Chapter 17: 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟏𝟔

BREE

I walk into my apartment and find two new faces sitting on the couch.

Arzo and Maham.

“Welcome home,” Rose and Arzo greet me. Maham gives me her cheerful giggle, earning a small smile from me.

“How did it go?” Rose asks as I take my seat on the couch beside her.

I shrug.

“I need a more descriptive answer,”

“He didn’t talk properly. He told me to leave.”

“What? Why?” Arzo asks.

“I don’t know,” I say, “he was acting weird… he wasn’t himself.”

He was tense and upset about something. It was as if a black cloud was roaming over his head.

Maham reaches out her arms towards me and tries to crawl over Rose. Rose makes it easy for her by picking her up and putting her on my lap. Maham makes a small baby noise before her head rests on my chest.

Rose and Arzo make an “awww,” sound. I smile down at her, lightly brushing her hair with my fingers.

Babies’ hugs are so special, they don’t just hug anyone or let anyone hold them but someone they want to. The first month when Maham came home from the hospital, she never stayed calm in anyone's arms except her parents. We all slowly started making a connection with her and she stopped crying in our arms.

Which is a huge victory.

“What are you going to do now?” Arzo asks.

“Nothing.”

“What do you mean nothing?” Rose asks. I look at her, “he likes you!”

“I don’t think he does anymore…”

Rose sighs and rubs her forehead, muttering, “men,” Arzo and I exchange a glance then Rose lifts her head and looks at me, “I am going to prove he still likes you. Even more so,”

“How?”

She grabs her phone, “just trust me. I have a plan.”

ᯓᡣ𐭩

Rose’s plan was to set me up on a date.

A pretend date.

Arzo and I were confused as to how it will work but Rose’s answer was, “it just will. Trust me,”

She didn’t even elaborate properly. She just talked to a friend, made a deal and started choosing the dress I would wear.

Arzo couldn’t stay during the whole process because she had to take Maham back home so they could spend time with Faizan. We didn’t stop her either because if there’s one thing Faizan doesn’t like is his wife and daughter staying away from him.

Rose chose a black backless dress with full sleeves which sticks to my body and stops up my knees. She left my hair down in loose curls, did my makeup light but pretty and paired the dress with black strap heels.

She didn’t even let me protest. I had to do it.

So, now, I’m here at a club with my pretend date.

Ronald Sinclair. He’s someone Rose worked with during her part time job in college. They’re both good friends now and help each other with work.

He’s good looking. Dark brown hair. Brown eyes. Six feet tall. Good dresser. Charming.

I thought this would be awkward but it isn’t. He’s talking to me freely like we’ve known each other for years.

“What deal did Rose make?” I ask after a while.

He smiles, “she’s going to do my work assignments for a week,”

My eyes widen, “really?” he nods, “she went all out..”

He laughs, “it was surprising but considering Rose will use her precious reading time to do my assignment must mean that you mean a lot to her. I used to beg her to take over my shifts when we were working but her answer always was ‘I am not wasting my precious reading time working, Sinclair.’”

A smile takes over my lips, “I have to buy her a book,”

“Still using books as her payments?”

“Always.”

“Somethings never change,”

Ronald and I let out a soft laugh-

“What’s so funny?”

My shoulders lock at the familiar voice that just came from behind me.

“Uh,” Ronald looks at me then back at the man behind me, “nothing, man. Don’t worry about it,” Ronald gives him a gentle smile but I can feel the tension in him.

He knows it's him.

He hums, “I think it’s time for you to go, buddy.” Even though his words were friendly, his voice sounds terrifying.

Ronald glances at me, I nod. It’s better if he leaves.

“Alright then,” Ronald picks up his jacket from his chair, “text me when you get home.”

“I will-”

“She won’t.”

Ronald and I freeze at his statement.

Why does he sound so scary?

“Okay… bye, Bree.”

“Bye, Ronald.”

Ronald walks away from us, hurrying out the exit.

I don’t blame him.

Taking a deep breath, I turn around and face Finn. I make sure I look calm when I lock my eyes with him, acting as if his presence does not affect me. At all.

“For someone who hates clubs, you seem to be hanging around in them often,” he speaks. Not a hint of amusement. I know he’s angry but he still sounds so calm.

I keep my chin, “well, since you seemed so uninterested in me, I decided to let out my feelings somewhere else. With someone else.” I lie through my teeth.

If he hadn’t showed up, I would’ve went home alone.

But he doesn’t know that.

A dark look passes through his eyes as his jaw clenches.

He starts to take steps forward with the same dark look in his eyes. I swallow and start stepping away till my back hits the cold wall. I take in a sharp breath when he stops an inch away from me, blocking my view of the crowd behind him.

I look away-

“Look at me.”

I stiffen at his demanding voice. Slowly, I lock my eyes with his.

“Does this feel like a game to you?”

I slowly shake my head, ignoring the shock of thrill that passes through my body at his voice.

He rests his hand by my head on the wall and leans in closer. He slightly tilts his head and his eyes roam over my body from my face down to my legs, making heat rise in my body.

What the hell was I thinking? This is so wrong. He’s my brother’s best friend-

My thoughts come to an abrupt halt when his hand grabs my hips and pulls me against him. My body collides with his with a sharp breath.

The longer he stares at me, the more my body aches for him to do something. Anything.

He leans down, letting his lips hover over mine.

“Tell me to stop.” He whispers over my lips.

I should stop him. We shouldn't be doing this. This will make everything awkward.

Despite the many reasons, my hand fists around his coat.

He lets out a small groan before his lips smashes on mine.

All of my thoughts fade away in an instant and I kiss him back, my eyes closing on their own will. My lips part with a moan, giving Finn the permission to deepen the kiss.

He tastes like cinnamon and wine. His kiss isn’t soft but harsh as if he’s been waiting an eternity to taste someone.

My arms wrap around his neck, my fingers sneaking into his hair. His grip stays tight but gentle on my waist.

When we break our kiss, we’re both breathless but we keep our faces close to each other.

My eyes lock with his eyes, filled with lust and impatience.

I should be worried about someone spotting us but his body is shielding me from the crowd so only his back is visible.

His eyes drop to my lips and that small gesture sends a shock of thrill up my spine.

“We shouldn’t be doing this,” I whisper.

His eyes lock back with mine. He leans closer, “we shouldn’t” he says and kisses me again. Soft and wanting.

He breaks the kiss again, “come on. We’re taking this somewhere private,”

My stomach flips at his words. He grabs my hand and I let him lead me upstairs where they are multiple VIP rooms.

I can’t even focus on how calm he sounds when he talks to someone about booking a room. My head is hazy, my body is burning and I want him.

I want him so bad. I can’t hide it anymore.

As soon as the door of our room closes, Finn pins me against it and kisses me.

We strip each other out of our clothing. Finn doesn’t miss a beat, as soon as the last piece of clothing hits the floor, he picks me up and carries me to the bed.

My back hits the soft mattress then he hovers over me.

He hesitates and I realize why.

“I’m on the pill,” I quietly say, “and I’m clean,”

“Me too.” he slightly whispers, then his lips are on me. Everywhere.

The reality will hit us like a bullet tomorrow morning.

But for now, right here, it’s just the two of us and nothing else matters.