002

Olivia

And I saw…

I saw Sophie and Ethan was behind her, his hands gripping her hips with rough and urgent movements.

Sophie's back was arched, her head tilted forward with fingers pressed into the mattress as she breathed out sounds.

“Oh, Ethan, fuck me, harder, faster,” She screamed out, her whole body vibrating while Ethan laughed out loud like he had just won an award.

They were too lost in each other to notice me at first.

For a moment, I stood there, unable to move, unable to think of my next move.

My brain felt disconnected from my body, like I was watching something unreal, something meant for someone else but I knew it was real.

It couldn't have been his best friend, banging my very own cousin in my boyfriend's room.

My vision tunneled, my ears rang, and my heart pounded so loudly I thought I might pass out right there in the door way.

They still didn't see me.

That hurt more than anything else.

“You ... .you guys can't be doing this ninety days before my wedding!” I yelled out before I could stop myself, breaking into a choked sob.

And that was when everything froze.

Sophie gasped and twisted around, her face draining of color when she saw me, an expression that quickly died down after some minute, replaced with a cunning smile.

Ethan stilled behind her, then pulled back, finally turning toward the door.

Toward me.

For a half second, I waited for something, shock, guilt or panic, but nothing came.

I just stood there, staring at Sophie scrambling off the bed, grabbing at her clothes with shaking hands, pulling them on in a rush with her movements frantic and uncoordinated.

She wouldn't even look at me. Her eyes stayed fixated on the floor, her hair falling into her face as she dressed.

Sophie was my cousin, someone we had both created for ourselves here in NewYork after leaving California, her parents' place to become independent.

Ethan sat there with no rush, no apology, just a blank face that looked almost annoyed like I had interrupted his moment.

“Really? Really, Olivia? I thought I told you to work some more time if you haven't seen my call.”

His next question shocked me to the core and my knees finally gave out, and I had to grab the doorframe to stay upright.

“Are you …are you really going to say this? Without any explanation of what I just saw?” I asked, with a voice that didn't sound like mine. It came out thin, shaky, barely holding the situation together.

Ethan sighed. “As if there's anything to explain,” he said, standing up slowly. “You walked in on us and you saw it. What I expected of you to do was act like you didn't see anything and leave. Maybe come back tomorrow and I will be good then.”

My chest tightened and an unbelievable gasp escaped from my lips. “What? You expect me to act like I didn't see you and my own cousin, having sex? You're sleeping with her!” I said, the words heavy and bitter on my tongue. “You're sleeping with my cousin in your house while we're engaged to be married?!”

He shrugged as he reached for his clothes. “I got tired of waiting, man.”

The room went blurry for an instant.

“Tired of waiting?” I repeated, a small unbelievable laugh coming through. “Tired of waiting when our wedding is just in three months, Ethan. Tired of waiting and you choose my cousin to do your things with?”

He let out a short laugh, pulling on his shirt with no fucking remorse in those eyes. “And?”

“And you've waited seven years,” I screamed, the sound rolling out of me. “Seven years! What difference would three months make?”

He looked at me, like I was some crazy creature he has seen so far. “You really are that dumb?” He asked. “You honestly thought I went seven years without sex?”

The words hit me like a slap to my face and I lost every word.

“I…” my voice broke completely. “You said…”

“I said what you needed to hear,” he interrupted. “You wanted the fairytale. The patient fiancé. A perfect Christmas Wedding and I am giving it to you, so calm down.”

I shook my head, tears streaming down my face. “You…you lied to me.”

And for so many reasons, the lady, my cousin that I had brought as company to my work place and given a job to, decided to be bold enough to talk.

“He didn't correct you,” she said flatly. “There's a difference. Maybe you just choose to be blind. Ethan is huge and I wouldn't even want another woman under him.” She started shamelessly with a smirk tugging at her lips.

My mind started pulling up memories without my permission. Those late nights at the office. Those last-minute business trips.

The way Sophie always seemed to know Ethan’s schedule better than I did. The times I’d walked into rooms and found them too close, only for them to jump apart and laugh it off.

And I had believed them to not be able to do anything.

I had fucking trusted them.

“You were looking for a way to tell me?” I whispered.

He scoffed. “I didn’t know how. And honestly? You were too naïve to notice. Even when the signs were right in front of you.”

My chest felt like it was caving in.

I turned toward Sophie then, my vision blurred with tears. “Why?” I asked her. “Why would you do this to me? You knew. I told you everything. The wedding, the plans…this was my dream.”

She finally looked up with an irritated expression. “Oh dear, stop it. Don't start with that,” she said sharply, rolling her eyes. “Your whole Christmas Wedding fantasy? Spare me, please. Don't be a deluxe because it cannot happen anymore. Ethan chose me now.”

I stared at her, stunned with my hand clenched tightly together. I couldn't resist the slap that my hands wanted to throw her way.

“You intentionally had your way with my man becau…because you wanted to ruin my day?”

“No, corrections. Because your man Ethan, is too hard to ignore and for records, we have been smashing for four years now. I don't think this is new.”

I raised my hands to slap her out of rage but she was too fast to hold my hands, anger blazing in her eyes.

“Don't be too stupid, Olivia. You wouldn't dare to slap me because of a man who doesn't even want you and your Virgin self. Nobody wants a virgin. A stupid naive Virgin..” she yelled and something inside me shattered completely.

I didn't scream, I didn't argue and I didn't say anything else.

I just turned around and walked out.

I didn’t remember grabbing my bag. I didn’t remember locking the door behind me. I only remembered the air outside feeling colder than it should’ve been, my chest burning with every breath.

I drove without knowing where I was going.

When I finally stopped, I was in a bar I’d never been to before. I had never been drunk in my life but tonight? I don't even care.

What I wanted was a crazy night for myself, maybe.

I ordered one drink, until it turned into six drinks.

My thoughts blurred, the room growing louder and softer all at once.

That was when I saw a blurry man, looking all sexy.

He was leaning against the bar, dark-haired, broad-shouldered, his sleeves rolled up just enough to draw attention. He looked confident in a quiet way, like he didn’t need to try.

I didn’t hesitate. I walked straight up to him, pulled my card from my wallet, and shoved it against his chest.

“I want a night with you,” I said, my voice unsteady but determined. “I want to feel good.”

His eyebrows shot up in surprise. “Is that so?”

I nodded. “No talking. No pretending. Just tonight.”

He studied me for a moment, amusement flickering in his eyes. “You usually open negotiations like that?”

“Tonight I do,” I said, drunkenly.

He smiled slowly. “You’re trouble.”

“Probably,” I admitted.

He leaned in closer. “You sure about this?”

But I didn't give a response, instead, I grabbed his collar and kissed him.

Right there in the bar.

A very desperate, reckless and exactly what I needed type of kiss and when I pulled back, with my lips trembling, I looked up at him and whispered, “Room?”