Fragile Desires

My boyfriend is a swimmer with six-pack abs.

Last night, out of the blue, he broke up with me.

His reason? He claimed I loved his looks, not his soul.

I was lazily nestled in Cayden's arms when he dropped this bombshell, and I was taken aback, scrambling to defend myself...

No, not scrambling, earnestly explaining.

Despite my sweet-talking, calling him "baby" at every turn, Cayden remained unmoved. He gritted his teeth and said, "Hey, maybe you should take your hands off me first if you want to be convincing?"

I reluctantly withdrew my hands and righteously declared, "I just thought you trained all day and worked so hard earlier, so I was giving you a massage."

Cayden looked at me with slightly reddened eyes and said, "I'm moving out."

"What?

Why?"

"You need to prove to me that you love more than just my appearance."

I understood.

In simple terms, he didn't want me to touch him anymore, trying to prove that I wasn't just lusting after his body but was in love with his soul.

I thought he was just saying it, but the next day, Cayden really moved out of my place.

We still had dinner together every day, watched movies, and Cayden even wrote me a love letter.

But he wouldn't touch me, not even a kiss, as if we were in a sweet and innocent school romance.

A week later, I came home from work to find him squatting at my doorstep, subtly hinting that he wanted to move back in.

1

My relationship with Cayden began with a mutual one-night stand.

On the eve of my engagement, I caught my boyfriend, Vance, cheating. I decisively packed my bags and moved to my best friend Brielle's place that very night.

After eight years together, I never imagined Vance and I would end up like this.

I took leave from work and moped around at home for several days.

When the table was piled high with empty bottles, Brielle finally couldn't stand it anymore.

"Yolanda, you're this upset over a cheating jerk? Do you know how not worth it this is?

You've lost your perfect attendance bonus this month, and your salary will be docked by eighteen hundred."

She squinted at me, calculating, "Oh, and these bottles must add up to two thousand, right?

Don't forget you still have a mortgage to pay."

A lump formed in my throat as I looked down at the bottle in my hand, suddenly feeling a pang of heartache.

Brielle snatched the bottle away and dragged me off the couch towards the bathroom.

"It's the weekend.

Go take a shower, change clothes, and put on some makeup."

"For what?"

She paused, turned around with a mysterious smile, and said, "To have some fun."

Then she dragged me, fully made up, to the college swimming pool.

I never expected that by "fun," she meant finding a man.

It's well-known that the sports institute is full of muscular hunks, and watching them can bring joy.

Brielle's high school junior led us into the swimming pool, and as I walked on the slippery floor towards the poolside, I bumped into someone.

I stumbled and almost fell into the pool behind me.

The person steadied me and asked with genuine concern, "Hey, are you okay?"

His voice was pleasant, with a hint of huskiness, like the last trace of intimacy lingering in the throat.

My heart skipped a beat as I looked up and met a face with deep-set features and handsome looks.

He was so tall that even in my eight-centimeter heels, I barely reached his nose, only able to see his pale pink lips and the water droplets trickling down his chin.

The heartbreak Vance had caused me that morning vanished instantly, leaving only one clear thought: I was drawn to him.

I shook my head. "I'm fine."

He smiled, revealing a set of white teeth. "That's good."

Once he returned to the pool, I quickly rushed to Brielle and asked her junior, "Who is that?"

"Oh, Cayden?

He's the backbone of our school's swim team, one of the most promising candidates for the provincial team," the junior enthusiastically replied.

"If you're interested, Yolanda, I can send you his Whatsapp."

I squinted. "Sure."

After Brielle's junior sent me Cayden's Whatsapp, he changed into his swim trunks and went back to practice.

Brielle and I sat on the bench, our eyes busy with the sight of athletic young men.

Among them, Cayden stood out in both looks and swimming skills.

After watching him swim several laps, I saw him pick up his phone, so I quickly sent a friend request with the note "Poolside Hero."

Cayden accepted my request promptly and politely asked, "Who are you?"

