Adrian's apartment smelled of cedar wood and something darker, like smoke curling around velvet.
The moment I stepped inside, his lips were on mine, hungry, insistent, devouring.
It startled me and makes me feel so uneasy.
The way he bury kisses on my lips so hungry even though I know he likes kissing so much.
He never even asked how my day had gone. He didn't wait for my smile, didn't notice the weariness in my shoulders, nothing at all.
Instead, he kissed me as though kissing could erase every question rattling in my chest. His recent behavior could easily tell his deepest secret.
Adrian! I murmured against his mouth, breathless.
Baby, can you slow down please.
Not sure he heard but he didn't.
His hands traced the outline of my waist, his mouth pressing harder, more urgent.
Every kiss felt like an attempt to drown me in heat, to silence the storm that had begun after Daniel's quiet words at the cafe.
And for a moment… it worked.
He actually know where to linger more in me. Maybe because I feel so vulnerable to him. My heart holds a space.
So I let myself melt into him, let myself forget. But as his lips slid down my neck, as his hands tightened at my hips, something broke through the advancement.
The memory of Daniel's steady gaze, his calm warning. I can't get if off my head.
"Because honesty is heavier than lies."
Why did Adrian's kisses feel so frantic, like a man desperate to bury a truth under passion?
I pulled back, searching his face.
Adrian baby, is something wrong? I asked looking straight in his eyes.
His jaw tightened, just for a second. Then he forced a laugh, brushing his fingers through his hair.
He replied, Wrong?..
With you in my arms?
Not possible my love. Absolutely there's nothing wrong with me. I just feel like nervous and hungry to have you more and more.
But his smile didn't reach his eyes.
So he kissed me again, harder. The taste lingered more bitter this time, though I couldn't explain why.
Later that week, Maya appeared at my door. Her smile was softer than usual, but her eyes darted nervously, avoiding mine. She seems so off.
I just came to borrow your notes, she said, shifting from foot to foot.
Sure, I said, handing them over.
Well you could've asked Adrian to share with you, he has a copy too.
Trying to see her reactions.
Her grip on the papers faltered. There was a pause.
No, it's fine. I trust yours more. But her voice cracked, barely noticeable.
And then, for the first time, I caught it, something raw in her eyes, something unspoken pressing at her throat.
The world of guilt wrapping up her life. She's protecting someone from the secret.
I tried to brush it aside, but the puzzle pieces Daniel had nudged into me were already rattling, falling into place.
All thanks to Daniel for being a good friend eye opener in justice and truth.
She left quickly, almost too quickly, murmuring thanks. I watched her go, with heart pounding.
After she left I asked myself.. Why couldn't she look me in the eyes?
That night Adrian visited me for a weekend as usual and he kissed me again.
His touch was fire, his lips relentless, but beneath it all, I felt the tremor of fear.
And for the first time, I pulled away before he was ready. Maybe I've taken the decision earlier to abrupt.
His expression flickered with hurt, confusion, anger, all at once.
Do you still love me, Adrian? I asked.
My voice felt small but sharp.
His silence stretched too long before he answered.
"Of course I still do love you my Nana"
There's no boundary between my heart for you. You build me so united In heart and memory that I'll never seek to depart from you.
I expected the reply to be exact. But his kiss that followed didn't taste like love.
It tasted like desperation. Like denial. Like betrayal, creeping in, quietly but undeniable.