When Love Fades

"Sorry."

　　I was about to leave when unexpectedly, the man maliciously blocked my path and reached out to touch my arm.

　　"You think bumping me and tossing a 'sorry' cuts it? Get your ass to my booth and drink with me first."

　　The man reached out to put his arm around my shoulder, but instinctively I raised my hand and slapped him.

　　"Get lost!"

　　The man's face darkened, and he looked at me with a cold smile, saying, "You want the hard way? So be it."

　　He raised his hand, and my heart tightened. Suddenly, a pair of hands tightly grabbed his hand.

　　As my gaze followed the hands, a face both familiar and unnervingly altered came into focus.

　　It was Jerome, that corporate lawyer Tristen had consulted on business ventures years back. We'd crossed paths once at a deposition.

　　He naturally stood in front of me.

　　"Representing Ms. Parker now. Given her current disarticulated homicide situation, your case could make a compelling appendix to my filings."

　　The man's face changed, and he looked at me warily and unwillingly ran away.

　　I forced out a smile and said, "Mr. Brook certainly has ... inventive methods for crisis management."

　　"As long as it works." Jerome gave a half smile.

　　"Thank you, Mr. Brook. Next time, I will treat you to a meal." I casually waved my hand and prepared to leave.

　　Unexpectedly, Jerome grabbed my wrist and looked at me, his lips trembling.

　　I didn't know why, but suddenly I remembered Tristen's comment: "She's a dead fish in bed."

　　A strangled breath trapped between a gasp and a choke.

　　I stumbled towards him, my eyes blurred from drunkenness, and reached out my hand to trace the contours of his face, full of coquetry.

　　***

　　Everything happened as it should have.

　　When Jerome pressed me against the hotel door, the warm breath that hit my face was filled with the smell of alcohol.

　　He breathed heavily, staring at me intently. His large hand caressed my waistline.

　　"You still have room for regret."

　　I felt dizzy and wasn't clear-minded.

　　I didn't speak, but instead, I wrapped my arm around his neck and pressed my red lips against his.

　　As my lips parted, Jerome's arm tightened around my waist, reversing our positions with predatory swiftness.

　　My eyes turned red, and I sobbed quietly, leaving numerous red marks on his back.

　　A tear slid down the corner of the eye and into the hair.

　　My eyelashes trembled, and Jerome leaned down to kiss me. The tenderness and affection in his eyes left my mind blank.

　　The next morning, as soon as I opened my eyes, I saw numerous text messages from my friends.

　　I quickly turned over and got out of bed, looking at myself in the mirror, which took my breath away.

　　Purple and blue love bites testified to the intensity of the previous night.

　　I quickly bent down to put on my clothes and picked up the stockings from the bed, when suddenly a pair of big hands pressed on me.

　　I looked up and met Jerome's ambiguous gaze, suddenly feeling a bit guilty.

　　"Aubrey, you don't want to run, do you?"

　　I struggled a few times, but Jerome held onto my stockings tightly. I was speechless and pretended to speak toughly.

　　"We are all adults. Mr. Brook, you must understand what is called a fleeting romance, right?"