62

62
“I…. Well, it’s too early to say if I truly love him or not.” I  croaked, avoiding his gaze.

“Why not?”

“That’s not  how  love works, we just met, we shouldn’t fall in love immediately, and also, it’s none of your goddamn business!” I hissed.

“I didn’t mean to be rude, I just…”

“Please leave!”I snarled, my voice laced with impatience and harshness. How dare he just show up and feel like he could control my life?

He smiled leaning against the door frame, “Are you sure you want me to leave?”
“Why do I need you to stick around?” I retorted. “You are of no use to me, Michael.”
He nods, hand in pocket, his jaw clenched like I’d hurt his ego.  Well, I didn’t care, he crossed the line by showing up at my house unannounced.
“That’s fine, Professor Betty.” He said, his smile was fading slowly. Professor? The word felt strange all of a sudden, were we really going back to being formal now? As if the raw and hot sex didn’t happen at the bookstore. 

“I’m glad you are doing okay, without me, I just wanted to make sure you’re fine.”

A scoff rolled off my lips. “I don’t understand, why do you care? Aren’t you the one who bailed out on me? You’re the one who said whatever we were doing was a mistake and it was bad for my career, you discarded me like I was your tiny little mistress!” I snarled, pointing a finger at him.
“I didn’t mean to do that….”
“No…” I cut him off chuckling softly, “You were right, this? It’s all a big mistake, I should have been wiser, more careful, and smart but I guess it’s never too late.”

He let out a heavy sigh, “I’m sorry, I know I was an asshole but I only did that to protect you, I’ll never stop loving you.”

I scoffed again, “What do you know about love, huh, Michael? You don’t just throw these words around when deep down you know you don’t mean it.”
He shot his head up, “I know you don’t believe me and that’s fine, but I love you with all of my heart, I care about you too much than I wanted to admit.”
“Well I don’t care, your visiting hours are up, leave now!” I said sternly. 

“The door is that way!” I repeated pointing to the door, he nodded like he’d accepted his fate, that he could never really have me all to himself and that also made my chest ache.

He closed the distance between us and I stiffened, he was too close I could barely breathe, I shut my eyes tightly, in case his lips wanted to crash on mine.

But instead, he hugged me in a tight and warm embrace.

“I miss you!” He whispered in my ear. I  almost hugged him back when I felt his hands grab my ass, but I pushed him away instinctively.
“I know why  you  are here… you are just a horny fool!” I  yelped.

He giggled to himself, "Maybe I can’t resist your hot body, but I’d respect your decision and leave, take care, Betty.” 
“Please leave already.”
As soon as the door clicked behind him, it reminded me that I was alone once again. My phone chimed and I reached for it on the glass table. I had one new message.

It was from Duke, the BDSM lord.
I chucked, it read; ‘ Down for Lunch Date at 2pm? I planned out something beautiful just like you. Don’t be late my love.”
My lips turned up immediately, Duke always knew how to make my day feel better.

Bella’s Bistro was one of the biggest and happening restaurants in the city.  Of course, it was empty because Duke had rented the entire place, which was romantic and fattening at the same time. Maybe because no man had ever done this for me. 

I sat at a table near the glassy window for the beautiful view. This place was beautiful and perfect for a romantic lunch.
I  admired my teal gown in reflection at the window, it was one of my best outfits. I only wore it on rare occasions, and I tossed my hair to the side as I checked my time. He was ten minutes late, not bad, not good either.

The waiter, a young man in his early twenties, poured me a glass of sparkling wine, which I’d asked for.
I mouthed a ‘Thank you’ offering a half smile to him. He nodded and strode away slowly.
I took a sip from my drink trying not to be angered by his sudden lateness, this was unlike him but then I shouldn’t be too quick to judge, maybe he was caught up at work.

Or maybe he’d forgotten, just in the midst of my thought, the door flew open.

He looked strikingly handsome, his tailored crisp grey suit clung to his built body, if anyone was in this place their head would surely turn, he made every other man seem ugly, his black hair was gelled backward, his tie hung loosely around his neck, I chuckled to myself, he must’ve come straight from work.
“Hello, gorgeous!” He winked at me. He sat across from me, taking my hand and pressing a kiss on his cheek. “You look so beautiful.”
“You look handsome too,” I  said, flushing hard.

“Sorry for taking your time, have you had anything?” He asked.
I was about to respond when a waitress rushed over to us, she had a polite smile on her oval-shaped face. “Good afternoon ma’am and sir, what do you care for?”
I smiled parting my lips to ask for the menu so I could place an order but Duke’s harsh tone caught me off guard.
“Why didn’t you offer to serve my date something before I arrived?” he asked his tone slightly rising.

The waitress still smiled, “I’m sorry sir, but ma’am here didn't ask for anything, she was fine waiting…”

“Excuses! Excuses! Excuses!” He cut her off, “How can you let a customer sit here waiting without any treats for almost twenty minutes? Is this how you treat your clients in this establishment? Too bad I paid upfront, I’d have left you in here.”
“Duke… It’s okay,” I cut in immediately sensing the arguments about to start, “I’m fine… I didn’t want to eat anything.”
I reached out to touch his arm but he slapped it off in a dismissive way. “No, this lady here should know not to mess with me, who do you think you are huh? I can have this place locked down tonight.”

The poor waitress blinked back tears, trembling, “I’m sorry ma’am…. I’m sorry sir… that won’t happen again.”

“Yes, it won’t be because we won’t be returning!”
“It’s okay, truly, Duke,” I said, forcing him to be calm.
She scurried away and I felt hurt for her sake.
None of us said a word, we only spoke when we wanted to pick a dish, but deep down my appetite was dead, I couldn't understand how he could be so mean to a hardworking woman just because he’s rich?  Even with Michael’s arrogance he would never make anyone feel so small.
Before we left the manager came to our table apologizing for the staff’s behavior, Duke accepted it with the same detached arrogance and harshness.

“Apology accepted, I’m not going to lock this place up anymore, and that’s because you apologized, tell your staff to do better, next time!”
Finally, we stepped into the hot air, and ahead of us was his Black Rolls-Royce, the chauffeur stepped out immediately to open our door.

“Are you ready to come home with me?” He asked with a smirk playing on his lips.
I paused, I was contemplating whether or not to go. But he grabbed my waist pulling me closer to himself.

And before I could think about this properly, I let out a rush, “Yes…I’d come with you.”

“Yes!” He said with Jubilation and I smiled at him, he seemed genuinely happy I was going with him. What he didn’t know was that, I hadn’t yet decided to try out the bond age kinda sex, at least till I was sure he was worth it. 
As I was about to step in I saw a familiar figure across the street.
It was Michael, he had just walked out of a coffee shop, my chest tightened immediately.

Was he following me?
Duke was mouthing something but I couldn't hear him well because my attention was fixed on Michael, he noticed my presence too and stopped walking, staring from afar.

I should make a decision now, go home with Duke, or run towards Michael, the one who truly had my heart and body, instead, I chose Duke, “You are so hot!” I said in a sensual tone pulling him close by the collar, our lips crashing against each other, it was a fast and possessive kiss. 
I only did this to wade Michael off so he truly understood he had no chance with me.

But my heart sank when I looked in his direction and he wasn’t there anymore.