Chapter 17: Rome.
"Perfect." Becca, the photographer says, and I smile.
She's such a good sport and she's making this shoot so easy for me. Zachary feels stiff beside me, like he doesn't want to be here. It's kinda awkward. After our little moment in the car yesterday, I ended up sleeping in Zachary's room because I left my keycard in my room and it was too late to call the concierge. When we walked into Zachary's room he couldn't keep his hands off me. He pounced on me like I was his prey. We had sex last night and I don't regret it or feel bad about it. But I don't think he feels the same way, since he's been avoiding my eyes all day.
When Becca told him to pose with me he could barely touch me.
"Now I need the two of you to share a glass of Pepsi with a straw and stare into each other's eyes with love.
Someone brings a glass of Pepsi that has two straws in it. I hold the glass and I take one straw, waiting for Zachary to take the other.
"I'm sorry I can't do this." He says and my eyes widen.
"Why not?" I ask him.
"You know why." He says, rubbing his forehead with his hand.
"Can you give us a five minute break?" I ask Becca.
She nods.
"Make it quick, we're already tight for time." She says before she walks away.
"What's wrong?" I ask him, placing the glass of Pepsi on the table beside me.
"What we did yesterday, what I did with you, was wrong. I'm in a relationship. And I'm not trying to fuck that up." He says and that kinda hurts.
It's not like I expected him to break up with his girlfriend for me, it's just...
I didn't think he would be this loyal to her.
"As a matter of fact, when you and Zachary actually dated he never cheated on you. Sure, he dated people close to you when you went away, but he actually never cheated." My subconscious chips in.
That bitch is right.
"Noted." I tell him as I pick the glass up. "Becca, we're all set." I tell her and she hurries back to us.
I pose with the glass and I wait for Zachary to join in. He's just standing there analyzing me.
"Zachary, now would be a right time to pose with her. We're running out of time here." She says and he poses with me.
We take a few more shots before Becca tells us she has all she needs.
"See you guys in Rome." She says before she walks away.
"We need to get you changed." Sarah tells me, pulling me away with her.
I go to the changing room and I slip into some sweatpants and a crop top. I pair the outfit with my Nike slides and I grab my phone, walking out of the changing room.
"Baby!!!" I hear somebody squeal and I look in Zachary's direction because that's where the noise came from.
I see Sabrina jump on Zachary as she hugs me, he has a big smile on his face and laughs. She kisses him and I look away.
"So, what's the deal with you two?" Sarah asks and I roll my eyes.
"There's no deal. We're just friends." I tell her.
"Then why is there sadness in your eyes when you look at them?" She says, staring at Zachary and Sabrina as they joke around.
"I still love him and I'm done being scared, but I guess it's just the wrong time. It's those 'right person wrong time' kinda things." I tell her, shrugging the feeling off.
"That's how it was with Thomas and I. But I fought for our love. If you don't fight for each other you'll never get your happy ending." She tells me and I nod.
"Speaking of Thomas, I had no idea he was your husband." I say and she laughs.
"Yeah. It's kinda my fault. I didn't really talk about him much and you and are were not that close." She tells me.
"Well, now I know. And I just gotta say, you guys are the cutest." I compliment.
"Thanks. We'll invite you over for dinner sometime." She tells me and I nod.
"Alright. The car is here. Let's move it people." Thomas yells from the other side of the room.
I grab a bottle of water from the table before I walk outside. Zachary and Sabrina have taken the backseat, so I take the passenger seat.
The ride to the hotel takes forever. When we get there, I storm out of the car with lightning speed. I don't say a word to any of them, I just go to my room. Once I'm in my room, I place the bottle of water on the dining table in my suite. I take my clothes off and run myself a bath. Getting in, I sit and hug my legs. Tears spill from my eyes as I sob in solemn silence.
***
"Good morning." I chirp, holding a cup of Starbucks coffee in my hands, as I climb the steps leading to the door of the jet.
"Good Morning." The flight attendant tells me.
I walk past her into the jet and I see Zachary typing away on his laptop and Sabrina sleeping on his shoulder.
I don't say anything to him. I just walk straight to the bedroom on the plane and I place my bag there. I get into the bed and I snuggle under the sheets, making myself comfortable. I'm knocked out in seconds.
I hear someone knocking in my sleep. I wake up and there's someone at the door. I climb off the bed and I open the door.
It's Zachary.
He stares at me with desire in his eyes. Without saying a word he pulls me closer and he kisses me.
"Zachary, we shouldn't-" He cuts me off with another kiss.
He picks me up and throws me on the bed. He starts taking his clothes off.
"Zach, the door's open." I tell him.
"I don't care. Let them see." He says, his voice deep and husky.
He proceeds to take my top off, I remove my skirt and I just stare at him. He looks me in my eyes and he cups my chin.
"Do you want to do this?" He asks and I nod.
Hell yes.
He doesn't say anything else, he just takes my underwear off and starts fingering me. Moans escape my pink lips as I try to run away. Zachary pins me to the bed with one arm while he uses the other to pleasure me.
"I know you can be louder than that." He whispers in my ear and I shiver.
He sucks on my nipple and that sends me over the edge. With my hand on the headboard and one on Zachary's head, I let out a loud moan.
"I want you on all fours." He tells me, licking my juices off his fingers.
I get on my knees and arch my back on the bed. Zachary comes behind me and takes me from behind.
That feels amazing.
I feel tears in my eyes as he pumps harder. This man is going to be the death of me and I love him for it.
***
We arrived in Rome seven hours ago, we are currently staying at this house that Sarah rented for two days. Right now, I am sitting on a chair on the balcony.
"Valarie, can we talk?" Sabrina says and my heart skips a beat.
When did she get here?
"Sure." I reply.
She takes a seat beside me and I gulp.
"It's about Zachary." She says and I freeze.
"What about him? I ask her, playing it cool.
"His birthday is in two weeks and I've been racking my brain thinking of what I can get him. So, I thought I'd come to you for some advice. You've known him longer than I have." She says, smiling at me.
"Um...I don't know what he'd be into now, but back then I just got him jewelry for his birthday, like a watch." I tell her.
"Yeah, that's exactly what I was thinking of too. Thanks." She says, turning to go.
"Zachary and I are about to go in the hot tub, would you like to join us?" She asks me and I shake my head.
"Oh come on, please." She begs and I roll my eyes.
"Fine." I tell her.
She smiles at me before she walks away. I let out a sigh as I get up from the chair.
I walk to my room and pick out a two piece bathing suit. I pack my hair in a high ponytail. Walking out of the room, I shut the door behind me as I head to the back. Zachary and Sabrina are kissing when I get to the hot tub.
"You actually came." Sabrina says, shocked.
"Well, I was invited so..." I shrug.
"Get in." Zachary says and I get in the tub.
It is hot in here.
"Rome is so beautiful." Sabrina says and I nod.
"Babe, we should totally have the wedding here." She tells Zachary and I see him tense up.
"Wedding?" I ask, confused.
"Yes, wedding. Zachary popped the question like three months ago. I can't wear the ring in public because we're keeping it a secret from the media for now." She tells me and I try my best to smile, but I can't.
I can't fake a fucking smile right now.
I just can't do it.
"Excuse me." I say before I get out of the bathtub and run to my room. I try my best to get to the sink in time, but I fail. I puke all over my room floor. I take a step back, looking at the mess I made and I start to cry.
This is so fucked up.