"You helped me at the poolside earlier."

"Oh, does that count as saving a life?"

I typed with a smirk, "Yes, I can't swim.

If I had fallen into the pool, you might have had to save me."

Across the two rows of benches, Cayden paused his typing and suddenly looked up at me.

The bright lights of the swimming pool reflected off the water droplets on his body, creating a refreshing yet captivating scene.

I clearly heard my heartbeat quicken.

Brielle turned to me, hesitated for a moment, and finally said, "Yolanda, it's fine to admire some eye candy, but don't get too attached.

My junior told me that many of these athletes tend to be quite flirtatious."

I calmly put away my phone. "I know."

As someone who has been navigating the adult world for years, I can distinguish between infatuation and desire.

2

Brielle and I spent the afternoon watching handsome guys swim. By evening, her junior came over and said, "The team is going out for dinner. If you're free, you can join us."

Cayden was among those behind him.

I hesitated politely, "Wouldn't that be inappropriate?"

"Not at all, it's just a casual gathering, a few people having a meal together."

Cayden's bright and clear eyes looked at me. "Hey, join us."

And so, I ended up going with Cayden and the others to have barbecue at the school gate.

These young boys, having just expended a lot of energy, had enormous appetites.

The skewers disappeared as soon as they were served.

Cayden, sitting beside me, quickly grabbed several chicken wings and placed them on my plate.

Since the next day was a weekend with no training, they ordered a dozen beers.

After a few drinks, Cayden was slightly tipsy.

He turned to look at me, the night breeze blowing, and the lights above reflected in his eyes, creating ripples that had a captivating gaze.

I swallowed hard, trying to contain my anticipation.

After dinner, it was already dark. Brielle had something to do and left early by taxi.

The boys walked back to school in groups, while Cayden lingered behind, walking alongside me.

I turned to him. "Why aren't you with them?"

"It's late, and it's not safe for you to walk alone," he said softly. "I'll walk you home first."

I couldn't help but smile.

On our first meeting, he was already offering to walk me home.

Remembering Brielle's earlier warning at the pool, I genuinely thought Cayden was quite the charmer.

This was good. His initiative meant neither of us had any emotional burden.

We walked a short distance together until we reached a brightly lit Lawson store.

I used the excuse of buying cigarettes to lead him inside and walked to the shelf with condoms, whispering, "Which brand do you prefer?"

Cayden seemed taken aback.

"What?"

"Whichever brand you're used to, just grab it."

I figured he might be shy due to his age, so I considerately stepped aside. "I'll get a bottle of milk, and I'll pay for everything together."

I waited at the counter for a long time, finishing my milk before Cayden finally came over with a small box, insisting on paying himself.

I glanced at his slightly red ears and smiled. "Let's go."

There was a hotel right across the street from the convenience store.

Cayden, experienced as he was, had his ID with him.

The elevator ride up was filled with the unique fresh scent of a young man mixed with a hint of alcohol, creating an intoxicating atmosphere.

Once inside the room, I locked the door behind us and turned to kiss him.

The warmth against my palm gradually increased. Before I knew it, Cayden had turned the tables, sweeping me off my feet and carrying me to the bed.

My fingertips brushed against his damp chest, meeting his eyes, which were filled with desire under the dim light.

Suddenly, I understood a truth—if a new love is captivating enough, even pure desire can swiftly pull someone out of the pain from a previous relationship.

Take now, for instance; all I could see was Cayden above me.

An eighteen-year-old boy, with muscles honed from years of training and an abundance of energy, though his actions were inevitably a bit clumsy.

I let out a small cry of pain, and he immediately softened, gently kissing down from my forehead.

I must have been too exhausted because I couldn't remember when I fell asleep.

When I awoke, daylight was streaming in.

Cayden was already awake, propping his chin up and watching me intently.

I lazily crawled out from under the covers and headed to the bathroom. "Alright, you can head back to school now.

