01
Sebastian leaned back in his chair, the kitchen light casting a soft glow over his chiseled features. His green eyes, sharp and intelligent, scanned the room with a mix of boredom and annoyance. He ran a hand through his blonde hair, mussing it up slightly, making him look even more devilishly handsome. The slight tug at his lips revealed his sharp canine teeth, adding to his allure. Every fiber of his being screamed charm and seduction, but here he was, trapped in a domestic scene that felt more like a cage than a home.
Amelia moved about the kitchen with quiet efficiency, her thick glasses perched on her nose, hiding her eyes but not the perfect cheekbones that framed her face. Tall and imposing, she had an air of superiority that was impossible to ignore. Her conservative clothing, which covered every inch of her skin, did nothing to diminish her intimidating presence. She was a genius, a biology prodigy who could probably name every cell in the human body and explain their functions without breaking a sweat. But to Sebastian, she was a cold, indifferent figure who sucked all the fun out of life.
"Why did I ever agree to this?" Sebastian thought bitterly as he watched Amelia. She had chosen him for marriage years ago, a decision that had never made sense to him. They were engaged, yes, but there was no romance, no affection. They barely spoke to each other, and when they did, it was out of necessity rather than desire.
Amelia placed a plate of food in front of Sebastian, a small, polite smile on her lips. She was always kind and polite to him, treating him with a courtesy that bordered on reverence. It was a stark contrast to how she treated everyone else, as if they were mere insects beneath her feet. Sebastian knew she made an exception for him, and he didn't care. It didn't change the fact that he didn't like her.
"Thank you," he muttered, picking up his fork. Amelia's cooking was always good, and he appreciated the effort she put into it, even if he didn't appreciate her.
"You're welcome," she replied softly, returning to her work without another word.
Sebastian's mind wandered as he ate. He had never wanted this life. He had always envisioned himself traveling the world, seducing beautiful women, and living a life of excitement and adventure. Instead, he was stuck in a loveless engagement with a woman who spent more time studying biology than she did acknowledging his existence. He couldn't stand how indifferent she was, how she seemed to think she was better than everyone else because of her intelligence.
But the worst part was that she was right. Amelia was brilliant, and everyone knew it. Her professors adored her, her peers envied her, and even Sebastian had to admit that she was something special. Not that it made any difference to him. He still didn't like her.
He finished his meal in silence, his thoughts drifting to the night ahead. He had no intention of staying home. He never did. The city was full of beautiful women who were eager to spend time with him, and he planned to take full advantage of that. He stood up, grabbing his jacket.
"I'm going out," he announced, not bothering to look at Amelia.
"Alright," she replied, her voice calm and unconcerned. "Be safe."
He didn't respond, leaving the apartment without a backward glance. The night air was cool against his skin as he stepped outside, a welcome change from the stifling atmosphere of the apartment. He headed to his favorite club, a place where he could lose himself in the music and the company of women who found him irresistible.
The club was packed, the pulsing beat of the music vibrating through his body. He quickly found a group of girls who were more than happy to share their drinks and their company with him. It was easy for him to slip into his charming persona, flashing his perfect smile and making the girls giggle with his witty remarks. They were all so eager to please him, so willing to fall under his spell.
As the night wore on, Sebastian found himself in the VIP section, a gorgeous brunette on his lap and a drink in his hand. She was laughing at something he had said, her hands running through his hair. He barely remembered her name, but it didn't matter. What mattered was the escape she provided from his reality.
"You're so handsome," she purred, leaning in to kiss his neck.
He smirked, enjoying the attention. "I know."
They spent the rest of the night tangled together, a blur of kisses and whispered promises that neither of them intended to keep. It was almost morning when Sebastian finally made his way back to the apartment, slipping in quietly so as not to wake Amelia. Not that it mattered. She would probably be up studying already, completely indifferent to his absence.
Sure enough, he found her in the living room, surrounded by textbooks and notes. She looked up briefly as he entered, her eyes cool and unreadable behind her glasses.
"Good morning," she said, her tone neutral.
"Morning," he replied, not bothering to hide the irritation in his voice. He made his way to his bedroom, closing the door behind him with a sigh. This was his life now, a never-ending cycle of meaningless encounters and a hollow engagement with a woman he couldn't stand.
As he lay in bed, trying to ignore the headache that was beginning to form, he couldn't help but wonder how much longer he could keep this up. How much longer he could pretend that this was enough, that he didn't crave something more. Something real.
But for now, this was his reality. And he would make the best of it, even if it meant losing himself in the arms of strangers and avoiding the woman who was supposed to be his future.
******
Amelia emerged from her last lecture of the day, the darkness of the night wrapping around her as she walked through the dimly lit corridors of the university. It was 9pm, and the building was eerily quiet, her footsteps echoing softly against the walls. She adjusted her thick glasses, the dim light making it hard to see clearly, but she navigated the familiar hallways with ease.
As she rounded a corner, she froze. Two figures were entwined in the shadows, their silhouettes illuminated by the faint light from a distant exit sign. She heard the unmistakable sound of lips meeting, and then a voice—a woman's voice—dripping with venom.
"Can you believe her? That nerdy bitch probably doesn't even know how to kiss, let alone have sex. I bet she's as frigid in bed as she is in real life."
Amelia's heart clenched, but she remained still, hidden in the darkness. She knew she wasn't well-liked, but hearing it so blatantly stung more than she expected.
Sebastian's voice came next, low and agreeing. "I know, she's insufferable. It's pathetic."
Amelia's breath caught in her throat. The shock of hearing Sebastian's voice, of realizing he was the one kissing the woman and agreeing with her hateful words, was almost too much to bear. She felt a wave of cold detachment wash over her, numbing everything.
She stepped forward, the movement catching Sebastian's eye. He pulled away from the woman, his expression one of shock and guilt as he saw Amelia standing there, her face unreadable behind her glasses.
The woman, sensing the change in the atmosphere, turned and saw Amelia. Her face went pale, and she stammered, "I-I have to go," before running off into the darkness, her footsteps echoing in the empty corridor.
Sebastian stood there, at a loss for words. He opened his mouth to speak but couldn't find the right words. Amelia wasn't stupid. She had heard everything.
She regarded him with a cold, detached smile, her eyes piercing through the lenses of her glasses. "I used to like you, anyway," she said, her voice low, devoid of emotion.
Then, with a small, polite smile, she turned and walked away, leaving Sebastian standing in the dark, his mind reeling. He watched her go, her tall, imposing figure disappearing into the shadows. He wanted to say something, to explain, but no words came. He knew he had crossed a line, and there was no going back.
******