When Night Falls (Complete)

34

CROFF

Trouble within the estate. Or at least, trouble within Croff. He just left a meeting with Idris and a couple other partners of his. He left as soon as it ended because he knew Idris would try speaking to him. He would try engaging in some conversation, and since he's been avoiding him, sticking around would defeat that purpose.

Now he wanders the halls of the estate, trying and failing to push the guilt to the back of his mind along with the memories of that kiss. Croff regrets it. He was foolish. He acted on pure impulse. He'd been so blinded by what was in front him that he'd forgotten about what was behind him. His loyalty to Idris. His trust. The same trust he shredded over Josi. Years of friendship tarnished over one foolish mistake.

He has to get things back in order. He has to sever these feelings he's developed for Josi before it escalates any further. He rounds a corner on his way to the book study, hoping to find some calm for his mind. What he doesn't expect to see, however, is the very temptation he's been trying to avoid.

Josi lays against a couch, legs bare and flung over the armrest, with a book she reads leisurely from. For a split second, Croff's resolve goes flushing down the drain, and he has to fight just to prevent himself from falling deeper into Josi's trap. Well, not so much as a trap as it is his own yearning. But that same yearning stems from the bear trap Josi set herself.

"What are you doing here?"

"Reading, Croff." Josi waves the book in her hands, but stops when she sees how dispirited he is. She gives him another one of her smiles, this one much more goading. "Well, that's not a happy face."

Croff frowns. How can he be happy when all he's been trying to do is reject these so-called "feelings"? When he can't even look his own friend in the eye anymore? He's trying so desperately to piece his mind back together, to listen to the last remaining rational part of his brain. But even his heart has lost control, so how can he expect his mind not to follow suit?

"Stay away from me." Says Croff, a reply that is more for himself than it is for Josi.

Josi sets the book aside and sits up in her seat. "I've been here all day, Croff. You came to me."

Cue the damned memories from that night. Chasing her into that room is the biggest mistake Croff now regrets. "How can you be so calm? What about Idris?"

Josi sighs, as if the mention of Idris is futile. She leaves her spot by the couch and heads for him, and with each step she takes, Croff stiffens up and even begins backing away. Then he realizes this action makes him look weak, so holds his place firmly, hoping that he hasn't already given himself away.

Josi comes to a stop in front of him. "This is not about him, Croff. This is about you and what you want. You can't deny the feelings you have for me."

What disturbs Croff's mind most is the fact that he can't deny the accusation. So he avoids it completely. "This can't happen. For Christ's sake, you're in a relationship with him."

"Then why haven't you left yet?" Josi asks. "If this can't happen, then why do you look like you want to kiss me?"

This catches Croff off guard, and his posture goes limp. Is he truly so transparent? How pitiful that the front he'd tried so hard to put up shattered so easily at the sight of Josi. And she's provoking him, prodding him into casting that pointless front aside with that same smile. She straightens out his collar, then begins unbuttoning his shirt slowly, all while keeping him under a hypnosis through her eyes.

"You're worried about what Idris will think if he finds out his trusted bodyguard fell for his girlfriend. He'll never find out. Because I'll make sure of it. It'll be our little secret."