It's Sad to Belong

It's Sad to Belong || Strong Attraction

Chapter Two

It's almost midnight and James is still in the office with Nadine. It has been a long night for the two of them. They've been at work now for more than 12 hours.

They have been reviewing the case and watching security footages recovered from the surrounding neighborhoods, trying to track down the suspect's whereabouts on the day of the crime, and days leading up to the crime.

"We've got a strong case in our hands, " says James, rubbing his forehead with his left hand. "But-"

"There's a but?" Nadine asks playfully.

"We're going up against a cop. A well-liked cop."

"So? So what if he's a cop? Are scared?" she teases.

"No. I'm just saying, this is going to be a very complicated case. Things are going to get very messy, and I'm pretty sure that you and I will get dragged into the mess, as well."

"It wouldn't be the first time. Or at least not for me. I've been through it before. And," she pauses.

She leans down just a few inches from his ear, and whispers seductively, "Maybe I like it messy."

James freezes. And before he could even react, Nadine makes her way to the door.

"Goodnight, James. I'll see you in the morning. Don't forget to lock up when you're done."

But before James can even say a word, Nadine flashes him a sedutive smile and winks her left eye flirtatiously as she approaches the door.

James stays around for another half an hour. He sits in his office, wondering what just happened.

He tries to brush it off but Nadine's smile keeps flashing in his head. The way she winks her eye, the way she smiles and the way she flips her hair when she talks; it's just incredibly sexy and irresistable.

***

It is now 5:00 in the morning and James is still wide awake. He had been at work all day the previous day but he doesn't feel sleepy at all. He keeps tossing and turning in bed. Not even realizing that he has awaken Ericka.

"Honey, what's the matter?" she asks.

She checks the time and suddenly finds herself worrying about her husband. She and James have been together for so long, and she knows that James is someone who sleeps through anything.

There is nothing that can keep him up at night. So she asks again, "Are you okay? Is something bothering you?"

Of course he can't tell his wife that the reason why he can't sleep is because of a woman. A woman he hardly knows and doesn't even like, or at least not romantically.

He himself is confused as to why he would be thinking about Nadine. It makes no sense to him at all. And he feels really guilty for having another woman occupy his thoughts. He suddenly feels as if he is cheating on Ericka.

"Nothing, hun. Just tired, I guess," he says, grabbing Ericka closely for a hug.

He wraps Ericka into his arms. He listens to her peaceful breathing while he stays awake, still thinking of Nadine.

***

James is reading a newspaper when he is greeted by Henz.

"Goodmorning, man," says Henz, not even looking at him.

Just before he takes the seat next to James, he turns his head and looks and says, "Woah, man. Long night, huh?" he says playfully.

"Yeah. We were stuck in the office for hours."