I Can't Love you, Mr. President

Four

Timothy is a drug Lord who hides under the name of his quite successful cargo company. We had quite the…situation back when I was nothing, and didn't have much as I do now. As one will think of it, yes, he had a hand in my success but I simply refuse to acknowledge it, acknowledge he was the only reason I sprung to glory.

Of course, he had tried to contact me since we randomly cut contact but I wouldn't give him the time of day, especially not now, engaging with a man like him would only leave me dragging a harsh stigma around.

“Not in the slightest, if I'm being frank,” my voice crisp, harsh as I could with my chin held high.

“The mighty Azura the fearless standing right before me saying she didn't miss me? I better go jump off a roof now,” sarcasm loomed in his baritone voice.

“What do you want from me, Timothy?” I asked bluntly.

“Cut the formal bullshit, Azura–”

“That's Ms. Kourus to you,” I retorted.

“Azura,” he insisted, his expression intimidating, “I missed you dearly.”

My head pounding as the anger grew in my body, “Don't anger me with your words, I'm begging, I'm trying to be civil at this event.”

“Have you ever asked yourself why so much pent-up hate is within you towards me? I never did anything but help you, Azura.”

“Maybe I got to realize your shitty ways, your c**k being more of a public commodity than a store doorknob–”

“You did like me, Azura,” a smirk formed on his lips, taking small steps towards me, “Maybe you still do and don't want to say much on it, that's why you pretend to hate me.”

My heart pounded furiously, but I held my chin high. As much as I knew there was a slight truth in that, I would never admit it, “Keep a good number of inches between us, it's taking everything in me to not push you away and ruin both of our reputations in front of Mr Hallard.”

“You don't want anything to do with me? Not even a little, Azura?” He whispered, ignoring my warning.

“Ms. Kourus,” I corrected, “And no, please step away from me before I call security.”

“You dare not–”

“I'm rather uncomfortable now, would you like me to call security to prove you wrong or I should take the pleasure of embarrassing the both of us by kicking you where your manhood pitifully lies?” I said through gritted teeth, my head held high to glare right in his eyes.

His smirk only grew, how I longed to slap it off, “I've always loved that arrogance, I miss it too. Speaking of manhood you might have been a mess all these months without it,” he grinned.

My blood boiled, digging my nails into my palms as I formed fists, trying to restrain myself, “Why you bas–”

“Is something the matter, Ms. Kuorus?” Ryker's voice distracted me.

I took a deep breath, trying not to release the anger on him instead. I put on a small smile within the chaos, gently facing away from Timothy, “Everything is fine, I'm just quite parched,” I said blankly, excusing myself towards the drink table to down yet another glass of wine.

“Are you alright, Azura?” Aurora asked, concern in her eyes as she placed her comforting hand on my shoulder.

“Obviously not, I didn't want to come for this bloody gala but I just wanted to support Nina, if not…” I trailed off, angrily taking yet another sip of wine, “I need to leave before I get more irritated, Quan texted me anyway that he's outside for Nina.”

“We better let Nina know first, I'm rather tired of the event too,” she admitted, most likely trying to make me feel better. Aurora and Nina loved this flashy lifestyle, they loved interacting, the cameras on them, the attention, they loved it all and for a very good reason too.

I hated it but I'm extremely grateful for it.

Conveniently, Nina walked right up to us excitedly, hugging Aurora first before me, “Aurora honey, you look lovely!” Nina complimented, holding Aurora's arms out.

“Thank you, you look wonderful, congratulations on something so big, Aurora smiled, her cheeks lighting up.

“I appreciate it, really. My time here is done so is the event so we can head home if you guys want or–”

“Finally! I thought this was going to last till dawn!” I whispered.

They laughed, figuring I must've been holding that for a while and they were right, “Alright I'll see you lovely ladies later, Quan is outside for me already,” Nina said.

“How is he doing by the way? Your lovely husband?” Aurora asked.

“You said it all, as lovely as ever,” she blushed, still very shy and smitten when Quan’s name was brought up, him too, the same as several years ago.

“I'll see you two later then, I wish you both a safe journey,” I greeted them with a genuine smile, hugging them both before leaving with a wave. Unfortunately, I had to bid a few people goodbye on my way out, hearing the plethora of fake ‘Oh, so soon?’ nearly ran me mad.