I'll check out later—"

Before I could finish, hurried footsteps approached from behind, and a warm grip caught my wrist.

I paused and turned back, raising an eyebrow at Cayden's hesitant yet pleading gaze. "Is there something else?"

He shook his head, a stubborn glint in his eyes. "I don't have a girlfriend yet."

Even a fool could understand the implication in his words.

I looked at him with interest. "Do you want to try dating me?"

Honestly, I didn't think someone as outstanding as Cayden would genuinely want to date me.

It was just that we got along well last night, and he was in a free period, using me to pass the time.

Conveniently, I had the same thought.

Cayden had beautiful eyes, slightly elongated at the corners, with irises as clear as if washed by water.

At this moment, those eyes were focused on me, and he nodded earnestly.

"Yes."

And just like that, this relationship was casually established.

My gaze traveled down his handsome face, past his defined shoulders and chest, stopping at his suddenly tensed waistline and six-pack abs.

Perhaps my gaze was too brazen, as the boy in front of me shifted uncomfortably, murmuring softly, "Darling."

His call made my heart flutter. I reached out, tracing the contours of his chest and abdomen with my fingertips.

Cayden's Adam's apple bobbed twice, his eyes darkening as he let out a low, hoarse sound.

I hooked my arm around his neck, smiling as I said, "Since it's still early, why don't you relax with me a bit more?"

It wasn't until the afternoon that Cayden and I left the hotel together.

We had lunch at the nearby Serene Breeze Restaurant, and I dropped him off at school. As I turned to leave, Cayden grabbed my wrist again.

"When will you be free next time?

I'll come find you."

I turned back in surprise. "You have that much stamina?"

No wonder he's the star swimmer with those six-pack abs.

Cayden pursed his lips, a hint of grievance in his eyes. "I want to go on a date with you."

I had to admit, young boys are smooth talkers.

Even knowing these were just flattering words, my mood lifted instantly.

I patted his fluffy hair. "Don't worry, I'll contact you when I'm free, and we'll... go on a date."

When I got home, Brielle was waiting in the living room with a feather duster. As soon as she saw me, she rushed over.

"Yolanda, be honest, where were you last night?"

Leaning against the wall at the entrance, I changed my shoes and said, "At a hotel."

"With that Cayden guy..."

"Yes."

She widened her eyes in disbelief, staring at me for a long moment before finally squeezing out, "Do you remember what we talked about at the pool yesterday?"

I walked over to the sofa, picked up the half-empty bottle of wine from the coffee table, and took a big gulp. "I remember.

I wasn't serious, and neither was he. We both got what we wanted."

Brielle sighed heavily, looking as if she had led me astray, which made me want to laugh.

After a while, she leaned in sneakily.

"So... how was it?"

I thought back seriously. "Great stamina, very handsome, pleasing to the eye, and I felt some things I hadn't before."

For example, after being with someone as scrawny as Vance for so long, I didn't know that pecs could be surprisingly soft when not flexed...

While I was still reminiscing, Brielle spoke again. "By the way, Vance contacted me last night. He wants to talk to you, but you blocked him on Whatsapp and phone."

Vance.

I let out a cold laugh, finding it absurd.

He cheated first, even bringing someone to our new bedroom, and I caught him red-handed. What is there to talk about?

"Ignore him, just block him."

I took out my phone and found several messages from Cayden.

"Did you get home safely?"

"Let me know when you do."

"Sister, I found some cute couple avatars. See which one you like, and we can change together."

I didn't expect Cayden to take this superficial relationship so seriously, even down to the details.

So, I genuinely looked through the avatars he sent and finally chose a pair of cuddling ragdoll cats and Samoyeds.

I changed to the childish cat avatar and checked Cayden's profile, only to find he had already changed his and even posted a screenshot on Facebook.

"Loves cats."

The picture was of the cat avatar I had just changed to.

And his note for me was an especially affectionate "Lili."

Rationally, I knew this Facebook post was probably visible only to me.