After Damien left the following day I decided it was time to suck it up and go home. I wanted to stay close to Damien before he left. If Cleo had a problem, she would have to deal with it. I was very excited to go back to him; spend with him the last twelve days. And in order to get a full dose of Damien was to be brave and finally face Cleo; even if she didn’t called me at all the seven days I was in the City.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSgzfV8kMQu
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlTq9cpJQXf
Later that afternoon, when Damien called me after work, I was still considering telling him that I’ve decided to return home, but I changed my mind quickly. It would be easier for me like that; not feeling any pressure. I still had to ask him what would happen with us after he moves to Italy for the next two years. That was one of the things that made me anxious.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCRBq57gjp
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp04LMRKgRt
I was worrying about Cleo way too much. I left town because Cleo wasn’t talking to her brother. How was I supposed to be with Damien before he left and stand by my decision and belief that nothing should come between two siblings?432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1yBOsZcCD
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[+++]432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPNgGYrHIyE
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As I was too wrapped up in my drama to be in a mood for drinks the past week, I asked James to go out together.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRs9Q36zhsz
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxeWjJB0NRx
I was done eating my lasagna and excused myself from the table I was having dinner with my brother, in order to go to the bathroom. As I walked by the restaurant bar, I noticed a tall blonde, familiar figure leaning alone against the bar counter.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHWq73iqUj
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwIUdzw6Pyo
That’s what confused me. He was never alone. If he was in the mood to go out, he would probably have company; or at least Louis, his bodyguard, would be there. I shook my head and walked towards the bathroom.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfPaJq2xvUR
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwCxMkJCrHp
No way that that guy, drinking alone in a restaurant, was Alex. Alexander White was never alone. In public at least. Because he was the loneliest person I’ve ever met. The time when I tried to get close to him and almost made him feel something, felt like a million years ago.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5VK0TCQRW1
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFMc3u6dGiH
I opened the heavy door of the bathroom and walked into the hallway. I had to put a lot of strength to pull the door towards me and open it. From the force I used I almost stumbled on my feet in the hallway and bumped on to someone.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmzGzKoLfUv
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAsX7PfnzPf
“I’m so sor-,” I begun to apologize but my breath caught in my lungs. It really was Alex. But it wasn’t the same Alex I once knew. He was unshaved and looked exhausted; and drunk. My heart didn’t flinch as I was afraid it would.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3KPqVzabGc
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡegjmb5As9z
“Yeah, whatever,” he mumbled and turned his eyes towards my direction for the first time. I saw the look in his eyes as he realized it was me. He masked his expression and turned his eyes elsewhere before he started walking towards the bathroom.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZrdPRINI5U
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDI453nD0Xk
“Alex?” I called, my voice almost pleading. I’ve never seen him like this.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZEJ1tQurr3
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhdie3Nz7DC
“What?” he replied as he stopped. He only turned his head sideways; his eyes staying on the ground. The Alex I knew never looked down at the floor.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUbgZCuDigv
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFek0ZrF4M9
“What’s wrong?” I asked and took a step forward. I heard someone walking behind me and turned towards the sound. A woman walked passed me and entered the bathroom.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJ40yJpVOF
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSM6Ey8aJ3f
“Mind your business,” he said and started walking again. I frowned and bit my lip. His words hurt, but not the way it used to be. I finally walked back to the table where James was waiting for me.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXA7HrSLFy
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS81tqiM8Dv
“I was about to send the SWAT team looking for you,” he joked but when he noticed me he frowned “What happened?”432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ2yEq2eVJX
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡouIYnl4zhv
“I just saw Alex back there,” I said slowly; still trying to comprehend what had happened.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz16s7opSx6
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzOc7vXQ7n1
“Oh,” he only managed to say but I knew he was worried; his brown eyes searching for something on my face.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH63LKG1pwR
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKMZuo8q05G
“No, don’t worry, I’m completely fine,” I assured him. And I wasn’t lying. “But he wasn’t,” I winced and explained in full detail what happened.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqeNsA4sL7F
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8HXF6s4XZ
“I never thought I’d agree with something he’d say,” James said as he put his spoon down. I ate the last morsel of the chocolate cake I had in front of me and stared at him.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxIDhv7bwc
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3wicJOKOzo
“He just,” I frowned “He didn’t look right,” I breathed. Luckily the bar was behind me so I didn’t have to pretend I wasn’t searching for him because I couldn’t do it anyway.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZ5f0DzVbS
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxg0I7sM28c
“Erica,” my brother said with a tone that demanded to look at him. “He’s not yours to worry about,” he said.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhkFgP9VPHq
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk6mvYVpjDf
“You’re right,” I nodded and smiled.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXISspISM45
