Chapter 100 - Eros Et Psyche 3: Dreams & Regrets (1/2)

The fire crackled at the hearth, its crimson blaze along with the faint moonlight peeping from the other side of the heavily draped window illuminated the otherwise darkened room. A huge wingback chair sat next to it and in it rested a man.

The tall, well-built body lay relaxed in the confines of the huge seat, his long, long legs clothed with tight pants which material clung to him like second skin placed on top of another chair across him. His usually pristine shirt now in disarray, unbuttoned in the middle exposing the muscled ċhėst, its sleeves rolled up above his elbow, showing powerful biceps as his hand lay on top of the armrest.

A sweaty glass of wine rested in his hand with ice clinking within, melding with the amber liquid as it melted. His head leaned towards his right, his chin supported by his hand as he rested his elbow against the cushioned armrest.

The man had his eyes closed as he tried to unwind. Today had been a long day, and like most days, it was difficult as well as painful. For a long time now, he had been dragging himself to work, forcing himself to function well in spite of the raging emotions in his ċhėst.

His brain which was acknowledged for its brilliance had been screaming inside, urging him to stop torturing himself and give up, whereas his heart refused to do so.

He just couldn't let go. He just couldn't. Even if he continued to hurt, he would never ever give up.

The ringing of the phone cut through his train of thoughts and he sighed heavily as he shifted on the seat to pick it up.

”What?” he barked on the receiver without bothering to know who the caller was. There was only one person who would dare call him at home at this time of the day anyway.

”Well, hello to you too,” the caller retorted sarcastically and the man sighed again as he placed the glass on the table and used his long fingers to rake his hair as he leaned back into the chair. Damn, but he was tired.

”What do you want?”

”You mean aside from a new car and a beachfront property?” the caller countered innocently and the man scowled.

”I think you were born with the wrong body parts. For a moment there you sounded like a bitch,” he snapped at the caller, and the caller guffawed.

”You're such an old man cousin,” the caller said. ”I was merely showing my special affection,” he added and the man rolled his eyes heavenwards in exasperation.

”Charles Wong, if you don't stop bullshitting me I'm gonna rip your ȧss apart,” the man seethed with a warning but his cousin only laughed. He was after all immune to the Chen.

”I'm deeply hurt. Is this how you treat your favorite cousin?”

”Charles, you're my only cousin. I didn't have a choice,” Michael deadpanned, reminding the other man of that unfortunate tidbit, and his cousin's laughter rang more.

”Okay, call me again when you're coherent,” he added as he placed the receiver back on its cradle without warning. However, it only took a few seconds before it rang again and Michael picked it up. ”What?”

”Ya Chen! Don't you 'what' me. I specifically took the initiative to call you personally to bear good news and here you are being mean.” Charles's voice sounded totally aggrieved.

”What news?”

”Say 'pretty please',” Charles replied and Michael snorted.

”Goodbye,” he said as he was about to drop the call once more but stopped when his cousin decided to be amicable.

”Aqua wants Ria!”

For a moment, Michael stood still as he tried to absorb his cousin's words. ”That's already a given. Didn't they sign the contract with us?”

”Yes, but I'm talking about a longer contract here. They won't be looking for another company for their next ads. They will let Ria handle them.”

”That's good,” he answered as he heard a rustling sound from the far side of the room and he frowned. Someone was standing there, looking at him with inviting eyes and he swallowed.

”So, should I tell him that or should you do the honors?” Charles asked but Michael's mind was already elsewhere.

”Do anything you want,” he snapped as he looked at the love of his life with tender eyes. ”Charles, I'll talk to you tomorrow,” he said softly on the phone. ”My wife… my wife is calling me…”

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In Ria's room, her sinful fantasies resumed…