Page 84 of Until He Confesses

It was also not easy to believe that I had fallen asleep with him and in his room for that matter. I looked around the huge, well-furnished space and couldn't help but admire the blend of warm and dark tones. I hadn't been thinking straight the previous night, otherwise, I wouldn’t have allowed this. Neither of us would have, I was certain. All we felt was pleasure and contentment, and sleeping together just seemed the natural thing to do. I didn't regret it, but I kept it in mind not to make this a habit.

"I'll call you in a few days," he said, and I nodded until I recalled that I had to work in the coming days.

"I'll be going to Paris," I said. "In two days, on the fifteenth, so I won't be able to see you."

I was just mentioning this to give him a heads-up, however, it came out as though I was whining that I wouldn't be able to see him, and I didn't like that one bit.

"How long will you be in Paris?” he asked.

"About four days. I think they're going for fashion week. Or it's some other socialite event because I know some colleagues working for other companies that are also heading there." I replied.

He listened quietly, which made me wonder if I was talking too much. I was sure I was, so I turned and found a mirror by the doorway so that I could run my fingers through my hair.

"Alright," I heard him say from across the room, and I nodded as I found my wallet as well.

"I'll be heading out," I said and managed to meet his gaze. It was as though he had something to say, but I didn't pursue it as I was more than eager to get out of there and out in the open where I could breathe and think properly.

"Sure," he said, and without a word, I exited the room and his life once again.

It pained me as I walked out of his building, that our goodbye after the night we had was so curt, but then again, it consoled me that despite how we had fallen asleep together and, in each other’s arms, this awkwardness and distance the morning after still existed. It gave me hope that perhaps the way we were with each other the previous night could continue, and we didn't have to be too distant from each other.

On my way home, I considered taking a detour and stopping for breakfast or something. I even considered going to the market and shopping, just so that I wouldn't have to meet Anna at home. It was still pretty early, much earlier than I had thought, and while I couldn't avoid my mom, I could at least avoid them both questioning me at once.

After catching a glimpse of myself in a car window, I immediately got in a cab and went home, refusing to let anyone else be subjected to the complete mess I was. I felt even worse, probably smelled of sex, and I didn't need anyone to be aware of this, so the moment I got in and before I ran into anyone, I headed straight to the shower.

Afterward, I heard a knock on the door and sighed.

Without waiting for me to grant permission for it to be opened, my mom came in, but to my surprise, Anna followed. I paled between both women and then focused my attention on Anna.

"Why are you still here?" I asked, and she smiled.

“I told them I'd be coming in late."

"Why?" I asked, but at the look she shared with my mom, the question was certified to be an unnecessary one.

I ignored both of them and continued with my routine until eventually, Anna left.

"Are you alright?" my mom asked.

I nodded.

"Yeah, I am."

"Where did you go last night? Anna said that you're not particularly close to anyone that you could spend the night with besides her."

I didn't respond to this. I mean, there was no way that I could tell her the truth, so I kept silent, allowing her to stew while I thought of a suitable response to give.

"Did you go to a hotel?" she asked, but I didn't respond. I was done with my routine then, so I towel-dried my hair and grabbed my hairbrush.

"I'm fine," I told her. "I didn't leave the house to avoid you two or because I was upset. I just went somewhere else.”

“Anna said--"

"Don't listen to Anna, Mom," I told her. "We're close, but no one knows everything about anyone."

At my words, she briefly went silent as I plugged in the dryer, but then her eyes widened, but it was too late. I turned it on and tried my best to ignore her so she wouldn't get any ideas, but I knew her much better than that. So, the moment my dryer was briefly turned off, her question came.

"Are you dating someone?" she asked.