𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐨 | 𝟏𝟗𝟖𝟒 𝐙𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐕𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚

𝐛𝐞 𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐞𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞 (𝐟𝐚𝐫 𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲)

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| 3 3 |
7:48pm
N.Y.C

Michael shifted and stared at Rose, the pair had slept in all day— past the sunset. He lightly tucked her messy hair over her sleeping face and admired her as she slept, slowly: her eyes fluttered open and revealed her dark clouded brown eyes. She stared at him for a few seconds before cracking a smile, "Good morning." Slowly sitting up, she peeled the covers off her body and glanced at her phone screen. A few missed calls, some unread messages and emails— looking at the clock she sighed and stretched her arms slightly above her head. "You know, regardless of how I was treated at the strip club." She paused to stand up and pull her closet door open, "I really did enjoy dancing." Rose murmured while browsing at her options. Her tone slightly shifted and her shoulders tensed when she thought about Richard, grinding her teeth subconsciously a heavy sigh left her lips. 'Stop thinking about him.' Michael thought, burning his eyes at the back of her exposed body. Her skin reminded him of untouched marble, it looked smooth to the eye— as a Kid, whenever he'd have outings to museums with Constance, he'd remember staring at the Greek Statues in exhibits and having the urge to lick or bite them. Rose was simply easy and pleasing to the eye— down to every inch of her body, including flaws: such as scars and stretch marks.

"Dancing for strangers lustful eyes was nice, huh?" He replied while examining his nails closely. "Dancing in general." She slipped on a torn crop top and pulled on a pair of baggy denim jeans, tossing her hair in a messy bun, she quickly admired herself and blew a heavy breath. Heading to the bathroom to brush her teeth, she couldn't help but to let her mind wander over and think of the events of last night. A frown sat on her lips as she brushed, spitting out the excess spit and toothpaste. Rose exhales and rinsed her mouth before splashing her face to cool down. Without even realizing, she had began to quietly cry. "It hurts so much." She mumbled, staring at her reflection for a last time before wiping her eyes hard and forcing a smile when Michael came into sight. He didn't say anything, he simply changed and fixed his hair up in a split bun— half his hair was up and the rest was down. A few strands delicately hung over his face. Rose had always known he was beautiful, but he seemingly calmed her aching chest— even the sight of his eyes was enough to calm the raging tempest of her spirit.

"You do realize, Richard can't love." Michael cut the silence. Listening to that, simply confirmed what Rose had been feeling and dreading. "He can only be affectionate when he can, but he'll never be able to love you the way you want him to— it's absurd." Michael leaned against the door frame and eyed Rose, there was no doubt in her expression that her heart was shattering more— but it was the truth. "I could stand here and lie to you and tell you he's great and this and that— but I leave the lying to my father." He clicked his tongue while continuing to read her body language and expression. Her mouth hung open for a few seconds before she could let out anything, "I always knew it was silly of me to fall for someone like him." She glanced up and stared at the male across from her. "I always knew it would hurt to fall for someone like him too." Rose touched her own cheek and stared down to the ground. She glared at the crack of the pale blue tile on her bathroom floor. It reminded her of herself. Out of place, and a pain to stare at.

"But it was hard to not contain myself when he has made me feel so alive and so free— even with the conditions he set.." she sniffled. "I know he'll never see me as I wish he would, but I can't help but to be attracted to him and the allure of his darkness— it sadly feels as welcoming as my home." Michael stared and tilted his head. "I wish I felt as welcoming for him— but he's never had that," she paused and exhaled. "He's never had a home and I know he'll never be able to recognize me as such— so yeah, as we talk he could be plowing his dick into that girl or his knife— and it's sadly the reality I've come to terms to." She rubbed the side of her neck before walking past Michael. Although before she could get past him, he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her in. He exhaled heavily into her neck, which caused an army of shivers and goosebumps to trail across the bottom of her back.

"I know what home is, and I wish I could offer that comfort to you— as long as Richard is around, he will continue to break you." She could feel his heart beat against her back. It was rhythmic and it soothed her. "I should have fallen for you instead huh?" Rose mumbled. There was silence.

The sound of their breathing, with the rain fall slamming against the windows made Rose feel comfortable. "Let's go out for a drive, grab your coat." Michael pulled away from her and adjusted the denim jeans he wore. It was strange to see him dressed so casually, but he looked handsome in this disheveled look. Slipping on a hoodie and beanie, she grabbed her keys and cigarettes before following Michael out the door. Instead of being met by his driver, he unlocked an unfamiliar expensive looking car and let her in. Playing a random playlist from his phone, he put the car into drive and reached one of his hands down to hold onto Rose's hand while driving from the city. With all this happening so quickly, she glanced out the window and stared at the drops of water resting on the glass pane of her window. Regardless of her conversation with Michael, her mind continued to wander off to Richard. Michael gripped her hand for a few seconds and he was gone away. Staring at the male driving, she leaned to the side and forced a pained smile.

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