Forbidden Desires

EPISODE 7

**Atticus's POV**

After selecting a location for dinner, Atticus sent it to Maria, then reopened his dating app and resumed swiping left and right, as if on autopilot.

"I think I'm addicted to this app," he muttered, a bit embarrassed by the admission.

Suddenly, as he swiped through profiles, one caught his eye—a profile of a girl named Mia Stones. The picture seemed obviously fake, (but Atticus is dumb) portraying an innocent, doll-like girl with porcelain skin. Atticus couldn’t help but smirk, imagining her dressed as a cowgirl. "She’d look adorable... like a princess," he murmured to himself, smirking as he typed a quick compliment, "Hey princess."

After messaging, Atticus got up to get ready for dinner.

---

*Ring ring ring* (the phone buzzed)

Maria: "Hey Ben, I’m on my way to the restaurant. Hope you’re not going to be late?"

Atticus: "Don’t worry, Maria. I’m already on the way… can’t wait to see you."

With that, he hung up. On his route, he spotted a flower shop, where he picked up a fresh bouquet of pink tulips for her, then continued toward the restaurant.

Upon arrival, he noticed Maria parking her car. Walking up to her door, he opened it and handed her the flowers. Maria leaned in, planting a soft kiss on his cheek. "They’re beautiful, Ben. Probably the sweetest gesture ever."

*Atticus smiled, motioning her forward,* “After you, princess.”

Maria smiled, leading the way. Inside, the waiter guided them to a reserved table, where Atticus pulled out Maria’s chair before they both sat. After placing their order, they fell into an easy conversation, talking like two long-lost friends reconnecting after years apart.

Atticus: "So, are you new in town?"

Maria: "Yes, I’ll be staying here until I finish my graduation. I’m sharing an apartment with a friend."

Atticus: "And after that?"

Maria: "Back to London. My family is there."

Atticus: "Who’s in your family?"

Maria: "Just my mom and my grandma."

Atticus: "What about your dad?"

Maria: (looked down, her smile fading slightly) "My parents are separated."

Atticus: "Oh, I’m sorry."

Maria: "Nuh uh need to be. I’m okay."

---

Maria: “So, tell me, Ben. What do you do?”

Atticus: “I just… have my fun.”

Maria: “And besides that?”

Atticus: “I’m about to graduate, though I don’t really attend university much. I have my own company, I go there for an hour or so… but, why all the questions?”

Maria: (laughed) “Just curious.”

They continued talking, lost in each other’s stories, when suddenly, a heavy rain started pouring outside.

Maria: “Ben, it’s raining pretty heavily. Maybe we should get going.”

Atticus: “You sure you can drive in this downpour?”

Maria: “I don’t know…”

Atticus: “If you’re okay with it, you can stay at my place for the night. It’s close by.”

*Maria looked at him, a little surprised.*

Atticus: (chuckled) “Oh, don’t look at me like that! It’s not what you think… I have a guest room, and besides, I’m exhausted. I’m just going to crash as soon as we get home.”

Maria burst into laughter and replied in a playful, seductive voice, “Well, if it goes further than that, I wouldn’t mind.”

They both laughed as they headed to Atticus’s car, and together, they made their way to his place. When they arrived, the guard rushed over with an umbrella, but Atticus handed it to Maria and walked beside her in the rain, drenched as they made their way to the house.

Once inside, he showed Maria to the guest room, then went to his own, where he took a hot shower and lay down in bed. His hand instinctively reached for his phone, and he opened the dating app once more.

And guess what????

Someone had replied.

But this time, it wasn’t Stacy.

It was..... Zayana.

__________

All for today.. Now bout to doze off...
Toodles ❤️