Passion's Crossfire

Chapter 51

Mallory

I step into the elevator and press the button for the ground floor, my thoughts consumed by the incredible weekend with Adam. My reflection in the mirrored walls of the elevator reveals a satisfied smile. I glance down at my outfit— a knee-length floral dress paired with comfortable leather sandals, and my hair in a half updo, blonde tendrils framing my face.

The weekend was a whirlwind of emotions and intimacy with Adam. He opened up about his complicated relationship with his mother, and despite the challenges that lie ahead, we grew even closer. The hike we took brought us closer to nature and each other, leading to hot sex in the woods.

The dinner Adam planned was nothing short of perfection. He chose a cozy restaurant with dim lighting and a romantic ambiance. We shared stories, laughed, and connected on a level that transcended the physical. Of course, that connection was further intensified later on in the night, with some more hot sex.

As the elevator descends, I recall the lazy Sunday we spent together, all the sex we had; on the bed, on the floor, on the kitchen table. Adam is a force of nature, unstoppable in every sense, and I can't get enough of him.

The elevator doors open, and I step into the garage. Adam's car is parked neatly in its spot, waiting for me. As I drive to meet Kylie, I can't help but feel a sense of gratitude for the way Adam has entered my life. He is stable, thoughtful, and supportive, qualities that resonate with me deeply. And his romantic gestures? They're the stuff dreams are made of.

I keep driving through the city, navigating the streets with Adam's sleek SUV. The vehicle glides gracefully, a testament to its luxurious design. My mind, however, is far from the smooth ride. Thoughts of Adam's mother invade my consciousness; crazy-ass bitch.

The tales Adam shared about his mother and his past relationships still echo in my mind. The lengths she went to, the manipulation, the heartlessness—it's all too much. The story of how she paid off one of Adam's ex-girlfriends to leave him is particularly horrifying. The girl's father was gravely ill, hospitalized, and they were struggling to cover the medical expenses. Adam's mother took advantage of their vulnerable situation, offering money in exchange for the girl leaving Adam. The mere thought of such cruelty sends shivers down my spine.

As I steer through the busy city streets, my grip tightens on the leather-wrapped steering wheel. Anger bubbles within me, a protective instinct flaring up. I won't let that woman take Adam away from me. He deserves happiness, and I won't let anyone, especially his own mother, stand in the way of that.

Finally, I reach the quaint café where I'm meeting Kylie. I park Adam's SUV and take a deep breath, trying to shake off the intensity of my emotions. I step out of the car and I make my way into the café, the familiar chime of the door signaling my entrance.

Kylie is already seated at a corner table, sipping her coffee. Her eyes light up when she sees me, and she waves me over. I join her, and we exchange a friendly hug.

"How is it going, Mallory? How is the great Adam?" Kylie asks with a teasing smile.

A grin spreads across my face as I think about the incredible weekend Adam and I shared. "Everything is great. Just dreamy," I reply, keeping the details of our conversations and the revelations about his mother to myself. Adam entrusted me with those stories, and I won't betray that trust. "What about you and Sean? Is he still acting weird?"

Kylie's expression shifts, and a shadow crosses her eyes. "Yeah, I don't know what's going on. He says that there's nothing going on, but I can't shake the feeling, you know?"

Reaching across the table, I grasp Kylie's hand in a supportive gesture. "I know," I say quietly.

"We fought about it yesterday," Kylie continues, her voice tinged with frustration. "We were supposed to go to the movies. He picked me up, moping. I asked what was going on, as one would, right? He made me feel like he didn't want to be there. He got angry when I told him that, said that I drive him crazy, asking him the same thing over and over again. Eventually, he told me that my nagging made him not want to go to the movies. He turned around, drove me home, and left."

Kylie's shoulders slump, the weight of the situation evident in her posture. I squeeze her hand in silent support. "I'm sorry, Kylie. That sounds really tough."

She sighs, her frustration palpable. "I just don't understand why he's acting this way. It's like he's pulling away, and every attempt to communicate just pushes him further."

I offer a sympathetic smile. "Maybe he's going through something and doesn't know how to talk about it. It's important to give him some space, but you also deserve to know what's going on."

Kylie nods, "I know, Mallory. It's just hard when you feel like someone you care about is shutting you out."

Kylie and I spend the next couple of hours chatting away in the cozy cafe, enjoying each other's company and the comforting warmth of our drinks. It's been a while since we've had a heart-to-heart like this.

The afternoon sun casts a warm glow on the city as Kylie and I leave the café. We exchange smiles and wave our goodbyes, and I step into Adam's car, feeling a mix of contentment from our conversation and a subtle sense of concern for Kylie.

As I drive through the city, the familiar hum of Adam's car surrounds me. Thoughts of Sean's mysterious behavior linger in the back of my mind, and a furrow forms on my brow. I can't shake the feeling that something is amiss, that Sean is grappling with an internal struggle. Whatever this is, he is hurting Kylie.

Maybe I should talk to him? After all, we've known each other for a while, and I care about him too. Is it my place to intervene in their relationship, though? Would Sean appreciate my interference, or would it only complicate things further?

"No, that's stupid. I shouldn't get involved, not yet at least," I murmur to myself. It's not my place to intrude.

I pull into the apartment building's garage, the quiet surroundings a stark contrast to the tumult in my mind. I climb out of the car and I take a deep breath. I have to leave the concerns of Kylie and Sean behind for now. My focus shifts to Adam, as I glance my watch. He won't be back for at least three hours. A smile creeps to my face; I'm going to make him dinner.