Chapter 38 The Wrong Delivery

Chapter 38 The Wrong Delivery
Trisha POV

Tom lied.
He never came to join me in the shower.
By the time I stepped out, wrapped in a towel and wiping water from my eyes, the bedroom was empty. I checked the sitting room. Also empty.
Which meant he left.
I stood there for a moment, confused, waiting for the last drops to fall from my hair. It was already late—almost ten—so maybe he rushed out to get whatever food and drink he mentioned. That was the only explanation that made sense.
Fine.
If he wanted us to have a night together, then he’d come back to see me looking like I was ready for it.
I went to my things and chose one of my nightwears. The transparent gown. The one I knew would have him forgetting whatever stress he claimed he had at work. I slipped into it, fixed my hair with my fingers, and sat on the bed to wait.
Minutes passed.
Then more.
I lay back on the bed and stared at the ceiling. I wanted to scroll online. I wanted to distract myself. I couldn’t do anything. Not without a phone. All I could do was turn on the TV, flip through channels, and feel the boredom digging into me. None of the shows caught my attention. I wasn’t sure if it was the shows or my mood.
A sudden knock hit the door. 
I sat upright immediately. My heart jumped, thinking it was Tom. I rushed off the bed and crossed the room. Just before I opened it, I checked the small security screen beside the door.
It was a delivery guy.
I opened the door a little. “Hi.”
He lifted a paper bag. “Delivery for unit 204?”
I blinked. “This is 203.”
He checked the receipt again. “Oh. Sorry.”
I stepped out slightly and glanced across the hallway.
204 was Elias’ apartment.
“Oh,” I said. “I know the place you’re delivering to. It’s right there.”
“Oh. Thank you,” he said. “I’ll take it to him.”
I paused. “Actually… I can give it to him. He asked me earlier to collect anything delivered because he stepped out for a moment.”
The lie came out too smooth. I wasn’t even sure why I said it. Maybe I just needed to move. Maybe I needed company. Maybe I needed something that wasn’t sitting alone in silence waiting for a fiancé who left without a word.
The delivery guy seemed relieved. “That helps. Thank you. Just sign here.”
I scribbled my name, took the warm bag, and watched him walk toward the stairs.
I looked at the food in my hands.
Why did I volunteer for this?
I wasn’t even sure if he was awake. He had been pretty drunk when I helped him to bed. But if he ordered food, he must have woken up.
I walked to his door and knocked.
A few seconds passed. Then the door clicked and eased open. Elias stood there, blinking slowly like the light was hurting his eyes.
He was shirtless except for a pair of short athletic shorts. Sweat ran down his chest. When he saw me, he startled and used his arm to cover his torso, as if that was the part he needed to hide.
My gaze dropped by accident. His abs were not the thing that needed covering. His shorts did a terrible job at hiding the bulge pressing against the fabric.
I lifted the food bag slightly. “I brought your order. The delivery guy went to the wrong door so I said I’d bring it.”
He rubbed the back of his neck and shifted, trying to act normal. “Thank you. Seriously.”
He reached for the food, ready to close the door, so I spoke before he could.
“Actually… if you don’t mind, can I stay here for a while? Tom left without telling me. I don’t know where he went, and I’m bored.”
Elias’ expression softened instantly. “Of course. Come in.”
He stepped aside and opened the door wider.
I hesitated only a second before I walked inside.
He ushered me into his sitting room and pointed at the couch.
I sat immediately and pulled a pillow into my arms, suddenly cold now that the room wasn’t steamy from my shower.
“Oh, I can turn on the AC if you’d like,” he said. He had noticed the tiny shoulder shake I did.
“No, I’m comfortable. Don’t worry.”
He looked at me for a second, then said, “I don’t think you’re comfortable in that outfit you’re wearing. That’s literally satin. It barely covers your body.”
He said it so fast, like the words slipped out before he had time to stop them.
I stared at him. He stared at me.
Then I let out a small laugh.
The nightwear I had on was for Tom to see, not Elias, but right now I didn’t even care. I moved the pillow away from my chest and rested it beside me.
“You don’t always have to be shy around me,” I said. “It’s fine. And yes, I’m a little cold, but it’s okay.”
I paused. “And wait… did you just say my outfit looks sexy?”
I gave him a teasing smile.
He rubbed his palm against his thigh like he needed something to do with his hands. “Well… yeah. You look incredible.”
I leaned back on the couch, still watching him. “What’s incredible about it? The top or the bottom?”
He blinked hard. “Well, you’re not actually wearing a top and bottom. It’s a gown, so… I guess everything.”
I pretended to think about that, then sat up straighter. “I know it’s a gown. I’m asking what part of it looks good to you.”
I lifted my hands and cupped my breasts slightly. “Is it the top?”
Then I dropped one hand and tapped my thighs. “Or the bottom?”
Elias froze. His whole face turned red, all the way to his ears.
He swallowed, his voice dropping to a hoarse whisper. “Everything.”
I laughed softly. “Oh, Elias, you’re so funny.”
He frowned a little. “I am?”
“Yeah. You’re so uptight and shy.” I patted the spot beside me. “Come sit next to me.”
He glanced around the room—at the TV, the floor, the table—as if he needed permission from the furniture. Then he slowly moved closer, but he still left a little space between us.
I noticed it immediately. Earlier, when he was drunk, he was clinging to me and letting me support his whole weight. Now he was sitting like I was a burning stove.
Maybe he needed more alcohol. That was the first thought that came to my mind.
I reached out and tapped his thigh lightly. “Elias.”
He scooted closer right away, almost too fast.
I smiled. “You look sweaty.”
His eyes widened like I had spoken another language. “I—uh—I should probably shower first.”
I caught his wrist before he could get up. “Chill. I don’t mean that in a bad way.”
I slid my hand back as I added, “When I said you look sweaty, I meant it in a sexy way.”
His ears went bright red. “Actually… whenever I’m high, I tend to do workouts so I can get out of the haze.”
“Really now?” I asked, tilting my head.
“Yeah. I’m not really much of a drinker. So I try to sweat it out.”
“Well…” I crossed my legs slowly. “If you don’t mind, I’d like us to go another round.”
His head snapped toward me. “Another—what?”
“Do you have more alcohol?” I asked. 
“I don’t think I want to drink anymore. I’ve had enough.”
“Too bad,” I said, leaning in just a little. “I wanted us to drink, so the next exercise you do is on top of me.”
His eyes widened so much they looked like they might pop out.
He stood up so fast he almost tripped. “Actually—I think I have a bottle… I can go get… actually I should go…”  
He didn’t even finish his sentence. He rushed straight to the kitchen like his life depended on it.
I leaned back on the couch, smiling to myself as I watched him panic in the cutest way possible.