Sweet seduction

The sound of the light switch clicks in the silence of my house as I arrive home from work, the light shining brightly as I close the door behind me. I hear the sound of an incoming call on my phone and set down the things I’m holding on the living room to answer.

-Hello? -I respond into the phone and wait to hear the person on the line. It’s an unknown number, and it's just silence. -Hello? - I repeat again, and this time I hear a soft, agitated breathing. I glance at the number and hang up without giving it a second thought.

I head to the kitchen to prepare a salad for dinner, tucking my phone into the back pocket of my jeans as I take some vegetables from the refrigerator, along with a cutting board and a knife.

The sound of the knife hitting the wooden cutting board is interrupted by the sound of my phone again.

For the third time in less than an hour, I repeat, “Hello?” as I wash my hands in the sink and reach a towel to dry them while holding my phone between my ear and shoulder uncomfortably.

-Hi, Angel - a deep voice responds, and I can feel a shiver run through my body, butterflies fluttering in my stomach.

-Who am I speaking to? - The truth is, I know who I’m talking to. My body recognized him, reacting instinctively as soon as I heard his voice, but I need to be sure.

-It’s me, Daniel- his voice sounds husky, with a deep tone that makes your whole body anticipate something... After so many years, I hear from him again, memories flooding back in a quick flashback. -I’m returning to Harrison after a long time - he pauses, I suppose remembering the same thing I am - And I’d like to invite you for a drink, for old times.

When I received the call last night, I never imagined it would be from Daniel Calgary. He had disappeared from my life so long ago, and from everyone’s, that I even imagined horrible things, like he was dead or in jail. That helped me believe that I had already forgotten him, but I knew it wasn’t true, that I couldn’t stop thinking about him from time to time.

I used to want everything from him, but he didn’t want anything from me.

I walked from my shop in the center, arriving at the café, and as I opened the door, I thought about how I was dressed. I wanted to keep it casual, really didn’t want to make our meeting a big deal, I was wearing light denim jeans, slightly flared at the hips, black ankle boots with heels, a jacket, a white blouse with lace and a scarf. My hair was pulled back in a high ponytail, and the red ink of my lips was the only makeup I wore.

I entered the café and greeted a few people who were sitting down, taking a seat at the most secluded table but where I could still see his arrival through the window. While I waited, Silvia asked me if a i want sometimes but i refuse for the moment.

Not even 10 minutes had passed when I saw him through the window, stepping out of a brand-new car, dressed in a black suit, dark sunglasses, and that body a really good worked body. As he entered, he caught everyone’s gaze, including mine. I was the only one who recognized him. My hands tingled, and as he approached me, I jump from my seat, sighing for myself as we both took our seats opposite each other.

-Well - he says by way of greeting, pausing to gauge my reaction. He looks directly into my eyes without moving them, maintaining eye contact. His deep, warm voice, his impressive honey-colored eyes unchanged, his short hair looking even better than the long hair he used to have, his sculpted and strong jawline. - Hello, Lena.

-Hi - my voice sounded hoarse and low as I looked at him, feeling my throat dry.

Daniel raises an eyebrow, a mischievous half-smile forming on his lips as he gazes at me. - Surprised to see me?

-Yes, of course - I struggle to pronounce those words, Daniel’s smile turns into a full one upon hearing my response, and I can see the amusement and desire shining in his eyes.

I watch as his gaze sweeps over the place, the walls painted in white and pastel tones, the black tables and white and black chairs, a few people seated at tables beyond, while others were waiting to be served at the order counter, the iced tea I was having was already finished.

-I must say, your call surprised me quite a bit - I continue, uncomfortable silences don’t attract me at all - And even more so that you invited me for a drink, well, you know, considering the time that has passed and you haven’t contacted me - I couldn’t help but drop that comment at the end. Yes, I must admit that I was a little hurt by all these years where he remained in the shadows.

He remains silent for a few minutes, staring at me. -Would you like to drink something? My treat - he says before calling Silvia. -Two coffees - he orders

-Change one coffee for a hot chocolate with cardamom, Silvia - I interrupt, smiling, before she leaves with the order.

As I watched him over my drink, I couldn’t help but feel curious about his sudden call. What was his motive? And why now, after so long?

