Off Camera

Chapter 55

Tee POV

While wearing only a bagging shirt of Tae's, I walk into the kitchen. A smile dances across my face and my eyes sparkle, even though my body aches all over. We may have gone at it for too long last night.

After everything we have gone through, I don't care, as long as Tae is able to relax and put his mind at ease for a while.

My feet come to a halt as I step around the counter and find a mess on the floor. I comb through my memories of last night, trying to remember what we had done to make it.

As the images from last night flash through my head, I quickly realize Tae had done it in the heat of the moment. A few seconds later, he had hoisted me up onto the counter and was pounding into me, searching for our paradise together.

Heat rushes through me as the memory of his warm body pressing up against me, while the cool countertop is under me, plays on repeat in my mind.

I bit my lower lip and shake my head. I need to give myself a rest. If I keep this up, I'll be back in bed making love to Tae all day long. I don't want to be unable to walk, which would be exactly what would happen if I let myself get lost in my emotions.

Taking a deep breath, I push those thoughts out of my mind and clean up the mess we made. When I pick up a towel, I find Tae's phone under it.

I hit the side button and try to swipe the screen, but nothing happens. Is it dead?

I grab the extra charger out of the drawer and plug it in. Just as I turn to finish cleaning the mess, his phone dings. I pause for a moment, but then ignore it. The phone is turning back on. There will be plenty of noises the phone will make. There is nothing to worry about.

I ignore all the other dings and chimes the phone makes as I finish cleaning up the mess.

When I'm done, I turn back to my original task, which I still haven't gotten to do, making breakfast. My previous smile returns as I open the refrigerator.

Ding.

Ding.

A crease etches into my forehead as I glance down the counter at Tae's phone.

Ding.

An uneasy feeling gnaws at me.

Should I check?

I take a deep breath and reluctantly shut the refrigerator door. Do I want to see what is coming through or who is sending it? My heart screams at me to ignore it and enjoy my day with my amazing boyfriend, but my mind keeps wondering if it is something important.

After a few minutes of staring at it, I finally give in to my curiosity. It could be something important.

I drag my feet the short distance to the counter and his blinking phone. Reluctantly, I swipe the phone and my stomach instantly sinks, seeing Jane's name flash across the screen.

Now, what?

I knew I shouldn't have looked at it. If she says anything about the stupid event that can't be cancelled, it will ruin my whole day.

"Hey, babe, I can't find my phone." Tae walks into the kitchen in a pair of shorts, with his broad chest on display, but for once, I can't enjoy it.

I swallow the lump in my throat and slightly nod, while staying frozen in place. "Yeah."

"Did someone call or send me a message? Why are you acting weird?" He walks up beside me and wraps his muscular arms around my waist as he kisses the side of my head.

Gulp.

Do I tell him and disturb our peaceful day? Or do I lie and tell him no?

As I debate my opinions, he grabs the phone from me.

Shit. I guess he has made the decision for me.

I shake my head. "No. There isn't really anything on it to worry about."

Ding.

Why now? As if Jane knows, I'm lying and trying to avoid the topic.

A soft chuckle spills from Tae. "Well, there is something now."

He swipes his phone open and his smile instantly morphs into a slight frown as his body stiffens. His eyes stay glued to the phone, while his hand suddenly begins to tremble.

Is it really that bad?

Mentally, I cross my fingers and hope for the best. I move to his side and glance down at his phone. A long stream of messages from Jane is on the screen.

With his eyes locked on his phone, Tae whispers, "Why is this happening to me? How can this event suddenly be rescheduled? I know Jane said she has tried everything to postpone or cancel it, but this doesn't feel right. Things like this don't usually happen."

I have to agree. Usually, when an event is postponed or cancelled, it stays like that. I haven't come across an event, since I've been with the company, where it has ever been put back on the original date after a delay. It just doesn't happen.

Wait. No. This can't be what I think it is.

A sense of dread washes over me.

Please don't let me be right this time. Every fiber in my body hopes and prays I'm wrong.

I wrap my arm around his waist and force a smile. "I'm sure there is a logical explanation. Don't worry about it right now."

I tug at the phone, but he tightens his grip on it.

"We had plans for today. Remember? We were going to relax and enjoy each other's company while watching movies all day long and recharging our batteries."

He tears his gaze from the phone and looks at me. Specks of fear float in his eyes while he silently pleads with me. I'm not exactly sure what he wants me to help him with.

I give him a slight nod. "We were going to pick out the movies for our marathon. I was going to fix breakfast, and we weren't going to waste any time. We were to start the first movie after we ate breakfast. We can still do that."

I don't want to force him, but our original plans for today may be the best thing for him. Maybe I can keep his mind off that stupid event. Plus, I need time to ask Jane if my hunch is correct. I wouldn't be surprised if she had the same thought. If I'm lucky, she will have already asked around and found out some of the answers, if not all of them.

I tug on the phone again, and this time he loosens his grip a little. The phone doesn't completely leave his hand, but I'm not giving up.

"Baby, can you give me the phone? The sooner you do, the quicker we can get started on our plans for today. We can worry about everything tomorrow, but let's enjoy today with just the two of us." I look into his concerned eyes and bat my eyelashes at him.

He hesitates for a second, but then releases his hold on his phone.

Yes.

I quickly pull the phone from him and turn it off before shoving it into a drawer and slamming it shut. "Now, what do you want for breakfast?"

His focus stays on the drawer where his phone is as he shrugs his shoulders. In a monotone, he replies, "I don't know. Surprise me."

Published January 4, 2023