𝗚𝗶𝗳𝘁 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘆-𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗲

𝗚𝗶𝗳𝘁 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘆-𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗲
Apple Cinnamon Pancakes

❅𝗚𝗶𝗳𝘁 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘆-𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗲❅

The next morning I woke up to a room surrounded in darkness—given the blinds were still closed from yesterday.

A part of me hoped Mazin would be here when I woke up but she wasn't.

I'm alone, just as I was last night.

I let out a deep sigh, squeezing my eyes shut when an ache split through my head.

It felt like I had been ran over by the world's largest truck and then thrown down one of the mountains outside.

That's how bad my hangover was.

Then again, I finished almost the entire bottle of wine.

There was only a small amount left at the bottom.

I furrowed my brows as I tried my best to stand from the bed, fighting the ache pounding at the front of my head.

It was unbearable, physically weighing me down as I tried my best to brush my teeth and wash my face.

I also got dressed in one of my furry sweaters and a pair of leggings, smoothing my hair up from the low bun to a ponytail instead.

I just had to brush the ends a little bit and use some product to make it look somewhat decent.

Another heavy sigh fell from my lips, walking over to the nightstand and grabbing my phone so I could head downstairs.

Until I noticed another phone beside mine.

A direct replica of the one that was left in my apartment before I left Miami.

My brows furrowed together, feeling my stomach sink as I glanced around the empty room.

Someone was here while I was sleeping.

Which means someone from that gang is here.

Fuck fuck fuck.

I hesitantly picked my phone up, deciding that I shouldn't touch the burner phone.

I'll just tell Mazin when I see her and she can handle it.

I nodded a few times at my idea, nervously smoothing my hands down my sweater as I tried to calm my nerves down.

But the idea of someone being in here with me while I was asleep makes me feel very unsettled.

I blinked a few times, snapping my focus away from the phone and walking over to the door of the room so I could leave.

The last place I wanted to be was in this room.

And alone at that.

I headed downstairs to the most populated place in the hotel currently.

The dining room where breakfast was being served.

Unlike yesterday, everyone was seated at one of the long tables, digging into the different dishes placed in the middle of the table.

There were two seats left open beside Lena—

And my dad.

A relief flowed through me at his familiar presence, immediately walking over to the table to sit down beside him.

"Dad," I breathed out, leaning down to hug him.

"Hey, Vee," my dad said, hugging me back as his familiar cologne gathered around me.

"When did you get in? How was the trip?" I asked him, still holding him in a hug, which earned a small chuckle from him.

"Just this morning. The flight wasn't too bad—I just had to carry all the gifts I brought in trash bags," my dad told me, naturally making me smile as I imagined him holding trash bags filled with wrapped gifts.

"I appreciate you moving our Christmas traditions to Aspen," I told him as we pulled back from our hug.

"It never matters where we're at as long as we're together," my dad said, earning a joking eye roll from me.

"That's so corny, dad," I laughed as I sat down in the chair beside him.

"But it's true," he argued, now handing me a plate as I glanced around the filled table.

Even if one seat beside me was missing, but Tahir was present this morning.

"Hey, T," I hesitantly said, wondering if he was mad at all.

But the smile he flashed me before taking a bite of his pancakes proved otherwise.

Or maybe it was just the food.

"Morning, Vee," he said as he chewed his food, cutting off a bite of his berry-topped pancakes to feed to Alena.

I let out a content sigh as I settled in my chair, feeling somewhat better compared to last night.

Especially when I briefly met my best friend's dark eyes further down from the table, exchanging our normal smiles with each other.

With my dad by my side, I also felt much better—trying the different pancakes.

They had ordered numerous stacks of pancakes from the menu along with bacon, fruit, and oatmeal.

My favorite pancakes were the apple cinnamon ones—Lena also made sure to add whipped cream to mine when she noticed I didn't have any.

It was the perfect breakfast.

A great way to start my morning.

Aside from the fact that someone was missing from the seat beside me.

I tried my hardest not to wonder where she was.

Or where she had been all night.

But it felt impossible.

