Surrendered To Desire

5

Asa narrating:

The sunlight filtered through the trees as I drove down the familiar streets of my childhood. Every curve and every corner brought back memories, some good, some not so much. Today, however, I was determined to focus on the good ones.

Before leaving, I made a quick call to my mom.

Flashback:

— Hi, Mom! Is Alma home? — I asked, a slight anxiety forming in my stomach.

— No, dear. She went out with some friends. — Her answer brought immediate relief. Seeing her today wasn’t something I was looking for.

— Great, then. I’ll see her, Mom! See you in a bit — I ended the call, feeling lighter. It was as if a weight had been lifted. I needed this time with my mom, away from the family tensions.

Flashback off.

When I arrived at the house where I grew up, a mix of nostalgia and comfort washed over me. The facade was still the same, with the flowers my mom loved taking care of the garden. I knocked on the door and, within seconds, it opened.

— Asa! — my mom exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with joy. She enveloped me in a tight hug, and I felt the familiarity and love that had always been between us.

— Hi, Mom! — I smiled.

We entered and settled in the living room, where the smell of fresh coffee filled the air. The conversation flowed naturally, as always, but as we talked about trivialities, I realized there was something more I wanted to share.

— Mom, there’s something I’d like to tell you. — I took a deep breath, searching for the right words. — I met someone.

Her eyes lit up, and a smile formed on her face.

— Oh, dear! That’s wonderful! Tell me more about him!

— His name is Luke. My physical therapist. — As I spoke, I felt the excitement growing within me. — He has helped me so much, and now we’re getting to know each other better.

My mom listened attentively, without interrupting, which gave me even more confidence to share.

— He makes me feel different. Like I’m really living, you know? — I continued, recalling the warmth of the kiss we shared. — I’m moving on with my life, Mom, and it makes me so happy.

Stella smiled, and the joy in her gaze was contagious.

— I always knew you were strong, Asa. I’m so proud of you! — Her voice was full of emotion. — You deserve to be happy.

I felt a wave of gratitude for having such an understanding mother. It was comforting to know that, despite everything I had been through, I still had her unconditional support.

— Thank you, Mom. That means a lot to me. — I smiled, feeling that I was truly allowing myself to open a new chapter in my life.

The conversation continued, filled with laughter and stories, and with each passing moment, the feeling of being home intensified. Home wasn’t just a physical place; it was the warmth of love I felt there.

A few hours later...

I was about to get into the car. That’s when I heard the voice I never expected to hear again.

— Asa?

I turned slowly. Max was there, standing with a nervous smile on his face. The same smile that once made me feel safe now knotted my stomach. He looked... different, but not enough to erase the memories I carried.

— Hi, Max — I replied, trying to keep my composure, but my voice came out colder than I intended.

He took a step closer, his eyes trying to connect with mine.

— You’re different — he said, the sincerity in his tone sounding like an insult. As if I were a stronger, more independent version of myself, and that bothered him.

— And you’re still the same — I retorted, starting to back away. The last thing I wanted was to be swept away by that moment. — I really need to go.

But he didn’t seem willing to let me leave so easily.

— Asa, wait. Can we talk? — He reached out, as if trying to pull me closer.

I stepped back, my heart racing. There was nothing to say that could fix what had happened. The betrayal still burned within me, like a scar that would never fully heal.

At that moment, Alma appeared, her expression a mix of surprise and indignation. She looked beautiful, but there was a shadow of jealousy in her eyes.

— Asa! What are you doing here with him? — Her voice was a cutting whisper, each word laden with contempt.

— I’m just leaving — I replied, trying to stay calm, but the anger was starting to bubble inside me.

— Stay away from my boyfriend! — Alma shot back, as if we were two children fighting over a toy. The absurdity of the situation deeply irritated me.

— Your boyfriend? — I laughed, but there was no humor in my laughter. — The only traitor here is you, Alma. You broke my trust and threw yourself into his arms while I was in a coma.

The word “traitor” came out like an explosion. I couldn’t hold back. The pain and betrayal I had suffocated surged back to the surface, and I could no longer keep it all in.

— You deserve each other! — I continued, my voice rising as I spoke. — Two characterless people, who aren’t worth anything.

Alma was pale, but her gaze was defiant. She had always been good at playing the victim, and in that moment, she was trying. But I wouldn’t give in.

— You don’t understand what went on between us — Max tried to intervene, but I cut him off.

— You don’t need to understand! I’m not the same Asa you once knew. And you, Alma, don’t have the right to feel jealous. After all, between us, who was it that stole whose boyfriend?

The tension between the three of us was palpable, and for a brief moment, the world around us seemed to stop. I had said what I needed, and the truth was a powerful weapon. With one last defiant look, I turned my back and walked towards my car, feeling that a part of me had finally been freed.

[...]

When I finally stepped onto the floor of my apartment, a wave of relief enveloped me.

I my phone out of my pocket, hesitating for a moment. Luke. The idea of inviting him over made me a bit nervous, but at the same time, excitement grew within me. He always had this ability to bring light to my days, and today would be no different.

