Chapter 5: Nostalgia

I turn to him half amused. He has the true apologetic face.

"Mr. Adams. As a matter of fact, I can tell you that I am always offended. ", I play with my empty glass and lean it against my lips, swallowing the last drop left. Then I put it back on its previous place and meet his eyes again. He visibly stirs. "Do you know why I'm always offended?”

"I really don't. You suddenly disappeared on me, not leaving a trace behind. I almost know nothing about you now. "

My fingers caress the glass with my drink tenderly as I speak. "I figured Colton has spoken to you about my state since he says he shares everything with his best friend.”

"He told me about your mother just before the wedding ceremony.”

My eyes darken. "Just now? I thought he would do it years ago. Hm. What did he tell you?"

"That she passed away. I'm so...”

"Please don't. ", I am shaken with the familiar feeling of being pitied. "Don't say that you're sorry just because you think I expect that of you. And unfortunately, she didn't just pass away. She was killed."

Ian's eyes go wide in shock and I tap my nails against the glass. He stands there quietly, not knowing what to say.

"I.. I'm sorry for getting into that topic. I didn't mean to pry. You don't have to talk about it. ", he looks away.

He didn't mean to pry? Then what's he doing right now? Anyhow, I let him know the generalized plot of my life because he somehow deserved it, due to our past that we shared. Not that I plan on being friends with him again; I'm not really fond of creating new relationships. It's tiring.

"Why are you sorry? You shouldn't care even if you did pry. Why would you even care if I respect you as a person or not? Why would anybody care what anyone else thinks? It's an unnecessary pressure. "

"I care because I don't like being rude. Mainly because I feel comfortable only when the atmosphere is easy and chill. "

"Walk through misery makes you realize that being rude is actually more comforting. You don't owe it to anyone to treat them rightfully. "

"That's true ..and deep. You can think through things, though a little rude. ", he teases me a bit.

"Rude doesn't mean stupid. But blonde obviously does. ", I shake my head. "That's why I'm always offended. You see, people are so full of prejudice and I already know that they are going to judge even before they speak their damn minds. That's why I don't just interact with everyone. "

"I was just teasing you. So.. You sit here alone at the wedding?", Ian raises a brow.

"I'm not alone. I've got my drinks, I've got my food and Wi-Fi connection is okay.. Still waiting for that cake though.."

He laughs and shakes his head. "Wow. Does Colton know you're here for the dessert?"

"Of course he does. "

In that moment, the waiter comes back with our vodka. I take a sip and nod my head yes.

"This stuff is good. ", Ian notices when he drinks.

"Mhm. Now I guess you won't be surprised when I say that I like this vodka more than most of the people at this wedding. "

He chuckles. "I agree with you on that one. Do you happen to know what kind of cake they have?"

"I think chocolate with hazelnut crumbs and vanilla frosting. I overheard Colton and Kate's conversation. "

"How big?"

"Six layers. "

"Six layers?", his eyes widen and mouth falls half opens, as if he's that little kid I used to hang with at age twelve. It's very amusing to watch, and I chuckle a little bit. Weird sensation makes me glance at his reddened lips before looking back up. Not going to lie, he's got kissable lips.

"Yep. You are not dreaming if that's what you were going to assume next. ", I smile.

He stares at me for a moment. "You're a mind reader, I swear.", the way dimples appear on his cheeks as his teeth show and eyelashes neatly fall down his half opened eyes with a tender spark, makes me attracted to him. His energy just fits me and our conversation goes easily. He then adds "By the way, I'm mad for chocolate. "

"Same with me. If there's such thing as love in this world, then chocolate is my one true soul mate. "

"I guess we'll have to share a soul mate. ", he grins.

I laugh and take a sip. "Just don't touch the top layer because that one is all mines. "

"Not going to argue with you.."

That night. Around 4 am.

"Stop it, please. ", I cover my mouth laughing at the drunk blonde who's running for his life. Not exactly running. More like stumbling over his own feet.

"Shut up, Victoria. I have to pee. Really bad. ", he looks around the empty garden.

There are only a few of the guests left and Colton and Kate lead them inside.

