Cause

“It seems that I really can’t stand up anymore. This…”
Andreas turned around and looked at Vlora lying next to him. He spoke with closed eyes.
“… just like you promised earlier.”
Spontaneous laughter erupted from Andreas. He laughed and realized that he had laughed several times during the day.
Andreas shifted. Leaning on one elbow, he created an opportunity to look at Vlora’s innocent body. From top to bottom, it was a temptation that made him swallow repeatedly.
It seemed as if Andreas couldn’t control himself. Just by looking at the beads of sweat on Vlora’s smooth skin, he was tempted to touch her again.
“Don’t tease me again, Reas,” Vlora continued, holding her breath. No, she wouldn’t lose control again just because of Andreas’ caresses that touched her nipples. “I really have no strength left now.”
Laughter exchanged for a grin. Andreas moved closer and the tip of his nose played in Vlora’s hair, then he whispered.
“How much time do you need? Thirty minutes? An hour?”
Vlora shivered. “You’re not serious, are you?”
Andreas didn’t answer. His eyes shone mischievously, and Vlora looked at the clock with a horrified expression.
“After earlier? It’s already past dinner time.”
“Do you have to eat first?” Andreas asked, his mouth nibbling at Vlora’s ear. “I can wait.”
Vlora quickly stopped Andreas. Her hand rose and landed on Andreas’ chest; she didn’t want the caresses on her earlobe and chest to make her lose her mind again.
“You’re like a sex maniac who has been fasting for centuries.”
A giggle echoed in Vlora’s ear. Andreas retreated, and Vlora’s alertness became something he stared at.
“You remember, right? I couldn’t touch you last week.”
“Ah, you’re right.”
The reason was the monthly cycle. Andreas had to restrain himself for a few days, and now he didn’t want to waste the opportunity.
“Besides, everyone knows the madness of every newlywed. You must know that it feels agonizing to restrain yourself.”
“Newlywed man?”
Andreas caught the amusement in Vlora’s question. So, he moved closer again, taking advantage of the opportunity as best he could.
“Isn’t that right?”
Vlora’s eyes rolled, then she closed them. “It doesn’t seem like it. We’ve been married for four months.”
“Oh,” Andreas murmured, pretending to be surprised. The tantalizing kisses to Vlora stopped for a moment, then resumed. “Really? I thought we only got married yesterday.”
Vlora’s breasts trembled with laughter. “Come on, Reas.”
“Come on what? My kisses or my jokes?”
“Everything. Your kisses and your jokes.”
“Aha.”
The rhythm of Andreas’ breathing alarmed Vlora. A familiar intuition aroused anticipation.
“If you said that more seriously…”
The rhythm turned into confident words. This time Andreas really captured Vlora’s body. He kissed her and Vlora’s neck left reddish marks.
“Oh, my goodness.”
“… I could actually stop.”
Unfortunately, the opposite happened. Vlora realized this as well. What she was saying clearly contradicted what her body wanted.
“Oh, God. How could Vlora betray herself? It’s really embarrassing.”
“So, what do you think?” Andreas asked again, and this time his kisses landed on Vlora’s breasts. “Should I stop or-”
“Oh!”
Vlora’s groan cut off Andreas’ words. The pressure on Andreas’ shoulder gave another signal.
“Continue, Reas.”
Not only did he kiss, but Andreas’ lips also grinned meaningfully when he heard Vlora’s request.
“Looks like someone is ready for the next game.”
*
The clock almost struck midnight when the buzzer of Nadine’s apartment unit sounded. She, who was about to lay down on the bed, had to leave the room to see who it was.
The buzzer rang again. Nadine tied the belt of her nightgown and quickened her pace.
“J-Jonas?”
It was indeed Jonas’ face caught on the door camera. He looked disheveled and impatient as he pressed the doorbell for the umpteenth time.
Nadine opened the door and wanted to ask about Jonas’ condition, but he collapsed in front of her.
“Oh, God. Jonas.”
Nadine tried to hold on as best she could. She cradled Jonas’ body to keep him from falling to the floor, and with difficulty they landed on the sofa.
“Argh.”
Jonas murmured, holding his head. His eyes were closed and he looked very disheveled.
“Jon?”
Nadine called as she patted Jonas’ cheek, trying to wake him up. “Jonas? Are you okay?”
But Jonas was in no condition to answer any questions. He just moaned as if in pain and Nadine took a deep breath.
“You’re drunk.”
The strong smell of alcohol and the chaos were more than enough for Nadine to draw conclusions. Jonas was drunk, and whether she liked it or not, her concern surfaced.
“Wait a moment. I’ll get you some warm water and a towel.”
Nadine stood up. She wanted to walk away, but suddenly Jonas grabbed her hand.
“Nadine.”
Her eyes blinked. Nadine was stunned for a moment before she turned to look at Jonas, who was calling her name without even opening his eyes.
“Wait a minute. I-”
“No,” Jonas interrupted with a groan. He writhed and tried to sit up. “Don’t go.”
“Jonas, I-”
Something made Nadine stop her words. There was a red color that caught her attention and her worried feelings intensified.
“You’re hurt, Jonas. What happened to you?”
Nadine sat down to take a closer look at Jonas’ fingers. There were bruises and scratches, accompanied by dried blood.
“Did you get into a fight?”
