I smiled awkwardly, trying to hide my embarrassment. After all, I shouldn't be proud of listening to something that didn't concern me—it was really impolite.
Nathan: "Is someone with you? Or did you see a ghost?"
Nathan frowned and stepped closer to me. My heart was racing for no reason every time he took a step toward me.
Nathan: "What are you doing here alone? Did you drink?"
He kept getting closer. He glanced at the beer bottle next to me and frowned. He probably didn't like women who drank.
Me: "Well, I… I ended up here by accident. I really didn't mean to overhear your conversation with Alana."
I thought Nathan would ask me if I'd heard him talking to Alana. Since it was me who had eavesdropped, I confessed quickly, looking guilty, before he could say anything.
Nathan: "Since you heard… don't you have anything to say?"
He stepped forward. Since I was sitting on the ground and he was standing, I could only look up at his tall figure.
Me: "Well… Alana is gorgeous… are you really breaking up with her? Honestly, if you still miss her, why not forgive her?"
Even though I would never accept a partner who cheated on me, it was better not to encourage him to break up. He might think I had feelings for him. To be safe, I tried to persuade him to make peace with Alana.
Nathan: "You think I'd forgive a woman who cheated on me?"
My words must have irritated him. His expression darkened, and he looked at me with annoyance. I gave a nervous smile, unsure how to continue. I couldn't help silently cursing him: it was your problem for breaking up with your girlfriend… did you really have to take it out on me?
Me: "It was just a coincidence that I heard your conversation with her."
Nathan: "Besides, Alana and I weren't together. We were just taking what we needed from each other. She wanted luxury and money, and all I wanted was to satisfy my sexual needs."
Me: "Uh, you don't have to explain your relationship to me. I'm not going to expose your secrets. My lips are sealed."
I didn't know why Nathan was explaining his relationship to me. This was only our third conversation. In the end, we were just strangers who had shared a one-night stand.
A heavy silence fell. I felt uneasy with Nathan standing there.
Nathan: "What are you doing here alone at night?"
He spoke again after a long pause.
Me: "Nothing, I was bored… so I came out to drink and relax a little, and get some fresh air."
My good mood soured the moment I remembered my conversation with Perry at noon.
Nathan: "Let's go. I'll take you home."
He shot me a cold look and reached his hand out to me. I took it, my heart beating fast at the physical contact.
Me: "I'll go home by myself. It's easy to find a taxi here."
Instinctively, I wanted to keep some distance. I wanted to leave quickly, but I fell straight into his arms. Instead of helping me up, he pulled me toward him. I ended up pressed against his chest. I could hear his heartbeat, smell his subtle scent… my heart trembled and I froze, forgetting completely to pull away.
Nathan: "Are you really trying to avoid me, Irene? You can't leave now."
He tightened his arms around me and pressed his lips against my ear, his voice dangerously seductive. Suddenly I snapped back to reality and realized he was holding me. I tried to break free, but he was surprisingly strong, and I was stuck.
Me: "Nathan, what do you want? Let me go!"
I looked at him in frustration. I hadn't intentionally eavesdropped on him. What was he trying to do? Scare me?
Nathan: "I want you."
I glared at him, but he didn't seem angry. On the contrary, a smile curved on his lips. He was already handsome, but with that smile… I was completely captivated.
I wasn't a shallow woman, but he was undeniably attractive. And I was drawn to his aristocratic aura. I was charmed… until his strong hands touched my chest. Suddenly I snapped out of my daze and started pushing him away. I was usually reserved, so his behavior irritated me.
Nathan: "We had sex and now you're pretending to be all shy? What exactly is going through your head?"
He looked annoyed by my fierce resistance. He stared at me angrily. He must have had countless women around him, all eager to have him. But I was different. That night had been a mistake—I had been drunk.
Me: "Nothing! Nathan, let go of me!"
I stopped struggling, thinking that by the river he wouldn't dare try anything.
Nathan: "Let me take you home."
He dragged me toward his car. I needed to escape, because once inside, I wouldn't be able to get away. I tried to fight back, but it was pointless.
Me: "What do you want, Nathan? What happened that night was my fault. I was drunk… it was impulsive. I'm sorry. Isn't my apology enough? It was my first time anyway, and you didn't suffer any loss. Just leave me alone, okay?"
Ever since that night, I kept running into Nathan more and more often. Sometimes I wondered if he had planned everything.
Nathan: "So you're saying sleeping with me was just a moment of impulse?"
As soon as he heard me, his handsome face darkened. He clearly wasn't happy with what I said. No man would like to hear that.
Nathan: "Irene, your apology is useless. If you really want me to leave you alone, then show me your sincerity with your actions."
Me: "Then… what do you want from me?"
I looked at him warily. His words gave me a bit of hope. If I could just do what he wanted, maybe he'd leave me alone.
Nathan: "Since it was your mistake for being drunk that night, it's only fair if we have sex one more time—then we'll be even."
Nathan stepped closer with a charming smile. I had to admit he was incredibly attractive, but his closeness made me uneasy.
Me: "You… you're joking, right?"
His words echoed in my mind, and my smile froze. He wanted us to do it again?
Nathan: "Do you think I'm joking? Irene, you just said that night was your fault. So it's only fair if we have sex one more time. Otherwise, I'll feel like I got cheated by a woman."
He looked serious. The more serious he looked, the more I wanted to run. I had been drunk and had slept with him only to get revenge on Perry. I regretted it the moment I sobered up. I didn't want to do it again—not a chance.
Me: "I can do anything to make up for it… except that. Please, we can't do it again."
Me: "I can do anything to make it up to you… except this. Please, we can't do this again."
I said it with an awkward smile and backed away, trying to keep my distance. My gut told me he might actually try something right there and then.
Nathan: "You think you have a choice? No woman can refuse me. Do you hear me? None. Not even you."
He approached slowly, his tone commanding. I was annoyed. This man was so arrogant! Even if he was rich and handsome, how could he be so narcissistic? How dare he think every woman would be interested in him?
I backed away slowly, weighing my options and devising a plan to escape.
Nathan: "You said my thing was big enough, right? I'll give you some more pleasure tonight."
He moved closer. His seductive tone and lecherous gaze made me feel like a lamb to the slaughter, with no chance of escape.
Me: "Let me go, okay? I'm sorry about what happened that night. I beg your mercy, please forgive me!"
I looked at Nathan with pleading eyes. Even though I'd never been a submissive woman, I had to suppress my disgust and feign patheticness to escape tonight.