Ian unzips his pants and I gasp, drunk as well. "Ian, oh my goodness.. "

I cover my eyes with my hand but almost immediately separate the middle and the index finger, allowing my eye to come to view. He's turned his back to me. I begin to laugh again, met with a, not going to lie, muscular bum.

"You do know you didn't have to push your pants down to your ankles, right? You're a man, for God's sake. "

"You think I know what I'm doing right now? You're lucky I didn't bend like a girl. ", he finishes and his pair of pants raise up and hide that tough ass I was watching the entire time. How strange it is how people change their personal description with age, and yet, keep the essential part of themselves. He grew up. He is no longer a small bony kid who likes to argue. He became a broad, strong man with an intelligently restrained personality. There is something in his look that tells me that he just has knowledge.

"I'm not lucky. My battery is dead and I would want to capture that moment, that's for sure. ", I grin widely and he turns around, his boxers half seen through the unzipped pants.

"Help me. I'm stuck. ", he tries to force the zipper up but it doesn't move.

"Me? I'm not laying a finger on you. Your girlfriend is somewhere in the hotel. ", I protest.

"You think I would want to go inside looking like this?"

I hesitate.

"Please, Victoria. Pretty please. "

"What a nice way of asking for help. ", I approach and remove his hands from his pants, replacing them with my own.

He shudders as I carefully zip him up, the back of my hand accidentally brushing his front. I hurry so I wouldn't make the situation awkward.

"Now you can get your hands off, thank you. ", he shakes me off. I chuckle.

"Someone's horny. "

"I am not. ", he grimaces and we stumble into the hotel together.

"That boner in your pants doesn't quite agree with you. "

He looks down, a little embarrassed. Oh my gosh, this is as if I'm speaking with little Ian Adams. "I guess I'm going to search for Lydia to take care of this. "

"Oh, now you remember her? She must be good in bed if you're looking for her only when you're horny. "

He pauses for a second, and then says "She is, you know".

"You don't love her then?", I hold onto his arm, trying not to fall over.

"I don't know. ", quickened breath leaves his mouth. "She's a pain in the ass sometimes, honestly. And she's so uptight, always wanting everything to be perfect and being nice only when we are making out. Sometimes, I just wish I had someone who doesn't care about their looks as much as Lydia does, you know? Just someone I could easily talk to. And have a nice time with. Fun outside the bedroom is important too. "

"You're saying she's not really fun to be around and the only thing going for you is your sexual chemistry? ", I blink.

He stays quiet as we stumble to an elevator. Then he speaks up.

"Yes. I guess that's what I'm trying to say. I mean, sex is important but it's not everything. It can't be everything. "

Suddenly, my mouth feels dry as we enter the mentioned elevator.

"How can sex not be everything? You have friends for the fun part. Your girlfriend is there for the thrill. "

He laughs. "You really know nothing, do you?"

I shut my mouth as Ian presses a button to the seventh floor.

"The key is to find someone who can be both, a great friend and a great sex. "

I stumble over his feet in that moment and crash a little against the wall. Chuckles explode from both of us.

"I think they need to get a chair for this elevator, just in case you can sit when you get drunk again. ", he grabs my hand gently and helps me up.

"Thanks. ", I breathe out. "I'm literally crying from too much laughter. "

"Ah. I think we stopped moving. It's the number seven. ", Ian says.

"I still can't believe we are on the same floor. ", I straighten my wrinkled dress as we walk down the hall.

"Ian?", a girl's soft voice travels to my ears as one of the doors open. We stop moving and the red haired girl with messed up hair, dressed in her pjs steps out.

"Crap. ", Ian mutters under his breath and approaches her in a not so straight line. "Lydia, baby. "

"Fuck that. ", she looks exhausted. "Where have you been?"

She doesn't wait for him to answer. Instead, her eyes glue to me and I shift uncomfortably under her cold gaze. Her expression hardens as she looks back to him.

"Get inside. ", she points her fingers to their bedroom.

Ian’s eyes meet mines as she drags him in. I raise my hands in surrender.

"Our little hang out has come to an end, I'm guessing. ", I announce just as the door slams in my face.

"What the hell, Ian?", the screaming is heard from the room.

I hold my stomach as I laugh and unlock the door to my own.

"That's why I don't do relationships. ", I remind myself once again.