𓆰𓆪 //.| The Saint & The Sinner

[xndrpressure]

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𓆰𓆪 //. Is that XIU MEI ‘CHLOE’ CHAROENSUK? I heard the THIRTY year old belongs to the THE NETWORK as a EVENT COORDINATOR. I’d stay away from them if I were you. I heard they were DETACHED, but they can also be PERSUASIVE, so proceed at your own risk. 

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    &.AESTHETICS ,   BIOGRAPHY   , MUSING ,  PLAYLIST  ,  PINTEREST  ,

[vanessckirby]

EIZA GONZÁLEZ Photographed by Robby Klein at SXSW 9.3.2025

[xndrpressure]

❧ //. Is that ANTONELLA CABRERA NÉE DE LA CRUZ? I heard the TWENTY NINE year old works as an ACQUISITION SPECIALIST AT THE ROYAL BID HOUSE. Which makes sense, seeing how they are ANALYTICAL, but can also be UNPREDICTABLE. Do they know what’s going on in the city? I heard they are a CLEAN CIVILIAN

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    &.AESTHETICS ,   BIOGRAPHY   , MUSING ,  PLAYLIST  ,  PINTEREST  ,

[narcobarbies]

EIZA GONZALEZ via instagram

[angelstoker]

With her elbow rooted in place and her chin cushioned against the bony jut of her knuckles, Angelica leaned over the polished surface of the counter, a curious look settling on her doe-eyed face as she watched the scene unfold with something like an awe-struck expression.

Men. She would usually sneer, like most women, rolling her eyes out of habit and swallowing down the faint disgust clinging to the back of her throat. And then she would go about her day. Did anybody ever stop or intervene? Sometimes, she wondered how culpable everyone else was—sitting at their tables, pretending not to see. Not that she thought this was anything out of the ordinary for a waitress to endure. Hell, she doubted this was even the first gross comment made by some yellow-toothed caveman today.

No matter. It didn’t seem like the girl needed a hand after all. She looked more than capable of handling herself—and anyone else who wanted to come along, for that matter.

Angelica had picked up the odd job here to keep herself afloat while studying, dealing with her fair share of weirdos, but never with the same effortless authority in her voice. She frankly didn’t think she had the commanding presence to sell the act, even if she wanted to.

"Um, yeah—well, I was gonna order a cocktail," she admitted, realizing she had gotten a bit distracted by the commotion. "But if you're selling a course on how to do that—I'd looove to learn how to do that."

[xndrpressure]

Delyse didn’t mean to smile, but the corner of her mouth betrayed her, lifting just slightly at the other woman’s praise. She’d never set out to be assertive for show—or for the sake of womankind, for that matter. She did it because working among a sea of brutes meant she either held her own or got drowned in their bullshit.

“I think it’s a mix of exposure therapy and a deep-seated allergy to other people’s nonsense,” she said with a shrug, setting her drink tray on the bar before reaching into a cabinet for a fancier glass.

“A cocktail made by my hand?” Her lips twitched with amusement. “You don’t need me as a teacher—you’re already a brave woman. The sign on the wall doesn’t say it, but the good patrons know I don’t exactly measure things by the book.”

[taylorschwarz]

Taylor let out a dry laugh, one that was a little hoarse from the cold snap and not enough sleep, then leaned forward against the bar on her elbows, her fingers absently tracing the condensation ring from her last drink. “Local woman’s day, huh?” she said, one brow lifting as she shot Delyse a crooked grin. "Shit, I'll take it." She said, sitting back. “God knows I’m not above free booze.” With a flick of her wrist, she lifted her empty beer bottle, signaling to the other woman she just wanted another beer.

A dramatic sigh fell from her lips before shooting the woman a mock-serious look. “Hospital’s the same. Bit more blood this week, less screaming." She shook her head. "Had some idiot hit on me while he was bleeding from his head. Told me I had angel hands." Her eyes rolled so hard that for a moment she was worried they would stay that way.

"A real charmer."

[xndrpressure]

Delyse shrugged, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. “Sometimes, we just gotta take a thing or two for ourselves—celebrate small successes and shit. Or pick ourselves up when the world decides to knock us down again. So yeah, local women’s day it is.”

She caught the blonde’s silent signal—an empty beer bottle lifted in her direction—and was already halfway to the fridge before she even processed the thought. A quick flick of her wrist, the cap popped off with a satisfying hiss, and she slid the fresh bottle across the counter like it was second nature.