Ryker's POV

The night was truly exhausting, no wonder Azura was in such a foul mood, I myself, even as the host, had to make up several excuses before escaping earlier than intended.

I couldn't just get my mind off of her, even over the long drive home, her features stuck to my brain like the strongest of glues, her perfect dress and perfect looks almost made me look over her horrid arrogance.

“Ryker the woman's man,” Davian announced as he came barging into the room, “Surely you didn't take a fancy to the artist, no?”

I smiled to myself, “I might have just, and?”

He scoffed, settling on my sofa, “Azura Kourus? The most impossible woman in all the land, not a single record of engagement with men and there's a reason for that. She's not the slightest bit of lesbian but because of her hard head, she simply sees through all kinds of flirting and breaks you down to let you know you can't buy her, even if you might be able to.”

“You only make me more intrigued,” I shrugged, “Do you see her though? Her poise, the courage and confidence she radiates?”

“All I see is an arrogant, stuck-up b***h–”

“We don't speak of women like that, Davian,” I warned as he poured another glass of scotch unbothered.

He had the mouth only his mother could love. Surely he was a pain in the ass to be around but he had been my best friend for as long as I can remember, since I could say ‘best friend'.

“I'm telling you my dear friend, that woman isn't worth your time. Trust me when I say this especially, she's going to take a lot of time to win over to even be able to tolerate you,” he took a large swig of the scotch, sour his face went.

I mocked surprise, placing my hand on my chest dramatically with a gasp, “Am I that intolerable?”

“Trust me, you don't want the answer to that,” he smiled, “Besides, this time, it's not you, she just doesn't like people. Everyone knows that yet you choose to eye her? Didn't you hear the rumour that was going around a year or two ago that said she was a rumour?”

“I find that rather intriguing,” I shrugged.

“Weird man.”

I smiled, “I think she's just misunderstood, I think she's special.”

“Oh she's special alright,” he mocked, “that body, that hair, those eyes, but most especially, she has a specially large stick up her ass.”

“I prefer you don't speak to her in that manner, it's wrong enough that we're discussing her.”

“I was supposed to end that conversation long ago Mr. Lovestruck,” he snarled.

Azura's POV

I took a deep breath, disassembling the togetherness of my outfit once I stepped foot into my room. Luckily enough, I had arranged before I left so the horror of having to clean up before bed didn't exist, another good thing that happened today.

I set aside my phone to charge, taking a long, well-deserved, hot shower to calm my nerves and it worked miracles, fitting myself in a simple loose singlet and underwear.

Just as I wanted to lie down on my bed, a soft knock echoed through my room. I groaned, once again saddened by the stress, “Come in.”

Sarah came in with equally tired eyes, managing to hold up a smile, “Ma'am, someone is here to see you.”

I frowned, a deep crease obvious on my forehead, “Do you have any idea who it might be?”

“Not at all, ma'am,” she shook her head.

I sighed, getting up from my bed with a groan, “Go back to bed, I'll handle it.”

“Alright ma'am,” she looked relieved, closing the door behind herself as she left.

“Who might that be by such an hour that Sarah doesn't know?” I muttered to myself, grabbing a sheer robe before heading downstairs, checking the security system for who it might be and it only enraged me, “What do you want?” I asked coldly, swinging open the door.

“Baby–”

“Don't baby me, Mr Yavol. Why are you at my doorstep at such an hour?” I interrupted.

“I brought you flowers and some emerald jewellery, why not just let me in and we'll talk?” Timothy asked, a lot more calm now.

I hated how much he knew the things I loved.

“We can talk right out here,” I said bluntly, “We've been over this, we can't keep doing this–”

“I know, but I've missed you so much. I've missed your warm skin, being inside you, I just miss you,” he lowered his voice.

I sighed, folding my arms against my chest, trying to act composed as if my core didn't crave something from the sudden flashbacks, “We can't keep doing this.”

“But we can, we are two single adults who love to have s*x with each other, big deal,” he said sarcastically, “I know you've missed me, doesn't it get lonely?” he asked, stepping closer and closer to me, keeping a seductive gaze locked with mine before kissing the crook of my neck slowly.

I didn't want to give in, every fibre of my being didn't want to do that again with nothing attached but I couldn't help it. It did get lonely, extremely lonely, especially at night, I might as well…I might as well have some company tonight.