1. Pure Obsession (Finn) - Chapter Five


    Date: 3/20/2017, Categories: Reluctance, Author: SITTING, Rating: 20, Source: LushStories

    had some positive impact on my life. My mind was already going through the figures, the number of tables, how many diners, how much they’d spend on average, whether that could cover the costs. And even if it didn’t, even if I failed, what did it matter? It would at least be a learning experience, a life lesson, something to do instead of inverting back into myself and falling into bad habits. I reached into my pocket, my hand closing around my phone. There were people going by, knocking into me and yet I didn’t care. I tapped in the number before I had time to change my mind and closed my eyes, shutting out the world as it began to ring. *** Alessandra and I met again, more than two years later. It was at a fundraiser for the LBC, and I was dragged there by my mother, whose phone calls I’d eventually answered. Life had changed, but she still wanted to be part of it, and I couldn’t deny her that much. Things were going well, but not too well to worry about. The restaurant had finally taken off; after months of delays and renovations, the doors were open and the evenings were always incredibly busy. I’d finally got a reliable team together, and we worked efficiently, all of us loving the way things were going. The fundraiser was boring. Boring people who wore diamonds and cufflinks and were my ideal customers. I gave them the number to book tables, even dictated directions to one guy when I felt a hand on my arm, and turned to see Alessandra. She was frowning at me, unspoken ...
    questions passing between us. “I… started the restaurant,” I said, with nothing else coherent in my mind. Her mouth dropped open. “What, really?” “Yep. Called it Finn’s. Short and sweet.” She smiled. “Wow. I’m so happy for you. I’m really glad you went for it,” she said, and I believed her. “How are you doing?” I asked, out of genuine curiosity, rather than politeness. “Good. Great. Got the lead in Swan Lake.” “Hey, congratulations! I guess it helps that you’re sleeping with the AD?” She frowned at me. “It’s not just his decision. There’re other people too. Casting directors, choreographers.” “Yeah, I know, I was just playing.” I laughed. “How is he anyway?” “He’s good. We’re good.” she smiled. She looked at me uncertainly, as if trying to see whether I was genuinely happy for her and then she leaned in close and said, “Actually, he proposed.” “What? Really? Tell me you said no? I could buy you a way bigger ring.” I grabbed her hand and examined her fourth finger. “What is that, quarter carat?” She laughed. “Shut up! Like that matters.” “It doesn’t matter.” I acquiesced. “It really doesn’t. So long as you’re happy.” “I am,” she said. “Are you?” “I’m rich!” I said. “How could I not be happy?” “No, seriously,” Her eyes met mine, and flashes of those eyes raced through my mind. Seeing them first thing, seeing them last thing, seeing the way the sun changed the colour, seeing the way they lit up when she was happy, the way they dimmed when she was sad, the way they sucked me in ...
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