Carlo's blue gaze seemed to pierce Adrien like sharp needles, puncturing his peace and tranquility. At other times, that look would have been charming and even exciting, but now it only caused him irritation. He had given Carlo the freedom he had begged for for years, he had granted him what had cost him so much to deliver. But despite that, Carlo seemed unwilling to leave at that moment, which was clear from the intensity of his gaze fixed on him. It was as if he was trying to convey something to him, but Adrien could not decipher what it was.
That look was suffocating him, making him question what exactly Carlo Mancini wanted from him. He had always been an enigma to Adrien, but at that moment, that feeling became even more incomprehensible and frustrating.
"I'm going to get some fresh air, this place is getting stuffy", Adrien announced to Cedric with a slight grimace of disgust on his face.
"I'll go with you."
"No need really, stay here and chat with the others, I don't want them to think that even my companion is rude", Adrien joked, referring to the constant criticism he received for his supposed lack of kindness at social events.
Although Cedric didn't seem very convinced, he nodded and was distracted by a couple of people who came up to greet him. Meanwhile, Adrien entered a long, somewhat dark corridor. The sound of his footsteps echoed in the silence of the place, giving him some peace of mind.
Finally, he found one of the back doors of the theater and went out into the back garden. A gentle gust of wind hit his face as he opened the door, carrying Adrien's dark hair with it. He closed his eyes for a moment, enjoying the fresh night air that offered him a brief respite from the charged atmosphere of the party.
Opening his eyes, he closed the door behind him and headed for a more secluded corner of the garden. He sat down on a stone bench, his back against the building, and exhaled deeply. The serene atmosphere of the place was a comforting contrast to the hustle and bustle of the party.
"Where's your faithful companion?" the familiar voice made him turn his head, finding Carlo approaching him with his hands in his pockets. Though his appearance was attractive, the derogatory words toward Cedric did not go unnoticed by Adrien.
"I left the 'faithful companion' behind a long time ago, after almost five years. You know how it is, if something doesn't meet your expectations, you just replace it with something new and exciting", Adrien replied sarcastically. Although the lack of lighting did not allow him to see Carlo's expression clearly, he was sure that his brow would be furrowed in anger at that moment.
Adrien smiled in satisfaction and looked away, sinking into his thoughts. Although Carlo was important in his life, Cedric was the one who was supporting him at that moment and had been with him through his worst crises, so he deserved to be defended at all costs.
The atmosphere was filled with a tense silence, interrupted only by the soft chirping of nocturnal insects and the distant noise of cars on the nearby boulevard.
"You are very close, aren't you?" Carlo's deep voice sent shivers down Adrien's spine as his breath hit his right ear. He didn't know when he had moved, but now Carlo's face was too close, and the proximity made him uncomfortable. Adrien bit his tongue, forcing himself not to fall for Carlo's seduction game, if that's what he was trying to do.
"That's none of your business", he uttered indifferently, trying to maintain his composure at Carlo's closeness. His words made Carlo frown, and without much thought, he ran his hands over Adrien's shoulders, feeling the other man's body tense instantly. Adrien had always been vulnerable to Carlo's touch, no matter where it was on his body.
"You're too indifferent now, but before you begged for a kiss from me" Carlo's words made Adrien's eyes burn with anger. This man definitely enjoyed seeing him weak before him.
He hadn't thought about it until that moment, but Carlo Mancini was extremely narcissistic. Before, Adrien wouldn't even look at him, but now Carlo wouldn't stop looking at him, and it bothered him. In the past, Adrien didn't care who he hung out with, but now Cedric's closeness seemed to make him uncomfortable.
Perhaps his infatuation hadn't allowed him to see it before, but Carlo enjoyed having the attention of those around him, even posing as someone inconspicuous, which drew everyone's attention even more. Including Adrien, who had also fallen for his "distant and carefree" charm.
"The past is the past, Carlo. If I begged before, now I don't even want to see you face to face", Adrien said, his voice full of frustration and determination.
He stood up and took three steps away, ready to leave the uncomfortable situation, but before he could leave completely, Carlo's arms wrapped around his waist, stopping him in his tracks.
"Are you sure? Do you really think that guy can be a good replacement for me?"
The questions asked completely disconcerted Adrien. This Carlo Mancini was completely different from the one he had met some time ago.
Carlo's words hung in the air like a challenge, provoking a mixture of irritation and confusion in Adrien. How could Carlo imply that someone else could take his place in Adrien's life? It was an absurd thought, and yet the emotions that arose at that moment were intense. But he wouldn't say that.
"You're being too arrogant and self-righteous. Carlo, don't think you're that important."
Adrien's voice was firm and, unlike before, his body remained unmoved. Carlo, however, was not going to stop until he heard what he wanted. Somehow, Adrien's resistance incited him to bother him even more.
He had always thought that the day Adrien walked away would be one of the best, however, now he felt that a part of his life had gone with Adrien and he was not willing to give that up.
"I'm not really, am I? I know you love me and I'll prove it to you now" Carlo tightened his grip on Adrien's body and brushed his lips against the soft skin of his neck. This time, Adrien did tense up, implying that he was still weak to his lips.
Carlo hadn't thought about doing any of that, he just wanted to have a normal conversation and then leave. However, Adrien's words about trading him in for something new struck a chord with his pride. Plus, he hated to think that he could really be replaced by that idiot.
"If it was someone else, I wouldn't mind", he thought as he continued with the occasional kisses on Adrien's neck and ran one of his hands under Adrien's jacket. "But that asshole dared to challenge me, I can't let myself lose to him. Yeah, it's all because of his damn arrogance". He tried to convince himself internally.
Adrien's scent was intoxicating. He had never noticed it before, but it was exquisite. An elegant, attractive and subtle essence, but one that could captivate anyone.
His arms loosened, but not enough to let him escape. Adrien was forced to turn around and face him. Carlo continued kissing him and his hands moved inadvertently down his back to his buttocks. Adrien stood up a little on his tiptoes and bit down hard on Carlo's jaw until he cried out and released him in pain.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?"
Adrien's completely angry voice made Carlo stop paying attention to the pain and look him straight in the eye. The black of his eyes seemed to glow, but no longer with love or desire; it was anger and frustration that he could see, and deep down, contempt.
***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***
Updated 31 Episodes
Download
Like this story? Download the app to keep your reading history.
Comments