Wild Affair

Chapter Three: Burning Desire

Twilight approached, and exhaustion settled into my body, compounded by the long journey. My arms ached, prompting me to excuse myself to rest. Mom and Dad offered food, but I declined, and they understood, not pressing further.

As I approached the grand staircase, ready to ascend, I was halted in my tracks by Claire's voice calling my name.

"Sofia!"

Time seemed to slow down, and I turned to see Claire and Dylan not far away. Claire smiled at me, a smile that seemed too gleeful, almost too perfect. Was I imagining things, or was there a hidden meaning behind her grin? Her hand intertwined with the man beside her, and as she caught me looking, she leaned closer to him, accentuating their closeness.

My body stiffened as I met Dylan's gaze. His expression was unreadable, serious and blank. My heart pounded so loudly; I feared they could hear it. I thought I had moved on, that seeing him again wouldn't affect me. But why did it hurt so much to see him beside my sister?

I tried to mask my true feelings, not wanting him to see the impact he still had on me after all these years. Mom, Dad, and especially Claire were oblivious to our past. With Dylan now married to my sister, the dynamics had shifted.

"What a surprise! I'm happy to see you!" Claire greeted me with a kiss as Dylan stood behind her.

Claire's unexpected gesture took me by surprise. She rarely showed such affection, even when I visited before. I brushed it off, reciprocating her facade of warmth.

"Nice to see you too."

"By the way, I want you to meet my husband, Dylan Seletios," Claire proudly introduced Dylan. "Love, this is my younger sister that I've been talking to you about, Sofia," Claire said to Dylan, hugging him.

I fought back the urge to recoil at Claire's display. Instead, I flashed a sweet and seductive smile, reminiscent of the first time I laid eyes on Dylan.

"Nice to meet you, my 'brother-in-law,'" I emphasized, extending my hand towards him.

I saw Dylan's jaw tighten quickly, a reaction I had expected. Inside, I smirked. He was affected by my deliberate actions.

"Nice to finally meet you, Sofia," Dylan said coldly, taking my extended hand. As our hands touched, a surge of emotions coursed through me, the familiar electric connection I always felt with Dylan. My heart raced, my knees felt weak, and I feared I might collapse at any moment.

As our hands touched, a rush of memories flooded my mind. The same electric current that always sparked between us was undeniable. Despite my efforts to remain composed, my heart raced, and my knees threatened to give way beneath me. The intensity of our connection was overwhelming, stirring up a whirlwind of emotions within me.

I could see the conflict in Dylan's eyes, the struggle to maintain his composure mirroring my own inner turmoil. His clenched jaw betrayed the facade of indifference he tried to uphold. It was a silent battle of suppressed feelings and unspoken desires that simmered beneath the surface.

In that fleeting moment, as our hands lingered in a charged silence, I couldn't help but feel a sense of triumph. The fact that I still had an effect on him, that our shared history and unspoken connection still held power over us, ignited a spark of defiance within me.

Despite the complexities of our past and the tangled web of emotions that bound us together, I knew one thing for certain—Dylan was not immune to me, just as I was not immune to him. Our intertwined fates and unresolved feelings lingered in the air, a palpable tension that neither of us could deny.

With a subtle yet seductive smile playing on my lips, I held his gaze, silently challenging him to unravel the layers of emotions that lay dormant between us. In that moment of unspoken communication, I knew that the past was not done with us yet, and the future held unknown possibilities that both scared and excited me.

CHAPTER THREE: Burning Desire

It's three in the morning but my mind is wide awake. I've been trying to go back to sleep, shifting to different positions, but ending up tossing and turning in bed.

"f**k!" I cursed in frustration, pulling at my hair and exhaling sharply.

I got up and walked towards the window, opening it. The cold breeze greeted me, sending a shiver down my spine. I closed it again, feeling a sense of unease in the darkness outside. The night seemed to stretch on forever, with only the sound of crickets filling the air.

It's so different from the noise of Manila. Ever since I came back here in La Trinidad, I've been struggling to adjust to things I was used to. And one of the things I find most challenging is waking up early. Back in the condo, I used to wake up at three or four in the morning because I would check emails or design drafts, then head straight to the gym for a 45-minute workout, and finally get ready for work. That was the routine I was accustomed to, so it was fine for me to wake up early. But now, what am I supposed to do here? Just sit around until the sun rises? Frustrated, tears prickled at the corner of my eyes as I buried my face in the pillow.

I grabbed the robe hanging on the rack and put it on. I don't usually sleep with clothes on because I'm not used to it, and it makes me uncomfortable. I just tied it around my waist, feeling the fabric cling to my skin like a cocoon. The weight of the robe served as a constant reminder of my restlessness as I left the room, the darkness wrapping around me like a heavy blanket. The house is still quiet, with only dim light illuminating the hallway leading downstairs, matching the dimness of my emotions.

