Julia Lelieveld and the battle with the underworld

~5~

The next morning my body still hurt, but the bruises and wounds were almost all gone. You hardly saw anything that happened on the roof of Renzo's apartment two days ago. I thought back and a shiver ran through me. I'd been keeping a close eye on the newspaper to read back about the two possessed people helping Lucas on the roof, but the newspaper hadn't said anything about it.

I hadn't planned anything for the weekend. Eva had an away game from volleyball, so she was gone all day and Bas also had to play football. Rob had released the circle this weekend to recover from what had happened over the past few days. I didn't know what Renzo was up to, we hadn't agreed on anything yet. At the thought of Renzo, the muscles in my stomach tensed for a moment. What an effect that boy had on me.

Dad was back at work. Maybe he had time for lunch together. I immediately messaged him. And to my surprise, he immediately sent one back saying he had time to have lunch together.

Lunch was enjoyable. We had been given a nice table in the diner opposite the police station and the lunch was also very tasty. We talked about the upcoming party I bought the dress for and about my new friends Sara and Kate. We also talked about going to Hannah on Monday. My father had a lot of work that day, so I thought maybe I could go shopping while I was in the area or maybe I'd call Sara. My father thought that was a good idea. He was happy for me that I adapted so well to our whole situation. In my opinion, lunch was over much too quickly, even though we had been there for almost an hour and a half. After saying goodbye to my father, I got on my bike. My head was still working overtime. In my mind I cycled towards the center.

I immediately recognized the street where I stopped, it was the street where Renzo lived. Its narrow gray door between the shops should be very unobtrusive. But for me it was the opposite. Renzo's door was the most important, most striking part of the street for me. And with that thought I heard a motorcycle stop next to me. I looked next to me and there he was. My stomach jumped.

He took off his helmet and looked at me in surprise. "What are you doing here?"

I shrugged. "I went for a ride to clear my head and maybe do some shopping." I smiled at him.

He smiled back. "You can do that more often. Would you like to come in?" And he nodded at the door of his apartment.

I nodded and put my bike down by his motorbike and we walked to his door.

There we were, in front of the narrow door between the shops. It gave me a mixed feeling. The last time we were here, Lucas was after us.

Despite that double feeling, I felt the butterflies in my stomach come to life, because we had also kissed here for the first time.

He opened the door and showed me, waiting, I stepped into the narrow hallway. Renzo closed the door behind him and turned. I felt the tension between us. He stood in front of me and looked at me intensely with his oh so beautiful eyes. They were a shade darker than usual. His breathing was visibly up and down. Luckily I wasn't the only one who felt different.

He put his hand around my face and as if an electric shock went through me, I felt his love and warmth run through my whole body. Our previous kisses and moments had been special, but I didn't know this was possible.

As if he put his whole feeling into that one touch. I looked into his eyes, it seemed as if my knees almost gave way, this was indescribable. And that only from this one touch. I closed my eyes and put my own hand on his. Trying to hold on to this moment as long as possible and print it in my mind.

I felt him lay his forehead on mine, every touch had a charge of feelings. I couldn't stop it anymore. I took my hand off his hand and opened my eyes, at that moment Renzo opened his eyes too. I brought my mouth to his and without hesitation he responded immediately. With an intense feeling I kissed him, and he kissed me back. I wrapped my arms around him to squeeze him even closer to me and he followed suit. He pushed me back so that I was stuck between the wall and Renzo. There we were, entwined in the narrow corridor between the shops.