"Does anyone else want a hot chocolate milkshake?" Tahir asked everyone as he read over the menu.

Mav and Vic both nodded—along with Alena and Ronan.

But everyone else was probably just as full as me, unable to drink a full-on milkshake after the breakfast we had.

It's only ten in the morning.

I suddenly glanced over, noticing her presence in the large dining filled with masses of people.

Her blonde hair was slicked away from her face in a neat bun, wearing a black sweater and matching dress pants.

She looked really good—much better than me after the night I had.

But Mazin's skin always glowed no matter the circumstances.

She's just that effortlessly beautiful.

I quickly glanced down at the table when she made it over to us, earning everyone's attention.

"There she is," Omara jokingly said as I pretended to be focused on my empty plate in front of me, moving my fork through the small pool of syrup, "There's barely anything left to eat—T's big back self ate it all."

"Omara," Lena suddenly said, clearly trying to stop an argument from taking place.

"That's why I didn't save you a chocolate chip pancake," Tahir shot back, sticking his tongue out at his younger sister who dramatically parted her lips.

"You said you didn't mean to," Omara dramatically scoffed, shaking her head at him, "You know those are my favorite and..."

I tuned them out as soon as I noticed her presence stop by me.

But I still stared forward at my plate, unable to actually glance over and meet her stare after our last conversation.

I drew in a deep breath when I felt her lean down to me, her familiar perfume surrounding me and making everything around me grow fuzzy.

I've missed her so much.

And it's only been a few hours.

"Are you finished eating?" Mazin whispered so softly in my ear.

I nodded once, my words caught in my throat as I continued to stare forward.

"Can I talk to you privately then?" she asked me, her breath warm against my ear.

I nodded yet again, even if I felt nervous about the idea of us talking.

What would it be about?

Is she still upset?

I pushed my rampant thoughts away, suddenly standing from the chair and laying the cloth napkin from my lap on my empty plate instead.

I briefly told my dad that I would see him later as I backed away to exit the dining room with Mazin, tuning out the argument between Tahir and Omara.

It would've been hilarious to me any other day.

Just not right now.

Not when my nerves are on edge as I follow my girlfriend up to our room.

It felt like yesterday all over again.

The silence between us.

The tension in the air.

I hated it so much.

"Where were you last night?" I decided to speak first as we entered our room, wanting to know where she was from yesterday evening until now.

"I was with T handling everything," Mazin said, carefully shutting the door behind her so it didn't fall shut loudly, "Or maybe I'm lying, who knows."

I pursed my lips into a frown, "Mazin," I whispered, unsure what to say to her words.

I don't want to do this all over again.

"I know," Mazin said, glancing away from me with a sigh, "I'm over it—definitely over it."

I remained silent for a moment as my eyes traced her face, noticing her brows slightly furrowed or her stare that remained away from me.

"Our team retrieved the phone from your trash can back at your apartment," Mazin went to explain, breaking the silence between us.

"I broke the phone," I told her, even if I knew she was probably aware of this detail by now.

"Yeah, well, sim cards are still traceable so we're working on getting the data now," Mazin said, glancing back over to meet my stare.

I blinked a few times, wordlessly staring at her.

The sight of her alone made my chest clench, just wanting to hug her and never let her go.

"I uh," I suddenly cleared my throat, glancing away from her when tears burned in my eyes, "There was another phone on the nightstand when I woke up."

Mazin's brows immediately furrowed, turning away from me to walk over to the nightstand where the phone was.

It was silent between us as she stared down at it, not bothering to touch it.

She just weirdly stared at it for a moment.

A very long moment where she looked to be overtaken by her own thoughts.

Until she suddenly turned back around—

And walked past me?

"Mazin?" I called out, following behind her through the room.

But she only remained silent as we walked toward the bathroom, sliding off her loafers with ease as we emerged into the bathroom.

Then she reached for the hem of her sweater.

And tugged it over her head.

I felt my eyes widen, entirely caught off guard by her sudden actions.

It was the last thing I expected her to do.

But she didn't stop there.

Next were her pants that she unbuttoned and pulled down—stripping herself of her undergarments as I silently watched her.

