Chapter 10
1124words
Zane's expression was dark and stormy. Glancing at his watch, he sneered. "It's 11:00 pm. Cassidy, you've got some nerve, pretending to work late all these days."
"Working late?" I laughed softly, wrapping my arm around Desmond's. "Mr. Bender, you've got it all wrong."
Seeing our hands intertwined, Zane froze, frowning. "What is the meaning of this?"
"What she means is that she hasn't been working late. She has just been flirting with her boyfriend in the office," Desmond chimed in.
Upon hearing that, Zane yelled in disbelief, "What the hell are you talking about?"
He whipped his head toward me. "Cassidy, is this how far you'll go to avoid me? You'll even make up lies? I have to say, though, I've really underestimated you. I didn't think you could convince Desmond to help you."
Grabbing my hand, he yanked me away from Desmond. "Come on. You're coming back with me right this instant."
The next second, I shook off his hand hard and returned to Desmond's side. "Lies? Zane, are you really that confident that I can't live without you?"
Zane clenched his fists. "Is that not the case? If it were anyone else, then maybe I'd believe you, but Desmond?"
He turned to stare at Desmond. "A man who doesn't even date women? How could he suddenly be with you?"
Before Zane could say more, Desmond lifted my chin and kissed me on my lips.
The world seemed to fall silent in the instant. I froze in shock.
Desmond wrapped his arms around my waist, biting my lips and deepening the kiss, as if Zane wasn't even there.
Zane finally lost it, swinging his fist at Desmond. "How dare you touch my woman?"
His face red with rage, he grabbed Desmond by the collar and tried to punch him again.
Not one to back down, Desmond grabbed Zane by the throat. Just as things reached an impasse, I stepped in between them.
Without so much as a glance at Zane, I used a handkerchief to gently wipe the corner of Desmond's mouth. "Does it hurt? Are you in pain?"
I clearly saw the disbelief and a trace of sadness in Zane's eyes in that moment.
Rising to his feet, he backed away with a bitter smile on his face. He then punched his car window before storming away.
I stared at the broken glass and the blood stains on it, stunned.
Desmond turned to me. "So? Do you feel bad for him now?"
I scowled, putting my handkerchief away. "Don't be ridiculous. I don't like being spoken to like that. Also, I no longer feel anything for him. And you, why did you kiss me? Didn't we agree that we would only pretend to be a couple?"
Desmond let out a soft laugh. "We did, and that's why I'm simply doing what couples do."
At my silence, he continued, "Don't play dumb, Cassidy. We're both adults. You should know what I mean. I may be pretending to be your boyfriend now, but once he's gone, I'm going to pursue you for real."
His words hit me square in the heart, and they lingered in my head even as night wore on.
Desmond was charming. If he hadn't been actively turning women down, he'd be surrounded by them, just like Zane.
I couldn't help but wonder whether I was really going to take the gamble again. Would I just be a bedwarmer, a plaything, or a real partner this time?
I rubbed my temples irritably, wanting to clear my mind with a shower.
Suddenly, a loud knock at the door startled me. When I opened it, Zane stumbled into my arms, the strong scent of alcohol making me frown.
His face was red, his breathing ragged. Before I could do anything, he pushed me onto my bed. "Cassidy, tell me… You're messing with me, right? You faked it, didn't you? It's all fake!"
He sounded frantic as his eyes became bloodshot. Maybe it was just my imagination, but I thought I saw tears shimmering in his eyes.
"Answer me! Tell me you and Desmond faked it! You were just putting on an act, right?"
Gazing at him calmly, I slowly said, "No, our relationship is real. And we've already slept together multiple times, right here on this bed."
Zane's body locked up at once. He held my gaze, his eyes dark with emotions I couldn't quite read. The very next second, he kissed me forcefully.
He started pulling at my clothes and biting my lips hard, as if he wanted to devour me alive.
"Let go! Let go of me!"
I clutched at my collar with all my strength, but he overpowered me and pulled my hand away.
He kissed me like a madman, moving down my neck while asking, "Where did he kiss you? Here? Or here?"
Just as he was about to undo my bra, his hand froze. It was because he heard my sobs.
The sight of my tears seemed to sober him up a little. He slowly sat up, pressing his hand to his forehead wearily. "Sorry."
I buried my face in my hands, feeling utterly overwhelmed. Tears streamed uncontrollably as I asked, "Zane, what do I have to do for you to finally leave me alone? Weren't you the one who said I was nothing more than a bedwarmer?
"Weren't you the one who trampled on my feelings back then? So why did you chase me all the way to Brudivia? Why do you keep bothering me? And… why would you force yourself on me?"
Upon hearing my questions, Zane sat on the edge of the bed with his back to me, not daring to turn his head.
He let out a soft sigh. "I don't know either. I don't know why I came… I just really wanted to see you. Just thinking about how you disappeared without a trace after the miscarriage drives me crazy. I wanted to rush to you, explain everything, comfort you, and care for you."
His voice grew softer, a little choked with emotion. I had never seen him so vulnerable.
He exhaled deeply, as if summoning all his courage, and turned to me. "Cassidy, I think I've really fallen in love with you."
His words hung in the air, and silence filled the room.
After some time, I let out a quiet laugh and said, "Love? The thing you once said was so childish?"
Zane said nothing in response, but I wanted to end this relationship once and for all that day.
I walked up to him, smiling at him like before. "But what can we do when I don't love you anymore?"
