Across the table, Yvonne’s expression darkens perceptibly, her lips tightening into a thin line. Her jealousy is palpable, radiating in subtle waves that only heighten the charged atmosphere. I feel a pang of regret. She is young and hopeful, caught in the cross fire of something much larger than herself, but my heart refuses to yield to sympathy entirely, not when every nerve in my body is screaming in awareness of Mateo beside me.
The soft hum of conversation begins to pick up around us, the clinking of glasses and gentle laughter breaking the initial tension. Yet, the charged energy between Mateo and me remains undeniable and electric. His knee brushes gently against mine beneath the table, and my pulse quickens, the simple contact setting every nerve ending alight.
The evening progresses beautifully, filled with stories, laughter, and the subtle undercurrents of restrained desire. Every glance Mateo sends my way is a silent promise, anunspoken acknowledgment of what simmers so dangerously beneath our carefully maintained facades. My heart races each time our eyes meet as the room around us fades away until there’s only him, his closeness, his warmth, and his quiet, powerful presence.
As dessert plates are cleared away and glasses refilled, Mateo leans close once more, his voice a velvet murmur intended only for me. “Later tonight, Vaeda… will you meet me?”
His words ripple through me, leaving warmth and anticipation in their wake. “Yes,” I breathe out, the admission both frightening and thrilling in equal measure.
The weight of the decision settles deeply into my heart, mingling with guilt, excitement, and an intense longing. Mateo’s gaze softens, satisfied yet yearning, his eyes holding promises I desperately want him to fulfill.
Tonight, boundaries will blur, consequences will be forgotten, and nothing else will matter except the man sitting beside me, the man whose eyes hold my future, my heart, and the key to everything I’ve been missing.
MATEO
The energy around our table surges, laughter bubbling over glasses clinking in celebration. Adam raises his drink, eyes gleaming with excitement. “We need to go dancing tonight! We deserve it after today.”
Kari nods eagerly, her cheeks flushed from the exhilaration of the evening. “Yes! Let’s go celebrate in style.”
I turn to Vaeda instinctively, hope blooming inside my chest. Her eyes meet mine, the warmth in them softening, but beneath it lies hesitation.
“Vaeda,” I say softly, almost privately amidst the joyful noise. “Come out with us?”
She pauses for a moment, her gaze flicking briefly downwards. A subtle shadow crosses her features, one I immediately recognize as pain. When she looks up again, her smile is gentle but apologetic. “I wish I could, but my ankle…” she trails off quietly, regret lingering in her voice.
Disappointment settles inside my chest, but I nod in understanding. Her injury remains an unspoken challenge, a stubborn reminder of the sacrifices she’s made. Before the wave of frustration overtakes me completely, Vaeda leans in closer, her hand discreetly resting on mine beneath the table.
“But you can come to my room later,” she whispers, her breath warm against my ear, sending shivers down my spine. She discreetly slips a key card into my palm, her room number clearly printed on it. My pulse quickens.
“Okay,” I reply, my voice thick with anticipation. Her smile grows deeper, brighter, and I feel a rush of warmth radiate through my veins.
Yvonne’s sharp eyes catch our brief exchange, suspicion flickering behind her polished expression, but she quickly masks it, lifting her glass to her lips with a forced nonchalance.
We all stand, laughter and conversation rising as we step outside into the Parisian night. The air is crisp, the city glowing under a canopy of stars, and the Eiffel Tower sparkles brilliantly in the distance, casting its iconic golden hue over the city.
Vaeda slips into a cab, her eyes filled with discomfort as she favors her injured ankle. Greyson leans in and says something to her, making her eyes light up with humor. Sometimes I watch them and their easy friendship and wish I could get those samereactions from her. For too long, we’ve hidden our true feelings away, and on the surface, we look nothing more than teacher and student. Hopefully, her decision to ask me to her room tonight means that’s all changed. I pray it means she’s choosing me now.
We arrive at Le Duplex, the lively rhythm of music already thrumming through its doors, vibrating beneath our feet as we approach. The club radiates energy, a beacon of neon lights and pulsing beats, welcoming us eagerly into its embrace.
Inside, the atmosphere is intoxicating. Laser lights sweep across the expansive dance floor, slicing through clouds of artificial mist. Bodies move in perfect synchrony to the deep bass as laughter and cheers mingle seamlessly with the vibrant rhythm. The DJ, positioned high above the throng, orchestrates the night’s energy with ease, hands raised and head bobbing in sync with the music.
Adam pulls Kari into the crowd immediately, their laughter swallowed by the music. Greyson chuckles beside me, taking in the vibrant chaos, but eventually leans over, patting my shoulder affectionately.
“I think this old man is going to tap out!” he shouts above the noise, his eyes warm and amused. “I may have bitten off more than I can chew here. Enjoy yourself, Mateo. You’ve earned it.”
I smile gratefully, watching him weave his way gracefully toward the exit, his suit jacket thrown casually over his shoulder.
Yvonne slides closer to me, her movements fluid, effortlessly matching the beat. Her eyes meet mine, filled with longing and hope. I smile warmly but keep a subtle distance, my thoughts inevitably drifting back to Vaeda waiting for me back at the hotel. Yet I allow myself to become part of the pulsing mass, the music carrying my body, offering a brief distraction.
We dance through song after song, the club becoming hotter, the energy more frenetic. I let the music seep into my bones,clearing away the lingering tension and nerves from the day’s competition. Even amidst the neon haze and ecstatic beats, thoughts of Vaeda tug persistently at my heart. Her face, her smile, and her touch are never far from my mind.
Yvonne has been back and forth from the bar, and her movements are becoming sloppier, her breath saturated with the shots she’s taking. I’m not one to judge, but I don’t want to see her become blackout drunk and have something bad happen to her.
Eventually, Yvonne leans close, breathless and smiling, shouting over the thundering bass. “Glad we did this! We needed this.”
“Me too,” I admit, a genuine warmth in my smile. Yet a glance toward the exit, the anticipation of seeing Vaeda again, pulls at me powerfully. “Maybe you should take it easy with the shots?”
Her head tips back on a laugh as her hand slips into mine, pulling me toward the bar. “Let’s get water.” Her suggestion settles my concerns slightly as we weave in close to the bar.
