Chapter 1: New York

Welcome to Seduction: The taste of Lust

He was ruthless they said, a womanizer with a daring personality of hijacking everyone's life, one mistake, and my world was onto his hands,

Without realizing I gave him everything, my past, my future and my present was all in his favor as he silently made his move towards me,

I was naive to believe him, foolish to get played by words, and fucking stupid to believe his actions, "trust me" he said then why am I regretting this.

One game, it was enough for him to ruin my world, to ruin me, cause slowly and slowly he made me addicted to him. My body lost its control and shamelessly got tangled up with his,

But one thing that I brutally wanted to lose was still inside me and because of that I still have time to save myself,

My body was shaking, my hands were trembling when I saw the man in front of me. He was not the man I fell in love with,

Fingers covered in blood, forehead creased like a satan as he makes his moves towards me, "sweetheart you shouldn't be here" the voice that once thumped my heart gave me chills as I slowly take a step back from him,

"You need to leave" whisper that terrified my soul, he wasn't joking, he wasn't a saint, he was a monster who hide behind a cloak of kindness,

How come I never saw this look of his? Was I so blinded by love that his true face became a faded shadow?

•>>>•<<<•

"Ladies and gentlemen, we have just been cleared to land at the JFK airport, New York. Please make sure one last time your seat belt is securely fastened. The flight attendants are currently passing around the cabin to make a final compliance check and pick up any remaining cups and glasses. Thank you."

The flight attendant informed us from the intercom that we have arrived in New York.

The longest flight of my life, I cursed as I stretched my arms up and remove the headphones.

I close the magazine that I was reading and prepared for the landing.

The flight was about to land and I prayed that this time maybe one of them would come to pick me up.

I was already very tired from this 21-hour flight that my strength to call a cab is basically zero.

At least my manager should be there, I hoped.

Twenty-five minutes later, the flight safely landed and all the flight crew thanked us before they cautiously boarded everyone out from the plane.

They directed us towards gate no.3 for the luggage and other verification stuff.

I walked to gate no. 3 and waited for my luggage to come from that round carousel thing that usually carries them.

After all the needful I took my glasses out from the handbag, covered my face with a mask and exited the airport.

~

I expected this to happen but actually facing it is making me mad.

"Assholes" I closed my eyes and hissed trying my very best not to scream, Of course, no one came to pick me up, I mean why would they right "lazy shits".

As if the flight wasn't enough, now that I have to wait for a stupid cab for god knows how long.

I still decided to wait hoping at least one of them would show up before giving up and booking the cab myself when,

"Veronica" a familiar voice came from behind me,

I smiled knowing very well who it was.

"Finally someone decided to show up" I mocked feeling extremely happy seeing the person standing in front of me. My best friend, the only person who cared enough to show up.

He rolled his eyes trying to form some words before hugging me tightly,

"Lowkey dude," I said pulling away from him giving him a slight kick for hugging me without a warning.

"Ha I missed your kicks" he replied with a big grin on his face, as he bends down to rub his ankle.

•>>>•<<<•

"Is he dead?" kelly whispered, her hands covering her mouth that was opened from the shock, followed by few tears down her cheeks.

"C'mon dude" yelled Aiden, his one hand choking the life out of that poor beer can while the other was pumped up in a fist.

All their faces were glued to the TV screen as they watched the tragic ending of Avengers endgame,

Silent cries filled the room and even the ones who were not watching were secretly wishing for this torture to end.

Turner was one of them who prayed for a miracle to happen, as he couldn't take another minute of all their yelling and sobbing,

And as if God heard his prayer I made my way banging the door open catching all their attention from the TV.

"You assh*oles" I barked at them, taking a pillow from the couch and running after them.

I am not going to leave them this time. First times can be forgiven but repeated mistakes are a sin. This is the 7th time that they made a promise to pick me up and then forget it the very next day.

"I am going to kill all of you today, GET BACK HERE"

They quickly scattered as if knowing this was going to happen, but hey I know how to deal with their stupid strategy.

"ED" I yelled reminding him of our decision that we made just a few minutes ago in the car.

He understood my command and immeditaley turned the wifi off and unplugged the socket.

"Wifi is banned for you people from now on and I am taking my Fucking Netflix back" I screamed making sure that everyone heard it.

I went back to my room for a much-needed shower. My poor self was so tired that a quick nap in the bath was waiting for me.

I slept for a good 30 minutes before someone's knocking came, waking me up. I walked out of the shower and got dressed in my favorite sickly night suit.

Even though I was hungry like a pig, I couldn't make any effort to go down and eat something. I was really tired, the flight was really exhaustive. I'll get some sleep first.

I hit my pillow and flatten my arms on the bed taking in the soft fabric underneath me " so soft" I move my arms up and down like you do when making a snow angle and relax. It's good to be back, I slowly roll on the other side of the bed and grab my blankets turning the lights off and dozing off before I hear the door open.

Kelly came in with some pizza boxes and switch the lights on "brought you some dinner" she smiled and placed the boxes on the bed,

Turner also came with her, " get up and eat something" he said while sipping his beer,

I open the boxes they brought for me, "you didn't you tell me you were coming?" Kelly rambled while taking a seat on my side, "hmm these look delicious" I take one slice of the pizza and look at her "what?"

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"I did" I nod my head, "I emailed everyone"

"How come I didn't get one?" she crossed her legs and stare at me.

I roll my eyes "why you asking me?" and face Turner asking him for the other pizza he was having before.

