Just Listen

Chapter 36

Uncanny's POV

I left Kamilah in May's office. "That girl will be the death of me." I slowly rubbed my temple, putting on shades to hide the bags underneath my eyes. I walked down the hallway when I saw the last person I ever wanted to come across. I tried convincing myself that I was exaggerating. Oh boy, what a lie I told.

"Mr. Rossi!"

A student greeted him. I so wished that the ground would open up and swallowed me whole. Unfortunately, it never happened. My fear suddenly replaced by rage and hands balling into fists. "How are you here?"

He noticed me and fixed his tie. The black suit he wore fitted him like a glove. It enhanced his muscular body. I swallowed hard, feeling caged in like a wild animal. My vision fixated on his fresh cut, sharp jawline, and nerve-racking pitch-black eyes. He gave off that hot teacher vibe. The girls must have been falling at his feet and throwing themselves at him. It was such a pity. He was a brute.

He folded his arms, his muscles bulging in the process. He gave me a lopsided smile. "Uncanny Bonnie Valley. It's magical what money can do."

"What is that supposed to mean?" My eyes narrowed. 

Javan licked his lips, hands in his trousers. "Layla Rossi. You had Mira as well as I arrested, but you forgot about our innocent little sister. She bailed us out."

Javan made my insides turn. In ways more than one.

Maybe because I still wanted him to love me differently. I scoffed, hand on my hip. That could never be the truth. He ruined me.

I took off my shades, "I hate you. I can finally say with every bone and nerve in my body that I hate you. I never want to see you again."

"Was that supposed to hurt?" His left eyebrow rose, patronizing me. "Things could have been different, Bonnie. You didn't have to fall so far." He walked over to me and lifted my chin, covering the space between us. His eyes scanned through mine, melting the walls I had built. For a moment or two, I forgot how to breathe. I loved him once, back when his arms used to be home to me. "You, Bonnie, are mine," his grip on my chin tightened. So much for that; he would never change.

"Do you feel any remorse for what you did to them? To me?" I never expected my voice to come out so weak and strained, but what could I have done? Javan once meant the world to me. It hurt me that he wasn't the person I thought he was. At least Veronica didn't have to suffer. I felt hot tears running down my cheeks. Javan's head tilted to the side.

For a brief moment, I thought he understood. "I miss being inside you, Bonnie." Javan's hot breath fanned against my lips as they began quivering. My eyes closed shut the moment I kicked his shin. He crouched back, looking furious. "If we weren't in a school, you'd be dead!" He seethed.

"Uncanny!"

Veronica's voice erupted in the distance. I internally groaned, wiping my tears. We might have been on good terms; I knew she still felt something for Javan. She looked between us and chose to ignore whatever tension she demised.

"We have a gala dinner for the launch of the new fall wear. I went to the hospital. Michael said that he hadn't seen you, so I called May and she told me I would still find you here. Be ready to address the press at 7." Veronica glared at Javan with such longing and hate, "Mr. Rossi." She greeted, walking past both of us towards May's office.

Javan noticed it, "What's her problem?"

I rolled my eyes. "Really? You mean to tell me that you've never noticed the way she longs for you?"

"The only girl for me is you. And you will pay for what you just did. Mark my words, Uncanny."

"Oh, shut the fuck up! I have had it. Kill me. But you seriously need to stop this. Please, leave me alone! I am not yours nor an object you own!"

I blinked a few times, trying to grasp what happened. My mouth was slightly ajar. I involuntarily rubbed my right cheek; to soothe it from the stinging sensation. He had slapped me. "Behave," he crowed and walked off. 

When would the nightmare end? Sometimes when I spoke up, I thought he would listen. But, I kept failing, yet I never stopped trying. Maybe you're using that energy in the wrong way.

Could it be that my subconscious was right?

I shook the thought off as I drove to the hospital. Taking in deep breaths to calm my nerves, I walked into Michael's room. He had a cast on his left leg, and his other injuries seemed to have been healing quite fine. His face brightened the moment he saw me walk in.

"You're so beautiful!" he cheered. I couldn't help the heat that rose to my cheeks. What surprised both of us was the hand that was gently tracing the outline of his chiseled face. The softness of his on top of mine gave me butterflies. He gently squeezed my hand that was on his cheek to bring me back to reality. Our eyes met.

"What's wrong? You look so sad. You even have bags under those goddess-given eyes."

I chuckled, "You're getting discharged today. Plus, there is a gala dinner my company is hosting."

"Malley and Co?"

Cringing, "I am still skeptical about the merging names." 

"Well, I think I am strong enough. I'll be there too."

Michael stole a few glances at me. I crossed my arms, "No way. Yes, you'll be out; but you have to rest. In the meantime, you are staying at my house."

"You have got to be kidding me!"

Kamilah exploded from the door, closing it shut in the process. I internally rolled my eyes and prepared myself for more temper tantrums. She stomped her feet like an ogre. She glared at me. "Why are you taking him away from me? Haven't you done enough of that?"

"Shut it, you little brat," the words escaped my lips before I could even control them. My hands flew to cover my mouth, but it was already too late. Michael gave me a distasteful look.

"Mind what you say, Uncanny. Kamilah is my girl. She still comes first no matter what."

My insides disintegrated. No, it was my heart. Michael was choosing Kamilah over me! "Are you choosing her over me, Michael?"

His actions said one thing, whereas his eyes said another. "What did you expect? For him to follow you forever like a loyal dog?"