I, Ache Vol. III

Ache Playlist | One Night

Written by wuthie16

It was 12:30AM on a Friday night, or technically - Saturday morning, and I was downing my fourth bottle of beer, amidst boisterous laughter of my colleagues. We were inside a smoky bar where the bass of the house music thumped loudly. I didn't know why I agreed to come with these guys in the first place.  This wasn't typically my scene.  But they insisted that we should 'celebrate' for closing the deal that we came for during this business trip in Manhattan, just this afternoon.

I smiled as I listened to my colleagues drunkenly talk and tease each other, glad that they weren't picking on me yet - when I suddenly noticed her.

She was sitting by herself at the far end of the bar, a glass of martini in front of her.  Her brows were furrowed as she stared at her phone, tinkering with it.  She also kept glancing about as if she was expecting someone.  Twice, our gazes met - and though it brought a thrill to my body when it did, she was quick to avert her eyes.

"Go to her, Rich." Chris, my project manager and boss, told me as he took a sip of his brandy, breaking the trance I was in. I didn't realize he was observing me.  "You've been staring at her for the last hour and it looks like she's alone.  Hurry now, bro.  Could be that she's waiting for you.  Go."

I looked at Chris briefly then back at her contemplatively. Taking a deep breath, I nodded and stood up, taking my drink with me as I walked towards her with a purpose.

"Hi," I nonchalantly said when I got to her, my back to the bar - not directly looking at her. I took a sip of my beer and with my heart thundering - waited for her to acknowledge me.

I thought she would just ignore me but my heart fluttered when all of a sudden, I heard her husky melodious voice.  "Hello."

We got to talking after that and surprisingly - we never ran out of things to say. I found her engaging, noting how we were alike in so many ways. I even joked and told her that we were most likely soulmates, to which she blushed prettily. 

By the end of the night, we were laughing together so when I asked if she wanted to get out of that bar with me, she agreed albeit a little hesitantly.

When I entered my hotel room with her, she stopped by the door, her hands wringing.  "Rich, I --"

"Would you like some coffee or perhaps tea, Dei? Lucky this hotel provide those in-room."  I cut her off as I showed her the coffee and tea on my counter.

She took a deep breath, slowly letting it out before gazing at me straight. With a small smile, she nodded - as if resigned.  "Tea. You said you hate coffee so let's do tea instead."

I let out the breath I didn't know I was holding once she agreed. 

Little later, I sat beside her on the bed - handing her a cup of steaming tea.  She took one sip and placed it down on the bedside table.  I did the same. 

For a while - silence enveloped us as we stared at one another, only the beating of our hearts and the harshness of our breaths could be heard.  When the tension was at a point where I couldn't take it anymore, I pulled her towards me and captured her lips with mine with a groan.  She wasn't hesitant now as she straddled me, her hands going to my neck, pulling me closer to her as we continued to kiss. My tongue started duelling with hers, our mouths slanting over the other in a dance I wasn't sure I could keep up with. 

This was no ordinary kiss.  It was fire.  Pure, unadulterated fire. 

And I was willing to burn in it.