Burn for me, Professor

/-Mireya-/

Italy smelled like rain and old, but unpleasant memories.

Four years ago, I could vividly remember how I had fled this country that particular rainy day, swearing not to come back after it took the last person I ever truly cherished.

Italy had once been a home; warm dinners, laughter echoing through walls and my mother’s gentle humming while watering the flowers.

And she died.

Everything that followed was betrayal cruelly stacked atop each other.

I never believed I would ever return, but for Ryan, I was willing.

The thought of his sunny smile had my lips curved upward.

He didn’t know I had transferred schools and definitely didn’t know that I would be here to celebrate his birthday together like the surprise it was meant to be.

The door downstairs was unlocked and I stepped inside leaving my traveling box in the sitting room.

Climbing the stairs, a red fabric caught my eye and I raised my brow.

When did Ryan start wearing red ties? He hated red, always calling it bad luck.

But when I bent down to pick it up, I realized it wasn’t a tie…

A red lace panties..

Carelessly laying there like it had been forgotten in a rush.

My steps stilled and my smile faded slowly.

Before I could think about it, a sound drifted into my ears, soft and breathless.

“Ryan…”

Blood drained from my face.

No, no. It can’t be!

Each step towards the familiar room felt heavier than the last, as though Italy was reminding me why I had fled that year and how my heart had bled.

Inside, the room was dim and the unfamiliar fishy smell rushed into my nostrils making my thoughts sluggish. Even through the dim light, I could still make out the clothes scattered on the floor.

And there he was.

My Ryan, entangled with another woman in bed.

My bag slipped from my hold, falling to the ground with a dull thud.

“R…Ryan?” I called out, voice cracking.

The two entwined figures on the bed froze and he turned first.

“Mireya? W…how?” He asked, eyes wide with shock.

When I saw the features of the woman, my breath caught.

“Sister, you are back?”

That was when it became clear.

Once again, I’ve been betrayed.

“H…how could you!” I rasped, eyes quickly tearing.

Four years.

We’ve been together for four good years and this was how he repaid me? With my own flesh and blood?

I watched as he rushed to wear something in panic. “Mireya, it’s not what…it looks like. I just…just…”

Not what it looks like?

I suddenly wanted to laugh, but the sound wouldn’t come out.

“Not what it looks like and you are in bed with…”

I could not even utter the words.

Lucia, meanwhile, was smoothing her hair, a smirk gracing her smudged lips as she sat straight, her movements in an attempt to cover herself so slow that it seemed as though she was showing off the red bites on her neck and chest.

“What is there to explain? Ryan here got tired of waiting, what were you expecting in the first place?” She said softly, then turned to Ryan. “Didn’t you tell her? That we’ve been together even before she left?”

I staggered, almost stumbling back.

I did not even know how I was still able to remain standing.

“Mireya, listen to me. She…she’s a mistake, it just happened. This does not mean anything.” He tried to explain, taking a step forward to me, but I took a step back.

“How long has it been? W…when did this start?” I asked, trembling.

“Tell her, Ryan. Tell her when it all started.” Lucia urged from the bed, eyes gleaming with pleasure.

Shame flashed in Ryan’s eyes as he spoke after some hesitation, “The night your mom collapsed and was rushed to the hospital.”

I stared at Ryan in shock, almost unable to believe it. “You told me you were not in the city, that a relative of yours died and you had to be there.”

Lucia laughed softly from behind, “Well, he lied. He was busy screwing me while you mourn over your mother. How pathetic.”

He took another step forward, “Mireya, I…”

The crisp sound of my palm making contact with his cheek rang in the room.

“Fuck you, Ryan!” I cussed, bending to take the small gift back.

He was not worth any single thing from me.

Ignoring the sting in my palm and the tears in my eyes, I turned away without listening to his voice calling my name.

…

The bar was loud, chaotic and perfect.

Just enough to drown my thoughts.

“Something strong, very strong.” I said, sliding into one of the barstools.

In no time, I was poured a clear liquid that burned the moment I gulped it down.

Then another, and another. I took pleasure in the heat that burned through my veins.

Until all I felt was numbness.

On the fourth glass, it felt as though I was floating.

That was when he walked in, a man in a black windbreaker. His commanding presence attracted numerous eyes, including mine.

He had the aura that screamed danger, and sharp features devoid of any warmth.

He found a seat and settled there. There was no impatience in the way he drank, I wondered what it would take to make him crack.

A moment later, he drained the last drop of his drink and left.

Just like that, no glancing around.

I don’t remember getting another drink, only that when I made it through the stairs, the hallways swayed under my feet. But the man had already disappeared.

I fumbled with my keycard and finally pushed the door open, realizing that the door was not locked.

The lights were on.

And I wasn’t alone.

He stood near the window, shoulders squared and back rigid. The same man I saw in the bar earlier. But there was something edgy about him now, he seemed like a restrained beast.

He turned to me slowly, his storming eyes hitting me like a blow. Veins stood out along his temple and his jaw clenched so hard that it looked painful.

If I was rational, I would have known that his state wasn’t right. But I no longer wanted to be rational tonight.

“Pretending to be cold just to wait for me here?” I teased softly, a breathless giggle escaping my lips as I stepped forward unsteadily.

“Leave.” He scowled, his voice rough. “You are in the wrong room.”

I shook my head, smiling faintly, “No. You entered the wrong room.” I took another step closer, close enough to feel his breath on my face and the heat that radiated from his body. “And it is just for the best.”

He stared at me like he was fighting something, eyes so dark that they could drip with ice. It sent shivers to my spine.

My heart raced.

I didn’t want to think anymore. Tonight, I wanted silence.

Just one night to be someone else.

And with that, I grabbed his collar before doubt could crept in and smashed my lips against his.