I walked carefully, my bare feet padding softly on the carpeted floor, trying to avoid making any noise that might disturb those still lost in slumber. My gaze flickered towards the closed door of Claire and Dylan's room, a bitter pang of jealousy fluttering in my chest. They're probably enjoying each other's company at this hour, my mind sarcastically remarked, a sharp stab of irritation coursing through me.

Annoyed at my own thoughts, I shook my head and pushed them aside, focusing on the task of reaching the large staircase. Why am I even thinking about them? I don't care what they do. I don't care at all! I repeated to myself like a mantra, the words failing to quell the unsettling emotions swirling within me.

Descending the stairs, each creak of the steps echoed in the silent house, amplifying the turmoil in my mind. I didn't bother turning on the lights in the dining area, the darkness mirroring the shadows that lingered in my heart. Opening the refrigerator, I grabbed the pitcher of water impatiently, the cool glass slipping slightly in my grasp as I poured a drink, my throat feeling parched from both physical and emotional thirst.

Taking a sip of water, my eyes widened in shock as I caught sight of a figure standing before me. "Holy f*****g s**t!" I exclaimed, the glass slipping from my hand and shattering on the floor, the sound reverberating in the stillness of the night.

It felt like my entire being was electrified with fear, my pulse racing as if trying to outpace the sudden jolt of adrenaline. With the lights off and only a dim illumination casting eerie shadows, I couldn't discern the man's expression, but the familiarity of his silhouette sent a shiver down my spine. A rush of conflicting emotions surged through me – fear, anger, confusion – all blending into a potent mix that threatened to overwhelm me.

My eyes adjusted to the dim light, recognition dawned, and a knot formed in my stomach. The presence of the man before me ignited a storm of emotions within, old wounds reopening with raw intensity. A tidal wave of memories crashed over me, drowning me in a sea of turbulent feelings.

"What the hell, Dylan! Why are you trying to scare me?!" I snapped at him, my voice filled with a mix of frustration and confusion. Why is he even here right now?

"Don't move!" he ordered me, his tone firm and commanding.

He moved from his spot and flicked on the light switch, the sudden brightness illuminating him. I could see him clearly now, dressed only in a white tank top and boxers, his disheveled appearance adding to his rugged charm. Why does he look so handsome to me? I chided myself mentally, trying to push aside the unwelcome thoughts that surfaced.

I rolled my eyes and started picking up the broken glass scattered on the floor, my movements brisk and purposeful in an attempt to distract myself. "What the f**k are you doing!" Dylan's angry voice startled me as he pulled me up and closer to him, his proximity sending a jolt of conflicting emotions through me.

"What do you think you're doing?!" I yelled back, my voice tinged with defiance. "Let go of me!" I pulled my arm away from his grip, the electricity of his touch sending a shiver down my spine.

"f**k!" Dylan cursed again, his frustration mirroring my own. Before I could scold him for his coarse language, he surprised me by sucking on my finger, a strange and unexpected sensation coursing through me.

"What do you think you're doing?!" I demanded, my voice laced with confusion and a hint of something else that I couldn't quite place.

Instead of offering an explanation, he held my gaze with his piercing blue eyes, the intensity causing my heart to race. After a moment, he released my finger and retrieved a small first aid kit from a nearby cabinet, his actions efficient and focused. It was only then that I noticed the cut on my finger, the pain registering belatedly as he applied alcohol to the wound.

"Why weren't you being careful!" Dylan's reproach stung as the sting of the alcohol intensified, my own annoyance growing.

"Why did you have to scare me?!" I shot back, wincing at the sensation of the antiseptic on my cut.

"How was I supposed to know there was someone inside. Why didn't you turn on the lights?!" he scolded me, his frustration evident in his voice.

I met his gaze defiantly, a flash of anger igniting within me. "Wait, why are you getting mad at me? You're the one at fault!" I retorted, my annoyance palpable.

Our eyes locked, a wave of memories surged to the surface, stirring up emotions I thought I had buried long ago. Yes, he was undeniably attractive, but that didn't mean I would let him have the upper hand. The familiarity of his presence, the heat between us, it all felt like a dangerous dance on the edge of something I wasn't sure I was ready to confront.

"Stop being stupid and clumsy at the same time. You only hurt yourself," Dylan's words cut through the tension, a stark reminder of our shared history. The way he chastised me felt uncomfortably familiar, a reminder of our past dynamic.

"Why do you care?" I asked sharply, the question hanging heavy in the charged air between us.

His jaw clenched, but he remained silent, the unspoken answer speaking volumes. As I tried to pull away, he halted me with a firm grip, his touch sending a jolt of conflicting emotions through me.

"I'm not done yet," he stated simply, his tone brooking no argument.

"I can handle it myself, 'brother'," I emphasized the word pointedly, a shield erected against the vulnerability threatening to break through.