Chapter 10: Let Me Hold You

Chapter 10 - Let Me Hold You "So, Olivia, what brings you to our table?" Zak asked, flashing his signature smirk, the kind he reserved exclusively for WAWs. Women After Wins. Or in this case, Pretty Killer Women. Like Olivia. "Mmm... see my friends over there?" she said, pointing at a bunch of women laughing and watching from a distance. All three of them turned their heads in unison. "We're playing truth or dare," she said with a cheeky grin. "And they dared me to kiss one of you." Her finger pointed straight at Adrian. "Adrian?" Zak raised a brow. "Why not me? I mean, you'll regret choosing him over me, I swear." Olivia ignored him completely. Her eyes were locked on Adrian like he was dessert on a cheat day. She had been watching him since the second he walked into the club. A kiss? "Okay," Adrian said flatly, standing up without hesitation. "Thanks, I just want to—" Before she could finish, Adrian leaned in and pressed his lips to hers. Olivia gasped softly, caught off guard, but returned the kiss shyly until Adrian deepened it. What started gentle turned hot and rough in a matter of seconds. Then just as quickly, he pulled back and returned to his seat like nothing happened. Olivia blinked, flustered. But just as she opened her mouth to speak again, Adrian dropped the bomb. "There. You got your kiss. You can go now. And please, don't bother us again." His words were cold. His tone even colder. The whiplash hit Olivia hard. Her face flushed not from excitement, but from embarrassment. She couldn't believe this guy, who had just kissed her like he meant it was now treating her like gum on the bottom of his shoe. "F*ck you!" she spat before stomping off. Zak burst out laughing. "Told you! Should've picked me! Now look, mad and walking away with zero reward!" His voice followed Olivia halfway across the club. She flipped them off without looking back. Adrian and Zak laughed, Rafael chuckled too. It was a little cruel, maybe, but also kind of hilarious. Women were confusing, Adrian thought. He literally gave her what she wanted. A kiss. Not even a bad one, by the way. And she still got pissed? "Bro, your cold-bloodedness is actually impressive," Zak said, giving Adrian a playful punch on the arm. "I almost feel sorry for the woman who ends up married to you," Rafael added with a half-laugh. Adrian scoffed. "Damn, Raf. Pray for my future wife, will you?" Then he turned to Zak. "And you... how the hell do you even measure sadism?" Zak smirked. "Oh, I use the Adrian Scale. One being mildly heartless, ten being you on a Monday." "Shut up, Zak. Let's see which one of us gets married first." "Deal, bro. Let's see." If Adrian told them right now that he was getting married soon, neither of them would believe him. Not in a million years. And honestly? He couldn't wait to see their faces when they found out. "Let's get out of here. It's late. I've got a meeting tomorrow." Adrian checked the time on his Rolex. Zak looked at Rafael. "I'm hitching a ride with you, yeah? Didn't drive tonight." "Go with Adrian," Rafael declined. "I'm not heading home just yet. Got something important to take care of." "Something important? At this hour?" Zak raised a brow. "Don't ask," Adrian cut in smoothly. "If you're not riding with me, Zak, call a cab." He already knew where Rafael was going. No need to ask. That woman Rafael couldn't stop thinking about? Yeah he was going to her. *** Thirty-one missed calls. Twelve unread texts. Ninety-three WhatsApp messages. Bianca sighed, pressing her fingers to her temples, frustrated beyond words with the one person responsible for her iPhone constantly lighting up and vibrating all day. The man was relentless. She had half a mind to block his number. But that felt... too cruel. And if she was being honest, there was a tiny part of her that felt something warm every time his name lit up her screen. Yes, ignoring all the messages, calls, and texts was cold too. But still more humane than cutting him off completely. Right? Just as she was thinking about him, the doorbell rang. Ding. Dong. Ding. Dong. She didn't have to guess. She already knew exactly who was standing outside her apartment. Dragging her long legs with an exhausted sigh, Bianca walked to the door and cracked it open, just halfway. "What are you doing here?" she asked coldly. "I wanted to see you, B.." Rafael's voice wavered slightly. Bianca's nose scrunched up at the scent of alcohol that hit her. "Are you drunk?" "No, I... I'm not drunk. I just had a little. Just a little," he rushed to explain. He knew she hated drunk people. Hated the mess, the drama, the excuses. And here he was, standing in front of her, reeking of alcohol like a complete idiot. But it was her fault too. At least that's what Rafael told himself, she had pushed him to this point. Bianca stared at him, her expression unreadable but intense. Eyes locked on his face. That beautiful face. She didn't blink. Didn't say a word. She had built her heart into a wall cold, solid, unshakable. And yet... just seeing him like this, all that effort cracked. Bianca looked away. She couldn't stand seeing that look in Rafael's eyes, so full of pain. Bi... you're still weak when it comes to this man. The thought echoed bitterly in her mind. Rafael looked at her with quiet desperation, eyes pleading without saying a word. And damn him, he got to her. She let out a quiet sigh. Heart in chaos, mind all over the place, she opened the door and stepped aside. Letting him in. But as she turned to walk away, warmth suddenly wrapped around her body. Rafael had pulled her into a hug from behind. His strong arms locked around her tightly, so tight she could feel the pounding of his heart. The scent of his cologne citrus and wood mixed with the faint trace of alcohol filled her senses. "You—" "Shhh... please, B... Just a moment." "Raf, let go. Let me go." "Please, B..." he whispered, his voice thick with longing. "Just let me hold you. Just for a second. I miss you so much..." Bianca had half-raised her arms, ready to push Rafael away but stopped the moment she heard his soft, broken voice. She closed her eyes and bit her lip. Neither of them knew how long they'd stayed like that, frozen in place, wrapped in silence, tangled in their own thoughts. ***