, his short bow legs swaying gently with each step as he made his way forward.
He suddenly paused, his left hand casually tucked into his pocket. His fingers brushed absently against his lips as he scanned the room. He was obviously searching for his date.
A hand, raised from a distance, gestured towards him, silently beckoning him to come over.
The lady wore a dark, elegant dress that accentuated her curves. She smiled warmly as she closed the distance between herself and Robert. She pulled him into a long, affectionate embrace.
As they stood there, she allowed him to rest his head on her shoulder, her arms wrapped around his neck.
Her left palm gently caressed the back of his neck, her touch soft and soothing as the hug lingered.
“I almost died, starving to see you,” she said softly, finally pulling away from the embrace.
Their lips met in a sharp, quick kiss, charged with the weight of their separation. They both moved toward the table, pulling out the chairs with a quiet urgency.
“You look stunning tonight,” Robert said, his voice thick with admiration as he bit his lip. He was clearly taken by her presence.
His hand subtly reached beneath the table, his fingers grazing her thighs as he allowed the moment to deepen.
She inhaled softly.
“Let's use the convenience already,” she whispered into his ear, her voice hushed.
Robert followed the lady through the dimly lit bar, its neon lights flickering in rhythm with the city's heartbeat. They moved past rows of high-top tables and a few scattered patrons, the thumping bass from the DJ booth vibrating through the floor. As they neared the restroom, he noticed the familiar signs - “Men” and “Women” - glowing above the doorways. His eyes shifted to a woman standing at the wash basin just outside the ladies’ room, washing her hands in the sleek, modern sink. The water splashed softly against the porcelain, cutting through the murmur of voices and clinking glasses. It was a brief moment of solitude amidst the chaos of the bar.
In no instant, the lady tugged Robert's tie, pulling him closer as their lips met in a kiss, indifferent to the other presence in the hallway. The sound of their kiss seemed to echo against the bar's sleek, chrome fixtures.
Meanwhile, the woman at the washbasin glanced up from the running water, her expression a mixture of bemusement and mild disdain. A smirk curled on her lips as she raised an eyebrow, unaffected by the spectacle before her.
“Get a room guys!” she teased, her voice laced with a knowing amusement. She chuckled softly as she turned on her heel, striding toward the door, her gaze lingering on them one last time before disappearing into the bustling bar.
The intimate moment lingered when, suddenly, the restroom door swung open, and a strange looking man stepped in. His eyes quickly scanned the scene before him. His expression shifted from confusion to frustration, as he stood there watching his supposed girlfriend in a rigorous intimate moment with another man.
“Claire!” He shouted, startling them both.
The lady's heart skipped a beat as she turned toward the voice, her eyes wide in surprise.
- Writer
