Warm and humid air of July blew past me as I rode my bike. Heat showed its effect, as sweat bloomed due to the helmet, my face, and my hair suffering the consequences of my safety. My palms were not left alone due to the gloves I wore.
Still, it was at least tolerable compared to the morning.
However, these things didn't matter at the moment.
Glancing at the sun dipping below the horizon, casting orange-golden light, words of Sarah echoed in my mind.
I knew the meaning behind those words. Even though I had never dated in my 19 years of life.
Or maybe I didn't and was reading too much. Yeah, maybe I was. And I hoped that was the truth. That I was reading too much, and it was nothing but an act of kindness by her.
Because I didn't want to enter into a relationship or any other things, like a situationship, flirationship, and whatnot.
Not because it was Sarah. No, with her slim hourglass body, sporting nice curves, and a beautiful face, she was one of the most beautiful women I have ever seen. And no man would ever throw away a sliver of hope of just getting to talk to her.
However, I was not in the population of those men. I didn't love her. Yeah, she was beautiful, but she wasn't the person I loved.
'Mom.'
She was the person I loved, and I hated myself for these feelings. I know if she got to know about the feelings I harbor for her. She will get hurt.
Maybe she will be even disgusted by how I feel about her.
And I didn't want that.
I wanted to get rid of this feeling. But I was not going to use another person for this, not Sarah for sure.
She didn't deserve to be a substitute for someone.
*Sigh*
I sighed, putting a stop to my train of thought, and sped up my bike.
Riding my bike with vehicles going by, my thoughts went to something else.
'Should I go to the gym?'
I question myself. Mom was not going to be at home, as she should be in the office, not only because of her work. But also because I had messaged her, I would come home late. If I hadn't messaged her, she surely would have been at home.
"Haha," I chuckle lightly, thinking about it as I continue to ride my bike.
'Maybe, I will take a break for today, and mom will get sad too, if I go without her.'
...
A few minutes later, I reached the entrance gate of my neighborhood and slowed my bike.
*Clack… whrrr–clink*
The gate opened with its sound echoing in the surroundings. After which, I tightened my hands on the throttle and was about to speed up the bike.
But...
Someone called me, emerging from the guard post.
"Hey, Adam."
Hearing my name, I unconsciously clutched the front brake, stopping my bike with a tiny jerk, and turned towards the person, recognizing him immediately.
"Dan," I said to the 30-year-old man with dark skin walking towards me. He wore guard clothes that stretched due to his muscular build.
However, despite his age and muscles, Dan was pretty chill.
"Hey dude, when did you come back?" I asked, removing my helmet.
"Just today," He responded with a big smile. "Nice look, by the way."
"It's hot; what can I do?" I spoke, putting my helmet on the fuel tank.
"Yeah, it is," Dan agreed, while stretching his big hands towards me for a handshake.
"I thought you left your job just because of losing a game against me," I ribbed, shaking his hand. "Do you know how bad I felt?"
"Huh?! Well, you thought wrong, my man." He responded with an exaggerated shock. "I was on holiday. And I lost to you because it was my first time playing that game. I didn't know how to play, okay?"
"Yeah, yeah, excuses."
We bantered like that for a while, pulling each other's legs. Before I turned the conversation.
"So, how was the holiday?"
"Good, I guess," Dan said, rubbing the back of his head.
'Did something happen?'
I thought, looking at him. Before remembering the reason he took the holiday.
"Well, you proposed to your girlfriend. It should be good." I spoke with a smile. "So, where's your ring? I don't see you wearing it."
But he didn't respond.
"Wait, you didn't?"
At my question, his face dropped to a new octave, and realization hit me.
'Shit.'
"Sorry—"
"Ah, no problem," He said, shaking his hand. "I am not going to propose to her."
His words made me release a surprised sound.
"Huh?!"
He wasn't going to propose? Was he scared or something?
But when he'd told me he was planning to propose to his girlfriend, he'd looked so excited.
Dan loved her—he was always talking about how amazing she was and how good her cooking tasted. He'd sounded like a lovesick teenager.
Just like me.
Seeing the surprise on my face, Dan let out a quiet sigh.
"She was cheating on me."
"What?!"
"Yeah, I got to know about this just recently." He spoke with a sad look. "And, well, I cancelled the plan and all."
"Sorry, man," I said, not finding the right words.
"Ah, well, it's in the past," Dan spoke, before adding with an optimistic smile. "And I can always find a new girl."
I also smiled back as our conversation shifted and we talked about my college, after which I bid him bye and moved towards my house.
Coming near the entrance gate of my house, I slowed my bike, and the gate opened without any sound.
However, as I entered, I noticed the car—a sleek black Porsche Panamera Turbo E-Hybrid—which my mom normally takes to her company, parked in the driveway.
Next to the mom's car, another car—a Tesla Model X Plaid—was also present, which I didn't recognize.
"I didn't get any notification. Are sensors damaged?" I muttered, stopping my bike just before my mom's car.
"Sigh, now I have to get it checked." I sighed, turning the engine off.
However...
'Who could it be?'
A thought crossed my mind as I climbed off my bike. My mom, despite her looks, was a loner type of woman. She didn't have any friends. Not that I can think of any, as she had never brought anyone home or talked about anyone.
All her time, she was always busy with her company or with me.
Thinking about who the person could be, I took off my helmet, attaching it to my bike.
"Is it Ms. Anna?" I asked out loud because that was the only person I could think of.
Lost in thought, I walked to the main door and found it open. Not thinking much about it, I moved my hand, my finger tightening around the handle, and I opened it.
The door opened without any sound. But, before I could enter the house, a loud skin-slapping sound echoed.
*PAAHH~~*
Accompanied by a muffled moan.
*MMPH~~*