Chapter 21
When Isabella returned to the apartment she shared with Aria, night had already fallen.
She sat alone at the desk in her bedroom, bathed in the soft glow of the table lamp.
Her blonde hair shimmered with a honey-colored sheen under the light, and the thin-framed glasses perched on her nose gave her a scholarly air.
Job application materials were spread across the desk, and Isabella's fingertips unconsciously traced the name on the Tyson Group logo.
Damn it, she was thinking about Vitale again.
He had really taken root in her mind—looked like she'd be violated by him in her dreams again tonight.
"Still working hard?" Aria pushed the door open, interrupting Isabella's troubled thoughts.
Isabella looked up, rubbing her sore neck: "Got to be prepared."
Just then the door opened again, and their other roommate Amira Hall walked in holding a tub of ice cream, her dark curls casually tied back with a silk scarf.
"Girls, I brought tiramisu-flavored ice cream!"
Isabella and Aria cheered and got up to greet her.
The three moved to the small balcony, the night breeze carrying the fresh scent of citrus trees.
Amira gently nudged Aria with her elbow: "Ready?"
Isabella keenly noticed the silent exchange between them: "Ready for what?"
Aria uncomfortably adjusted her glasses: "Nothing."
"Honey," Isabella scooped up a spoonful of ice cream, "your left eyebrow twitches when you lie."
Amira sighed: "I'm the one who asked Aria to keep it secret. Ever since you came back from your sister Sonia's wedding, you've been down."
"Yeah," Aria chimed in, "you've been like there's a cloud hanging over you, so we thought maybe a change of work environment might cheer you up."
Isabella froze, not expecting her friends to notice her mood so carefully.
"Sorry for worrying you," she said softly, "I just haven't been sleeping well lately."
Aria and Amira moved closer on either side, protecting her like guardian angels.
"What really happened?" Amira asked gently.
Isabella felt the coolness of the ice cream melting on her tongue, letting that cold sensation spread through her body.
She took a deep breath: "What would you think if I told you I had a one-night stand with a man?"
The two women's screams nearly lifted the balcony roof.
"A one-night stand?!" Aria excitedly grabbed her arm, "You finally came around!"
Amira's face flushed in the moonlight: "Was he good? I mean, how many times did you do it?"
"Was he more gifted than the guys in those porn movies we used to sneak and watch?" Aria added.
She remembered the embarrassing incident in college when they got caught secretly watching adult films, and couldn't help but laugh.
A nostalgic smile curved Isabella's lips: "His penis was big, many times, he was almost tireless. The feeling was both painful and wonderful."
Aria leaned in closer, lowering her voice: "Tell me, what's it like to have sex with someone like that?"
Isabella's gaze fell on the bright moon, as if returning to that night filled with the scent of cigars and sea water.
"The first time," her voice was soft as a dream, "was on the terrace of his castle. Moonlight spilled across his back, and I could see the outline of every muscle."
"When he entered me, my back was against the cold railing, while his burning chest was in front, and inside my body was filled by him too, hot and comfortable."
"Yeah, I mean, it was a strange feeling—after the pain, it felt really good."
Isabella unconsciously shifted her legs, feeling a bit of an itch down there.
Aria held her breath, eyes wide open.
"He likes to speak Eldorian when he gets turned on," Isabella's fingertips unconsciously rubbed her arm, "and though I couldn't understand, that deep voice was like the richest wine, making my whole body go weak."
"Once, he whispered in my ear, 'Your body was made for me,' and in that moment my heart almost stopped beating."
"Oh my God." Aria gasped softly.
"The most unforgettable was the time in the study." Isabella's cheeks flushed, "I was bent over the desk with classic literature spread out in front of me, and he held me from behind. Each thrust made the pages rustle."
"When I trembled in climax, he kissed the back of my neck and said, 'This is the real classic literature.'"
Aria covered her mouth, eyes sparkling: "Go on!"
"And once by the pool," Isabella's voice grew softer, "he pressed me against the pool wall, the water rippling with his movements. Starlight fell on his wet hair, and he cupped my face saying, 'Every time I enter you, it's like coming home.' That line made me completely fall for him."
"Is his penis really big?" Aria couldn't help but ask.
Isabella's lashes fluttered lightly: "It was always difficult at first, but when he was fully inside, that feeling of being filled was like finding the missing other half."
"He was very patient, always making sure I was ready first. The most deadly thing was his hips—each thrust was so precise it drove me crazy."
"Once when I was exhausted, he carried me to the window, held me from behind, pointed at the distant horizon and said, 'Look, the sun rises for us,' and then he took me standing there, so gently it made me want to cry."
"What position does he like best?" Aria's voice was almost a whisper.
"He likes looking into my eyes." Isabella said, "Especially at the moment of climax. He said he wanted to watch my soul being taken to heaven by him."
"Sometimes he'd suddenly stop, right when I wanted it most, and ask, 'Whose woman are you?' Only when I answered through tears 'Yours, always yours,' would he continue."
"The scariest part is, even now when I remember these things, my heart still races. His every touch, every sweet word, is like it's carved into my body."
Aria squeezed her hand: "I understand now. You're not just remembering—you're missing him."
Isabella looked at the deepening night outside the window, saying softly: "Yes, I miss him. I miss him so much that every night, my body wakes up from the memories."
Aria suddenly thought of something, her expression becoming cautious: "So you had sex with him to get revenge on Chris?"
"What's it got to do with him?" Isabella frowned, "That relationship is completely over."
"You were together for three years but never took that final step." Aria said softly, "We all thought you were particularly conservative."
Amira nodded: "Honestly, weren't there other suitable men at the wedding? Besides that guy, I mean, you're so great, you could meet better people."
"No one can compare to Vitale." Isabella answered without thinking, then realized she'd let it slip, "And I hate Chris. Please don't mention him again."
Aria and Amira exchanged a glance and asked in unison: "What exactly did that Chris do to you?"