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlOmxqFfzio
But his face was constantly on my mind for the rest of the night. I only managed to forget about him when Damien called me to say goodnight. As always, Damien could see right through me, even if he wasn’t actually looking at me. I tried to avoid the subject as much as possible but he insisted.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55i4GgBtmh
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1ZMRzXEvw
“It’s not about you or Cleo,” I sighed because I realized he thought I was upset about Cleo.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97EywQ1EAS
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY7GcJ9oGob
“Oh, okay then,” he said defeated. I groaned.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAtTTcFPPrq
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnzNMgQFnPY
“It’s not even that big of a deal, I’ll forget about it until tomorrow probably,” I sighed.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKALs32b2MS
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqX3DAYOWR5
“You’ll tell me about it tomorrow if you don’t forget it?” he asked.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyP6g45945R
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡynVi30rIOe
“I will,” I chuckled.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYJEtqI4U7
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe95POzlJRk
There was no way I would tell him I run into Alex. I always noticed how he flinched and tensed whenever Alex was mentioned, though he never said anything. And I never asked.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevFdUluR5Y
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[+++]432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPdx1N8Wso8
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD2OqjzAg6z
I woke up the following morning and turned on the television as I always did. I made breakfast and watched the morning shows. I didn’t really liked gossip but I preferred them rather than the News where lots of reporters and politicians where yelling at each other. I sipped my coffee and left it on the coffee table to put strawberry jam on my bagel.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2XwWA6IXZM
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2oD90aqHfN
“ …Alexander White apparently was arrested…” a voice through the television reached my ears. I froze and looked for the remote control to turn the volume up. “…last night, after causing a fight…” the voice continued.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6gU69Mjj6l
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡirGUCUWxcv
“He’s still in jail?” a blonde woman next to the brunette that spoke first, asked.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01SXNY2i9N
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0lEI6cUB6P
“Of course not. They said it was a misunderstanding. Come on, you wouldn’t let a multimillionaire in jail!” the brunette scoffed.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡayrRQ5kmvv
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVgnZGfx5lk
I ate my bagel in two mouthfuls and run for my clothes. I folded my sheets and blankets on the foot of the couch and put my ladybug teddy on top of them, put on my make-up, grabbed my bag and left the apartment.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk0PM8YeqzM
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMsVLXjFKhB
I didn’t know where he lived in the city but I knew where his office was. I needed to see him. After what I saw last night, hearing he was arrested didn’t sound so unlikely. I tried calling him on my way there but he didn’t pick up. Not that I expected him to do so.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqACP79J7Rw
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpI1Biry6W5
“Erica Starling for Alexander White,” I said at the information desk in the lobby of the skyscraper his office was.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbbvmHbsXh
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvn4GN8sabG
“I’m sorry miss, but Mr. White won’t take visits today,” the red headed woman behind the counter told me.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDFw29z7Pu
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1HhltOcRl2
“Please,” I smiled “I saw him last night and he didn’t seem alright. I’m a friend. I need to be sure he’s okay,” I pleaded.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡST7hVWgQa3
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAe1cyf9fTe
“I’m sorry but I can lose my job,” she whispered.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYly6zXHv5g
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡclHJe2BOPY
“Just tell me where in this chaos his office is and I’ll make sure he won’t fire you,” I assured her as I leaned over the counter in order not to be overheard. “I really am worried.”432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ImScF0fFj
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO1GoIjvCnw
“Take the elevator,” she sighed “Twenty first floor, I’ll call his secretary,” she said almost inaudible. “If you can pass her,” she raised her eyebrows.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX0mzDqgc3L
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL9xze4vsQO
“Thank you,” I smiled and walked towards the elevator.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2Un80j6Jv
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr9ewiKKiru
About ten minutes later, I walked my way towards a white desk, where a woman in her late thirties was seated. I greeted her and told her what the lady downstairs told me. She seemed to recognize me.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUL4DyNmZF
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0knm4ObbqR
“He strictly said no visitors today,” she winced.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7m0uizvzqE
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh79sWwhHsF
“If he yells, he’ll yell at me,” I said “Please,” I tried to smile “I’m really worried,”432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6zNSteXZA
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQR6eVVlu43
“That makes two of us,” she mumbled “He was already here when I arrived this morning,” she said.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnxRmE4VhQL
“I’m going,” I whispered.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6aBV9lRy7M
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmkwBu3v9yE
“No no,” she said but she nodded. I walked fast towards the two huge black doors and she walked behind me. I opened the door and walked in the office.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWlnnn6t5LP
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9R4rdnK8wu
“I said no one enters this office today!” Alex yelled from somewhere in the room. I spotted him across the room, staring outside the big glass, wearing the same clothes he wore last night.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa2qIsr0pF2
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1w9zpnaHN
“I’m sorry, I tried to stop her Mr. White,” the woman said.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZ4iYIsFQy
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsMvmj4izHx
“Don’t yell at her,” I frowned. He never raised his voice. He never was out of control like he was now. Once he heard my voice he turned on his heels and sighed. In the light of the day he looked even worse.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ehTWBkSI0
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvUrZqPZlSz
“I told you to mind your own business,” he told me “Leave us,” she said to the woman and I turned towards her, giving her a small smile before she closed the door behind her.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGlBXiDyMa4
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0lWCV5JAj
“I was doing that, but then I heard you were arrested,” I raised my eyebrows and walked towards one of the chairs that was in front of his desk. I sat down and waited for him to talk.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZG7LDbKXzu
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwPrSJMzw3n
“What do you want from me?” he asked; hatred in his voice. His tone took me by surprise. I breathed sharply and stood up. I walked towards him but didn’t approach too much.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7JzIZDAJ9c
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgAtOLTKgpj
“Tell me what’s wrong,” I pleaded.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZYZWQQ9AP5
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWztVUOo98b
“Why do you even care?” he asked. He looked hopeless and that scared me. I felt my eyes blurring and blinked to keep the tears back.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAHq4OPrzl
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1WvOvyizor
“Because you’re not okay,” I whispered in response. He laughed and walked towards me. I just blinked.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg0j4ialYY0
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡijbSi4mELI
“I’m fucking fabulous, love,” he leaned to my face; a mocking grin on his lips. I told him the very same thing when he came back to find me after the first time we broke up. I looked down and exhaled deeply.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS46bzhgUBC
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB9UfR1BZsy
“I’ll leave town at four o’clock, call me if you change your mind about talking,” I told him. He didn’t even reply. I grabbed my bag and walked to door. Said goodbye to his secretary and the woman at the information desk in the lobby and returned home.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxrh8t2PUa
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8X0GrOZRu
James was surfing the internet while I cleaned the apartment before I packed my bag. I was a little moody because Alex’s reaction bothered me but my brother was right; he wasn’t mine to worry about. In two or three hours the most I would be with the love of my life and probably forget that Alex even existed. And I couldn’t wait.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx0j5pOKv8w
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTz1Gvq73DW
“Going to put my bag in the car,” I informed James but as I moved towards the door, my mobile rang. I reached in my back pocket and froze as I saw the number. Alex.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8iwZ9hJg0v
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfO7bhEWmwy
“Hello,” I said as I answered the call.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa0oNz58YWK
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPPEfGID5yq
“I’m outside your brother’s apartment,” he informed me.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQBq8ozVUk1
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8p77AyIT7A
“Oh!” I frowned and left my bag on the floor.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNHSbXk3OP
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqg1WSAAlko
“I’ve updated the bat mobile, want to see it?” he joked.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo7iIrYdaYf
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0E4F9ejzfr
“Sure,” I replied “Give me a minute,” I said and hang up.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw8PQXoVCGQ
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVm2XgO9a7
“What happened?” James asked from his desk.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgwXRyoOvr6
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXReIpdVpg
“Alex is downstairs,” I told him as I got out of my converse and wore my black wedge shoes.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGI8BH7dadc
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4AxlG7tMqr
“What the fuck Erica?” he frowned and turned his chair towards me and stretching his arms.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKO352OtFNo
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf533iM6K7Q
“He was arrested last night,” I raised my eyebrows “I went to see him today and he threw me out,” I tried to explain.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQmH2WAivA
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoK17h60AyI
“You should take the hint then and go home!”432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xgPXYmCUm
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0jG6ntRmdt
“If he’s here, he wants to talk! He doesn’t have anyone else,” I winced at my brother.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5mqWRfJE6i
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3BGalVUdwi
“Fine,” he exhaled. “Call me if you need me,” he said and sipped his coffee.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwFYUj1fC9L
I smiled at my brother, got the keys to his apartment and my mobile before walking out the house. Alex was waiting in a black Aston Martin outside James building. At least one thing didn’t change; he still drove expensive cars.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡySWqvYs8N5
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJaI8wLQgNT
“Hello,” I smiled as I sat down in the passenger’s seat.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtB0xJf2v3z
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXqBL78uHI0
“Hello to you too, love,” he smirked. He was acting like yesterday never happened.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWHLoQmXnh
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1O4vom686
“Elusive,” I raised my eyebrows, grinning, as I motioned towards the car.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3yu5Swb4Um
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMfrI9cyKwD
“You know me,” He chuckled.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNXvtfT8aT
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRUdA7m8Xpm
I think we both didn’t want to get in any real conversations until he were seated somewhere. The only meaningful conversation we made in the car was if I wanted to eat or have coffee. Other than that, we kept the talk light; making jokes.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWmhRMvKJq
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjDXB1K0gL
“So, what are you really doing here?” Alex asked me once the waiter placed our order on the table. I looked at him. He really didn’t look like himself.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbxoZWu2ti7
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZjhpOSlLtk
“It’s quiet out here,” I smiled and sipped my coffee. I turned my head towards the beach; away from him.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyueSn2KqkH
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3sovwsuS0
“You hate the silence,” he called out my lie with that intimidating tone of his. For a flash of a second I recalled telling him that I wanted to live my town because it was too quiet. But his tone bothered me.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡplgvHRkXN6
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8x9tQsbEqv
“Lose the tone Alex,” I said and sipped my coffee again.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtd2B1P39VX
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrmLOvvW9cT
“You’ve changed,” he stated.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ilxA7Rmvw
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDrkgScluo
“I did,” I smiled.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpvTavZBsb
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMbiA2lcDKj
“You haven’t answered my question,” he smiled back.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtYzKUVHYqK
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUR5ggMqbYg
“That’s an answer itself isn’t it?”432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡax6VKSL35i
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKy43D42u96
We’ve been seating on the same table for only ten minutes and already playing games. He sat back on his chair, eyeing at me. I mimicked him. Like last night, I was aware of how much unlike himself he looked.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSfJNYLmqJ
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGvcNiawECn
“What happened?” I breathed and spontaneously leaned closer to him.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxW6u1JJnZr
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn47vH1KHAr
“You just can’t leave it alone can you?” He replied and sipped his coffee.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtzMaVTky1s
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfsbwVWrJsu
“No, Alex, I can’t.”432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH1OD1uGb8e
432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkdlH2WQkbA
“You should,” he raised his eyebrows; his tone suggesting that he wasn’t going to talk about it.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa40aKsCeWl
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“I will not, because something’s wrong with you,” I breathed. He seemed very irritated as I pressured him. “Just talk to me,” I pleaded and put my hand over his on the table. As soon as I touched him however, he pulled his hand away, like the contact burned his skin. I breathed.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvanfCayzhZ
If he really didn’t want to talk to me, he wouldn’t have called me. But I knew it was very difficult for him to talk about what he felt. We were so much alike in that area. So much, that for a moment I actually realized the strength Damien needed in order to be with me and be so patient.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFPLadbllzA
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“Thank you for the coffee,” I said and stood up. With the corner of my eye I saw him frowning as I took my bag from the chair between us.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMCFJ4eNY5U
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“Wait,” he said and I heard his chair moving. I turned towards him and saw him leaving money on the table. “Let’s go for a walk, shall we?” he suggested and motioned towards the beach. I exhaled, unsure if he was willing to talk, even now but followed him anyway. “First, I want to apologize about last night and this morning,” he begun.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3SL3iIO3np
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“That’s okay,” I replied.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXrdHRmNmZd
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“No, it’s not. It was inexcusable,” he said as we walked “I’m sorry.”432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7F9FublkHS
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“Apology accepted,” I smiled. “Now, you want to tell me what did you do after I saw you last night that got you arrested?”432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6fRd8voVH
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“No, not really,” he said. I stopped on my heels. He turned towards me and sighed. “The police wasn’t there to arrest me,” he tried to explained.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDz3manwNz
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“Oh,” I frowned and turned to look at him; the light but cold breeze hitting the side of my face.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3eaJnbWLO5
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“Um,” he trailed and his squished the spot between his eyes with his fingers.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5WwmKyzoz
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“What’s really going on Alex?” I asked. He turned towards the sea and put his hands in his pockets.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNTZOBMcVj
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“Too much stuff,” he mumbled.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzrevQJMNK
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“I’ve got time,” I said and turned towards the sea as well; my fingers curling up into fists inside my pockets.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAgK8y60Cws
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“Mainly,” he begun “It was my mother’s twentieth death anniversary two weeks ago,” he confessed.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw7o8Q505j7
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“Oh,” I breathed “Have you gone to the cemetery?” I asked; unsure if that was the right question or not.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwlvUYo3hZI
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“No,” he said and clutched his jaw. At least I found the weak post.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1kGaGGmSza
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“You said «mainly», what else is there?” I changed the subject.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡesDcHDEyjC
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“I got into a fight with my father three days ago,” he said.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF995MFwFmE
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“This isn’t news,” I chuckled lightly; trying to keep the mood light.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmRwTsHD6ge
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“He threatened to remove me from the company,” he replied “The Company is all I have,” he whispered.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMnFCxavLe9
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For a split of second I wished I was his girlfriend so that I could have the right to hug him and tell him that everything would be okay.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVYsPDJqUO
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“No it’s not,” I frowned. He shook his head. “What did the police want?” I asked suddenly remembering that he didn’t actually tell me what happened last night.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcABmfB4cMD
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“I was with an escort,” he mumbled but I didn’t interrupt him even it surprised me. Alex didn’t need an escort; he had every woman he wanted. “She was supposed to put some whiskey in my glass but I had forgotten some pills on the bar counter, she found them, left and called the police,” he said. I was stunned.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnY5sbIzHvQ
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“What kind of pills?” I mumbled. He didn’t reply. “Drugs?” I asked incredibly. He remained silent. His silence was an answer itself. “Jesus Christ,” I tried to catch my breath. “Have you,” I tried to speak “Have you been using?”432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMEAKgXE69Z
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“Just a couple of times,” he replied.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQg6mEmE5w
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“Why?” I breathed “Why why?” I couldn’t stop myself. I was hyperventilating trying to put a meaning to what he just confessed. I put my hands over my forehead; squishing the area as if to stop my head from exploding.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3SUMOmQVB1
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“I’m a mess Erica,” he said and run his fingers through his hair. I took a step and stood in front of him to make him look at him.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPRPyksjtO
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“You should have come to me.”432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPrwVZnUeq8
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“You made it clear the last time we saw each other, that you wanted nothing to do with me,” he replied. I shook my head. I never told him something like that. I might not be his girlfriend but I did care about him.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmL6hFEOB0z
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“I would have listened. You know I would,” I whispered as I looked into his tired brown eyes.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCNSXaGx4rJ
“Yeah,” he breathed.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKVzODIkBme
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“Hug me,” I whispered; my hands falling on his shoulders.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLeeFibV2IT
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I knew that Alex was a dominant creature. He must have felt too vulnerable already. By asking him to hug me I tried to give him some power. He put his arms around my waist and pulled me even closer than I already was.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqb6uGhTIFy
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“I’m here for you,” I whispered to him as I rested my face on his shoulder for a moment.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBthNXpYzqc
“Remember that.” I told him and put back slightly “You need to shave,” I mocked as I pulled away from him completely. His brown eyes were liquid and they sparkled as he chuckled. He touched his cheeks his with hand as he released me.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZAX9s9nuyZ
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“Yeah, I do,” he smiled. I put my hands inside my pockets and tried to warm up as we started walking back, towards the car. I felt my mobile vibrating from inside my pocket. I got it out and saw who it was. I pushed the busy button and opened the messages folder.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhOAQYSxKTj
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“I can’t talk right now, I’ll tell you later. I have some weird news! I miss you xxx” I texted Damien. How much I wished that I was in my car right now; driving home. Damien was leaving in two weeks and I didn’t know how much time I had left with him.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmaBQBxNL3
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“When are you going back?” he asked as he opened the passenger’s door to his black Aston Martin for me.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcULuGX25sz
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“I was supposed to be back right now,” I sighed, thinking of Damien.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wWO3derb6
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“Oh, I apologize for keeping you,” Alex said. I stood between the car and him and turned to look at him.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrb97ltJn9K
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“That’s okay,” I smiled and looked into his brown eyes. He took my hand in his and looked back at me.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGcAA8zFmI
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“Can I hug you again?” he whispered.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEb6LLXSGR4
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“Yes,” I smiled and turned my body completely towards him. He put his arms around me and pulled me against his body as I put mine around his waist. “Everything will be okay,” I whispered.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2JdhbNouA
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“Thank you,” he mumbled in my hair; his fingers running through my locks.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOhbf7EHFio
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“I just wish you’d come to me earlier,” I breathed.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt2yFSwt8D2
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“You found me just in time,” he breathed out a bitter laugh and averted his eyes from mine.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7b3AxmXvnQ
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“What do you mean?” I pulled completely away from him and frowned.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFmdREPRm5
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“Nothing,” he shook his head. He put his palm against my cheek and looked at me. “You were the best thing that ever happened to me,” he mumbled.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6YDqaBkiB
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“Alex, don’t,” I pleaded and took a step back; my calves hitting the car.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZQMhtGzkJt
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“I’m sorry,” he apologized and run his fingers through his blonde hair.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQ3VeF5miQ
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“That’s okay,” I said “Come on, I need to get back home,” I said and squished his hand.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixxkIDVReO
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“Okay,” he smiled as I sat down in his car. A few seconds later he was seating beside me; driving away from the beach.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOB6W1LCHS7
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“Will you be okay here on your own?” I asked, really worried.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡArpj55HGFs
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“Hopefully,” he said as we entered the freeway.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1OYHctr4k
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“I need to get back home and I can’t leave for another two or three weeks,” I begun “I need] to know that you’ll be okay,” I told him while looking at his profile.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOd34VT1uIs
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“I’ll be okay,” he said and a small smile appeared on his lips. When I didn’t speak, being busy studying his expression, he turned towards me and smiled a bit more. “I promise, I’ll be okay,” he assured me.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrXDXVw6og
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“Okay,” I nodded “You know where you can find me if you need anything.”432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZKWh3JWduW
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By the time I got to James apartment it was too late to drive back home. I haven’t made the trip many times and the road wasn’t familiar. Also, I might defend my bug to others that insulted it, but it was actually quite old and didn’t want to drive a two hour trip in the middle of the night.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmh06sQHN34
James of course was waiting for me to return and asked me what had happened. He looked calm when I told him in full detail the conversation we had.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGepPWvr8yE
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“Erica, do me a favor,” he said once I sat down on the armchair. I turned to look at him. “Just, keep your distance from him.”432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm0dklJg4gf
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I understood that he was worried but if I turned my back on him, especially after I made him open up, he would definitely end up worse than I found him. He was already on the road to destruction.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjqJ4o7ppGh
Since my stuff was already in my bag, I only had to search for my pajamas. I made my bed and a bowl of cornflakes and got ready to watch television. I squished my ladybug teddy bear and remembered that Damien noticed I had it with me when he visited two days ago. I remember his smile when it slipped that I held it in my sleep since it gave it to me, four months before we got together.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8r5YGIoyl
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I smiled at the thought of his beautiful smile as he stared at the teddy that sat comfortably on his bare stomach and grabbed my phone.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3tSgichGUd
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“I’m coming home tomorrow,” I texted him.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5oeJVCgQL9
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“Finally!” he replied soon after. “What’s the weird news by the way?”432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1TDIOdXqcm
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“Too big for a conversation at this hour, I’ll tell you tomorrow in person!” I just wanted to tell him the full facts and be able to see his reaction.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxScBvLGgJu
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“Okay ladybug…so what are you doing?” He somehow managed to turn every late hour text into a devious and lustful conversation. Not that I minded. It amazed me everytime I stopped and realized that I was talking to him. I doubt that I ever fully grasp the fact that we’re together.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6K4A0n2uQu
♠ ♠ ♠
Title Credit:432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXncROoxXGt
"So now weve come upon the hardest thing ive ever done/Its telling you that im a mess/What sort of mess i mean/Is self-destructive gasoline"432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB41qCs6ihF
“Chameleon boy by Blue October”
So what do you think it will happen next??? Can’t wait for your comments!!432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcGNs55pmVy
P.s. I know grammar on some really sucks. I’m working on it!!432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFuVr6ZICks
xxxx432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAw6dDoYnUS
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P.S.2. This chapter was based on Smallville - 9x05 – Roulette. If you check out the Characters, you'll see details about Alexander White.432Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2tN7h3eIRz