“Less screaming, more blood? Doesn’t sound too peachy—Though depends on how the screaming stopped.” Her dark eyes flicked up toward the patron as she mentioned getting hit on by a man with a head wound. A smirk tugged at the corner of her lips. “Well, you’re always a beautiful, Tay. I can only imagine what you’d look like in the technicolor glow of the twisted mind of a bashed-in head—must be magical.” A chuckle slipped past her lips. “But ‘angel hands,’ huh? Damn. Guy really thought he had a shot then. Probably spent too many nights watching Grey’s Anatomy with his mom."

[intentionpaved]

( @xndrpressure, delyse, eli's home )"wait, before you say anything, is this just casual or business? i want to know if i should stick to tea or grab a beer." eli admitted as he pointed to the kettle on the stovetop before reaching up to take his glasses off and rub at his eyes, the right one itching again. he didn't need a drink, he needed a nap, but everyone knew there wasn't any rest for the wicked. "oh, hey, you hear about the damn cops and the speed traps? heard there's some push for them to use spike strips, assholes." there would be hell to pay if their bikes ended up damaged, to say the least.

[xndrpressure]

Delyse’s dark gaze flickered between the stovetop and her fellow crew member as she sauntered over to the table where he sat. His rugged exterior, contrasted by the slightly dorky glasses he removed to rub his eyes, was an amusing contradiction. They were probably prescription, but she couldn’t help but wonder if they also served as a small shield—just enough to fool a cop into thinking his deeds weren’t as dark as they seemed. As he rambled on about speed traps, she listened, idly entertained.

It had been a while since she’d taken her bike out. Long hours, staff shortages, and the mess at home kept her tethered to the grill. But she understood—speed traps were the kind of thing most of the crew could rant about for hours. So she let him finish, allowing the silence to settle before finally speaking.

“It’s casual, but I think instead of a drink, you might need a nice smoke and a nap. Those bags under your eyes don’t exactly scream ‘L.A. designer.’”

Before deciding to take a seat, she made a beeline for the stovetop, casually rummaging through the kitchen cabinets for a mug, as if she were back at the grill rather than someone else’s home.

“Didn’t take you for a tea person, but I’ll join ya,” she said. “And what can I say about the cops? They love their little game of cat and mouse, but I doubt the fanatics will get that spike strip idea past the chief. It’d be unnecessary trouble over something so simple. You’d think they’d have bigger fish to catch.”

[zendeyas]

FKA Twigs wearing VALENTINO – Live Performance at the Fall/Winter 2020 show

[rafael-amado]

Rafael chuckled at Chloe’s words, that familiar glint in his eyes making it clear he wasn’t fazed by her teasing. He loved her banter, even when she was being all dramatic and trying to brush off his flirtation. “You know you like it, Chloe,” he said with a smirk, making no effort to hide the lingering look he gave her as she moved around. “I’ve always had a way of making you feel special—even when you’re trying to hide that coffee stain.” He sauntered over to her desk, leaning casually against it as she busied herself. His eyes softened as he watched her, the warmth between them something comfortable, yet electric. “You really have a thing for work, huh?” he said, glancing at the stack of papers. “Always running from life in those files. You never let yourself relax, do you?”

His voice softened as he added, almost with a sigh, “But I get it. Work is your escape.” He was used to seeing her in this mode—the strong, ambitious woman who tried so damn hard not to let her guard down. But Rafael could read her, and right now, he could tell there was more beneath the surface. She was fine, but not really fine. As she pulled the shirt off, Rafael didn’t miss the casual confidence in the way she moved, the comfortable sense of herself despite the discomfort she tried to hide. He leaned back, arms crossed over his chest, letting the moment breathe, and gave her a teasing smirk. “Nice. Now that’s better.”

He had no issues with her being ‘less than perfect.’ They’d had their fair share of messy moments together. But he could tell something was eating at her, even if she wouldn’t say it aloud. He raised an eyebrow, his voice a little more serious as he said, “You don’t need to hide it from me, Chloe. I’m not gonna judge. You never have to be ‘put together’ around me.” Her offer for dinner was a welcome distraction, and he loved that she always let him choose—though he'd never let her know that he was already leaning toward Thai. "Basil sounds perfect. Let’s go for something spicy, yeah?" He tossed her a wink as she turned to head off, already anticipating the chance to have a proper conversation later. "You’ve got 10, but I’m keeping the couch warm for you." When she was out of sight, he let himself relax, but that gnawing feeling didn’t quite leave. She was hiding something, but he’d be patient. He’d always been good at waiting for the right moment.

