Fractured Desires

Chapter 6

I grip the dumbbells firmly, the calluses on my palms a testament to the years I've dedicated to training. The strain is a familiar sensation, an old friend that accompanies me on this journey to physical perfection. As I execute each bicep curl, the veins in my arms swell, a network of determination coursing beneath my skin.

With every rep I do, I immerse myself even more in the rhythmic motion of the exercise. As I near the end of my set, I feel the burn building up in my biceps and I welcome it. It's a sting I've gotten all but used to.

The final curl of the set feels like a triumph. I drop the dumbbells, and my muscles pulse with newfound vitality. Stripping off my shirt, I reveal the rewards of dedication. Beads of sweat glisten on my sculpted chest and arms, a testament to the intensity of my workout.

Two hours of exertion have burned away any lingering stress, leaving me with a sense of accomplishment. I glance at my smartwatch, and the numbers confirm my achievement: nearly five hundred calories burned.

Feeling a surge of satisfaction, I leave the gym and make my way to the bathroom. One of the advantages of living in a penthouse is that instead of going to public gyms, I have my own private gym, only a couple of rooms away from my bedroom. The accessibility comes in very handy, especially for someone as busy as I am.

As I step into the bathroom, I head straight for the shower, and with a quick twist of the knob, I turn it on. Taking a couple of steps back, I let the hot water cascade, creating a soothing symphony that echoes through the tiles.

Leaving the shower running, I head to my closet to pick out some clothes. Opting for comfort over style, I grab a crisp dark blue shirt and a pair of grey shorts before heading back to the shower.

Back in the bathroom, I start to undress, my mind focused on the satisfying embrace of the upcoming shower. Just as I'm about to shed my last article of clothing, my phone begins to ring. It disrupts the tranquility of the moment, but curiosity gets the better of me, and I reach for it.

"Hello?"

"Hi, Roman," says the voice on the line, her tone laced with a hint of surprise. "It's Natalie..."

I can't help but smile inwardly at the sound of her voice on the phone. If she's calling me, that must mean she told David to fuck off. "What can I do for you, Natalie?"

Natalie hesitates for a moment, her voice carrying a hint of uncertainty. "Don't act stupid, Roman... It was you who told me to call, remember?"

I nod to myself, confirming her statement. "You're right. I did. I want to talk to you."

"About what?"

I lean against the bathroom counter, considering my words carefully. "I think you know very well what I want to talk about."

There's a brief pause on her end of the line as if she's mulling over the idea. Finally, she speaks, her tone more cautious. "Alright. I'm listening."

I smile, though she can't see it. "Good. I'm sending you an address. Come over as soon as you can. We have a lot to talk about."

"Do we?"

"Yes... I'll be waiting."

"I don't know if I'll be able to meet you tonight... I have a prior eng-"

I begin to hear her mention that she has other plans, but I don't let her finish. "Natalie, if you don't show up to the address I'm going to send, I'm never talking to you again."

"..."

"I'll take your silence as an affirmation that you're coming... See you later, Natalie."

Not wanting to give her time to refuse, I hang up and swiftly send Natalie my home address, the prospect of her visit both intriguing and unsettling. As I place my phone on the counter, I make my way to the shower, my thoughts slowly drifting towards my mother's recent engagement.