Page 75 of Tension
The shrill ring of my phone breaks the tense silence, and my heart clenches at the familiar name glowing softly on the screen.
Taking a steadying breath, I pick up. “Hey,” I answer softly, the forced warmth in my voice sounding foreign even to my ears.
“Mi amor,” Gerardo’s voice resonates gently, filled with unmistakable excitement. “I’ve missed you terribly. My flight arrives early tomorrow morning.”
Guilt pierces my chest, sharp and sudden, leaving me breathless. I swallow thickly, pressing fingertips to my forehead to ease the pounding ache forming there. “I’ll meet you at the airport.”
“Perfect,” he replies, oblivious to the turmoil twisting within me. “We can have breakfast together at that small cafe, just like the first time we were in Paris. It’ll be beautiful, Vaeda.”
His hopefulness tightens my throat, tears threatening to blur my vision. The thought of breaking his heart seems impossible, yet necessary. The truth sits heavy on my tongue, waiting for release.
“Vaeda?” Gerardo asks gently, sensing the lingering pause. “Are you alright?”
“I’m just tired,” I lie, the words sour but necessary. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Gerardo. Have a safe flight.”
“I love you, Vaeda.”
My heart twists painfully. “I’ll see you soon.”
Ending the call feels final, like closing a chapter of my life I’m ready to leave behind completely. I take a shuddering breath, the weight of my decision settling fully upon me. My marriage had once been something precious, a bond forged through mutual ambition, friendship, and comfort, but comfort isn’t passion. Comfort isn’t love, not in the way my heart yearns for now.
Mateo’s face flashes through my mind, his intensity, the fire that burns in his eyes, and the sincerity that vibrates in his every touch. I see him clearly, his quiet strength, the vulnerability beneath his resolve, the way his gaze lights a fire in my soul I thought had been extinguished forever.
Turning back toward my luggage, my fingers trace over the satin and lace hidden beneath my dress. This isn’t about seduction or temptation. It’s a promise to myself, a willingness to embrace whatever the night holds without fear or regret. Irefuse to push him away again, to deny the powerful current that has bound us so irrevocably.
I slip into delicate heels, their elegance disguising the ache still lingering in my ankle. Ignoring the dull throb as I straighten my shoulders, I take in my reflection with fresh determination. Tonight, I’m choosing the path my heart has already traveled. Tonight, I’m stepping fully into the unknown, unafraid, and ready to accept whatever consequences await.
With a final glance at my reflection, I gather my small clutch and step toward the door. Each step forward feels like liberation, like shedding the past to embrace a future uncertain yet thrilling.
Tonight, for better or worse, I’ll let fate guide me. If that fate brings me into Mateo’s arms, I will surrender fully, knowing that in his embrace lies the truth of my heart, the undeniable pull of destiny, and the fierce, all-consuming love I’ve been denying myself for far too long.
Stepping into the restaurant feels like entering a carefully painted dream. The warm glow of antique chandeliers cascades softly across marble floors polished to perfection, casting reflections that ripple like whispers beneath my steps. Tables are arranged artfully around the room, draped with pristine white linens and flickering candles nestled within crystal holders scattering gentle, golden light.
I move carefully, acutely aware of my aching ankle, the sharp stabs of pain intensifying with each measured step. I refuse to give in to it, gritting my teeth subtly to mask the discomfort. Tonight is about celebrating, and nothing, not even the throbbing reminder of my limitations, can detract from that.
At a table tucked in a semi-private alcove by expansive floor-to-ceiling windows, the rest of our group is already gathered. Greyson rises first, dressed impeccably in a tailored charcoal suit, his hair neatly styled, looking every inch the poised gentleman. His smile warms instantly when he spots me, filled with both welcome and quiet concern, ever the friend and protector.
“Vaeda, you look breathtaking,” Greyson murmurs, giving my arm a gentle, reassuring squeeze.
“Thank you,” I reply softly, grateful for his enduring friendship.
Adam and Kari sit side by side, their faces bright with the lingering excitement of the day’s success. Adam’s crisp white shirt and dark trousers pair effortlessly with Kari’s emerald gown, the color vibrant against her glowing skin, her hair elegantly curled and cascading around her shoulders.
Yvonne sits across from them, her expression carefully neutral, though tension tightens her jaw slightly as she spots me. Her dress, a striking sapphire blue, clings to her figure with an elegance designed to command attention. Her makeup is flawless, enhancing her natural beauty, but her narrowed eyes betray the jealousy simmering beneath her composed exterior.
Then my eyes meet Mateo’s, and the entire room fades into insignificance. He’s seated near the head of the table, dressed in a perfectly tailored suit, the dark fabric contrasting beautifully against his tanned skin. His shirt is open slightly at the collar, revealing just a hint of the muscular chest beneath. His golden eyes drink me in slowly, deliberately, igniting a fire deep within my belly that burns away every ounce of uncertainty.
I feel exposed yet empowered under his scrutiny, the silk of my dress whispering against my skin like a caress. My breath catches subtly when he stands, tall and impossibly graceful, his gaze never leaving mine as he pulls out the chair beside him.
“Vaeda,” he says softly, his voice rich like velvet. “You look incredible.”
Heat floods my cheeks, though I hold his gaze steadily. “Thank you.”
I feel the eyes of the table shifting between us, curiosity and tension dancing in the air, but the only reaction that truly matters is Mateo’s. The quiet intensity in his gaze, and the way his eyes linger on the subtle curve of my lips, my exposed collarbone, and my slender waist.
He reaches out a hand, steady and confident, guiding me gently into the chair beside him. His fingertips brush lightly against my bare shoulder, sending a jolt of awareness down my spine, then he leans slightly closer, his breath warm against my ear as he murmurs, “Are you alright?”
“I’m fine,” I whisper back, the words barely audible as I hold on to composure with fragile determination.