Or eyed her.

I eyed every inch of her bare body as she walked over to the glass shower and turned it on, pulling her blonde hair out of the lower bun she had it in.

Steam quickly gathered in the glass confinement of a large shower, which Mazin entered not even moments later—her beautiful body a silhouette in the steamy shower.

I stood dumbstruck for a few unmeasured moments.

Until I realized I should probably join her in the shower.

I think?

Is that what she wants?

This is all very sudden.

I quickly shook my head, pushing my overthinking thoughts away as I reached for my sweater—pulling it over my head before stripping my leggings off next.

Once I had my bra off along with my underwear, I hesitantly walked over to the shower—folding my arms over my chest when a shiver ran through my body.

But as soon as I emerged into the steamy shower, I was surrounded by warmth again.

Mazin's tan body glistened from the droplets of water smoothing down her soft skin, her long blonde hair wet and slicked back from her face.

"What are you doing?" I asked her in confusion as I hesitantly walked over to her.

Mazin's eyes never once left mine—not even to eye my body as I had undoubtedly done to hers.

"I don't know who or if someone is listening," Mazin calmly said as I stopped in front of her, reaching up to gently pull my hair out of the ponytail I had it in, "The shower drowns out our voices."

I forced a hum, especially when she massaged her fingers into my scalp, releasing all the tension from the ponytail my hair had previously been in.

"Someone here is compromised," Mazin told me, angling my hair under the warm water as she ran her fingers through my dark strands, "The only weak link I can think of is Dove, and your dad said a woman posed as a maid when that hit was made on him."

I furrowed my brows, "Dove?" I said in disbelief, not ever thinking it would be her, "I was thinking you know..." I trailed off, unsure if I should give my best guess.

But the only other woman here that I could think of is Alena.

She's the closest to them.

It would make the most sense.

"No, I don't know," Mazin emphasized my words back to me, guiding my wet hair away from the water.

"Well, I was thinking um Alena could be the weak link," I hesitantly said, unsure how my girlfriend would react to all of this.

"No," was all Mazin said, gently tucking the stray wet hairs from my face, "It's not her."

I pursed my lips as I stared up at her, "And you know that for a fact?" I asked her, my tone soft and hesitant with the topic.

"I know it in my heart, Virelai," Mazin said, her tone fully trusting.

I could see it in her eyes.

If she could bet money on it being anyone but Alena, she would.

I think she would bet her entire life on it.

And I guess if she does then I am too.

"Then Dove is our main suspect," I said, immediately agreeing with her.

Mazin's lips twitched up, "Our main suspect?" she repeated my words back to me, her tone entirely amused, "I didn't realize you were a detective too, professor."

I rolled my eyes at her, "I'm a lot of things," I mumbled, leaning in closer to her when she subtly pulled me closer. 

Mazin hummed in acknowledgment, leaning down closer and resting her forehead against mine. 

I let out a soft sigh, staring into her dark eyes as I ran my hands up her toned back lingering with slick water droplets. 

It was silent between us, the only sound was the shower cascading against the marble tile as steam swirled around us. 

My eyes fluttered closed when her lips subtly grazed mine, tilting my head back further and pressing my lips to hers completely. 

Mazin didn't hesitate to kiss me back, squeezing my waist as she pressed me to the nearest shower wall. 

My lips parted, an inaudible gasp stuck in my throat as she slid her soft tongue into my mouth. 

I hummed as I kissed her back, gently sucking on her tongue and earning a perfect whimper from her. 

It was the strangest contrast—the cold shower wall, her warm body, and the steam mixed with our heavy breaths. 

I gripped Mazin tighter as soon as she slid her leg between my own, smoothly parting my leg away from the other.

The kiss between us grew deeper, depriving us both of oxygen as Mazin subtly trailed her hand down past my stomach. 

My heart pounded in my chest as her touch grew lower and lower—until her fingers met my clit. 

"I missed you so much," Mazin whispered into my mouth, gently sucking down on my bottom lip. 

