Nightfall ✓

Croisé

0 6

C r o i ś e

[FRN]: standing with legs crossed.

CLO STAYED INSIDE his bedroom the next day, only getting up to eat when the chef brought her breakfast. She didn't want to learn her name. She wanted to stay as aloof as possible. It allowed others to stay safe. She didn't think she was a good person to make friends or even acquaintances with.

"Take some aspirin," he murmured from where he sat, typing away at his laptop.

For some reason, he didn't go to work as well. He showed how much he'd changed when he took her again and again last night. It was stupid of her to think he'll be the same gentle lover he was years ago but she didn't expect such a... harsh treatment. Ergo, she didn't want to kid herself and think he'd stayed behind because he felt sorry. And he was right in feeling that way. She was not deserving of pity.

"You didn't hurt me. You're just..." she trailed off.

Telling him he was well-endowed seemed highly inappropriate. And it wasn't just the physical pain that was keeping her from getting up.

She had cheated on Theo. The thought crippled her more than anything. More than throwing the man who now sat in the same room as her to the wolves when he was at his most vulnerable.

"Others never had a complaint," he stated matter-of-fact, making her smile sadly.

"Neither do I," she said softly.

Never with you.

Clo didn't understand why her heart beat was so fast when she was lying on the most comfortable bedding to ever exist. The pain in her chest made it harder to breathe. And so, before she knew it, she was pushing herself up and dialing the only number she knew by heart.

She could imagine the look on his face as he saw her name light up on his beat up phone.

What had she done?

"Clo?" He picked up on the second ring.

"Mon bonheur." Tears stung her eyes for the first time since her arrival here. She blinked them back. Only victims cried. And she was a perpetrator.

"Clo, I–" he paused, making the tears finally fall. "I thought you'd never call after what I said."

You needed a warm bed and now you don't.

She swallowed, failing to get rid of the pain in her throat. "I'll always need you. I'll always need to hear your voice, mon bonheur."

"Did he hurt you?" His voice was faint. "You can always come home if he hurts you, Clo."

Home.

"You'll let me?" The words slipped out before she could stop them, making her clench her jaw. "He won't hurt me," she said quickly before he could comment on that, "you know he won't."

The phone crackled for a moment before he spoke. "You're coming back, Clo. You better come back to me or I will hurt him."

She laughed for the first time before placing a hand over her mouth. "Okay, Theo."

"Do you want me to tell you who paid me a visit today?"

She sat up straighter, wincing slightly and looked over at Alec. He was already looking at her.