Jonas grimaced. He didn’t answer, but tried to pull his hand out of Nadine’s grip. But Nadine didn’t let go.
“Jonas, tell me,” Nadine said, pulling Jonas’ hand back. “What happened to you?”
For a moment, Jonas was still far from consciousness. He continued to mumble and Nadine gently patted his cheek, still trying to wake him up.
“Jonas. Do we have to go to the hospital? You don’t seem to be in a good condition.”
Apart from the fact that Jonas is drunk. Nadine is worried that it’s not just Jonas’ fingers that have bruises and scratches. There could be similar injuries elsewhere that she is not aware of.
“Argh!”
Jonas’ groan was followed by a jerk. Nadine was startled when Jonas’ hand slipped from her grasp.
“Why does Andreas always screw everything up?”
Nadine fell silent as Jonas showed signs of regaining consciousness. He took a breath and tried to straighten his back.
“Why?” Jonas repeated and his eyes opened with a melancholic look. He looked pitiful and suggested wounds. “Why does Andreas always ruin everything?”
Nadine swallowed and tried to touch Jonas gently. “Jonas, it looks like you need to rest.”
Jonas shook his head. He grabbed Nadine’s hand again and held her fingers.
“Tell me, Na. Why can Andreas have everything? Why must it be him?”
No need to ask. Everything was clear. Nadine could guess that the chaos that night had been caused by Andreas.
Something must have happened at the general meeting.
Nadine understood. If it had to do with Andreas and the general meeting, it was only fitting that Jonas was in this state.
There was nothing Nadine could do to help. The only thing she could do was to comfort Jonas.
Nadine smiled. “Let’s go to the bedroom, Jon. You need to rest.”
Jonas hesitated, but Nadine didn’t give up. She patiently persuaded him.
“Come on, Jon.”
Finally, Jonas got up. He hugged Nadine and they walked unsteadily to the bedroom.
Nadine helped Jonas remove his shoes and socks. She removed his jacket and tie, then let Jonas lie down while she took a moment.
Warm water, a towel and the first aid kit were grabbed by Nadine. She cleaned Jonas’ wounds, suppressing a grin as Jonas winced in pain.
The wounds were treated. Next, Nadine cleaned Jonas’ body as best she could. She wiped away the sweat and dust that clung to Jonas’ skin.
Jonas didn’t move. He didn’t react at all. Nadine thought Jonas had fallen asleep, but she was wrong. Jonas suddenly grabbed her hand.
“Jonas.”
Jonas’ eyes, closed at first, slowly opened. They stared at each other and the melancholic look disappeared.
Jonas didn’t say anything. He just looked at Nadine. But this look conveyed more than a string of words.
Sadness, hope and all desires radiated from it. Jonas let Nadine see everything and then he acted.
Nadine didn’t resist when Jonas pulled her towards him. She let herself land on Jonas’ chest. She didn’t mind at all when Jonas kissed her.
The wet towel was pushed aside. As well as other things. Like her clothes, for example.
*
“Oh God, Reas. I tried to call you all night, but you didn’t answer.”
It had been less than five minutes since Andreas had returned home after dropping Vlora off at work. His phone rang, and it turned out to be Noelle. That’s when he realized that there were a lot of unanswered calls from his grandmother. So, it wasn’t surprising that Noelle immediately grumbled when he answered the call.
Andreas grinned. He climbed the stairs and scratched his temple with a finger, intending to go to his workstation.
“Oh, forgive me, Nana. Really. I had no idea you were trying to reach me.”
“Impossible!”
Andreas chuckled and opened the door to his study. He went in and sat down behind the desk. He seemed to be waiting for Frans while he listened to Noelle’s scolding.
“I tried to call you from the afternoon until almost midnight, Reas. So don’t say you didn’t know I was trying to reach you. That doesn’t make sense.”
Andreas laughed again. “Seriously, Nana. I’m not lying, and honestly, I only had time to check my phone this morning. I apologize.”
A moment of silence. Only Noelle’s soft sighs could be heard, and that made Andreas shake his head with an amused expression.
It seems that not only young women melt away when Andreas starts to flirt. Even women in their twilight years like Noelle can’t resist when he speaks in a sweet tone. Just look at the proof. It didn’t take him long to change Noelle’s tone.
“What have you been doing all night that you didn’t have time to check your phone? Don’t you know that I want to report on the shareholders’ reaction to yesterday’s meeting?”
Andreas leaned back and took a short breath. “What was I doing all night that I didn’t have time to check my phone? Hmm. Do you really want to know the details?”
“What do you mean, Reas?”
“Well, here’s the thing, Nana. Honestly, last night I was busy with something that had to do with me and Vlora. I think you already understands why I didn’t take care of my phone all night.”
“Oh, my goodness!”
The readiness was more than enough to illustrate Noelle’s surprise thanks to Andreas’ answer. Unwanted, but the image of Noelle’s blushing face immediately filled his imagination. He laughed.
“I don’t have to tell you all the details of what happened last night. It’s better if you tell the situation of the meeting after I’m gone.”
Noelle sighed softly. “You’re naughty, Reas.”
“Thanks for the compliment, Nana.”
“Unfortunately, you’re a naughty, smart, clever and undoubtedly lucky boy.”
Andreas smiled meaningfully.
Ah, I am indeed a lucky bastard.
*