[xndrpressure]

“I'm not trying to hide the coffee stain; I’m just getting irrationally frustrated by it,” she mumbled, her voice almost too soft to hear—had he not moved closer to her once more. Leaning casually against the desk that bore the weight of her entire working life, she secretly hoped that same casual air could rub off on the stacks of paper, making them appear less intimidating. Her umber gaze shifted from her busy hands to meet his as she felt his eyes on her. There was something gentle in them, hidden beneath the ever-present layer of sensual electricity.

For a moment, she considered a sensual gesture, like touching his hand in a slightly too suggestive way, just to coax out his more daring side—if only to distract him from watching her so carefully. To keep him from seeing more than she wanted anyone to see. But she quickly pushed the thought away. He didn’t deserve that—her acting in such a way for all the wrong reasons. He didn’t deserve to be manipulated when everything he had given her seemed so genuine. So, instead, she blinked a few times to reset her wandering mind and shrugged apologetically. “I guess I work best when I don’t have time to overthink, when I just make efficient decisions. It keeps me on my toes in the game.” She added, knowing all too well that if she ever relaxed, there was a real chance she’d fall apart. “Thank you for understanding and standing by me, regardless. I really appreciate it.”

When he spoke about her hiding from him, she felt a pang of guilt in her chest, followed by the urge to cross her arms in front of her, but not in the way he had. No, once again, she wished to hide—from those gentle eyes that truly saw her, not the picture she painted. Instead, she turned it into a joke, brushing off his serious tone with a raised eyebrow of her own. Hers, however, was more of a challenge. “Oh, I think I do need more clothes on, unstained this time, just to keep you focused on the conversation we’re having over dinner. Because you can’t keep giving me those teasing remarks and smoldering looks all evening. If I’m not put together, at the very least, I need to cover up to save you from yourself.”

She nodded when he suggested ordering from the Thai place, then snorted at the follow-up question. “Did you forget what’s in my genes, Amado? If you don’t order something properly spicy, I’ll reconsider ever letting you cross my doorstep again.” His wink earned him a roll of her eyes, before she marched toward her closet, smiling with her back to him when he offered to keep the couch warm.

She reemerged with a minute to spare, still wearing the same jeans, honoring his suggestion that she didn’t need to be completely pulled together. She’d paired the denim with a black long-sleeved bodysuit made of soft material that was sure to hide any stains, should she be foolish enough to spill again. It also ensured she'd look put together. The messy bun was gone, and her hair now spilled over her shoulders, neatly brushed. She’d restrained herself from doing much makeup, except for a touch of blush and mascara to look a little more alive.

“Alright, see? I’ve kept it casual,” she announced, spinning in place near the desk before heading toward the couch. “When is dinner set to arrive?”

[poisonsaints]

Nightshade had been in operation for roughly twelve years, meaning that as far as Diego knew, the Network had been in operation for five times as long as he had. Chloe herself was more than twice as old as Nightshade, may have even been working for the Network as long as Nightshade existed, but while certain people thought that meant Diego should have more respect for those on the scene before him, he didn't listen.

He would give Chloe respect based on his interactions with her, with what he saw and heard of her character, and not based on something as arbitrary as how long she's been breaking the law. That didn't mean he didn't enjoy the idea of startling her, or that he wasn't curious about just what she wanted with his people.

"It's not every day that the Network princess requests a meeting with one of my people." If Mei Lin were to reach out on official business, Diego wasn't convinced she would come herself, but he didn't see her daughter showing up for a mere errand, either. "Delicate as in you don't want word getting out of what's arriving and don't want it tampered with? Or something else?"

[xndrpressure]

“Well, I’ve heard you’re in the business of luxurious, exclusive private planes, Mister Sanches. I’d say that’s exactly what princesses like, or am I wrong?” She didn’t exactly appreciate the title he’d chosen for her, but she considered herself in no position to argue. Instead, she twisted it, rolling with it as if she were accustomed to being addressed in such a way. She was here to close a successful deal, not to make demands that might harm her chances.

