Temptations

48. HOT AND BOTHERED

ELLIE

It was Wednesday and I had taken a leave from work today, deciding to go stay at Max's for a day. I was tired of seeing Alicia in the house and Nathan's desperate attempt of shoving their friendship down my throat. I really needed a break. And to be honest, coming back to my old home felt like a breath of fresh air.

This place wasn't overly fancy or loaded with facilities but I felt comfortable here. At least here I didn't have to pretend I was very happy and so much in love.

"What are we eating?" I asked Max as my stomach had started to growl. We were sitting on the couch for the last four hours, binge watching Friends ever since I arrived here.

"I've texted Jacob and Jace. They'll bring Chinese." She said as she passed me the ice-cream tub. I took a whole scoop out with the spoon and began licking it.

"Umm... so.... I needed to tell you something." I was slowly gathering courage to tell her about Drake and seek her advice regarding this issue.

"Is it important? Because Rachel and Ross are going to have their famous fight." She said, her eyes locked on the TV screen.

"Yeah… no… it's just, Drake asked me out." I said and Max jumped on her seat.

She paused the screen and then turned around to face me. "Bitch, spill."

I looked around nervously, not knowing how to initiate. "Nothing important. Well, maybe it is. I don't know." I threw my head back.

"Nathan has a childhood named friend Alicia who is staying over with us. And I hated seeing them together so I decided I'm going to date other people.".

"Oh, but are you sure about that?" She asked.

"Yeah, Drake is great." I said honestly.

"He may be. But are you sure you are not using him?" She asked. "I mean, I'm all up for it. It's about time we girls take advantage of guys."

"It's not advantage. I am genuinely interested in dating him." I said, defending my intentions.

"Are you? Because it sounds like you are jealous of that Alicia girl and are doing this as revenge." She said and I got embarrassed at that.

"That is so not the case." I groaned. "I am not jealous. I am not."

"Okay if that's the case, have fun." She said, shrugging and then took the ice-cream from my hands. She started the episode once again and got engrossed in it.

"Do you really think I'm jealous?" I asked, coming out of my chain of thoughts.

"I'd say you are but what do I know?" She shrugged, leaving me confused.

"I'm not jealous." I groaned, throwing the pillow towards her.

"Okay, you are not. Happy?" She said, even though she didn't sound like she was telling the truth.

"Yes. Happy." I said.

We went back to watching Friends and after almost an hour, Jacob and Jace arrived with the food. They both cozied in the blanket at both our sides and we opened the take out packages. The aroma of Chinese filled the air and we dug in instantly without waiting.

They had brought Kung pao chicken, orange chicken, oyster fish, spring rolls, fried rice, chow mein and a coke to wash it all down. The quantity was too much for four persons but once we four are together, it can never be too much food.

"Hey by the way, how did that clingy husband of yours let you go?" Jacob said, taking the remote of LED from my hands.

"Yeah seriously, how did you get a billionaire so obsessed with you?" Jace added.

"If only they knew." I muttered to myself and then said loudly, "Don't be jealous. I'll find a rich woman for you too." I then added a wink.

We watched the show and ate the food, all the while gossiping about different people back from NYU. I was busy having fun when my phone suddenly started ringing and Nathan's name showed up on callers ID.

"Give me my hundred. I won the bet." Jacob said to Jace and my eyebrows furrowed.

"What?" I scowled. "What bet?"

"Jacob placed a bed that Nathan will call you within an hour." He said and I burned bright red in embarrassment. Sighing, I cut the call and then put the phone on silent.

"You guys are such dicks." I said and turned my attention back to the LED.

Jacob and Jace stayed for few hours, finishing the fourth season after which they finally left saying they had a party to attend. Max and I on the other hand decided to go out for shopping. My phone screen showed many calls and texts from Nathan but I didn't unlock it, not wanting him to ruin the girls' night. Instead, I left my phone in the apartment so nobody would disturb us.

"Do you need lingeries?" Max winked at me as we walked past Victoria secret. She pulled me in as she wanted some undergarments for herself.

"Yeah right. Here's to my active sex life." I rolled my eyes in sarcasm as I watched the scandalous lace pieces. My cheeks flushed as I imagined wearing such things in front of Nathan and his response to that.

I had to buy some skincare products, makeup and new winter clothes. I bought a camel-colored wool coat that had neat detailing on the hem. Most of my money went towards makeup and skincare, not that I was complaining.

We strolled around the mall for around 3 hours in total. By the time we left, the back seat of the car was filled with bags and we both had a smoothie in our hands.

"Let's go home and watch some more episodes." Max winked. "While I tell you about my latest fling."

"Sounds like a fun thing to do." I said and took a sip of my smoothie.

The car drive was short and as soon as we stopped in the parking lot of our building, my eyes landed on the person leaning against the car on our left. His green eyes followed me like a hawk as he saw the car stopping to a halt.

"Nathan," my eyes widened in confusion as I stepped out. "What are you doing here?" He was wearing a black fitted t-shirt, hugging his wide torso and making him look more taut than usual. My stomach flipped as I struggled to keep my eyes on his face.

"Why weren't you picking up my call? I thought something bad happened." He groaned in frustration.

"I'm perfectly alright." I said, pointing towards myself.

"I can see." He said, placing his arms on his hips. "Why didn't you answer then?"

"I'll go upstairs." Max said awkwardly in my ears and walked away as fast as she can.
Nathan took a step towards me, blocking my path. "What's wrong with you?"

"What's wrong with you?" I screamed at him. "Why are you so damn controlling? I'm not your fucking wife."

"Oh but you are." He said, glaring at me with narrowed eyes. He rested his arms against the car on both sides of me, caging me in. I tried to move but his huge arms were blocking my way and restricting my movements. And as much as I hate to admit, I felt hot all of sudden.

"Until then, you're supposed to play by my rules." He whispered, leaning closer to me.

"Then you've married the wrong person." I said sharply, although I was turning into a nervous mess due to our position. It was extremely difficult for me to maintain eye contact.

"We'll see." He said. The fronts of our bodies were touching and despite the cold weather, it warmed me up. The more we stood in this position, the stronger the urge became to close the distance.

"I'm going upstairs. I'll invite you but I can't bear you for one more second." I said, finally pushing him away, using all my might.

"Sure, enjoy. I'll send the driver at 7 tomorrow morning." He said, chewing his words.

"Ugh. I'm not a fucking child." I said, walking away although some part of me wanted to go with him. He was like an addiction, I knew he was bad for me yet I couldn't be away.

You are, Mia Cara. You're a stubborn, immature child." He shouted behind me as he watched me leave.

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