Ten years ago, I was just a 16-year-old girl who believed she was special when the boy of her dreams, the bad boy and rebel, asked her out. I came from a high-class family, one of the best positioned for a long time, but I tried by all means to detach myself from what my surname brought. And it was him to whom I gave my love, my heart, and my everything at such a young age. My friends warned me, and I knew it, I had seen him break other girls’ hearts. I tried not to get my hopes up or fall in love, but I did, I surrendered, and I paid for it. I felt uncomfortable with my body and my looks, and in high school, everyone made sure I isolated myself except for a few people.

After he ran away, his father accused me, accused my family of that, and all of my father’s businesses went bankrupt. Over time, his father and I realized he wouldn’t come back, he didn’t return to his family’s house, and he didn’t come back for me, not a letter, message, or call. Eventually, I moved on with my life, moved on and stop waiting for him.

Daniel brings the cup to his lips and savors the taste of the coffee. -How’s your sister and your mother? - I notice he doesn’t ask about my father.

-They’re fine, we’re all fine- I smile, -as always. And your parents?- I ask back.

-They died a year ago in an accident - he shrugs, but I notice he clenches his jaw.

-I... I’m sorry,- I tell him as I touch the hand he has on the table, it’s the first contact we have, and my hand tingles.

-You know we never got along - he withdraws his hand, and I wonder if he felt the same thing, -So do you still live here? - he’s clearly trying to change the subject.

-Yes, I like it - I reply, gesturing with my hand to the street and the people passing by, -I came back 4 years ago, I was living in California, but it didn’t work out - I continue.

-Were you looking to be a star? Tell me - he winks at me and leans back in his seat.

-You know I never liked that, and well, shortly after you left - I stop and look at him, it’s a bit strange to tell him these things without feeling like I’m blaming him, - your father withdrew all his support for my father’s company, and little by little, we had less and less, just before turning 18 he passed away - I swallow the knot in my throat thinking about how worried my father looked at that moment - One of his friends knew an agent in Los Angeles, and we needed the money, so I went to California.

My answer makes the smile disappear from his face suddenly. -I’m sorry, I didn’t think I would blame you, not when he was the only one to blame, do you have any kind of trouble? - I know he’s referring to financial problems.

-No, and I don’t blame you - I continue immediately, - It's just that I thought I knew you and that you trusted me, but then I realized you didn’t, you never told me about your plans. And look at you now. - I tilt my head and grab the cloth napkin in my fist, tense. - And what about you, what do you do, where have you been?, tell me everything.

Now it’s my turn to take a sip of my chocolate and shift the focus to him, smiling.

-I’ve been living here and there, mostly Chicago, the first few years were a bit tough. - he laughs. - I worked in construction, I liked being able to build people’s homes. - He finishes his coffee and looks at the watch on his wrist. - As soon as I could, I applied for a scholarship and entered the architecture faculty, and now, Angel, I have my own construction company. We’re doing well, the business expands every day. - he concludes, obviously proud.

I can tell he’s doing well judging by his brand-new car and his outfit.

-Tell me, what brings you here after so long? - I’ve been waiting since his call to ask him this.

-I was nearby and came to take a stroll around Harrison, I noticed it has grown quite a bit and I would like to see if my business would get any benefit from being here - he leans both arms on the table and leans his body closer to mine. - See old friends, and sort out issues with my parents’ properties here - his magnificent eyes look directly into mine just a few centimeters away as he responds, I could feel his breath colliding with mine. I tried not to gape, his closeness ignites me and I can feel warmth all over my body. I was still fascinated by him, I couldn’t deny that.

Another hour of conversation and another drink later, we were saying goodbye.

I was on the café’s facade ready to leave - Goodbye. - I say simply, I had already started to walk when I feel Daniel’s hand stop me, I turn around and we are face to face, staring at each other.

My breath caught for a second, and my heart raced quickly, I hold his gaze, his eyes fixed on my lips and he remains fixed on my lips, his dilated eyes of a darker color look at me, Daniel brings his face even closer and I couldn’t help but look at his lips, pink and full, soft and rugged.

-Are you seeing someone? - I hear him ask me, his voice sounding deeper than before, his hot breath collides with my skin and I can’t help but think about stealing a kiss.

I place my palms on his chest to steady myself, my knees are weak, I rise on tiptoe to reach his lips better and close my eyes. -No. -I reply inches away from him and kiss him.