Forbidden Cravings
Chapter 49: A Call from Sara

Chapter 49: A Call from Sara

"Did something happen? Jonathan’s call?" Aeri asked, her voice light but curious, her dark eyes flicking down to my hand where I gripped the phone tight, the screen still glowing with *Sara*’s name.

"Ahh... nah, just another friend I was supposed to meet," I said quick, forcing a sweaty smile, my thumb brushing the screen off as I shoved the phone back into my pocket.

My heart thudded hard, but I waved it off, leaning back in my chair like it was no big deal, brushing the topic away before she could dig. "Nothing important," I added, wiping my hand on my pants, hoping she’d let it drop.

"Ohh, I see," she said, nodding slow, her eyes lingering on me for a sec before she went back to her food, popping the bite into her mouth. She chewed casual, her fork clinking soft against the plate. "You don’t wanna pick up?" she asked, glancing at me sideways, her tone easy, like she didn’t care either way.

"Nah, it’s good," I said, shaking my head, grabbing my fork again and digging into the eggs fast, focusing hard on the plate. "I’ll call him later—right now, I wanna focus on this food and the beautiful woman next to me." I flashed her a flirty grin, my voice dipping playful as I nudged her elbow with mine, trying to steer us back to the good stuff.

"Hmph," she huffed, her lips curling into a smile despite herself, her cheeks going a little pink again. "There you go, starting with that flirty stuff again," she said, rolling her eyes.

"Hehehe..." I laughed, short and goofy, scooping up more food, the tension in my chest easing a bit as we settled back into the rhythm.

After we finished, we moved to the kitchen together, standing side by side at the sink, washing dishes like we always did. I didn’t like seeing her do it alone—felt wrong to just sit there—so I grabbed a towel, wiping the plates she handed me, the water sloshing soft in the sink.

"So, what’s your plan for today?" I asked, casual, drying a fork as she scrubbed a pan.

"Not much," she said, shrugging, her one piece shifting as she leaned over the sink. "Maybe clean up a bit, watch something later—you?"

"I will have work today, I guess," I said, wiping the plate slow, the towel squeaking against it. "But if I reach home early, maybe we can watch that DVD you wanted last night," I added.

Then my phone buzzed again, loud and sharp in my pocket, cutting through the chatter.

I let out a long *sighhhh*, my shoulders slumping as the light flashed through my pants, impossible to miss. Aeri caught it too, her eyes flicking down quick before meeting mine.

"It’s okay, Ezra," she said, her voice soft, taking the plate from my hands gentle but firm. "You go—I’ll finish up here. You don’t have to help."

"But—" I started, frowning, my hands still holding the towel, not wanting to leave her with the mess. She cut me off fast, clapping a soapy hand over my mouth, the bubbles cool and wet against my lips.

"Go..." she said quiet, her eyes steady on mine, her hand lingering for a sec before dropping. "It could be important—or an emergency, you know?" She turned back to the sink.

I sighed again, heavier this time, my chest tight as I nodded slow.

"Alright, fine," I said, tossing the towel onto the counter with a soft *flop*, my hand brushing my pocket where the phone kept buzzing, Sara’s name.

I slipped out onto the balcony, the glass door sliding shut behind me with a soft *click*, shutting out the warm hum of the kitchen.

The morning air hit me cool and sharp, the railing cold under my hand as I pulled my phone from my pocket, Sara’s name glaring up at me.

I sighed hard, pressing it to my ear. "Hello..." I said, my voice flat, leaning against the wall, the city buzzing faint below.

"Why aren’t you picking up my calls?" Sara snapped, her tone serious, cutting through the line like a knife. "You wanna die or something?" Her voice had that edge—cold, demanding.

"I was eating, and my phone was charging," I shot back, keeping my tone even, unbothered, though my grip tightened on the railing. "Not my problem if you can’t wait five minutes." I stared out at the rooftops, the sun climbing higher, trying to sound like I didn’t care.

"Ohh... I see..." she said, pausing long enough to make me sweat, her voice dropping low and sly. "Come to the train station ASAP—I’m waiting for you. Try to ditch me, and see how fast your videos working at a brothel hit Aeri’s inbox." She didn’t even give me a second to breathe before the line went dead, her threat hanging heavy in the silence.

"Huh!? Now why—" I started, but she’d already cut me off. "Tch," I gritted my teeth, exhaling sharp.

My hand clenched the phone, my chest tight with that mix of anger and dread, Sara’s smirk flashing in my head like a warning sign. I shoved the phone back into my pocket, pushing off the wall, my boots scuffing the balcony floor as I turned back inside towards the kitchen.

Aeri—humming a little tune, her hips swaying soft as she wiped down the kitchen counter, earphones dangling from her ears.

I smiled, a comfy warmth settling in my chest despite everything. *She’s so peaceful,* I thought, watching her sway, lost in her own little world.

I stepped closer, reaching out to pluck one earphone from her ear, the cord brushing her shoulder as I pulled it free.

"Yo," she said, turning her head quick, her voice bright as she caught me standing there. "How was the call?"

"Good," I said, nodding casual, shoving my hands into my pockets. "I gotta head to the station to meet him now." I kept it light, brushing off the weight of Sara’s voice still ringing in my ears.

"Ohh, okay," she said, her tone easy, turning back to the counter for a sec to toss the cloth into the sink. "Have a nice day, then," she added, glancing at me with a quick smile, her hands brushing her clothes as she straightened up, ready to pop the earphone back in.

"Yes..." I said, starting to walk away, my feet thudding soft on the hardwood. She turned back to her cleaning, humming again, her fingers reaching for the earphone—when I spun around fast, sneaking up behind her.

I leaned in quick and kissed her cheek—soft, warm under my lips—catching her off guard.

"You too, have a nice day," I said, grinning big, then bolted for the door before she could react.

"~Phew..." she let out a little breath, her hand touching her cheek where I’d kissed her, staring at the door as it clicked shut.

The earphone dangling forgotten in her hand. She glanced back at the sink, the stack of clean dishes glinting under the kitchen light, and murmured to herself,

"Finally, he looks happy again." Her voice was quiet, a small smile creeping up as she shook her head, popping the earphone back in, the hum starting up again as she swayed, the morning wrapping her in its gentle glow.