Chapter Summary: Anger is the next best medicine after finding herself right at the very same spot she tried to move away from so desperately.
A/N: Now, this will be an incredibly short chapter compared to any of the previous ones so please do not expect too much. I was in the middle of writing when I thought that this was gonna blow up into a monster chapter, so I decided to break it into 2. As a peace offering though, I give you some lime and maybe a quicker next update)
WARNING: Sensual/ sexual themes. Own discretion is advised.
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AN APPLE A DAY – Chapter 11: Busy
Breathe.
Breather harder.
That night, she let herself go.
That same night, he didn't hold back.
Inhale.
Exhale.
The flexing of her toned muscles went highly visible from the sports bra and training tights that she wore. Her skin, gradually moistened by sweat, and her hair bunched up in a messy bun.
And as the two deepened their kiss while the storm persisted, time seemed to stop, and they remained oblivious to everything around them…
She literally needed to remind herself to breathe.
For what exact reason? She couldn't put herself to point out.
Her arms, as if having minds of their own, inevitably circled around his neck after she stood on the balls of her feet to adjust to the difference in their heights.
His reaction was to squeeze her tiny waist and grab the back of her neck firmer to pull her further towards him.
It didn't take long before she felt her back hit against the side of her Ferrari as he motioned to lean on her, but the cold temperature of the metal that was aggravated by the rain had no match for the heat that radiated from the man in front of her—from the fire that had rekindled between them.
She could hear her own ragged breaths—her gradual wheezing as the oxygen saturation in her system became weaker and weaker every time she used up more of her energy.
Struggling to maintain her focus on her current physical activity, her mind continued to wander towards the events from yesterday.
Her back touched another surface, but this time, it was incredibly soft, and it felt secure.
The ambiance around her had also shifted to something cozier. The temperature, warmer.
She let her companion continue his ministrations on her, and both seemed not to care if they'd saturated his sheets with the rainwater that had previously soaked their very own clothes.
In a perfect stance, her hips turned in-sync with the movements from her right hand and pivoting of her right foot, while the other half of her body help maintained her balance.
Throwing repeated 1-2 jab-cross combinations in swift actions, she felt the little globes of liquid trickle down from her jaw to her neck, and along her back.
A moan unavoidably escaped her lips as his weight rested on top of her—his hot breath against the side of her neck sent shivers through her spine. She felt her own needs grew every second which was proven by pleasurable clenching of her muscles, increased respirations, and the wetness that was neither coming from her drenched hair, nor her clothes that went discarded on the floor.
One-two, left.
One-two, right.
The punching bag vibrated relentlessly next to her as the intensity of her punches grew stronger. Each attack she made against it served as an output for the feelings she has harboured since day one.
The bed's headboard wobbled uncontrollably with every rise and fall of her small frame against his muscular physique. Her head remained extended in bliss while he supported her pace by grasping the roundness of her behind.
As her screams of pleasure became louder, he made an effortless switch in their positions without breaking their union. Her palms ended-up gripping the sheets as tight as they could while she continued with her gratified cries.
His low and manly groans signalled the peak. It was his turn to tilt his face up towards the heavens, and with several forceful thrusts, they both reached a state that they haven't had for many years.
The speed of her punches doubled, now coupled with turning kicks as a multitude of emotions flooded within her all at once.
Confusion.
Ecstasy.
Guilt.
Love?
"Nee-san! Nee-san!"
A lady was moving briskly next to a loaded stretcher. She was trying to match the pace of the staff who were pushing it.
The patient, another lady that laid semi-conscious on the mobile bed had her eyelids partially open the whole time. She even managed to squeeze the younger woman's hand and flash her a small smile.
Despite the reassurance, she knew something didn't sit right as she observed how the patient's lips had turned purplish. The laceration that caused a massive bleed on the side of her head also looked ugly. Furthermore, the several scattered cuts on her body indicated that she had multiple shrapnel which probably had already entered her blood stream.
The younger woman tried to bargain with the staff but could do nothing when they started pulling her away from the stretcher that was being wheeled down into a different room.
The last things she saw was the patient's bloodied hand that laid weak on the side.
If only she knew that things were about to go downhill from there.
Anger.
She finished off with a left hook and a roundhouse kick that sent the punching bag swinging madly.
After steadying the same object which she has displaced her emotions on, she clung to it then wallowed in the silence within the empty gym for a bit. She focused on stabilising her now laboured breathing.
"I didn't know you dreamt of being an MMA fighter, Anna."
She knew perfectly well who the speaker was, and her hatred spiked rapidly through the ceiling.
"I hate it when you say my name like that." The blonde regarded the newcomer after she inspected his appearance— matching red jacket and jogger pants with a white inner shirt, sandals, brown hair kept in a high ponytail— which then confirmed her thoughts.
"Huh? Like how, exactly?" The man feigned innocence as he approached her, his smug smirk widening.
Anna didn't answer him. She was too exhausted to start a pointless argument. "What took you so long?" she chided instead.
"What? I Immediately went looking for you after I received your distressed voicemails and messages last night, but I guess you got… busy." The blonde woman raised her brow after catching the double meaning behind her companion's last statement, but he quickly followed up his explanation as to not make her suspicious. "I mean, you never answered my calls afterwards. I was relieved to receive a text from you this morning. Thanks for letting me know you're still alive."
She rolled her eyes and turned her back against him. She was an idiot for expecting an apology from him at least. His playful sarcasm always irked her, but like her previous thoughts, she couldn't afford to waste time antagonising his charms.
"I don't have time for this." She motioned to leave when she was interrupted.
"Anna—"
His hand tried to reach her shoulder but her quick reflexes enabled her to slap away his hand when she whipped back to face him. Immediately after, her right hand grabbed his wrist, and her left held his shoulder as she swung to position herself behind him, tucking his arm to his back.
