Ari's Reverse Harlem Part 2

Chapter 15 Ari

I can barely see my way through the crowd, my vision is so blurry with tears. Before I can make my way to an exit, I hear my name being called. I push forward, yielding my body to give me strength to keep going. I try to ignore the pain of walking away from him. Suddenly I feel Square's presence surrounding me. I curse myself for enjoying it so much. My body failing to comprehend, he is no longer mine.

"Marie...Marie, please wait up." Square calls out, once he gets closer. "Marie please talk to me. Don't leave like this." He pleads. I almost have a break down right then and there at the sound of his voice.

"You don't need me anymore. You have Lori. Just let me go, so you can enjoy your life with her."

"Marie, seriously. You're talking stupid. Come, follow me." He grabs my arm, pulling me, not allowing me any room to argue. "We need to get some things cleared really quick. I'm not letting you go anywhere, without us working this shit out." Square states, wrapping me in his arms. God, I love his embrace. I just want to melt into him and act like none of this ever happened.

He leads me through the crowd, until we come to a stop, in front of an office door. He fumbles around with his keys and unlocks it, damn near dragging me inside. I don't bother turning around to look at him. I make my way to the other side of the room. I hear him slam and lock the door behind him.

"So, you don't want to tell me what the fuck is going on, Marie?" I don't reply to him.

"Really? Marie, you have to tell me what's going on. What happened to make you question what we have? Are you having some type of an early midlife crisis?"

I can't help the giggle that slips out. I quickly attempt to school my features. I don't want to talk anymore. I don't trust myself not to make an even bigger fool of myself. He probably thinks I'm pathetic, thinking I had a chance against her and their relationship.

"Why did you leave after Lori came? I don't understand why you were so upset, to the point you felt like you had to leave. Lori's just my friend. We grew up and trained together."

"That's even more reason for y'all to be together." I reply

"Be together? What do you mean by 'more reason for us to be together'? I hope you're not implying we should be together intimately? FYI, I have a special someone, who has that spot taken already."

"You made it seem like you couldn't be without her."

"I missed her, yes. But as a friend nothing more. I've never saw her as anything more. You have to believe me. I don't want her to leave because she's, my friend. She was the only one close to my age growing up, who wasn't human or vamp. She understood the magic within me. Damn it Marie! I love you! You can't leave me over a misunderstanding. It's you I want. It's never been nor will it ever be her."

"You love me?"

"Of course, I do. That's why it's tearing me up inside to see you walk away from me like this. I thought we could all be together, like a family. Practice our magic, while y'all get to know each other. I turn around and you're gone and then I come here and I see you with Edison and it's like you replacing me."

"I can never replace you. I thought you were replacing me with her. Same goes for you but...but you said you love me." I attempt to keep the smile from forming, but with no luck.

"Out of everything I just said, that's the only thing you caught?" Shaking his head like he's disappointed but I know he's just faking. He's trying to look serious but the smirk he's trying to keep a bay, won't allow it

"I'm known to have selective hearing." I smile.

"Do you think it's strange, I already love you?" He asks, pulling me into his arms. I shake my head no.