Dark Paradise - Joel Miller x OC

Gossip

She yawns as she pulls on her coat. It's 6 a.m. and Joel barely let her sleep. If people knew, they'd stop calling him an old man. But it didn't bother her, on the contrary. After a whole evening teasing him, brushing against his body without being able to do more, she was the first to want to do it.

They had sneaked discreetly out of the party. In the quiet streets of the city, they didn't touch each other, in case they ran into someone. He would just catch her every now and then, when she slipped because of her shoes, alcohol, or snow. Being outside in the fresh air, contrasting with the electric furnace of the room, had brought out her fatigue and relapsed her ardor. But as soon as the door was closed, he didn't take long to rekindle the embers.

She smiles as she thinks of those moments, barely became memories. She turns around when she hears him coming down the stairs.

"You're not even staying for breakfast?" He says in the tone of a stupid movie they have seen together. She laughs softly before placing a tender kiss on his lips. Usually, they avoid this kind of gesture outside of the bedroom. But it's still early, who would disturb them? He runs his hand gently across her cheek, speaking in his soft voice.

"Where are you going like that Honey Girl, all tired and hangovered?

-Huh, I promised Maria we'd clean the place right away so she can use this afternoon.

-Wo, you must regret that promise

-You have no idea."

He pulls her against him and places a few kisses on her neck, making her shiver.

"Next time I'll let you sleep.

-Don't you dare" She says chuckling, before kissing him tenderly.

----

Once the cleaning job is done, she goes to the bar to order food. No way she's cooking today. As she approaches the counter, she feels a few glances on her. She ignores them, ordering. Finally, someone dares to question her.

"Quite a party yesterday. I never thought Joel would dance like this. You have to be really special for him to do this."

She just shrugs at first, avoiding the gaze of her questioner. But, feeling that the eyes aren't looking away, she speaks casually.

"We throw the best party since breakout day and all you do is to gossip? I just bet I could remind him of his twenties. A girl gotta do what she gotta do.

-You reminded him of his twenties when you got home too? Because you guys were hot.

-You know what, I think Maria will be glad, she always needs people to do stuff, and you obviously have a lot of free time to elaborate such silly stories.

-Come on Chloe, the guy is basically your dad and yesterday you were hot as hell. It's confusing.

-I already have a dad. He's dead a long time but I sure don't need a replacement."

The other is about to respond to her remark, but Seth abruptly dropping Chloe's order stops him. When she meets the judgmental glare of the man, she can't help but snap.

"What, do you have something to say too Seth?

-You bring trouble in the city with your music, and in addition you train good men in sin.

-What sin? Because he was dancing?

-It's a family town here, we have values. This is not the place for a peep show.

-Fuck you Seth."

She grabs the bag containing their meal and storms out of the bar. She should have handled the situation better, but she is exhausted and still under the influence of alcohol. On the road, she is fuming. Why were they all involved in? Couldn't she have a little fun without being spied on? She slams the door of the house behind her, annoyed. But as soon as she sees him, her anger evaporates. They can talk well as long as they want, she knows she's not doing anything wrong.