I dug my nails into the softness of her back, "I missed you too—so much Mazin," I breathed out, moaning into her mouth as she traced my sensitive bud so quickly. 

It made my body wither under hers, whimpering and moaning for more as my legs unconsciously parted wider for more of her touch. 

Mazin immediately picked up on my body language, trailing her fingers lower against my heat—

And sliding them past my entrance slicked just for her. 

A deeper moan vibrated in my throat, drawing in a series of deep pants as she curled directly into my spot that she seemed to locate so quickly. 

My head fell back with a deeper moan, breaking the messy kiss between us as I inhaled as much air as I could get into my lungs. 

Mazin gripped my waist firmer in place as she deepened her strokes against me, hitting a deeper spot inside of me and forcing a whimper to vibrate in my throat. 

"Mazin," I breathed out, squeezing my eyes tighter shut as I grew tighter and tighter around her fingers. 

Especially when she continued hitting my spot so perfectly. 

It was exactly where I needed her. 

"There you go baby," Mazin's voice echoed in my ears as I fell into my orgasm, sending waves of warm tingles through my body. 

It made me gasp for air, clinging onto her as my entire body tensed up. 

I could feel myself grow wetter around her fingers, coating them in my release as I buried my face in her neck and held her tighter to me. 

I had never felt more vulnerable or fragile in her arms than in this moment. 

I just feel so overwhelmed, and so fucking bad for lying. 

And she was upset—I made my girlfriend upset. 

I also put everyone in danger. 

"Virelai," Mazin suddenly whispered, carefully sliding out of me to instinctively hold me closer to her. 

That's when I realized I was crying. 

"I'm-I'm really sorry, I swear I'm sorry Mazin," I forced out as the burning tears in my eyes slipped onto my cheeks—and coated her bare neck. 

"I know baby," Mazin whispered, pressing a soft kiss to my shoulder, "It was a mistake—I'm sorry for getting so upset at you." 

I drew in a deep breath, unable to stop my uncontrollable crying as soft sobs burned in my throat. 

"I-I won't make the mistake again—please don't break up with me," I whispered as best as I could through my tears, my voice broken and so desperate.

I don't know what I would do if she just ended this between us. 

But I wouldn't blame her. 

I put everyone she loves in danger. 

"Virelai," Mazin sighed softly, pulling away from me slightly as she guided me away from her neck. 

That's when my tears grew even more uncontrollable, refusing to meet her eyes as she gently angled my head back. 

"Look at me please?" Mazin whispered, her voice serious as she waited for me to glance up and meet her stare. 

Which I refused to do for an unmeasured amount of seconds, sniffling as more tears fell from my eyes. 

Until finally I found the courage to glance up and meet her dark eyes—which somehow made me spiral even worse. 

"Virelai I would never end this—I would never end us," Mazin said, her stare never breaking away from mine as she leaned down to gently kiss my lips, "I want this forever." 

I drew in a series of deep breaths, "I want this forever too, Mazin," I forced out, squeezing my eyes shut when more tears burned in my eyes, "I love you a lot and I thought you were never going to come back after yesterday—I put everyone in danger and I lied to you and I can't handle this life, I can't be who you want me to be—" 

"You're everything I could ever want anyone to be, Virelai," Mazin quickly cut me short before I could finish, "I would never leave you and not come back baby." 

I shook my head, "But I did it to you," I whispered brokenly, burying my face in my hands when my crying grew even worse. 

I couldn't stop my tears if I tried. 

All I could do was cry, thinking about how wrong everything had gone. 

"Okay, let's get out of the shower," Mazin suddenly determined, gently guiding us past the water that had grown cold. 

I remained silent, tears streaming down my face as Mazin tried her best to dry us both off. 

She even did my lotion for me too as my crying slowly died down, only sniffling and hiccuping occasionally. 

Once she pulled one of her sweatshirts on over my head and got dressed in a t-shirt and basketball shorts of her own—she was entirely focused on me. 

At least after she set the flip phone outside the room door, which I assumed was to let one of her people collect it. 

And also ensure our conversation was private. 