“I’d say both assumptions are accurate,” she continued. “You see, some important family members of a client need to be flown in from across the pond. After the whole ordeal with the Hollow, it’s become difficult to find trustworthy people for such a delicate task.” Chloe let the silence settle for a few beats. Asking whether the leader of a criminal organization could be trusted would, once again, be ridiculous. The real question was what the price would be to ensure the safety of those aboard the plane—because she certainly wasn’t in the mood to be the one to inform her client that their family had met an untimely end, just before she would meet hers.

“So, what’s it going to cost to get your ironclad promise on the highest level of secrecy and security?”

[xndrpressure]

where : Radiance Wellness

who : Parker Zhao (@messypasts)

When Chloe stepped through the door of the private treatment room, her hair pulled up in a messy bun and a soft, plush robe wrapped tightly around her petite frame, she didn’t expect anyone to be on the other side. Even as her eyes adjusted to the dim lighting, she quickly spotted a figure seated in the corner, where a table and three comfortable chairs had been placed. For a moment, her eyes widened, and her jaw almost dropped, but she caught herself in the blink of an eye. She focused on the man—his perfect hair and even more flawless skin making many celebrities justifiably envious. With her head held high and a touch of haughtiness, she crossed the room in a few quick strides. Rather than sitting, she placed her hands on the back of one of the plush chairs, standing tall and watching him with sharp, observant eyes. The lavender scent of the room, which had become a signature fragrance, didn’t seem to overpower the familiar cologne he wore—a scent she had come to recognize as her mother increasingly placed him in the spotlight beside her. She didn’t envy him, not one bit. But for a stranger—an artist—to be chosen over one of her siblings, she knew that decision hadn’t sat well with certain people in the company.

“Didn’t know you had a part-time job as a masseur, Zhao,” she said, her voice laced with a cool edge. “Your presence is far too radiant to be wasted in such a dimly lit room.” She paused, allowing the silence to stretch before she added, “What could possibly be so important that you felt the need to drag me out to a private meeting room?”

[amararoyce]

The trio had been obnoxious and far too loud from the moment they bumbled into the otherwise quiet diner that evening. Enough to garner sideways glances from a few other late nighters, maybe a scowl or two, and from Zane all they earned was a casual once over. In his three years of patronage at this place, never once had he known the staff to tolerate this type of customer... how fortuitous that Delyse was on shift tonight.

Sipping slowly at his water, dark eyes flickered back and forth between both parties until the men appeared to shrink back in their seats at her biting remark. Good, served them right. And just like that, she returned to the counter as if it were nothing. "Can I get a coffee? Decaf?" For taste mostly, he didn't need to be lying awake in bed until one in the morning. "You okay?"

[xndrpressure]

Usually, a mask of disinterest covered her features, occasionally replaced by a gloomy scowl when things didn’t go according to plan. Smiles were reserved for the few—mostly regulars she had allowed herself to get acquainted with over the years, despite her reservations. Some had been coming to Sunset Grill before she even moved to LA, and such dedication and support for the business deserved at least a hint of cheerfulness. So, she offered him a smile before giving a quick nod to signal she had his order.

“Peachy fine, thank you. It ain’t nothing new, you know that, but some men just keep trying their bullshit. Bet it works most of the time—until it doesn’t.” She shrugged, letting the unpleasant encounter slide off her like water off a duck’s back. If they dared to order another drink, she'd consider adding some dish soap just for good measure. “You sure I can’t get you something less boring than decaf and water? I know our menu isn’t huge, but this is honestly pretty sad.”

[cfdeliicate-deactivated20260314]

Every now and then Gigi happened to fall for a false call. She should've known it'd be one the second she got the place and time details but she tried not to judge and keep an open mind, which led her to a place she normally would go to on her own. Despite wearing a casual T-shirt and blue skinny jeans, she still felt out of place and it showed. She felt eyes prying on her with curiosity and perhaps something else given the exchange she witnessed before the woman walked up to her.

"Can I get another cup of coffee?" She delicately pushed the empty mug with a smile. "By the way, I'm impressed with the way you put that man in his place without causing a big scene."

[xndrpressure]

Delyse eyed the woman on the other side of the counter, a hint of curiosity slipping through her otherwise nonchalant disinterest. New faces were rare, especially with most of the city’s crowd avoiding the bar like the plague after a single glance. Those who dared step inside usually fell into the same categories as the regulars: rough-around-the-edges, no-nonsense tough guys, and the occasional vagabond. The woman’s attempt at looking as unassuming as possible was cute, but there was little she could have done to blend in.

