Chapter 168

Chapter 168
Chapter 168

I miss her

Andrian’s POV

The warmth beside me was gone.My eyes fluttered open sluggishly, still heavy with exhaustion. The weight of last night lingered in my muscles, a deep, satisfied ache that reminded me of every moment, every touch, every seductive sound Alex had made beneath me, every breathless whisper against my skin, it was so passionate and filled with something deep.Then, when i went deep inside him, it was like i traveled to heaven. A slow smile tugged at my lips as I reached for him, wanting to pull him close again.But my hand met cold sheets.My brows furrowed. I turned my head.The space beside me was empty.Instantly, the drowsiness vanished, replaced by a sinking feeling in my chest. I sat up, my heart thudding as I glanced around the dimly lit cabin. The floorboards creaked as I threw my legs over the side of the bed and stood, scanning the room.“Alex?” I called, my voice hoarse. No response.A sudden chill crawled up my spine as I hurried toward the bathroom. Empty. The small closet? Empty. My chest tightened as I moved toward the door, my pulse quickening.That’s when I noticed it.His bag and his clothes. Gone.The reality of it slammed into me like a punch to the gut.Alex had left after we had just shared a moment.Panic clawed its way into my throat as I stumbled back, my mind racing. No. No, this wasn’t right. He wouldn’t just leave like that. Not after what had happened. Not after the way he had looked at me last night, with eyes that had burned with something deeper than just desire.I ran a hand through my hair, my breath shaky.Why?I sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the empty space he had occupied hours ago. The sheets were still crumpled from where he had lain, his scent still lingering faintly. I pressed a hand to my chest as if that could stop the ache growing inside me.Had I done something wrong?Was I too rough?Had I hurt him?A cold sweat broke over my skin as memories of last night flashed through my mind. The way I had pinned him down, as I plowed inside him like a ravaging beast. how desperate I had been, so uncontrolled. I had let pleasure blind my thoughts, not caring if he was hurting or not.Shit! I knocked off the nightstand on top of the table in anger. I didn’t care about the cuts that had formed on my knuckles, nor that I was bleeding from them. The pain was less compared to how angry I was. I was given a second chance, and what did I do?I scared him away.Another memory flashed through my head about when the deed had been done. how lost we had both been in each other. But I had never, never, forced him. If anything, he had wanted it. I had seen it in his eyes, felt it in the way he clung to me, the way he had whispered my name like it was the only thing anchoring him to sanity.Then why had he run?I squeezed my eyes shut, frustration and something dangerously close to despair welling inside me.Was it regret?Did he regret it?The thought made my stomach twist. Had I misread everything? Had he only done it because he was caught up in the moment? Because of the alcohol? Or was it part of his tricky hideous plans.I clenched my fists. No. That wasn’t it.Alex wasn’t someone who lost control easily. I saw it the first day we had come to camp. When he was drunk, he had that calculating look that a drunk person can never have. He wasn’t someone who let emotions dictate his actions. And yet, last night, he had let go. He had wanted me. I knew it.But now he wasThat last night meant everything to me? It wasn't some randlm fuck, i don't see alex as a distraction, No…, rather he is something more? And that has terrified me from the start, three years ago. The first time I had seen him come out of his parents' car looking nervous and flustered, something in me had shifted that day, and it had terrified me. What would my father have said if he found out that I had fallen in love with a mission target and not just anybody but a boy for that matter.A boy I just had the best moment of my life with.And that same boy had run away in denial.I let out a bitter laugh, frustration rising in my throat. I didn’t even hear him leave.Then, my eyes landed on my jeans that were neatly folded at one corner of the room.It was nothing like I had left it last night, in my pleasure-drunken state. I picked it up, and a piece of paper landed on the floor.Slowly, I picked it up and unfolded it, my hands slightly unsteady."Last night was a mistake. Don’t get the wrong idea, Andrian. It was just a moment of weakness, and I was honestly dissatisfied with your performance. Don’t dwell on it."Much love, Alexis.I froze.The words stared back at me, sharp and cutting.A mistake?My fingers curled around the paper, gripping it tightly as my chest tightened.Dissatisfied?My mind replayed every sound he made, the way he had melted under me, the way his body had responded so perfectly to me. Was that all just a lie?A bitter chuckle escaped me, but it wasn’t amused.That bastard.I should have expected this, his walls hebhad built around his heart, his damn stupid games. But for a second, I had thought…I exhaled sharply, my jaw clenching.So that was it? He ran away, pretending it meant nothing?Pretending I meant nothing?I crumpled the note in my fist, my body tensing with an intense rage.I have been used!.My jaw tightened as I turned, shoving off anything that was close to me. knocking over the small table in the process. The sound of properties crashing against the wooden floor echoed throughout the cabin as I let out my anger.but it did nothing to calm the storm raging inside me.“You look like a mess”That was the first word Enzo said as I angrily entered the car.“You can't imagine, I feel like killing someone” I said, clenching my badly bruised fist in anger.“You will have to keep your anger in check, young master…”“What do you mean?” I asked Enzo, who looked like he had a lot to say.“It's your father,”I froze.I entered the big and lonely mansion, dreading what I would face.Enzo had told me that my father was back two weeks early from his due date.“Welcome home, sir,” I said, trying my possible best to put on an act. Contrary to my hard beating heart, that wouldn't calm down.That look, it has sent many life's to their misery just from being stared at by him. And he was giving me that look, with a coffee in hand.Thousands and one excuse began to run through my mind, but I know my father too well, and I know that it's futile to try to lie to him.“Where have you been andrian”“I went camping, sir, my school…” I said the truth, knowing that there was no use lying to him.“How many times have I ever warned you to leave basketball alone? You are the next in line to the most powerful name in Manchester…”I suddenly felt sick. This is not the first time and probably won't be the thousandth times I was hearing this statement. Especially not on this day.A memory came to my head. The night my mother had died. I was just a little boy then, who was grieving over his dead mother.He had said these same words. And right now, I was sick and tired of listening to it again.“I have loved basketball ever since I was a kid, and I have always done and been how you want me to be. Merciless, wicked, manipulative, just like you want. Why can't I just have a normal life like any other Elite. I must not be…”Twack!.I saw stars for a few seconds. I didn’t know when he had risen from his chair, but my father was in front of me now, his face contorted in rage.“you dare insult me”“I am tired, dad. I am sick of living like a programmed machine. I want to have my life, a real one…and not a life in a fabricated one you want me to live.”There was a heavy silence after my outburst. I widened my eyes in realisation, but I had a look of resolution.I was not letting him intimidate me for a second.“That's well spoken. You will be locked inside the basement until you learn how to talk to your elders.” He spoke. My eyes widened in fear at the mention of the basement.“I have a life dad…”Twack!Another slap landed on my other cheek. This time, I shut myself up for good.“It's sir next time” my father said coldly with no atome of emotion on his face before leaving the house.I stood there, his last words echoing through me. A single tear slipped from my eyes, not because of my father's temper or his controlling demands and uncaring attitude. NoIt was for my mother.I missed her.