"Virelai," Mazin whispered as she slid into the bed beside me, "You leaving for Korea was an entirely different situation—please don't hold this over your head baby." 

I shook my head silently, unable to disagree with her words with the lump in my throat. 

Mazin pursed her lips into a frown, "It was a miscommunication, we were both hurt but it's in the past now," she said, her dark eyes analyzing my face as she slid her arms protectively around my waist, "Presently, neither of us would ever do that and that's all that matters." 

I drew in a deep breath, trying my best to find any ounce of my composure as I stared into my girlfriend's eyes. 

"So you..." I trailed off, my voice weak and inaudible, "You trust me now?" 

"With my life," Mazin didn't hesitate to say, leaning down to press a brief kiss to my forehead, "I always have—even when you left." 

I drew in a deep breath when tears blurred my vision, "But then I made a mistake and lied to you, and now..." I trailed off, growing more upset at the idea that I had ruined the trust between us. 

"And now, I still trust you," Mazin didn't hesitate to assure me, "You made a mistake—a miscalculation, that's all, Virelai." 

I shook my head silently, my bottom lip trembling as I tried my hardest to fight the urge to cry even more. 

"I was upset—I was very upset," Mazin whispered, her dark eyes never wavering from mine, "Sure, it hurt that you lied to me, but it wasn't that, Virelai..." she trailed off, drawing in a deep breath as she glanced away from me, "I just—what if something did happen? What if you got hurt and it was all out of your fear of how overprotective I can be?" 

I frowned at her words, "I don't fear anything about you, Mazin," I forced out, hating the idea that she truly thought that. 

"But you weren't comfortable with telling me—I made you feel that way," Mazin whispered the last part, her tone entirely disappointed. 

But not in me. 

In herself. 

She's disappointed in herself. 

"I made you feel like you couldn't tell me, and the worst part is I can't help it," Mazin sighed, blinking a few times when her beautiful eyes grew glossy with tears, "I'll never be able to pretend that I don't care about your safety—that I don't care about anyone's safety. I'll always go to extreme measures and... and you didn't want that. You didn't want my extreme measures." 

I blinked a few times, feeling the worst pain in my chest at her words. 

I hate that my actions hurt her to this degree. 

"I want your extreme measures—I love your protectiveness, Mazin," I didn't hesitate to assure her, cupping her face in my hands as I gently wiped under her eyes damp with warm tears, "I just didn't want to be the reason the trip was canceled, but it should've been canceled."

Mazin let out a soft sigh, leaning down to bury her face in my neck as she hugged me tighter to her body. 

It was silent between us for a few unmeasured moments—the only sound was our soft breaths. 

"I'm sorry," Mazin suddenly said, pressing a soft kiss to my neck, "Yesterday could've been handled better, and I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have left you how I did." 

I shook my head, "It's okay, I really shouldn't have lied to you how I did," I whispered honestly, resting my cheek against her shoulder. 

"I don't want to do this again—I can't physically do this again," Mazin forced out, her voice lowered between us, "I never want to be upset at anything you do—I never want to be apart from you either." 

I nodded at her words, "Never again—I'll never lie again, Mazin," I assured her, knowing it would be the last thing I ever decide to do. 

"And I'll never walk out like that again. We'll figure it out together next time," Mazin whispered, pressing another soft kiss to my neck. 

I let out a content sigh, nodding a few times at her words as I held my girlfriend closer—nuzzling my cheek against her covered shoulder. 

Mazin ran her hands under the sweatshirt I wore, gently kneading her fingers into my back as we settled into the warm hug between us. 

"Can we take a nap? I didn't really sleep last night," Mazin suddenly said, her words so adorable and genuine. 

"I would love a nap," I whispered, keeping my heavy eyes closed, "My hangover is still really bad from all the wine I drank last night," I admitted. 

"Nooo I missed drunk Virelai?" Mazin asked, hilariously upset by my words. 

I laughed tiredly, "You did, Mazi," I said as a soft smile grew on my lips, growing more and more tired. 

Especially now that I'm in her arms. 

Yesterday suddenly felt like a bad dream and nothing more.