All Chapters of Love is War: But I'd bleed for you: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

JEFFREY “Please welcome… Kyla Monroe, NIVLEK, for her piece ‘Mother Earth Reborn.” I didn’t realize I had stopped breathing until I exhaled. The model came from the back in a stunning fusion of fashion and nature. The gown was an artistic embodiment of a tree in full bloom. The bodice is covered in lush, green beading and velvet textures mimicking moss and leaves, that hugs the body in a classic mermaid feature. The most striking aspect was the network of root-like structures that sprout from the waist down, flowing to the floor like tendrils of an ancient tree breaking free from earth. The brown roots were a beautiful contrast to the deep green body of the dress, catching the stage lights in angles that made it seem alive. It was stunning and creative. Exactly the kind of thing Kyla would design. The hall erupted in loud applause. People stood, clapped, even whistled. I was on my feet before I even realized it, clapping hard. Kyla walked toward the stage with all the poise she

KLYA I sat at the edge of the bedroom chair to take off my heels. I sighed in relief as I got rid of them. “I’ve fucking missed you.” Connor said as he took off his tie, his eyes scanning my body from my legs to my lips. “Take off your dress.” He said undoing his buttons. “Come and take it off for me.” I stood up trying to tease him. “Oh… mi amor.” He said advancing towards me. “if I take it off for you, you wouldn’t be able to wear that ever again.” I laughed as he leaned to kiss me. “Oh fuck… I missed you too.” I undid the zip of my dress and let it fall to the ground. Connor hands slid beside my waist and in one flick, he unhooked my bra. “They are so beautiful,” he pinched my right nipple, cupping my boobs in his hands. He lifted me and dropped me on the bed as he advanced towards my already hard nipples. I let out a soft moan, pulling him closer to me. He twirled his tongue around making small circles around it. His lips kissed my skin softly, moving downward with eve

JEFFREY I showed up at the office looking like I hadn’t slept, because I hadn’t. Ruby blinked at me from behind her desk, concern already crawling into her voice. “Mr. Johnson-” “I’m taking the day,” I said, not slowing down. “Sick leave. Clear my calendar.” She nodded, hesitating, as if about to ask what was wrong. I didn’t give her the chance. I moved fast, head down, avoiding the direction of Ronald’s office like the plague. If I saw his face right now, I wouldn’t be able to keep my mind straight. By sunset, I was already two drinks in at a downtown gay bar I barely remembered the name of. The air was thick with alcohol, sweat, and bass. Neon lights flickered across faces that I didn’t know and didn’t care to. That was the point of this, to forget about everything and everyone. I downed another shot. It was enough to sting and strong enough to shut my brain off. There was a stripper onstage, he was tall, toned, with dark eyes. He was naked, the only piece of clothi

JEFFREY I pulled into the driveway a little slower than usual, the house coming into view like something out of an old photo, familiar, but a little too bright around the edges. The porch light was already on, casting a warm yellow glow across the front step. Inside, the scent of lemongrass tea hit me before I even made it to the living room. Mum was curled up on the couch, a novel in one hand and a porcelain mug in the other. She looked like she belonged on the cover of a lifestyle magazine, composed, radiant, the same way she always looked whenever I hadn’t been home in a while. The moment she saw me, her face lit up like Christmas morning. “Jeffrey,” she said, standing to greet me. “Kyla told me you’d be stopping by to pick something up for her.” I leaned in and gave her a one-armed hug. “Yeah, just grabbing a package.” She cupped my chin gently with one hand, the way she used to when I was little. Her eyes scanned my face like she was reading a symptom list. “You look pale

RONALDHis voice was low, tight with emotion. “What the hell are you doing here, Ronald?”I took a slow step forward, barely holding back the fire crawling up my throat. “What the hell am I doing here?” I echoed, a dry, humorless laugh catching in my throat. “That question is supposed to be for you.”His eyes narrowed. “What I do is none of your business.”“Oh, really?” I bit back, stepping in closer. “So it’s okay for you to make a scene about what I was doing, throw your little tantrums and block me, but the first chance you get at freedom, you’re in here, grinding on half-naked dancers like a regular?”Jeffrey folded his arms, chin high. “Why do you even care what I do?”He paused, then something clicked in his eyes. “Wait… were you following me?”His voice dropped into disbelief. “How the hell did you even know I was here?”“That is not the point Jeffrey…”“Stop following me,” he snapped, voice cracking at the edge. “I don’t want anything to do with you.”He turned to leave, but