Game, Set, Match

12

I played for thirty long minutes. And when my fingers were cramping and tired, I finally stopped. I've been talking to the receptionist for the last seven minutes. Her name is Rose. She is working in the hotel because her son is the owner. Poor lady Rose. She is 69 and still working for her grown-ass son. But she loves him and it's all that matters.

I removed my bathrobe because it was getting really hot in the lounge-bar and Rose offered me an iced tea. She is a really good barmaid I would say.

-So honey, who was the handsome man with you earlier?

-Carlos? He is no one. And he is not even handsome.

-Really? If he was my age, I wouldn't even have hesitated.

I sip my drink and look back at the closed piano in the corner of the large room. Is he handsome? Kinda...

-Even if he is a bit hot and he plays tennis well, Carlos is definitely ugly on the inside. He was mean to me when I was younger and he is a true playboy. Sometimes I feel like he talks to a lot of girls but only their bodies really matter. Plus, I have a boyfriend, so...

-You're right. How a man acts is the most important thing. If my husband, Jean, was mean, I would've never married him.

I smile and Rose wipes some droplets of peach-flavored sirop on the counter. The glass-doors open and the fresh air hits my skin. 

-Rose, I think there's a client.

She gets up from under the bar where she was organizing glasses and cleaning the mess. She smiles and I hear the footsteps of the client.

-Mr Alcaraz? Back from your interview?

I choke with the iced tea. Is he really already back? Fuck. I turn around. It's him. He removed his jacket and his expensive white shirt makes him look... chic.

-Oh cariño. Not asleep yet?

-Nope.

He looks at my body with his sparkling brown eyes. I swear I am going to rip them off his face if he doesn't stop soon. Rose chuckles as if she was shiping the two of us like editors do on TikTok. I am not gonna lie, editors are pretty good and they make everyone look very hot... damn.

-So this is the infamous nightgown, huh?

-Why don't you mind your own business for once?

-Not my fault if you are here and I am too. And if you were wondering how my interview was, it was pretty damn boring.

-I wasn't wondering that.

-Really? Because it looks like you were waiting for me. And they asked me lots of questions about us too. About our... venomous relationship.

My eyes widen. Can journalists stop sneaking into the players' personal lives? Why do they even care if Carlos likes me or hates me?

-And what did you answer?

-I said that we were really close and that you tend to really like me...

He whispers in my ear and his strong-big arm snakes around my waist. He feels the silky fabric of it. You know what's the worst? He was right about the brand. It's a Victoria's Secret one... I blush at his proximity.

-I told them we were really enjoying being together and playing with each other...

-Stop that, Carlos... I have a boyfriend...

-Arthur?

-Yes...

He smirks and I can feel his hot breath against the shell of my ear. He is dangerously close and Rose is enjoying the little show.

-Then why don't you push me away, huh...?

He is right. And I am weak as hell. I take a deep breath and I grab his arm. He is much stronger than me but I manage to free myself from his grip. I immediately step away with my drink in my hand. Fucking shit...

-Good night. Bye Rose.

Rose waves at me. I run to the elevator and the last thing I see before the doors close is his eyes. Full of heat and desire... oh my Lord. I am praying that he will stay as far as possible from me... FOREVER.