Temptations

45. DRUNKEN HAZE

NATHAN

You never realize how big one minute really is unless you are stuck with your wife and her soon-to-be boyfriend in one elevator. It was early morning and all three of us entered the elevator at the same time. An uncomfortable silence was sprawled in the elevator as Ellie stood in between both of us.

All three of us kept our eyes on the door, silently wishing someone else would enter and pull us out of this awkwardness.

Finally, the elevator stopped at their floor and both of them stepped out. Anxiously, I left the elevator on my floor and entered my office. Jessica, my secretary, watched me nervously as I took off my coat, looseend my tie and slumped on the chair.

“Is everything alright?” She asked.

“Yes, leave.” I said in an annoyed voice. Confused, she nodded and made her way out of my office. “And call Drake to my office.” I added.

About fifteen minutes later, Drake entered my office. Even though he tried to act cool, I could see the embarrassment in his eyes. I motioned him to sit down and he did as I said.

“In my defense, I took your permission." He said, coming straight to the point while leaning back in his chair.

"Of course you did, you fucking arse." I threw my pen at him that he caught before it could hit me.

"Seriously, I'd back out if you say you're interested in Ellie." He reasoned.

I'm not interested in anyone." I chewed my words.

"Then what do you care who Ellie dates or not?" He asked.

"I don't." I looked away.

"Then the issue is settled a lot earlier than I thought." He said. "Besides, we aren't dating. We just went out to dinner once."

"Oh and you're going to woo her now? Fucking hell." I snapped.

"Calm the fucking horses, dude. You just said that you didn't care." He snapped back.

"I don't." I groaned.

"Doesn't look like it." Drake stood up angrily.

“Look, I don’t care that you are going to be childish about it. Either accept that you have an issue with me pursuing her or stop being a child and get on with your life.” he said in a serious voice.

“I said, I don't care about anything other than my reputation. Now will you leave me alone? I am busy.” I said and opened a file put on my desk.

“Sure. Real mature. Ellie deserves better anyway.” He said with pursed lips and walked out of my office. I wanted to throw something at him but he was out of my vision.

********

Where are you?

My phone beeped with this same message for the fourth time. I flipped the phone screen over and focused my attention on the stripper dancing in front of me.

The tall, curvy woman then walked over to me and sat down on my lap. I looked over at my Peter, my company for tonight, who winked at me and said, "I bought you a lap dance."

"I'm not in the mood." I politely declined the brunette who was grinding into me.

"Have some alcohol. It will make your mood." Peter ordered around for a glass of wine.

Peter was the head of our marketing department and a total manwhore. I didn't like him much but with Drake and I not on friendly terms right now, I had no other choice. I nodded and took the glass, emptying its contents into my stomach. I groaned as the sharp taste of alcohol hit my taste buds and made me nauseous.

I had one drink after another. My vision blinded under the effect of alcohol and all I could see was a brunette sitting on my lap, moving against my pelvis. Her dark brown hair reminded me of someone, someone that I so desperately wanted to stop thinking about.

“Hey, you, the blonde one.” I said to another stripper. She swayed her hips as she walked towards me and then sat down on my lap. I threw my hair back and tried to concentrate on the woman giving me a lap dance but even in my inebriated state, I couldn’t keep my mind off Ellie. I could feel her looking down at me with disappointment right now while clicking her tongue.

“Fuck it.” I said and gently pushed aside the stripper. “I am going home.”

Peter tried to stop me but I have had enough. Tonight was a completely failed experiment. I had tried to forget about Ellie and I had completely failed in doing that. Picking up one last glass of wine, I drank it in one sip and then coughed to clear my throat.

My driver was waiting outside for me. He opened the door for me and I slumped on the backseat. The drive back to my house was much longer than I remembered. Finally, the car halted to a stop and I walked inside. To my fortune, Mom was not awake or else, I would have gotten an earful for being drunk.

With unbalanced steps, I made my way to my room and once I entered inside, my eyes fell on my wife sitting on the bed, staring back at me.

"Why didn't you answer my calls?" She asked.

"I was busy." I slurred while walking over to the bed. Without changing, I fell down on the bed with face down.

"Are you drunk?" She asked and I groaned.

"What does it look like, princess?" I asked, smirking at her. She was wearing her pyjamas and even in that state, she looked hotter to me than those strippers.

"God Nathan, what's wrong with you?" She asked.

Lifting my head, I gave her a narrowed glare. "Nothing is wrong with me. I'm perfectly fine. See?" I rolled over and lay down on my back.

"Yeah, I'm seeing." She said and walked over to my side of the bed. She sat down beside me and took off my shoes. Afterwards, she took off my socks and then covered me with a blanket.

"What are you doing?" I asked.

"Being a thoughtful human being." She said, ignoring me.

When she was about to sit up and leave, I held her wrist, pulling her towards me. She lost her balance due to the jerk and fell on me, her soft body digging into mine.

"Nathan…" she said as her eyes met mine, the deep brown orbs making me lose control. "What are you doing?" It wasn't a question, more like a pleading whisper.

"Ellie.." I whispered back with the same intensity.

"You're drunk." She reminded me, looking all serious.

"Really? I didn't know." I said, playing with the lock framing her face. Her hair was so smooth and buttery. I should steal her haircare routine while I still can.

"Nathan," she tried to assert dominance this time but ended up looking adorable.

Her warm breath was caressing my face and it made me want to keep with me the whole night, cuddling me, warming me up. I loved having her warm body against mine, so soft, so sweet, so beautiful.

"Nathan," she glared. "Leave my hand." This time, she sounded more serious and threatening. I left her hand without bickering as I was slowly getting more and more dizzy.

"Go to sleep." She said and brought the blanket up to my neck. She then walked over to her side of the bed and lay down to sleep.

I wanted to talk to her, tell her how bad I felt at her decision to date other men yet no words came out of my mouth. I watched her with groggy eyes until sleep overcame me and I had to close my eyes.

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