As soon as I hung up the phone, Elvis wrapped his arms around me from behind. He bent down and gently pressed his cheek against my hair. It should have been a tender gesture, but I could sense a hint of possessiveness in it.
"Miranda, you're not going back, right?" he asked.
I thought carefully before answering, "I don't have any immediate plans to return, but my family is still there. I'll have to go back eventually."

Elvis's arms tightened around me, and his lips brushed against my earlobe. "If you go back, would you get back together with Caesar?"
I finally understood what Elvis was worried about. "Of course not, Elvis. I have my pride. After the way he treated me, I'll never forgive him, let alone get back together with him."
"But you were with him for eight years. I don't believe he's completely out of your heart." Elvis's voice carried a note of jealousy as he continued holding me tightly.
I reached up and touched Elvis's face.
"When he started taking our relationship for granted, I was already preparing myself for the breakup. So when we actually split up, it wasn't as devastating as I thought it would be."
Elvis began nibbling at my neck, leaving one suggestive mark after another. I started laughing from the tickling sensation. "Elvis, stop that."

Elvis bit down hard on my neck, leaving a clear bite mark.
"Miranda, I won't allow you to think about other men. From now on, you're only allowed to love me! I won't be like Caesar. I won't make you cry or hurt you. I'll never betray you."
Elvis moved in front of me and kissed me. "Miranda, be my girlfriend."
For the first time, I didn't respond to his kiss. When he tried to deepen it, I gently pushed him away.

"I'm sorry, Elvis."
Elvis frowned at me, his eyes slightly red-rimmed. "Why are you apologizing?"
I turned my head to avoid his gaze and apologized again. "I'm sorry. I'm not ready to start a relationship right now."
Elvis looked furious, like he'd been deceived.
"So what were these past few days to you?" His voice shook as he confronted me. "Miranda, what do you take me for? Some kind of on-call sex toy?"
I couldn't bear to see how much I was hurting him. I clenched my fists and took a deep breath.
"Let's just say we're using each other. We're both meeting our physical needs. If you're okay with keeping things casual, that works for me."
Elvis looked like he'd never been treated this way before, and I could see the humiliation on his face.
"You loved Caesar for eight years, but I'm just here to satisfy your physical needs? Miranda, you're heartless. You can't treat me like this!"
I kept my eyes down, afraid I might give in if I looked at him.
"Elvis, if this kind of relationship makes you uncomfortable, I… I'll leave and stop bothering you…"