Eyes So Blue I Drown

16| Grocery Store

ARABELLA

"I know I don't owe you any explanation. But... just know that she's not the one I want. Not at all," his voice resonates low and penetrates my ears deeply.

Despite being witnessed with that girl on the couch, he claims he didn't want her. I can't help but question, "What the hell was she doing then?"

He nonchalantly replies, "I didn't realize when she got the guts to do that. It was unexpected"

As he steps closer, he continues, "I don't desire those women who throw themselves at me. I got my eyes only on one." his hand runs over my tattooed thigh.

Oh, hell no. I push his hand away and pass by him to leave.

"Try leaving the room and I'll tie to the bed" he warns.

I huff, turning around, "Why are you fucking with my head again? What do you want?"

"You," he declares, making my heart clench unexpectedly. Why are these men so complicated?

"I'm not your puppet or some toy to play with," I assert, "You can't just show up in my life after four years out of blue and say you want me."

My heart floods with emotions. "I don't want to trust you again. You'll leave me again"

His gaze remains undisturbed.

What's going on in this demonic mind? I wince at the disgust.

~~~

I wake up to the rush of footsteps and voices echoing from downstairs. Glancing at the clock on the wall, it reads 1 AM precisely.

Sliding out of bed, I step onto the floor. What could they be doing at this hour?

Adjusting my clothes and hair, I venture out of my room, greeted by darkness in the corridor. Descending the stairs, I spot a group of men leaving a room and heading towards the lobby. As I approach, I realize Renzo, Fantino, Gabriel, and Julian are among them.

Why are they up at this late hour?

"That's nothing we can't handle. I don't know why he is so serious about this case," Renzo's voice breaks the silence.

Unseen in the darkness, I observe them as they disperse into their respective rooms, engrossed in conversation.

They fade from view, leaving me standing alone. My attention is drawn to the room they emerged from – still bathed in light.

I find myself walking towards it, fueled by an unexplainable mix of suspense and curiosity. I shouldn't care, but I've had enough of living in the shadows.

The echoes of my footsteps in the quiet corridor hint at my presence. I hadn't intended to eavesdrop.

Approaching the half-open door, questions multiply in my mind. Gently pushing it open, the dimly lit room reveals Luca's silhouette. A massive projector casts light, struggling against the room's darkness.

My eyes widen at the sight on the projector screen – a familiar face, a picture of Dustin.

Luca, standing beside the couch, turns his gaze toward me. Side-eyeing, he breaks the silence, "He's the one blackmailing you, huh?"

How does he know? Did Neville involve him? My mind is too overwhelmed to respond.

Twirling around to face me, Luca, in a white casual-fit t-shirt and black joggers, awaits my answer. My eyes meet his, and he speaks, "Tell me everything I need to know."

"I think Neville must have already told you"

"Correct. But I want to hear from you too."

I bite on my lower lip confusedly.

Should I really trust him on this? I don't know how he is going to handle it all just by standing here in completely different country.

I exhale, realising there's no alternative. If Neville sought his help, he obviously must have thought of something before contacting him.

"Long story short: he used to date Darla... and when he saw me in a party with her, he tried to force himself on me." I recount, "I even broke his face, I did everything to make him stay away from me... and for some time, he did. But now again..."

Luca begins advancing towards me, coming to a halt a few feet away.

"He forced himself on you?" his flat and abrasive voice pierces the air, "Didn't you tell him who your ex is?"

I swallow, attempting to shrug off the impact of his words. The resonance of his past influence among the guys is hard to ignore.

"And now, months later, he's back, urging me to return to him—" I cringe at my inadvertent choice of words, "Begging me to indulge his lustful fantasies by giving in, which is nothing but a delusional daydream of his."

It would be his worst nightmare if that were ever to come true. I wouldn't hesitate before ripping his dick off him with my nails.

~~~

On the time of the month Leah doesn't get up until noon. She didn't even have her breakfast.

Her new architecture school is going harder and time consuming as said by her, I observed she never takes her day off from studies even on Sundays. This time is the only time she rests. And the least I could do for her was make her a nice healthy meal consisting her favorite dishes, as she doesn't want to have what was already made by the cooks in the house.

Although my cooking skills are disastrous.

It isn't raining this morning. And the grocery store is on. Luca didn't even raise a question at me when I told him I was going out, it's better for him as well. Because no way I could tolerate a 'no' from him at that point.

Surprisingly, I haven't received any messages from Dustin. It appears Luca followed through on his promise.

He dealt with it.

I pick up some strawberries, avocados, pineapple upside-down cake, and dark chocolate. I hear the door chimed and rush of footsteps coming in. This place is going to be busy, thank God I came here before ten.

Suddenly, I feel an object pointed on my back from behind.

"Don't move, don't try to do anything. Just walk out with me if you don't want a bullet inside you" a whispery voice settles in my ears.