Chapter 2 Eros

After breakfast, I left for school with my sister. The entire ride was filled with her rolling her eyes and acting hostile toward me. I felt like I didn't even know her anymore.

“Dana! My God!” Jessa exclaimed the moment I walked into our classroom. “Donna called us yesterday asking where you were! I told her the truth, that you went with Eros. You should have warned us not to say anything to her!”

I gave her a reassuring smile. “It’s fine. At least you won't go to hell for lying.” I tried to joke.

I didn't want to dwell on it because remembering it brought back the painful memory of Mom’s hand against my skin.

Jessa laughed, and Lian, another friend of ours, joined us. She mentioned that my sister had called her yesterday too, and since Jessa had already told the truth, she couldn't lie either. I reassured them I was okay. It was just a slap, after all.

When classes ended, I said goodbye to Jessa and Lian. I asked them to cover for me since I was meeting up with Eros today. They had no problem with it and agreed right away. Scanning the campus to make sure none of my sister's or mother's spies were watching, I ran as fast as I could toward the school gate and pulled out my phone.

To: Eros

Where are you?

I waited a minute for his reply.

From: Eros

At the cafe near your school.

After reading the message, I glanced around one last time before heading toward the cafe. Once inside, I scanned the area for Eros and spotted him waving his hand. Smiling, I walked over to his table. As soon as I arrived, he leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss to my forehead.

“You okay?” he asked, taking a sip of his coffee.

He offered me the drink he had bought for me, he already knew my favorite. I took a sip before answering.

“Yeah, I’m fine. Just a bit busy with school,” I said.

I reached for the cookies he had ordered and ate them while he talked about his day. I finished the cookies, but I was still craving more. I playfully pleaded with him to buy me three more, and I couldn't help but laugh as he stood up to order again. Only then did I properly notice what he was wearing: a plain black polo shirt, jeans, and brand-name sneakers.

“Here’s your order, baby girl,” he said, placing five cookies on the table.

My eyes practically turned into hearts. I opened one and took a bite right away. It was so delicious, a solid hundred percent!

We walked out of the cafe together while I thoroughly enjoyed my treat. He held my hand and guided me toward his car. The moment I stepped inside, the familiar scent of his expensive cologne enveloped me.

“What do you want to eat? Those cookies aren't going to fill you up, Dana,” he said as he started the engine.

“That dish you cooked the other day! It was so good!” I said cheerfully.

“Okay, baby, whatever you want,” he murmured, leaning in to kiss my lips.

We drove to his condo. I ate quietly while he held my hand. I tried to pull away so I could open my third cookie, but he held on tighter. Instead, he coolly opened the package for me with his free hand while keeping his eyes on the road.

“Hold this for me,” he said when we reached his condo unit, handing me his phone. I took it and slipped it into my pocket.

Once inside, I sat on the sofa and kicked off my shoes so I could lie down, while he went straight to the kitchen to cook.

Before long, the delicious aroma filled the air. I stood up and walked over to him. He pulled me close from behind, wrapping his arms around me and brushing kisses along my shoulder up to my neck, tickling me.

“Wow, this smells amazing,” I praised, taking in the scent of his cooking.

“Take it easy, baby. Don't choke,” he cautioned as I took a quick bite of rice.

He even wiped my face softly. After eating my fill, I slouched back onto the sofa, gently rubbing my stomach. Whenever I was at his condo, I felt like I was going to gain weight because of how good his cooking was.

“Full already?” Eros chuckled, sitting beside me. He buried his face into the crook of my neck, inhaling my scent.

I didn't let Eros drive me home that evening, fearing Mom’s spies might spot us together again. Getting caught a second time meant another slap, or worse. I didn't want to cut ties with Eros because I loved him. I felt more loved by him than by my own parents.

Our house was never a real home to me. It felt entirely different from being with Eros.

While waiting for a taxi on the street, I felt a vibration against my thigh. I reached into my pocket and pulled out Eros's phone. I rolled my eyes at myself; I had forgotten to return it to him.

I looked at the screen and saw an incoming call from an unregistered number. I decided to head back to his condo to return the phone. The first call went to voicemail, but it immediately rang again. I didn't want to pry, but the caller was relentless. On the third ring, I finally answered.

“Thank God, Eros, you finally picked up! I’m right outside your condo. I’m ready for tonight... is your girlfriend gone yet?” a female voice purred from the line, making my jaw drop.

My hands began to shake violently. I froze on the spot, struggling to digest what the woman had just said. Words escaped me, and hot tears began to stream down my face. A sharp, searing pain pierced my heart.

“Hey, Eros, are you still there? Omg! You opened the door!” the woman squealed, and the line went dead.

Clenching my fists, I rushed into the building. I thought I was the only one. I thought he had stopped seeing other women. I thought he had changed. I thought... it was just me.

I reached his condo unit, my hands trembling as I punched in his passcode. When the door swung open, my eyes widened in horror.

There was Eros with his back turned to me, locked in an intense kiss with a woman. The woman glanced at me slyly over his shoulder as their eyes met mine. She ran her hands intimately over his back, flaunting their act right in front of me.