— Hey, Luke! — I said, trying to sound casual.

— Hi, Asa! — His voice sounded warm, and I caught myself smiling. — What are you up to?

— I just got home. Actually, I’m thinking about making a cake. Would you like to come over and have a piece? — The last part came out faster than I intended, but the idea of having his company made me excited.

— Cake, huh? — He laughed, and I could imagine his smile. — That’s tempting, but... I was thinking about something else to eat.

The comment caught me off guard, and a wave of heat washed over my face. I laughed nervously, trying to hide my embarrassment.

— Oh, really? And what would that be? — I asked, trying to keep a playful tone.

— You know... — he said, with a teasing tone. — But, if the cake is as good as you say, maybe I can wait.

I felt my heart race. It was a joke, of course, but there was a hint of truth in his words, and it left me feeling a little dizzy.

— Luke! — I exclaimed, unable to contain my laughter. — You’re making me blush!

— I’m just being honest. But, yeah, I’ll come. A piece of cake and a bit of your company? I can’t refuse that. I’ll be there in a few minutes.

— Great! — I said, trying to sound more confident than I actually felt. — I’ll get everything ready. I hope you’re ready for a delicious chocolate cake.

— I’m always ready for chocolate — he replied, and the way his voice sounded, full of playfulness and charm, made me feel butterflies in my stomach.

I hung up and wondered if I was really ready for this. The thought of having Luke here, so close, was both exciting and terrifying, especially after our kiss. I went to the kitchen, looking for the ingredients. As I mixed the flour and sugar, my mind raced with thoughts of what might happen when he arrived.

I made the cake carefully, each movement bringing me a sense of anticipation. The oven timer beeped, and the sweet aroma began to fill the apartment. As I waited, I couldn’t help but imagine Luke lounging on the couch, laughing and joking, his presence filling the space in a way I hadn’t realized I missed.

When the cake was ready, I spread a layer of frosting, trying to make everything perfect. I looked at the clock and realized he would be here any moment. A mix of anxiety and excitement washed over me, and I couldn’t stop the smile forming on my face.

As soon as the doorbell rang, my heart skipped a beat. I took a deep breath, adjusted my blouse, and went to the door. When I opened it, I found Luke with a radiant smile, holding a bottle of wine.

— Hi! — he said, his eyes shining. — I thought this could complement your cake.

— Perfect! — I replied, trying to hide the goofy smile forming on my face. — Come in!

He stepped through the door, and the closeness between us made my stomach flutter. The apartment still exuded the sweet aroma of the cake, and the soft light of the late afternoon streamed through the windows, creating a cozy atmosphere. He followed me to the kitchen, where he placed the wine on the table.

— Wow, this looks amazing! — Luke commented, looking at the cake. — You’re a real chef.

— I’m just trying to impress — I joked, but the truth was that I wanted him to like everything, not just the cake, but me.

I cut a generous slice and served it while he opened the wine and poured it into two glasses. Our eyes met, and something in the way he looked at me quickened my heart even more.

— So, what have you been up to? — I asked, trying to break the ice while he took a sip of wine.

— Oh, you know, work, life... but actually, I was thinking about you. — He smiled, and the sincerity in his words left me speechless. The feeling that there was something more between us was palpable.

— I thought about you too. — The confession slipped from my lips before I could think twice. The intimacy of the conversation seemed to draw us closer.

As we talked, the atmosphere became lighter, and the connection between us grew. Luke moved closer, taking my hand while he spoke about his latest adventures. I felt butterflies in my stomach and my heart race as he shared deep looks and playful smiles.

— You know, Asa, I’ve always thought you were amazing... seriously. Since the first day I saw you at the hospital. — He said, his voice softer. — You’ve been through so much, and yet you still have such a zest for life.

His words resonated with me. It was as if he was really seeing me. The space between us shrank until, without thinking, I leaned in closer. Luke did the same, and in an instant, our lips met.

The kiss started soft, hesitant, as if we were uncovering new territory. But soon the sweetness transformed into intensity, and I lost myself in his presence. He pulled me closer, his hands resting on my waist as I intertwined my fingers in his hair.

The world around us faded away. All I knew was the warmth of his body against mine and the way his hands explored my back, as if they wanted to pull me even closer to him.

When we finally pulled away, both of us gasping for breath, Luke looked into my eyes, and there was a mix of surprise and desire in his gaze.

— I didn’t expect this to happen so quickly, but... — he began, but I didn’t let him finish.

— You don’t have to worry. — I smiled, trying to convey confidence. — I didn’t expect it either, but it feels right.

He nodded, and the tension between us was about to explode again. With a gentle motion, he held my face in his hands and kissed me again, more deeply this time. The kiss was filled with a passion I didn’t know existed between us. It was as if everything we had experienced led us to that moment.

That night was just beginning, and I knew we were about to explore not only our feelings but something much deeper. The rest of the cake could wait; in that moment, it was just the two of us, lost in each other, ready to discover the intimacy that connected us.