He winced in discomfort for a few seconds before figuring out how to save his right arm from being torn. Deviously manoeuvring his left upper limb, he flung it around her neck to lock her in place.
They looked like a couple having a sweet moment from afar—the guy amorously hugging his woman from behind while flashing a playful countenance— if not for the woman who was actively attempting to free herself.
"Let me go," she commanded while grappling his arms. She seemed to be struggling because of his undeniable strength, but her aura remained calm.
"Not until you tell me what's going on." His breath was warm against her ear.
Driven by pride, Anna had a lightbulb moment when she suddenly pushed both of them backwards until the man's back hit the wall behind him. This caused him to disengage his grip lock, then the blonde performed an over the shoulder throw, slamming him down. She then spread his left arm across, keeping it in place, while her left leg pinned his upper body against the ground.
"You're the one whose got a lot of explaining to do. Why did you return with such a short notice? Who's left in charge back home?" Anna took the opportunity to interrogate her wrestling buddy.
The brunette strained to find the right words as to not aggravate his captor. He knew it wasn't a great idea to fuel her annoyance at this exact moment.
"Wha—? Are—ugh— you still—aargh—pissed at me?" He saw a safe window and used it to flip her over to rest his body on top of her while restraining both her wrists to her sides. She winced as her body hit the padded floor but her pretty face continued to show her determination. Seeing her that way only added fuel to his desire of teasing her.
"Aren't you supposed to be at work now?" He noticed how her blonde strands clung to her neck and the sides of her face. He fought the urge to fix them with his own hands.
"I filed an urgent sick leave." She still sounded defiant despite being dominated.
For a quick moment, she saw how his countenance changed abruptly, eyes showing deep concern. "Are you unwell?" His grip loosened at the same time, and he realised two seconds after that he made a mistake by doing that.
Anna lifted the man by using her legs to push him out of the way, making him land on his back once again. It was her turn to straddle him and pin his neck using her forearm.
"Quite the opposite, actually." She grinned triumphantly, enjoying his pleas for mercy; even shoving her hold tighter every time he cried out.
"Hey! Stop! T-t-tap out! Tap out!" The brunette repeatedly tapped Anna's arm as she proceeded to choke him until his face turned deep red. Miraculously, he finally felt her are being retracted away from him. He sat up coughing violently, and she just watched him— obviously proud of her own doing— while sitting next to him on the ground.
A melodious tone echoed in the room and he finally noticed that she was laughing at his antics. He continued to fake his suffering while he enjoyed her display of innocence.
He couldn't help it, though. It only took a moment until his instincts won him over and he decided to knock her down on the training ground for the umpteenth time. His palms and knees were planted on the floor and on each side of her body and her hands were pressed against his chest.
"You still haven't told me what's wrong, Anna." He chuckled at her surprised reaction, confident that he now had her disarmed for real.
"You still haven't explained yourself," she retorted stubbornly in frustration.
He took the liberty to observe her vulnerable form. Her angelic face and slightly flushed skin made it hard for him to focus with just one thing at a time. As her bosom heaved from all their recent strenuous activities, and as her slightly parted lips exhaled warm air towards him, the man unconsciously lowered his head slowly until his face was mere inches away from hers.
They never broke eye contact, which made him notice how her hypnotic amber eyes were laced with worry and apprehension. She desperately searched his eyes for some answers— answers that will either lead her to further distress or relief. His face softened at this. He shut his eyes and drew deep a breath, remembering the events he witnessed last night…
And as the two deepened their kiss while the storm persisted, time seemed to stop, and they remained oblivious to everything around them…
Including the man with long brown hair standing from the far corner of the street, an umbrella in hand.
His grip on the umbrella's handle tightened as he watched the other man claim possession over the woman who withered under his touch.
He was easily visible from where he stood, a lone man by the side of road, holding a predominantly red umbrella with stars printed on it. If the couple only stopped to look around, then they'll notice him from afar with his brooding stare; but they were too busy with one another's company, weren't they?
Continuing with his masochistic stalking, he stood his ground until they got into the car and drove away to only God knows where.
He knew where they were headed.
He just didn't want to admit it to himself.
"Stop worrying." He opened his eyes once more to stare at Anna and convey his utmost sincerity despite the sick feeling that he was nursing in his gut. His ego refuses to let her know what he knew about last night. "Everything's under control."
After searching her sparring partner's chestnut orbs for what seemed like ages, Anna's countenance softened, and she finally relaxed under his presence. She closed her eyes and nodded as a response.
The brunette saw this change and gave her a comforting smile which eventually led them to share some laughter.
It was late when he realised that he left his guard down for too long after she grabbed a fistful of his long, straight hair to yank him off from her.
"That's for leaving me hanging last night," she started. His world crumbled when her knee purposely collided with his clothed manhood, "and that's for making me worry about everything!" she finished, standing herself up.
She gathered her towel and gym bag that rested on the nearby bench then headed for the exit while he laid moaning and grumbling, all curled up on the floor.
"Wait, Anna." She paused her movements just as she was at the door, noticing that he had stopped his pained whimpering. "We good?"
The lady in question turned her head back. "Of course." Glancing at her watch briefly, she regarded the man with a warm smirk before completely walking off. "Stick to the plan."
"And Welcome back, Hao."
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A/N: I mean, Hao deserves the spotlight now that he's entered the scene, right? This also lets us focus on the storm of emotions that was happening inside Anna's consciousness after spending just one night with her ex. Oh how it must be so difficult to be caught in his arms and warm bod- *cough cough* Ehem!
Thank you so much to all my special readers who never cease to enjoy my work, and to those who always review me!
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Italics: thoughts/ flashbacks/ puns/ hints.
Bold text: words/ dialogues spoken with emphasis.