"Sorry I ate uhh that one" he shyly ran his fingers through his hair like a child who was caught doing something stupid,

"you ate the whole thing" kelly raised her eyebrow

"Not myself, Lexi and Aiden got a few slices too" he replied in a very low voice,

I take the beer can from him and drink some sips" It's not his first time eating a whole pizza like that"

"Yeah but that one was really cheesy" she sulked

"Aren't you lactose intolerant?" I furrowed my eyebrows and take a bite from the slice,

"Still it wouldn't harm to take one slice" she pouted and came closer to me "anyways I'm glad you decided to come back" she put her arms around me and hugged me "about that email, I'll see what happened"

I lightly pat her back and nuzzled closer to her neck "no need I'm here now", we both stayed like that for a few seconds enjoying each other's familiar warmth. To be honest, Kelly is my best friend maybe more than that and it's been three years since we've met each other, so it's not surprising that we missed each other.

After that incident two years ago, I kind of went MIA. Lost all contacts, no projects, went into total hiding even though I didn't deserve it. I don't know why people who are wronged have to hide from the world than the people who wrong them. I mean they don't even feel guilty for their choices, for their belief, their actions so why does the victim have to think about all those things and suffer.

Those years were the darkest period of my life, nobody knew what I had to go through but I know what I did back then to support myself. I know how I brought myself into and how I tried to convince myself that karma is real,

That everyone will get their share of doings, the universe is not so unfair. Good people may have to go through the roughest path in their life but they are also the ones with whom God stands firm. Eventually, all the people who once mistreated them, played with their trust, betrayed them in the cruelest way will get their share of responsibility.

After all, we are all responsible for our own actions, isn't it?

I hug her back reminiscing the old times when we used to be inseparable when Turner came in between and pulled her away.

"My turn" he opened his arms and smiled warmly at me, I gave a light chuckle and hug him.

We all talked for some time before Kelly got up and went to the kitchen to heat up her personal giant pizza. Yes her personal.

"Veronica" Turner whispered as soon as he saw Kelly leaving the room, "what," I said without looking at him,

"Can you help me?"

I turn my head and face him, " sure" I smile and look at him,

"you promise"

I nod my head and did the thumb thing for when you when make promises to assure him that I'll help him no matter what the thing is,

"I kinda ate Kelly's pizza" he scratched his neck and slowly raised his head "she's in the kitchen right now"

It took me some time to realize what he said and I kinda tell you I suddenly got goosebumps when I remember the scariest thing about Kelly. You know how people often ship a sweet and spicy pair like in a couple one of them is sweet as vanilla while the other is spicy like Indian food. Things like opposites attract is very trendy when it comes to dating but what if one person has both the sweet and spicy side.

Kelly is like that. One time she could be really sweet and observant but when she hits her spot the spicy side of her can be really scary.

Let me explain a little about Kelly, she's a food blogger with millions of insta followers, according to her food is the most precious element on the planet. She creates recipes and sometimes gives critiques using her blog but when it comes to her food she is very sensitive and scary.

She has her own personal space in every kitchen where her own choice of food, suitable for her health is been freshly picked out by her.

Even if it means having a personal pizza that no one is allowed to touch, smell or eat. I understand why Turner is asking for my help, not because he's worried but cause he's scared.

He ate Kelly's personal pizza and as far as I know she will flip out. Her pizza is made from the finest ingredients starting from farm-produced veggies to original Italian herbs and the cheese content is limited to maintain her lactose level.

The whole pizza is made to her liking and once every month, she eats it which means Turner stepped on his graveyard and I can't think of anything that could help him out.

"You ate uh the whole thing" I clear my throat

He closed his eyes and shook his head nervously "what should I do? she'll find out any minute that the pizza is gone"

I take a deep breath and try to think of something, "oh right, Lexi and Aiden shared a few slices too" he adds,

I shake my head and pat his back "then it's a good thing" I smile " you'll share punishments"

He bit his lip " that's why I'm asking youuuu to help me"

"For one thing why don-" I was saying something to him when the door flew right open grabbing our attention.

Turner's eyes got weak when he saw her,

I let out a breath "kelly think before you do something" I tried getting up but she put her palm in front of my face stopping me from going further into the situation.

Turner took this chance and slowly slip behind me and grabbed my shoulders "kelly uhm.... listen please I really didn't mean to eat your pizza" he push me forward like an armor and tried to talk his way,

I close my eyes and let him massage me more like wiggle me while they turn my bedroom upside down,

"I don't care, but we all should take responsibility for our actions right Turner?" she creaks a smile

Even though it wasn't me who she just threatened but I kinda feel shaken. Poor Turner can't even imagine what he might be feeling.

"Can't we talk this out like grown-ups" his voice was shaky

"I seriously didn't mean to interrupt your fight" I half chuckle "but I'm kinda beat and I need my beauty sleep" I gesture my hands towards the door asking them to leave,

"Veronica don't abandon me" Turner tightened his grip on my shoulder

"Relax she'll not eat you as long as you take responsibility" I pat his hand and assure him like hell I know it's not going to work but I can't drag myself into this, she'll eat me up too.

Kelly came to my side of the bed and grabbed turner by his ears and drag him to the living room "rest up" she said and waved me good night.

"Try to survive okay Turner," I said in a little higher voice and laid down.

I put the empty pizza boxes on the floor and turn the lights off. Well, for one thing, Turner is her first victim so she might be a little easy on him considering she still didn't throw any water like in my case; don't think about it I shake my head and hit the pillow.

Yeah well let them deal with their problem, I'm too tired to care about it.

A yawn escapes my mouth and just like that I fell asleep drowning in my tiredness and allowing sleep to embrace me in his shield.