Page 50 of Red Queen
“That makes no sense.” She crosses her arms with a slight pout as I chuckle at her reaction.
“It makes sense to me. Let that be enough.” She rolls her eyes, but doesn’t talk back. Good. Then it’s settled.
A couple of days later, we’re out of the hospital. I slept there with her each day, and despite her pretending she didn’t like it, I didn’t let go of her hand all night. She’s not very affectionate or touchy with me, only if there are cameras, but I know she secretly likes it.
She thought I was sleeping, but I felt her tug me closer the very first night we slept together. Like she wanted to be inside me, clung onto me like a little koala. Not that I’m complaining.
I miss those days. When we weren’t constantly annoyed with each other. I don’t know if it was me or her that messed up our relationship, or if both of us are at fault, but I really do miss it.
I finally had a meaningful connection, and she didn’t tell me the one thing that was important. She knew I had a scandal going on, and I could’ve been accused of the same thing if people knew she was the niece of a rival team principal.
Actually, I still do. Countless DMs and comments that say they’re happy I’m with someone, but there are ones who aren’t, either because they think I can find someone better, orshecould find someone better.
And there are the ones with the conspiracy theories, including me giving away information to her as well. Damn idiots, I’m telling you. I’m happy if she even tosses a simple ‘hey’my way in the morning, not indulging in deep conversations about how our car works.
“Hey. Vickie told me we have an interview scheduled for later today. You want me to cancel it?” I ask as Rosa picks up the phone. We’re one room away, but I was too lazy to go over.
“What? No. I’m good. We can go,” she replies, but she doesn’t sound genuine.
“You sure? We can wait.” It’s only been three days since they discharged her.
“Mateo, I’m okay. We haven’t been really active last week, and now that the summer break’s starting, they need the content. I’ll be there.”
“Okay, okay. No need to snap my head off. I’ll see you at?—”
She hangs up with a ‘bye’ before I could even finish. Someone’s grumpy today.
Mateo
You know I can reach you over text, too, right?
Rosa
Not if I block you.
We still have Instagram.
You're so infuriating.
I toss my phone on the bed, deciding to cook something for lunch. I went running today and I died a little after, given that I haven’t worked out for almost two weeks now. I need to wind down now.
When I’m done eating the delicious steak with baked potatoes, I realize the time. I start grabbing clothes out of the wardrobe, lost in the countless options. After thirty minutes, I gave up and sent a text to the witch living in the room next tomine, asking for help. I can basically imagine her face, cursing me for being so stupid that I can’t choose an outfit for an interview. Or maybe… I have hidden intentions.
There’s a knock on the door, and I stride over, opening it with an innocent look on my face. “You’ve managed to choose nice outfits so far. How is it that you can’t do it now, when we’re late?” She rolls her eyes, then her gaze wanders over my shirtless body in a not-so-subtle way.
“Just help me. Please,” I beg, feigning innocence. She finally gives in and comes inside, making her way to the wardrobe.
She starts throwing clothes out, all of them, followed by a simple no, stopping once in a while to inspect them, then throwing them on the floor anyway.
I slowly and quietly sneak up behind her, thinking that nothing’s under her towel is making me crazy. I wrap my arms around her waist from behind. At first, she tenses up but lets herself go when I start kissing her neck, gently pecking her all over.
“We really are going to be late, Teo.” There’s the nickname again. I think I finally figured it out. When she’s angry with me, she calls me Mateo. Any other time, I’m Teo. Now I just gotta keep up being Teo.
“I don’t care. You’re grumpy. I think you’re in need of a little stress release,” I whisper, teasing the sensitive spot behind her ear. My kisses get sloppy, enjoying myself.
“But we can’t be late. I’m not getting paid to make us late to our first official interview together. Teo…” she answers, trying her best to deny me, but I know her body craves it. Her shoulders are hard as hell, and I’m about to untangle those muscles.
“And if we do it in a missionary? So you can keep arguing with me?” I bite into her neck, giving it my everything to convince her.
