what are these feeling?

The gate opens, and a 2019 Volvo XC40 drove in. Steven got out of his car and advanced into his duplex. The morning was merely starting, but Steven could sleep for two days. His body felt exhausted, and he felt like cuddling with his pillows.

"Julie would be the best person to cuddle with, though." He said to himself and entered his room. Steven took a warm shower, got dressed into comfortable clothes, and relaxed in his gray lacquered brown bed.

Since Steven broke up with Chloe, he had nurtured himself by spending his money on luxurious classes of material. Like the Espresso silk duvet cover he lies under, and the Versailles Loveseat couch set he has in his living room. The red diamond bathtub with 3D Blue Space Floor Mural in the bathroom. He only buys brands like Oscar de la Renta, Gucci clothing, and footwear.

Chloe damaged him, and spending his money on himself is his approach for dealing with that pain. Julie and Steven had the same taste in style. Therefore, they became best friends when it comes to spending cash. In their friendship, Jackson is the freakish one. He uses his money for major affairs or deposits it in the bank. Unless it's concerning Jennie, Jackson would spend money on his wife to a great extent. Jackson makes it inevitable that she lacks nothing.

The morning felt dull, and the sleep he craved did not affect him. Steven lay in bed, recalling every single detail of the party. "Brother! Where is your partner?" Jackson said and embraced him. However, Steven's focus did not divert from the lady that stood next to his friend.

"Jackson, you know that Chloe is always neglecting me. She left the club a few seconds ago with some guy. Never mind, who is the lovely lady?" Steven told his pal. However, he observed that Jackson did not reply to him.

He knew his friend was still in shock at the thought of him attending the club with Chloe. Steven knows that Jackson has tried several times to break off their toxic relationship.  But a six-year bond isn't easily broken because both partners agreed to end the union. It has nothing to do with time healing all wounds. It's about you not being able to switch off your feelings for her after all the years of loving her.

A few seconds passed, and Jackson did not release Julie's hands, nor did he awaken from his thoughts? Steven does not regret defending Chloe when Jackson confronts him on why she is still in his life and spending his money after they have broken up. However, at that moment, when Steven stared at Julie's face, he realized that he deserved to be fulfilled. And have pure and beautiful happiness that does not have a secret purpose.

He did not want Jackson to discuss Chloe. All he needs is a fresh start without her in it. And Julie was the one who made him see through the lies he believed that your first love is your only genuine love.  He needed to change the subject before Jackson could complete his thoughts and confront him about bringing Chloe to the club as his plus one.

"You both appear to be close. All hands in hands with each other. Julie is the first lady you have held hands with that is not Jennie or your mother." Steven continued in a joking manner. Jackson, however, remained stuck in his thoughts. Steven had to figure out his next move.

He gave them, "Are you guys a thing?" Look at Julie.

Julie looked down and saw that Jackson was still holding her hands. "No, no... We are not a thing. And it will not happen in a million years." Julie told Steven.

He smiled. Steven knew that this was his opening. He watched as Julie forcefully removed her hand from Jackson's hand. Her reaction took him out of his thoughts.

"Earth to Jackson! Who is she, and what's with the hands holding situation?" Steven asked his friend again. Steven believes Julie's answer.

But, he wanted to know if Jackson did not have feelings for Julie because he became interested in her from the moment he laid his eyes on her. However, their brotherhood number one code is, "A bro is not allowed to hit on another bro's wife, lover, or crush."

"Steven, meet Julie. She is my next-door neighbor. Furthermore, Julie is Mr. and Mrs. Harper's daughter, who recently graduated from Preston university with a master's in Philosophy. Presently she's at home to help her parents with the bakery. She is also a brilliant mind who's in search of a job." Jackson told his buddy absentmindedly.

"No, man. You messed up!" Steven whispered as he tried to help his friend out of this embarrassment.

"Dude, calm down. I will not condemn you for bringing another woman who's not your wife. Plus, that's way more information than I need to hear." He said to Jackson, stroking him on the shoulder.

"Besides, you deserve tonight, after everything you have been through this month. Nice to meet you, Julie. I am Steven. Jackson is my pal from Harvey university and also his boss. I am thirty years old, although most of the time I feel twenty, because of the variety of parties I attend. Jackson and I have known each other for about ten years. I think you are exquisite, and it is inappropriate if you know less about me. Because thanks to Jackson's unfastened mouth, I know a lot about you now." Steven said to Julie with a bright smile, and she smiled back.

'I've finally gotten your attention.' Steven thought to himself. He then presents her with his right hand to shake. They shook hands, and his heart skipped three beats.

"I need a drink. You people can get to know each other further." Jackson told them and headed to the bar.

Steven and Julie were alone. He finally gets the chance to know her, which is something he aspired to do from the moment she walked in. However, the only problem is his date, Chloe, was still in the club. He needed to get rid of her before she ruined his chances with Julie.

"Snap out of it, Steven. That night is in the past, and you don't have to worry about what you did." He told himself as he tried to erase what occurred at the party, yet his memories wouldn't allow him.

Steven got out of his bed and went to the kitchen. He got a clean glass and pulled cold milk in it. The clock on the wall struck three exactly. Steven sat on a stool and sipped his drink. He thought about Julie's emotional eyes, her creamy lips, and the priceless smile she wears on her face.

Steven doubts the emotions Julie and he experienced last night could someday match the love Jackson and Jennie share.

But he understood that pure love does not survive beneath deceptions. Steven's conversation with Julie at the party was not altogether honest beyond words. He got sensitive, and he lied. Steven knew he should have stopped at one lie and confessed, but Julie was perfect. Confusedly, he twisted his way into her heart.

Steven finishes the glass of milk and when into his bedroom. "The truth always hurts, and you do not deserve to get injured by me. Would you resent me if you knew the fact? Like I hated Chloe when she told me the truth." He wondered before falling into a deep sleep.

The night air was quiet, but Steven's heart remained restless while his mind napped peacefully.