Beyond The Lie

Chapter 34: Hey! who's there?

Adeline.

It was raining on the morning of June 1st - my favorite kind of weather. I loved it, which was exactly why I hated it. It made me want to snuggle under the blankets forever. But I had work, and deadlines don't care about cozy mornings. Luckily, Rachel was a lifesaver, helping me catch up after taking Monday and Tuesday off. With Friday's tasks looming, I was grateful for her help in getting me back on track.

With the photoshoot looming on Monday, I was already stressing. And then, Susan's gown for the family event popped into my head. Ugh, what a mess. Should I finish it and risk an awkward encounter, or just drop it? What if Eryx spills the beans about our... fake relationship? Would Susan even want the gown from me after that?

But as I thought about it, I realized I needed to separate business from personal drama. I'd already started working on the gown, and I couldn't just abandon it. It was a professional commitment, not a personal favor. So, I took a deep breath and dived back into work. I'd finish the gown, no matter what.

Nature had other plans for me, though. The rain suddenly picked up, pouring down in sheets that mesmerized me. I turned away from my work, gazing out the glass wall as raindrops hit it like a thousand tiny drummers.

There's something about rain that just hypnotizes me. Maybe it's the sound, or the way it makes the whole world feel cozy and still. Whatever it is, I was hooked. The city noises - car horns, chatter, all that jazz - just faded into the background, and all I could think about was how much I wanted to curl up in bed with a good book and let the rain work its magic.

Snuggling into bed on a rainy day? That's my idea of heaven. And in that moment, I was totally on board with the idea that your bed should be your own personal sanctuary. No sharing, no distractions - just you, your bed, and the sound of the rain outside.

As my love-sick side stirred, I ached for the warmth of a hand wrapped around my waist, pulling me into a strong, solid chest. I craved the gentle caress of lips on my neck, the soft whispers that sent shivers coursing through my veins. His fingers tracing the curve of my waist, slipping under my shirt to tease my skin... the thought alone made my breath catch.

In this fantasy, one face lingered - a man I'd pretended to love, but couldn't shake from my mind. Someone I shouldn't be thinking about, not after all the drama. But honestly? He was irresistible, and even the memory of his touch felt like a luxury.

No, no, no. Don't go there, I warned myself, trying to shake off thoughts of Eryx. But my mind kept drifting back, indulging in the what-ifs...

Since that unexpected encounter with Eryx at the mall, we've had radio silence. If I'm being honest, it's been unsettling. I thought I'd be relieved to be free of the drama, but instead, I feel... restless.

The distance between us was supposed to bring me peace, but all it's done is leave an ache. An ache of longing. I wished for the fake act to end, but what I didn't realize was that I'd grown attached to the connection we shared. But was it ever real?

I keep wondering, what's left now that the act is over? Is there anything beyond the pretense? It's a harsh reality to face: if the act is ended, it's really ended. There's no reason for us to stick around each other.

That chance meeting at the mall still lingers in my mind. Did he come looking for me, or was it just a coincidence? I was taken aback, like I'd been trying to avoid something, only to have it confront me head-on. The shock still resonates within me.

As I reflected on Eryx, I realized he'd remained true to himself from the start. No pretenses, no façade. His gentle request still lingered in my mind: