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.443Please respect copyright.PENANA9ZG3crhj6o
443Please respect copyright.PENANA1SJobXkWv0
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.443Please respect copyright.PENANAoT32cNto2l
443Please respect copyright.PENANAWQc3M2auf1
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?443Please respect copyright.PENANApgRwe2ynxe
443Please respect copyright.PENANABmgDMbzBY2
[+++]443Please respect copyright.PENANANZHSbvu5Gh
443Please respect copyright.PENANAjqmXB40ajd
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.443Please respect copyright.PENANAOVJ8ILdIO0
443Please respect copyright.PENANAufV7uecFpe
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.443Please respect copyright.PENANAt0SiijF2fT
443Please respect copyright.PENANAgYWYKFUxM4
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.443Please respect copyright.PENANAex9OldIwiB
443Please respect copyright.PENANAPqi1DgEvN4
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.443Please respect copyright.PENANAIobcdOCyp4
443Please respect copyright.PENANABP3DDL4Sp9
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.443Please respect copyright.PENANAeLPzwXnAJA
443Please respect copyright.PENANAHUasqpTHx5
“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.443Please respect copyright.PENANAxvLEYmeO5a
443Please respect copyright.PENANAYjEaJlnHuq
“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.443Please respect copyright.PENANAYV8yxBG1u5
443Please respect copyright.PENANA9WXMklmefa
“Alex?” I called, my voice almost pleading. I’ve never seen him like this.443Please respect copyright.PENANAZVhBWp0jXA
443Please respect copyright.PENANALYTuCu1I2f
“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.443Please respect copyright.PENANAUYWO9Fz67s
443Please respect copyright.PENANAp4QsfH0v7v
“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.443Please respect copyright.PENANA6zrBHXiO7I
443Please respect copyright.PENANAUu9ShaCrVp
“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.443Please respect copyright.PENANAhtvtdW9DvH
443Please respect copyright.PENANAsDkB7Ej55v
“I was about to send the SWAT team looking for you,” he joked but when he noticed me he frowned “What happened?”443Please respect copyright.PENANAe3J0aQ6lzE
443Please respect copyright.PENANAcig0OpEFYm
“I just saw Alex back there,” I said slowly; still trying to comprehend what had happened.443Please respect copyright.PENANAU659xUK7r1
443Please respect copyright.PENANAcKKjEFq9oy
“Oh,” he only managed to say but I knew he was worried; his brown eyes searching for something on my face.443Please respect copyright.PENANAViobE4pF4U
443Please respect copyright.PENANAINnGGAasfi
“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.443Please respect copyright.PENANA7MvOW451pA
443Please respect copyright.PENANAfofKMBKD70
“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.443Please respect copyright.PENANArKSTieiScj
443Please respect copyright.PENANARH4g1fKYOA
“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.443Please respect copyright.PENANAqF2Ud13uL1
443Please respect copyright.PENANAxabRBNQS5H
“Erica,” my brother said with a tone that demanded to look at him. “He’s not yours to worry about,” he said.443Please respect copyright.PENANAtSwFjq52lt
443Please respect copyright.PENANAiegcnjXORb
“You’re right,” I nodded and smiled.443Please respect copyright.PENANA7ppiL4zav2
443Please respect copyright.PENANA1e9VXuC2Ll
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.443Please respect copyright.PENANAj0U4CnUayy
443Please respect copyright.PENANAGXExD29eoI
“It’s not about you or Cleo,” I sighed because I realized he thought I was upset about Cleo.443Please respect copyright.PENANAEM3F2z6LfN
443Please respect copyright.PENANAOrqTKXXmFo
“Oh, okay then,” he said defeated. I groaned.443Please respect copyright.PENANATSaoRvlLyD
443Please respect copyright.PENANAh3rV2C67Fm
“It’s not even that big of a deal, I’ll forget about it until tomorrow probably,” I sighed.443Please respect copyright.PENANAR8rM4qJBKh
443Please respect copyright.PENANAXaaJeEkAuh
“You’ll tell me about it tomorrow if you don’t forget it?” he asked.443Please respect copyright.PENANACkYHc1chVP
443Please respect copyright.PENANAG9AG3uEI5S
“I will,” I chuckled.443Please respect copyright.PENANAIIbyHLvdyb
443Please respect copyright.PENANAivEvmRuLIW
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.443Please respect copyright.PENANA6MFBLT2Uto
443Please respect copyright.PENANArDXJaXJ4Xt
[+++]443Please respect copyright.PENANA6ECGXhbou3
443Please respect copyright.PENANAcS7jsgtkdP
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.443Please respect copyright.PENANAhAGPx0L7GU
443Please respect copyright.PENANAM604TOl05N
“ …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.443Please respect copyright.PENANA5pg0edALWV
443Please respect copyright.PENANAlhBFreuq6e
“He’s still in jail?” a blonde woman next to the brunette that spoke first, asked.443Please respect copyright.PENANA9Hytbarcx4
443Please respect copyright.PENANAteGBeyE7Vj
“Of course not. They said it was a misunderstanding. Come on, you wouldn’t let a multimillionaire in jail!” the brunette scoffed.443Please respect copyright.PENANAkA03uTXODw
443Please respect copyright.PENANAq4SqVNFiGi
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.443Please respect copyright.PENANAefhEVb8mYo
443Please respect copyright.PENANAE6PYeSWaFu
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.443Please respect copyright.PENANAyOB1enJbqm
443Please respect copyright.PENANAjvuZz9XM2Q
“Erica Starling for Alexander White,” I said at the information desk in the lobby of the skyscraper his office was.443Please respect copyright.PENANAKm775cgyOw
443Please respect copyright.PENANACMgY6y9c2U
“I’m sorry miss, but Mr. White won’t take visits today,” the red headed woman behind the counter told me.443Please respect copyright.PENANAp3cCaCP2WM
443Please respect copyright.PENANA38DJpaITqg
“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.443Please respect copyright.PENANAopY7RFm7NK
443Please respect copyright.PENANAC8w45Ee53x
“I’m sorry but I can lose my job,” she whispered.443Please respect copyright.PENANAuBJMN0mYN1
443Please respect copyright.PENANAwhPCpV328V
“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.”443Please respect copyright.PENANAXqE6bfCh8A
443Please respect copyright.PENANAWEBHHr7uHg
“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.443Please respect copyright.PENANAtlbGimoZdB
443Please respect copyright.PENANA9M1ovCUEPu
“Thank you,” I smiled and walked towards the elevator.443Please respect copyright.PENANA0wjPFsyg3d
443Please respect copyright.PENANAPKxRmTvqnj
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.443Please respect copyright.PENANAP3DKcecoUs
443Please respect copyright.PENANA3V6ptIuMYw
“He strictly said no visitors today,” she winced.443Please respect copyright.PENANADFzAuAt5e1
443Please respect copyright.PENANAF9oHPNmExC
“If he yells, he’ll yell at me,” I said “Please,” I tried to smile “I’m really worried,”443Please respect copyright.PENANACibUQBTTt5
443Please respect copyright.PENANAn7o3398cm2
“That makes two of us,” she mumbled “He was already here when I arrived this morning,” she said.443Please respect copyright.PENANAIgoukKIUnX
“I’m going,” I whispered.443Please respect copyright.PENANAlR5uSayKXQ
443Please respect copyright.PENANA7u1KFAq7P1
“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.443Please respect copyright.PENANApVOz5UiogB
443Please respect copyright.PENANAzvfH1f9VIj
“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.443Please respect copyright.PENANANkD1EzQ2C8
443Please respect copyright.PENANA4PcEmNX0aK
“I’m sorry, I tried to stop her Mr. White,” the woman said.443Please respect copyright.PENANAx5ux9MlXDv
443Please respect copyright.PENANAXrxtPcaLyc
“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.443Please respect copyright.PENANArLg1sHMXdV
443Please respect copyright.PENANAoeYpSYXM5i
“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.443Please respect copyright.PENANAycs8A1us5W
443Please respect copyright.PENANA0EtRHFMdEF
“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.443Please respect copyright.PENANAnC4sgMyOvr
443Please respect copyright.PENANAfW2DpBXHIp
“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.443Please respect copyright.PENANAPUxliFel7r
443Please respect copyright.PENANANqf5wYCQCW
“Tell me what’s wrong,” I pleaded.443Please respect copyright.PENANActtwnQzz0K
443Please respect copyright.PENANA5ZXTuGFy0N
“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.443Please respect copyright.PENANAdZpQXn1aS8
443Please respect copyright.PENANAgS5UsSmX53
“Because you’re not okay,” I whispered in response. He laughed and walked towards me. I just blinked.443Please respect copyright.PENANACVpYc7ZuYT
443Please respect copyright.PENANAm5E5FkqrwC
“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.443Please respect copyright.PENANAzdlCZU6YZ3
443Please respect copyright.PENANAZXLkj9JDz1
“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.443Please respect copyright.PENANADevGzDfHSK
443Please respect copyright.PENANA6TPkVA9utG
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.443Please respect copyright.PENANARfIT0KiJU5
443Please respect copyright.PENANAoGfZeul33s
“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.443Please respect copyright.PENANAihGE9FVR8G
443Please respect copyright.PENANA1j4ENFnVMk
“Hello,” I said as I answered the call.443Please respect copyright.PENANAK0lHqc40Xq
443Please respect copyright.PENANAH7j9AitaLR
“I’m outside your brother’s apartment,” he informed me.443Please respect copyright.PENANAmkJZf0WRjS
443Please respect copyright.PENANAyzbaRkcUmU
“Oh!” I frowned and left my bag on the floor.443Please respect copyright.PENANAj8fhtBPh0c
443Please respect copyright.PENANA8jbCvQFU9k
“I’ve updated the bat mobile, want to see it?” he joked.443Please respect copyright.PENANAGFSkxSVl1G
443Please respect copyright.PENANAkUns4UqQtX
“Sure,” I replied “Give me a minute,” I said and hang up.443Please respect copyright.PENANAP6N7KlJOyO
443Please respect copyright.PENANAG5CV0tf3yJ
“What happened?” James asked from his desk.443Please respect copyright.PENANAlttlXfNqIT
443Please respect copyright.PENANAEnP8tmL4uK
“Alex is downstairs,” I told him as I got out of my converse and wore my black wedge shoes.443Please respect copyright.PENANAYMk8eszNCJ
443Please respect copyright.PENANA8d6FYCm0dU
“What the fuck Erica?” he frowned and turned his chair towards me and stretching his arms.443Please respect copyright.PENANAja31RYUAin
443Please respect copyright.PENANAsElZZXn1IF
“He was arrested last night,” I raised my eyebrows “I went to see him today and he threw me out,” I tried to explain.443Please respect copyright.PENANAa7k0hOof1F
443Please respect copyright.PENANATRX7LD39p2
“You should take the hint then and go home!”443Please respect copyright.PENANAuQlCw4eYm4
443Please respect copyright.PENANAIX429AKmmu
“If he’s here, he wants to talk! He doesn’t have anyone else,” I winced at my brother.443Please respect copyright.PENANAguLvx8GqPG
443Please respect copyright.PENANAATSM4HBS9j
“Fine,” he exhaled. “Call me if you need me,” he said and sipped his coffee.443Please respect copyright.PENANAaJFWOm2QSI
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.443Please respect copyright.PENANAsvG0TiBVzt
443Please respect copyright.PENANAhWQLSmln4T
“Hello,” I smiled as I sat down in the passenger’s seat.443Please respect copyright.PENANAcLve8IfKCN
443Please respect copyright.PENANA8sjxyWz4ez
“Hello to you too, love,” he smirked. He was acting like yesterday never happened.443Please respect copyright.PENANAeqe1bDmpnK
443Please respect copyright.PENANAMi82ISPDug
“Elusive,” I raised my eyebrows, grinning, as I motioned towards the car.443Please respect copyright.PENANABOfPAS8Xk9
443Please respect copyright.PENANAeITJziFzTD
“You know me,” He chuckled.443Please respect copyright.PENANAQAKlnZ7ERe
443Please respect copyright.PENANAfMpLWWmMkb
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.443Please respect copyright.PENANAmufxK3eQce
443Please respect copyright.PENANAldmmtMNFf9
“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.443Please respect copyright.PENANAQeVBAQc5nc
443Please respect copyright.PENANAvnJiVV7udy
“It’s quiet out here,” I smiled and sipped my coffee. I turned my head towards the beach; away from him.443Please respect copyright.PENANAQ8EXuxqcdN
443Please respect copyright.PENANA4jktZ8IQxC
“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.443Please respect copyright.PENANAz2ppC7eYGT
443Please respect copyright.PENANA3njEk78Fwf
“Lose the tone Alex,” I said and sipped my coffee again.443Please respect copyright.PENANAaEJw1XVR17
443Please respect copyright.PENANARNQ5LyTfPn
“You’ve changed,” he stated.443Please respect copyright.PENANArgwpqdxqJq
443Please respect copyright.PENANAyb08dOc380
“I did,” I smiled.443Please respect copyright.PENANA9xokX9wCDY
443Please respect copyright.PENANAnWFamDWxSm
“You haven’t answered my question,” he smiled back.443Please respect copyright.PENANABFBdjV7lkZ
443Please respect copyright.PENANAxxJuccIOE8
“That’s an answer itself isn’t it?”443Please respect copyright.PENANAkzCKNyKDax
443Please respect copyright.PENANAtAircP1omQ
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.443Please respect copyright.PENANA6zvmnyfbuR
443Please respect copyright.PENANAMaWR3dorNn
“What happened?” I breathed and spontaneously leaned closer to him.443Please respect copyright.PENANAjHhy3pEQYQ
443Please respect copyright.PENANAxRhiyf5qGK
“You just can’t leave it alone can you?” He replied and sipped his coffee.443Please respect copyright.PENANAhdUX7xySmk
443Please respect copyright.PENANAyk5xCLvvb4
“No, Alex, I can’t.”443Please respect copyright.PENANAmI6I3zSsME
443Please respect copyright.PENANAfeKaej8DxK
“You should,” he raised his eyebrows; his tone suggesting that he wasn’t going to talk about it.443Please respect copyright.PENANAKaick4m7fN
443Please respect copyright.PENANAMwDjPHtZhI
“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.443Please respect copyright.PENANA39dYwgfSx1
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.443Please respect copyright.PENANAwWYcYz3k8r
443Please respect copyright.PENANAWE1avC9VOW
“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.443Please respect copyright.PENANAvHuH7TlMEq
443Please respect copyright.PENANAaOlTYU9XQr
“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.443Please respect copyright.PENANAjiovoIEZ6O
443Please respect copyright.PENANA8zwKGsZIXG
“That’s okay,” I replied.443Please respect copyright.PENANAkbhGu2IrWz
443Please respect copyright.PENANAAoBgwWs9Ua
“No, it’s not. It was inexcusable,” he said as we walked “I’m sorry.”443Please respect copyright.PENANAGpoK4lhV3Q
443Please respect copyright.PENANArbfdqrdmRc
“Apology accepted,” I smiled. “Now, you want to tell me what did you do after I saw you last night that got you arrested?”443Please respect copyright.PENANAmUNQJtYZNG
443Please respect copyright.PENANAmiZ8OJ33Ub
“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.443Please respect copyright.PENANA32cIAKs3HU
443Please respect copyright.PENANAyQo9KxHyHc
“Oh,” I frowned and turned to look at him; the light but cold breeze hitting the side of my face.443Please respect copyright.PENANACS3PNGkLxB
443Please respect copyright.PENANARNc1gHYcnw
“Um,” he trailed and his squished the spot between his eyes with his fingers.443Please respect copyright.PENANAVm5SK5RJmW
443Please respect copyright.PENANAPBcbtSo7fr
“What’s really going on Alex?” I asked. He turned towards the sea and put his hands in his pockets.443Please respect copyright.PENANAFwyUmoXe0y
443Please respect copyright.PENANA9gz1r7LEON
“Too much stuff,” he mumbled.443Please respect copyright.PENANAYJG6FQDD7v
443Please respect copyright.PENANAV0iLSqyzAR
“I’ve got time,” I said and turned towards the sea as well; my fingers curling up into fists inside my pockets.443Please respect copyright.PENANAu8SmTVixZx
443Please respect copyright.PENANAPMmp2L2AcS
“Mainly,” he begun “It was my mother’s twentieth death anniversary two weeks ago,” he confessed.443Please respect copyright.PENANAD7NCMwx7PH
443Please respect copyright.PENANAqI9C3ABCJy
“Oh,” I breathed “Have you gone to the cemetery?” I asked; unsure if that was the right question or not.443Please respect copyright.PENANAgYsQAoeDTz
443Please respect copyright.PENANAEHMzmWC8x9
“No,” he said and clutched his jaw. At least I found the weak post.443Please respect copyright.PENANAjmfwU9et8n
443Please respect copyright.PENANAVoiJ6JxoOw
“You said «mainly», what else is there?” I changed the subject.443Please respect copyright.PENANAf6iwXsYDZ9
443Please respect copyright.PENANAd3nxaaJbfz
“I got into a fight with my father three days ago,” he said.443Please respect copyright.PENANA9LWtPl56kY
443Please respect copyright.PENANA5hFwUMPSA2
“This isn’t news,” I chuckled lightly; trying to keep the mood light.443Please respect copyright.PENANASZP0VbB8Pp
443Please respect copyright.PENANAJ5RhHyrqY0
“He threatened to remove me from the company,” he replied “The Company is all I have,” he whispered.443Please respect copyright.PENANA6DSWrdhTSo
443Please respect copyright.PENANAckPyBy1wQ1
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.443Please respect copyright.PENANAPXgWHD0NLp
443Please respect copyright.PENANA8u1EOarbLn
“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.443Please respect copyright.PENANAeYDzawyIvy
443Please respect copyright.PENANABCyoRu4ysy
“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.443Please respect copyright.PENANA0lqR23tBbV
443Please respect copyright.PENANAxLVRftQ1nu
“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?”443Please respect copyright.PENANA9qFRXvtdFU
443Please respect copyright.PENANAon134xi9do
“Just a couple of times,” he replied.443Please respect copyright.PENANAMDH7CcA1vB
443Please respect copyright.PENANAV9okowGgQu
“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.443Please respect copyright.PENANAYxc0cZMDnp
443Please respect copyright.PENANAe7izGcpehK
“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.443Please respect copyright.PENANA7o5AWMPqBm
443Please respect copyright.PENANAlqn9KcqCh9
“You should have come to me.”443Please respect copyright.PENANAu0Sp1VT6g3
443Please respect copyright.PENANAdQX4dAEWbE
“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.443Please respect copyright.PENANA03qPUbnBXh
443Please respect copyright.PENANAdv8sE8YeV2
“I would have listened. You know I would,” I whispered as I looked into his tired brown eyes.443Please respect copyright.PENANA8DHCootVEg
“Yeah,” he breathed.443Please respect copyright.PENANA5cqDrEGlgt
443Please respect copyright.PENANAJpub4ySiiH
“Hug me,” I whispered; my hands falling on his shoulders.443Please respect copyright.PENANAAY6pjVuqZL
443Please respect copyright.PENANAXzzbDOozkk
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.443Please respect copyright.PENANAKN61XhYwmt
443Please respect copyright.PENANA4UMBWJdYKW
“I’m here for you,” I whispered to him as I rested my face on his shoulder for a moment.443Please respect copyright.PENANAHBahdFSeR9
“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.443Please respect copyright.PENANAX2qLXuoLHh
443Please respect copyright.PENANAd5RvmCqZ1D
“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.443Please respect copyright.PENANALRCcMxZZCi
443Please respect copyright.PENANA2L7Z11OKeT
“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.443Please respect copyright.PENANAqTNaVfKcrk
443Please respect copyright.PENANARyItc2DbgY
“When are you going back?” he asked as he opened the passenger’s door to his black Aston Martin for me.443Please respect copyright.PENANATeTt9CH1fu
443Please respect copyright.PENANAJABBTGOvb7
“I was supposed to be back right now,” I sighed, thinking of Damien.443Please respect copyright.PENANApa59iKX4wS
443Please respect copyright.PENANA85lycs0Dbr
“Oh, I apologize for keeping you,” Alex said. I stood between the car and him and turned to look at him.443Please respect copyright.PENANAfgKSvQrkBy
443Please respect copyright.PENANA4smyjM069L
“That’s okay,” I smiled and looked into his brown eyes. He took my hand in his and looked back at me.443Please respect copyright.PENANAhMQZbQOLpx
443Please respect copyright.PENANASlWaD5FVn7
“Can I hug you again?” he whispered.443Please respect copyright.PENANARFpLMAI6IH
443Please respect copyright.PENANAr62BW6hdWq
“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.443Please respect copyright.PENANALvtRSe5v7n
443Please respect copyright.PENANA1Ub6XR1bAB
“Thank you,” he mumbled in my hair; his fingers running through my locks.443Please respect copyright.PENANAzV593icQQu
443Please respect copyright.PENANAiigE0uvp2p
“I just wish you’d come to me earlier,” I breathed.443Please respect copyright.PENANAhoF7H3bUAu
443Please respect copyright.PENANAx954XqMHBK
“You found me just in time,” he breathed out a bitter laugh and averted his eyes from mine.443Please respect copyright.PENANAzZIjafGqQh
443Please respect copyright.PENANAqLGpE1TjQz
“What do you mean?” I pulled completely away from him and frowned.443Please respect copyright.PENANAMECvB4YjWt
443Please respect copyright.PENANAHsQLwgpFz6
“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.443Please respect copyright.PENANAmpKfPycJda
443Please respect copyright.PENANAMCzZSfV4oV
“Alex, don’t,” I pleaded and took a step back; my calves hitting the car.443Please respect copyright.PENANAW4DEBRDoyI
443Please respect copyright.PENANAlfjrgFddCY
“I’m sorry,” he apologized and run his fingers through his blonde hair.443Please respect copyright.PENANAP1BLvCNmjJ
443Please respect copyright.PENANA30p1Y9uakj
“That’s okay,” I said “Come on, I need to get back home,” I said and squished his hand.443Please respect copyright.PENANAbLY3Penoyi
443Please respect copyright.PENANA7Cneu0S02f
“Okay,” he smiled as I sat down in his car. A few seconds later he was seating beside me; driving away from the beach.443Please respect copyright.PENANA9JKIkRnpcp
443Please respect copyright.PENANAdPx2ZRGOOs
“Will you be okay here on your own?” I asked, really worried.443Please respect copyright.PENANApStZv0xU11
443Please respect copyright.PENANAuvaNzULNAf
“Hopefully,” he said as we entered the freeway.443Please respect copyright.PENANAql4Z7zv2MV
443Please respect copyright.PENANA0ZpCuVrCwZ
“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.443Please respect copyright.PENANApI2PMI6NvI
443Please respect copyright.PENANAFEQtDeYFV8
“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.443Please respect copyright.PENANAgPyi9WgKHb
443Please respect copyright.PENANArvms0iR1s8
“Okay,” I nodded “You know where you can find me if you need anything.”443Please respect copyright.PENANAzz0KLAJehR
443Please respect copyright.PENANAkr2gJ7PMJZ
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.443Please respect copyright.PENANA6uO0pt4XY8
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.443Please respect copyright.PENANARjAAy4Oqw6
443Please respect copyright.PENANA7igOAyuHH8
“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.”443Please respect copyright.PENANA9FAadZzM6Z
443Please respect copyright.PENANAee6BE1AcVy
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.443Please respect copyright.PENANA2ihpfUeKYd
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.443Please respect copyright.PENANAEzGncKpoFk
443Please respect copyright.PENANAWu7kt4CcYu
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.443Please respect copyright.PENANAVqs0ZzHFUn
443Please respect copyright.PENANA9HxzqUrzXH
“I’m coming home tomorrow,” I texted him.443Please respect copyright.PENANAEjneMWA9Jc
443Please respect copyright.PENANAkxWBEGXhQz
“Finally!” he replied soon after. “What’s the weird news by the way?”443Please respect copyright.PENANAZQsfe2DhxS
443Please respect copyright.PENANAv8cU7O4DFU
“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.443Please respect copyright.PENANAPnWFzcod9o
443Please respect copyright.PENANAwrtDt9dcUU
“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.443Please respect copyright.PENANA0Y6xEkdwCm
♠ ♠ ♠
Title Credit:443Please respect copyright.PENANAwy7bCSkhJ8
"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"443Please respect copyright.PENANAimJUskUMz0
“Chameleon boy by Blue October”
So what do you think it will happen next??? Can’t wait for your comments!!443Please respect copyright.PENANAuE8JGtwcwX
P.s. I know grammar on some really sucks. I’m working on it!!443Please respect copyright.PENANAfKmih9i4AY
xxxx443Please respect copyright.PENANAw7s1Mmk6kG
443Please respect copyright.PENANARiaYKX4ui3
P.S.2. This chapter was based on Smallville - 9x05 – Roulette. If you check out the Characters, you'll see details about Alexander White.443Please respect copyright.PENANA3BBbeMFnY8