I wish I hated you

23. Sour.

Chanel

This place is beautiful. I take a few steps forward, rounding a corner. "Can we go up there?" I gesture to a small wooden staircase at the very back of the bookshop.  "Sure." Louis gives the desk lady a nod before following after me.

The store is quiet and no one seems to be in here except us.

Once I make it to the top of the creaking stairs, I let go of his hand and look down at the floor below. Rows and rows and rows of bookshelves. I hold on to the railing as a smile makes its way to my lips.

How did he find this place and where are we?

"Is it your first time coming here?" I ask softly. He stands next to me, his hands buried in the pockets of his trousers. "Nope, my ex-" he stops himself abruptly. I close my eyes and draw in a breath.

So this is where he takes all the girls he likes? Interesting.

"She showed me this place," he finished. I purse my lips, holding in any comments.

It was an arranged relationship. I bet they just fucked and he left. It doesn't matter. It's none of my business. And I should not show any emotion towards it because I shouldn't care and he can do whatever he wants.

I don't care.

He stares at the side of my face, probably waiting for my reaction but I don't give him any. "Well, that's nice, isn't it?" I try to keep the bitterness out of my voice but fail miserably. My fingers tighten around the railing.

"Yeah..." he says hesitantly. I spin around and walk away from him to explore this floor. An old chandelier hangs from the ceiling, a couch rests against the back wall and there are still a bunch of bookshelves - obviously, we're in a bookstore.

My fingers skim the spines of all the different books as I look for something to read. I grab a random one and sit down on the couch. The lighting is so dim, I can barely read.

Without saying a word, Louis stands in front of me and snatches the book out of my hands. "Hey! Give it back," I snap. Looking up at him, I notice his cold demeanor. He simply blinks a couple of times, thinking about something and I watch as he sits down next to me. "She's dead," he deadpans, throwing the book on the other side of the couch.

Not knowing how to react and with so many questions, I lean my body towards his.

"I'm sorry for your lo-" Louis interrupts me, "No. Just informing you."

"So, why did you bring me here?" I ask confusedly after a long moment of silence. He points to all the books and then turns to look at me. "You had books in your room, I figured you'd like this." The corners of my lips curl up and I hum distractedly.

I can't stop thinking about his dead ex-girlfriend for some reason. He must miss her... Or not, I don't know. He's the type of guy to get what he wants from the girl then disappears. But why do I feel like he's different with me? Was he different with her too?

He kissed me, calls me princess, takes me to a beautiful bookstore and I still feel... jealous. I know she's not even on this earth anymore but I can't help it.

The thought of him being with her or any other girl makes me want to scream. And not a pretty scream, a terrifying rage-filled one.