The golden morning light filtered through the sheer curtains of Julian's penthouse, bathing the room in a soft glow. The remnants of a passionate night clung to the air, a scent of sweat, perfume, and lingering heat. Vivian lay in the large, luxurious bed, tangled in the silk sheets, her body still warm from their intimacy. She turned, reaching out instinctively for the space beside her, but her fingers brushed against cold sheets.
She sat up quickly, eyes scanning the room in a haze. Where was Julian?
A faint rustling sound drew her gaze toward the large windows, where she saw him standing with his back to her, the soft morning light glinting off his dark hair. His shoulders were tense, a stark contrast to the usual easy confidence he carried. He stood there, phone in hand, speaking in a low voice.
Vivian's breath hitched.
"…I'll take care of it, just don't worry about it. No one will know."
Her heart faltered in her chest, a knot forming deep within her. Her body instinctively reacted, a whisper of unease gnawing at her. She tried to swallow the feeling, but it didn't go away.
Julian turned, sensing her presence. His usual smirk slipped easily onto his face, though there was something in his eyes that wasn't quite right. "Morning, beautiful."
Vivian's smile faltered, her brow furrowing. "Who were you talking to?"
He tucked the phone away a little too quickly, as if trying to hide something. "Just business," he replied, his tone casual, too casual.
She nodded, the unease still sitting heavy in her chest. But she wasn't going to push. Not yet. Not when everything felt so fragile.
Instead, she stood and walked toward him, letting her fingers trail lightly over his chest. "Business can wait," she murmured, her voice soft, yet full of that insatiable hunger that always seemed to come between them.
His smirk deepened. "You're relentless."
"And you love it," she whispered before leaning in to kiss him.
---
Later that morning, Vivian found herself at a small, upscale café, the steam from her latte swirling lazily in the air. She stirred absentmindedly, her thoughts a whirlwind as she glanced up to see Aurora walking into the café.
Her best friend's face lit up as soon as she saw her, but there was something off in her smile. It was almost… forced. Vivian didn't notice it at first, too caught up in her own thoughts.
"Viv, you won't believe what just happened," Aurora said, sliding into the seat across from her.
Vivian's eyes brightened, a smile curling at the corner of her lips. "What is it? Tell me."
Aurora's smile grew, but it was edged with something that felt distant. "I got an offer… a huge one. A private art collector wants to feature my paintings in an exclusive gallery event in Paris."
Vivian's eyes widened in delight. "That's amazing! You deserve it, Aurora."
But her friend didn't look as thrilled as she should. Instead, there was an air of unease, of something unspoken.
"It's in Paris," Aurora continued, her voice wavering slightly.
Vivian blinked, her heart giving a sharp tug. Paris. The thought of Aurora being so far away suddenly felt… wrong.
"Paris…" she repeated, trying to mask the tinge of doubt that crept into her chest. "That's incredible. You have to go."
Aurora hesitated, her eyes darting nervously to the side before looking back at Vivian. "I don't know… I hate leaving you here, Viv. I really do."
Vivian squeezed her hand, offering a smile, though it felt strained. "You'll be fine. I'll be fine," she said, but her voice didn't match the confidence in her words. She knew that something inside her was restless, something that she couldn't quite shake. But she masked it well, pushing it aside for the sake of her friend.
"Go. It's your dream. You have to follow it," Vivian insisted, though there was a lump in her throat that she couldn't swallow.
Aurora nodded, but Vivian saw it—the flicker of guilt that passed over her friend's face. Aurora was hiding something. But Vivian didn't press, choosing to embrace the surface-level happiness in the moment.
---
That night, the club pulsed with life. The air was thick with heat, the smell of alcohol, perfume, and bodies moving in sync to the hypnotic beat of the music. Vivian and Aurora had decided to let loose. Of course, Julian had joined them. They always did this—a night of dancing and drinks, a temporary escape from the pressures of their lives. But tonight felt different.
Vivian, dressed in a tight black dress that hugged every curve, was caught in the sway of the music, the warmth of Julian's hands on her waist, his lips brushing against her ear. She let herself go, basking in the sensation of him close, his touch sending a current of heat through her veins.
"Do you know how dangerous you look tonight?" Julian whispered, his voice low and teasing.
Vivian turned in his arms, her back against his chest. "And do you know how much I love it when you say things like that?"
His chuckle rumbled through his chest. "I'll say it as much as you want."
But despite the closeness between them, Aurora's presence lingered in the back of her mind. She glanced over her shoulder at her best friend, who sat at the bar, a glass of wine in her hand. Aurora wasn't watching them with the same warmth she used to. There was something guarded in her expression, a flicker of something unreadable in her eyes.
Julian's gaze flickered, just for a second, toward Aurora. The movement was so slight that Vivian almost missed it. But the tension was palpable.
And that was when Vivian felt it—the smallest shift, the faintest tension between them.
---
Outside the club, the night air bit at her skin. Aurora stood there, her back against the cold brick wall, staring out at the distant city lights. The feelings inside her were a storm—anger, jealousy, confusion. She hated this feeling, but she couldn't ignore it anymore.
The attraction she had for Julian was something she had buried deep, convinced that nothing could ever come between her and Vivian. But now? She wasn't so sure anymore.
The faintest traces of guilt gnawed at her, but they were overshadowed by something darker. Something more dangerous.
To be continued.