Delyse took the empty mug off the counter with a practiced motion, nodding to herself. She tossed it into the sink, then grabbed a clean one from the shelf. A small smile tugged at her lips at the compliment as she turned to start the coffee machine, giving the old thing a light smack on the top. "Ah, haven’t been on this side of the pond much, have ya?" she said, her voice warm with a touch of humor. "I appreciate the compliment, though. Can’t say it goes over smoothly every time." She shrugged, watching the coffee drip slowly. "Most of them have learned by now that I mean what I say."

As the coffee filled the mug, Delyse turned her head to study the brunette, casually sizing her up. "So, what brings you to this little hole of hell? Can’t say I remember seeing you around here before."

[ambrosia-bng]

Knock two birds out with one stone. Check out the Outlaws stomping ground, and get dinner to take home to the kids. What could possibly go wrong? Ambrosia sat at the bar patiently, and pondered ordering a drink while she waited. Her attention slightly caught by the exchange of Delyse with the table. An arched brow given as she made a mental note about it. Quietly she glanced at the men that had been at the table, clocking them and making a mental check on her calendar to look them up when she got home.

Ambra nodded towards Delyse, "Everything alright?" She asked softly first. If things were good, Ambrosia would continue speaking. "I'd like to do a to-go order & grab a pint while I wait."

[xndrpressure]

The blonde on the other side of the bar was hard to miss. Anyone with half a brain would recognize the head of the police in the blink of an eye and know to be on their best behavior. It wasn’t uncommon to get a visit now and then, with law enforcement at least making an effort to keep an eye on the more inconspicuous groups that straddled the line between the sunny upper side of town and the underworld. However, their chef didn’t show her face in places like this too often.

Delyse gave the other woman a small nod, acknowledging her question. She didn’t need saving, though the usual methods of handling things probably wouldn’t be approved by the law if things escalated. Good thing the men knew when to take their losses. "All good, miss. Ain’t nothing new when you work around these parts." She pulled a small notepad from her back pocket and grabbed a pen, scribbling a quick doodle at the top to check if the ink was flowing. "Alright, what can I get ya from the kitchen? I’ll make sure they pack it up properly so it stays warm all the way home."

[staincdvermillion]

" i always thought dinner and a show happened at the same time. but this had been better than expected . " his words had referred to the very obvious spectacle that had moments ago taken place. there had been a moment of consideration, to whether emir would find the need to step in. to quiet the group of men before they found themselves getting out of hand. but she had shocked him, in a sense. with how capable she seemed at controlling them. at putting them in their place. and that was enough of a decent show for him. " what's your specials for the night ? you have those, right ? "

[xndrpressure]

"Good to know you enjoyed it. Means I can cancel the urban hula hoop show and tabletop line dance for the evening. Especially the first one—it’s really killing my back, you know." She said this without an ounce of humor on her face, as if she’d just delivered the most serious business news of the week.

"Depending on the chef's inspiration for the week, we do offer those, yeah. And you're in luck, because I think he nailed the flavors tonight." Delyse raised her hand, gesturing toward the sign near the entrance. Bright chalk letters and colorful drawings lit up the space, reading "Huli Huli Chicken."

"Don’t judge it by the name—I agree with you, it sounds absolutely ridiculous—but the flavor really pops. You can have it with fries or some classic macaroni salad if you’re feeling like you need something 'healthier.'"

[itsadamdavis]

Adam’s never really known what to do with compliments. Where he comes from, he is plain, he’s just another tall white guy with kind of a nice face. There’s certainly a stroke of vanity within him; he’d started wearing a chain that previously belonged to his brother a few months ago, more than anything to feel close to him, but some random guy in a bar told him it was his best feature and now he never took it off. But keeping his head down, only appearing to the people looking for his services, was meant to be who he was. He thought he was good at it, being near enough invisible, until he’d accidentally caught Chloe’s attention. She continues to surprise him, with her compliments, how she always manages to keep up, even when Adam is actively out to destroy himself. 

“Yeah, well, you’re good for my sanity too,” he said, because since Chloe was weirdly honest with him he figured he should be honest back. He’s bad at being truthful, a lifetime of  lying to cops, his mother; he’s better at diverting, coming up with excuses for himself. He sometimes thinks he wants to be better at it, but that feels dangerous. Adam walks around overflowing with lies and secrets, he uses them to shut himself off from everything.

