Chapter 84 Eighty Four
Izzy dragged herself up the stairs to her apartment, each step heavier than the last.
Her hands fumbled with her bags, and her key slipped between her fingers. She let out a frustrated sigh. When she tried again, her bag slipped and hit the floor with a loud thump.
Her chest felt tight, and her shoulders sagged. She bent to pick up the bag, hands shaking, and it slipped again. All the frustration, hurt, and confusion built up inside her, and she felt like she was breaking.
Finally, she got her key out and unlocked the door. She stumbled inside, letting the bags fall to the floor, barely holding herself upright.
The apartment was quiet, but the silence felt heavy. She barely made it to the couch before the pain hit her fully… the ache from the morning, the coldness from Dominic, and the vulnerability she had tried so hard to hide.
She sank onto the couch, hands over her face, and let herself cry. At first, the sobs were soft, then stronger, shaking her whole body.
“Izzy?”
The voice was gentle and familiar. She peeked through her fingers to see Maya standing there, concern written all over her face.
“Hey, honey…” Maya rushed over, kneeling in front of her and putting a steady hand on her shoulder. “What happened? Talk to me.”
She couldn’t speak. Tears kept flowing as all the emotions… confusion, longing, hurt, and the need for comfort… spilled out.
“I… I just… I don’t know…” she choked, her voice shaking. “I told him… I told him I love him… and he… he said he can’t… he only wants… sex…”
Maya’s eyes softened. She pulled her into a hug and let her cry on her shoulder. “Oh, dear… It’s okay. I’m here. What a jerk.”
Izzy clung to her, sobbing, feeling some of the tension and heartbreak ease just slightly in her friend’s arms.
“I just… I thought… maybe… maybe he could… I don’t know…” Izzy whispered.
Maya held her tighter. “It’s okay to feel what you feel. And it’s okay to cry. He may be stone cold, but you’re human it’s okay to catch feelings. So cry all you want, … and then we figure out what comes next.”
Izzy rested her head on Maya’s shoulder, letting herself finally break completely. The tears flowed until her chest didn’t ache as sharply.
After a few minutes, Izzy wiped her cheeks. “I just… I thought maybe he could feel the same. Maybe he could… want more than just… sex.”
Maya shook her head gently, brushing Izzy’s hair back. “Izzy… Dominic is who he is. I know you love him, but you can’t make him feel something he’s not willing to give.”
“I can’t stop thinking about him,” Izzy admitted, her voice cracking again. “Everything we’ve done… every time we’ve spent together … it’s like I can’t breathe without him. And now…” She hugged her knees. “Now I feel like I lost him, even though he’s right there.”
Maya nodded. “I get it. You’re not wrong for feeling that way. But remember… You yourself too. Your heart, your body, your mind… no one should treat them like they’re only good for sex. You deserve more.”
Izzy sniffled. “I just… I wish he could see that. I wish he could feel it too.”
Maya hugged her tighter. “Maybe he will, maybe he won’t. That’s his choice. But your choice is to protect yourself. Let’s figure out what you need to feel whole again… because right now, you’re drowning in him. And I’m not letting you drown because of a man who cock you can’t get over.”
Izzy’s eyes filled again, but this time there was a little relief too. “Maya..”
Maya smiled softly. “First stop the tears. Then we decide what to do about your precious Dominic. And third…” She grinned teasingly. “We make sure you remember you’re amazing, whether he sees it or not.”
Izzy laughed through her tears. “You’re the best, Maya.”
“Always,” Maya said. “Now, let’s get you some water, clean up, and maybe distract you a little. I’m not letting you stay in this spiral alone.”
As Maya helped her up, Izzy felt a little clarity returning. The heartbreak was still there, but Maya’s presence made it easier to handle. She realized this wasn’t the end. It was just a hard pause. A pause she could survive.
Izzy sank back onto the couch, hands still shaking. Maya sat beside her, a playful smirk on her face.
“Alright, Izzy,” Maya said, “we need a plan. You can’t just sit here moping while Dominic does what he wants with your heart. You need to show him.. without saying it… that you’re not just a toy. You feel me?”
Izzy nodded slowly. “I… I don’t know where to start. Every time he looks at me, I just melt.”
Maya chuckled. “You’ve fallen too deep sweetheart.. That’s why we need to fix it. Step one: boundaries. You make him work for your attention. Step two…” She leaned in, whispering. “You remind him you’re more than just sex. He can’t have everything he wants without giving something back.”
Izzy’s heart skipped. The thought of Dominic—so dominant and untouchable… being unsure of her… thrilled her. “You really think that will work?”
Maya shrugged. “It always works. Men like him hate feeling out of control. Make him chase you. Keep him guessing. Don’t give him everything.”
Izzy nodded. A new fire built in her chest. “Okay… I can do that. I want to do that.”
Maya smiled proudly. “That’s my girl. We’ll practice. You’ll tease him without giving in completely. By the time he realizes, he won’t know what hit him.”
Izzy laughed softly. “I think I like that idea.”
“Good,” Maya said. “Start small. Act calm, like you have a normal weekend. When Dominic texts, make him work for your attention. Just a little taste. Let him feel the hunger without giving it away. Don’t let him know you’re affected by his coldness and decision.”
Izzy nodded, excitement slowly replacing the ache in her chest. “I can do that. I want to try.”
“Good,” Maya said, standing and giving her a reassuring squeeze. “You’re not his plaything. You’re a beautiful young lady. And trust me… he won’t know what hit him.”
Izzy closed her eyes, feeling adrenaline rush through her. For the first time that morning, she felt… vengeful.