The Golden Rule 2: The One That Got Away

Deal

Ari didn't go out of the guest room the entire evening. Marco didn't bother her, too.

She was relieved he didn't make any attempt conversing with her. She didn't want to engage in another argument with him. She just wanted to get out of there.

She checked the clock sitting on the night stand. It was past nine in the evening and she couldn't hear any movement downstairs or in the upper floors. She walked over the door and pressed her ears against the oak panel.

He must be asleep. Ari thought. She was certain she heard him walk up the upper floor and enter his room more than an hour ago.

She slowly opened the door wincing when it let out a soft creaking sound. She held her breath waiting for any reaction. When she heard nothing, she quickly tiptoed downstairs.

She didn't know where she was going to go. She has five days until the end of the month, surely she can think of something before then? Can she possibly burden Linda and ask for her pay? Can she go to the supermarket and beg them to release her last pay? Maybe she can talk to the hotel manager and see if they can help?

Ari knew her thoughts were messy. But she couldn't stay there. There were a lot of memories and reminders of her past, it was getting harder to breathe. And she couldn't succumb to what-ifs and what-might-beens, it will break her to pieces like it did before.

She managed to reach the door when lights suddenly flooded the apartment.

Ari froze and closed her eyes.

" Where are you going? "

Taking a deep breath, she turned around and found Marco standing a few meters away from her, a poker expression on his face. Ari bit her lip as she met his gaze and was curious to know if he saw this coming. He didn't look surprise to see her sneaking out. If anything, it looked like he was expecting her to do something like this.

" I need to leave, " she told him flatly.

He slightly tilted his head  upwards and said, " And go where? "

" Somewhere. " She shrugged. " I'll figure it out. "

" So I asked you a few things and you react by running away. Without any money, without any plans, without knowing where you'd spend the night. "

It was a statement. Not a question.

Marco raked his hair with one hand and she could see frustration etched all over his face. " Why the fuck do you do this to yourself, Ariana? "

She frowned when she heard the hard edge in his voice.

" Unlike you, I don't really have a choice with how things are going right now, " she told him defiantly. " And I don't need to explain anything to you. "

" You're right, you don't owe me any fucking explanation, " Marco snapped angrily. " But if you think that I'm going to let you out of that door to go back to the streets, then you're fucking mistaken. "

Ari blinked when she heard the anger in his tone. She saw Marco advanced towards her and she quickly took steps backwards hitting the door behind her.

" D-don't come near me, " Ari stammered hating herself when she heard the break in her voice.

Marco didn't stop this time. He only did when he was a few inches away from her. Looking down at her, Ari could see the throbbing veins in his temples.

" Why are you so fucking afraid of me, Ari? " He demanded angrily, his eyes searching hers. " Do you really think I would hurt you? "

Ari lowered her eyes to his chest and said, " I'm not afraid of you. "

" Then look at me when you say that! " He bellowed, his breath fanning  her face.