He doesn’t dwell because Chloe is taking his bait, swallowing the pill either on her own volition or down to Adam’s petty peer pressure. He grinned at the face she made, thought about suggesting washing it down with more vodka, but that somehow sounded worse. It wouldn’t last long anyway, Adam knew from experience that as soon as the pill hit them then for hopefully a couple of hours, nothing else would matter.

“People always get on my nerves. Especially you,” he teased. She was right, though, pretty soon the bustling crowd around him would feel totally insignificant. Plus, it was a fun night, the lights were colourful and the music was loud, it would be a shame to waste it by leaving. “Nah, enjoy it with me here,” he said.

Adam wondered if it was a placebo effect, but things started changing quicker than he expected they would. He felt light, like gravity was only 70% working, the lights danced around instead of blinding him and he was so sure he could feel all his organs through the bass in the music. People continued to push past but he didn’t mind anymore, even when someone’s arm around his waist nearly pulled him away, but he had enough sense to twist out of their hold back to Chloe. He was smiling easily, he thought he might be laughing but couldn’t properly tell, either way he wasn’t in control of it.

The beat picked up again and excitement surged through Adam, he was so on top of the world he couldn’t remember a time he didn’t feel like this. So, he took both of Chloe’s hands in his and pulled her further into the crowd. “Come on, we’re dancing,” he said, even though he couldn’t dance if his life depended on it, but he was moving anyway without a single care. He must’ve looked like an idiot, he was sure Chloe would bully him later, but this was fun and none of that concerned him right now.

[xndrpressure]

A grin, the kind she thought was long gone the minute she left high school, spread across her face when he returned her sentiment. Her lips, painted the perfect shade of mauve, parted in a bright, unguarded smile. She looked at him, her unconventional friend, and for a moment, she let herself feel it—the hint of warmth in her chest that she tried not to admit was there. She hadn’t said those words for them to be returned, but hearing them? It felt good. But she’d blame it on the vodka. It was easier that way.

It was nice, though, to hear that someone appreciated being around her—not for her connections or what she could do for them, but simply because they appearently liked her. She didn’t want to think about it too much. Not now, not ever. But damn, it seemed like the list of genuine people in her life was shrinking every year. So she held onto this small moment, his quiet offering of a distraction, his promise of a good night, the perfect escape from the spiral of thoughts that so often dragged her under.

The grimace on her face when she tasted the terrible flavor of his offering quickly shifted into a grin. A teasing one this time. She stepped closer, her finger poking his chest with mock accusation. “You knew what you were getting into when you kept replying to my texts. I think you like it when I get under your skin. Though, I’ll admit, it’s hardly a challenge if anyone can do it. I might need to step up my game so I’m not just going to become some forgettable blip on your list of annoying people.” She dug her finger in a little deeper before pulling back, tapping the digit to her chin like she was in deep thought. “Maybe I’ll figure it out when we’re floating in space.”

And as if on cue, she didn’t have to wait long. She watched Adam’s pupils dilate just before she felt it—the hum in her veins, the low electric buzz that spread through her body like wildfire. It was delicious. And just like that, all the weight of her worries seemed to lift, like they were nothing more than feathers caught in the breeze. The strobe lights blurred into fairy lights, and her mind syncs with the pulsing beat of the bass drifting through the crowd.

Swaying, not from the alcohol but from the sheer bliss of the moment, she raised her arms above her head, as if the music itself was something tangible, coaxing her to play. After a few moments, riding that wave of sensation, her attention shifted back to Adam. He was smiling—genuinely, effortlessly—and the tension that had once been there seemed gone, just like hers.

When her arms lowered, Adam took her hands in his. The sensation of his skin against hers sent a shiver through her. Chloe let her fingertips move across his skin, feeling the ridges on the inside of his palms, wondering why they were so soft. She wanted to ask him, but before she could form the words, his large hand fully encapsulated hers and pulled her deeper into the crowd.

“We can’t…” she started, but a soft giggle bubbled up before she could finish. Neither of them were dancers—not in the way people were supposed to be at clubs—but tonight, the buzz in her body had other plans. She moved without thinking, without caring what anyone might think. If she looked ridiculous in his eyes, she didn’t care. Her body craved the rhythm, the movement, the way the music made her feel like she was floating. She stayed close to Adam, letting the music guide her, twirling and spinning, lost in the bliss of the moment, unbothered by the world outside of it.

[rafael-amado]

Rafael’s lips curled into a mischievous grin as Chloe opened the door, the sharpness of her apology only adding to his amusement. He couldn’t help but chuckle softly, his gaze softening as he took her in, looking far from the image of a “home-office gremlin” he saw. "Well, well," he teased, his voice rich with a playful edge. "I can’t say I’ve ever seen you quite like this before, but I’m not complaining." He swept his eyes over her—no judgment, just a smoldering look that lingered a little too long. "No worries, Chloe. I’m flexible. You know that."

He stepped inside, his presence confident but easygoing. He'd always been comfortable with her, even in moments like this when she was less than put-together. Rafael wasn’t picky—he didn’t care what she wore or how her hair looked. It was all part of the charm of being around Chloe. She didn’t have to be anything more than herself for him. He took in the disarray of her apartment, his eyes moving from the stacks of work on her desk to the state of the room, before focusing on her again. "So, work got in the way again, huh?" he asked, raising a brow, his tone knowing. "I know you get buried in it, but you can’t keep using ‘work’ as your excuse to avoid me." He waved off her apology with a casual flick of his hand, his grin never wavering. "Look, I’m not here to judge. Let’s order some takeout. I’m not picky." He shot her a wink, making himself comfortable on the couch as if he owned the place. "Now, what’s good around here? You’re the one who knows the food scene, not me." He looked at her, the light-hearted teasing in his eyes, but underneath it, there was that warmth that never went away. He was glad to be here with her, even if it was just another one of those laid-back nights between old friends.

[xndrpressure]

With a roll of her eyes, she stepped aside and opened the door a little wider to let the bulky man standing on the other side through. “You’re the only person who would try to undress me with those smoldering eyes while I look like an absolute wreck of a human being. I don’t know whether to take it as a compliment, question your sanity, or slap you in the chest for being a fool.” She attempted a dramatic tone but couldn’t hide the amusement curling the corners of her lips upward. “Get in, you terrible flirt, before the neighbors start gossiping again.”

As he had from the moment she first invited him to her apartment—after endless contemplation and a steadily growing pile of hotel bills—he wandered into the room as if it were his second home. Not in an annoying way, but with an aura of casual calmness that came as naturally to him as uptightness came to her. Perhaps it was this that had drawn her to him initially, and now allowed their friendship to blossom. He was the yin to her yang.

She sighed as he pointed out the pile of work files stacked on her desk while she closed the door. “Don’t flatter yourself by thinking you’re the only one I manage to avoid because of my not-so-secret love affair with my work,” she teased, letting her fingertip trace one of the three notepads scattered across the large wooden surface. “She’s a demanding little thing.” Apparently, her work now had a female identity, which probably wasn’t a good sign for her workaholic tendencies. She simply grinned apologetically, though the smile didn’t quite reach her eyes.

From her desk, her gaze drifted to the mirror again. She was confronted with an image full of things she didn’t appreciate, despite Rafael's assurance that he didn’t mind. Still, she felt uncomfortable being around him like this, as if her personal disarray somehow suggested he was of lesser importance to her. In reality, she had been eagerly looking forward to meeting her friend again. The identification of a coffee stain on her shirt was the final straw—it made her decide that if he was going to stay and have dinner with her, he wouldn’t spend the evening looking at her like this.

“You can leave the judging to me, Raf. I’d consider it my expertise,” she said before pulling her shirt over her head. She was unconcerned with the fact that he now saw her in a simple tank top, with the edges of her red bralette showing. After all, he had seen much more during the time before they chose friendship over a doomed love affair. Had she changed much in his eyes? If anything, she had probably gotten thinner over time, mostly due to forgetting to eat or substituting meals with caffeine.

“Holy Basil is great if you’re in the mood for Thai food” She answered his question about where to order. “Uovo if you’re craving some good Italian pasta. But I’m also down for a classic burger and fries if that’s more your style. Pick whichever you like—it’s on me for forgetting our night out.” She smiled as she bundled her sweater in her hands, finding comfort in the casual way he had made himself at home on her pretentious designer couch. She turned on her heels and added, “I’m going to quickly pull myself together for the sake of both our sanity. Or at least mine. Give me 10.”