The Secret Billionaire

Chapter 5

ERIS

In the beginning, everything was perfect. He was taking me out on dates, buying me little gifts, and reminding me how much he loved me. I fell in love with someone who would gaslight me for four years.
Stacy invited me for lunch the next day, but after crying my eyes out last night, I didn't want to go out anymore. Having Darius in my life again was clouding my judgment.
That's how it starts. They rail you in and sweep you off your feet with words and promises. Then you start noticing the little details. Him telling you that you're overreacting, you're being paranoid, and that it never happened. How could I explain when I would wake up with bruises from the night before? How can he tell me it never happened? What about the burn scars that run on my back? He would ask me to forget about it and that it would never happen again.
He was my first everything. When he cheated on me, I thought my life was over. It took me some time to realize that it was the best thing about that relationship. Seeing him again after all this time brought back all these memories. Good and Bad.
He remembers where I live and where I work. I didn't feel safe here anymore. I need to get out. I got up and looked at myself in the mirror. My hair was a mess, and my eyes were red and puffy. There was no point in trying to fix it if I continued crying all day. I want to get some fresh air.
I put my hair up, grabbed my keys, and left. I didn't know where I was going. I just needed to clear my head. I shivered and wrapped my arms around myself. I should've grabbed something thicker than a cardigan. Great.
I looked down at my phone and bumped into someone. They caught me right before I hit the ground.
"We have to stop meeting like this,"
I looked up, and there he was again. I need to learn his name. I can't call him a mystery stranger forever. We were in such an awkward position. Like if we were in some chick flick. I got up and cleared my throat.
"Are you okay?" He asked. I looked around, and he stepped forward. "Let me take you home,"
"N-no, I can't," I shook my head. He grabbed my arm and led me out of the crowd. "What are you doing?"
Once we were out of people's way, he turned to look at me and asked, "What's going on?"
I looked down at his hand on my arm, and he moved it away.
"I don't even know your name. We keep running into each other in the most convenient ways. How do I know you're not stalking me?"
He shook his head and laughed.
"I live near here," He pointed at the building in front of mine, and I laughed.
"I know," He looked at me confused, and I shook my head. "I mean, I live near as well,"
"Really, where?"
I sighed, looking around. "I think it was just a small panic attack. I'm leaving,"
"Let's go into the restaurant. Neutral territory." He pulled me into the restaurant beside us before I could even answer and ordered water.
"Honestly, I'm fine. I just haven't eaten. I was on my way to pick up some food,"
"It's a good thing we are here then, right?"
I didn't say anything. I could use the company, and he won't be able to do anything to me in public. They brought us our waters and took our orders. There was an awkward silence between us.
I took my time to examine his features. His hair was dark and messy. His face seemed unreal, as if artists sculpted him. It was obvious he worked out. He wore the usual workout clothes: Gray sweatpants and a black hoodie. I wonder what it looks like when he has it off.
"You said you lived around the area," He spoke up, sending me out of my thoughts.
"Yes,"
"How come I never saw you till a couple of days ago?"
"I don't go out much. I am not a very social person,"
He continued to stare at me. His eyes raked all over my body. I felt the heat on my cheeks rise when I remembered the image in the mirror this morning. I wish I had made more of an effort to make myself presentable.
"Why were you crying?"
I quickly looked away and laughed nervously.
"Why would you assume that?"
"Your eyes are all red and puffy. Do you want to talk about it?"
The waitress came back with our food. She tried her best to make herself noticed by him, but he waved her away, and she scoffed.
"I don't want to talk about it. Especially not with a stranger. I still don't know your name, by the way."
He was taken aback by my comment, almost offended.
"Nathan," He looked up just as I stuffed more food in my mouth. "Your turn,"
I signaled for him to wait until I finished my food. I was trying to buy time. I don't know if I should trust him. I mean, here I am, eating breakfast with a stranger. Nathan. I finally learned his name.
"I'm Eris," I said as soon as I finished my food.
He took a sip of his water and chuckled.
"Goddess of Chaos. Now, why would your parents name you that?" he continued eating his food.
"I don't know; I never had the chance to ask them. They didn't care enough to stay in their own child's life,"
After I said this, he stayed quiet. He didn't move or make a single noise. I waved my hand in front of him, and he cleared his throat.
"I'm sorry to hear that,"
"Don't be. They made their choice," I shrugged. I was feeling awkward after dropping such a personal fact about myself.
"Your turn,"
He was confused.
"I shared a personal fact," I played with my fingers. "You know what, you shouldn't have-"
"My parents are out of the picture as well; they passed away years ago," I placed my hands on the table and frowned.
"I'm sorry,"
"I barely remember it. I was still very young,"
Okay, this is my cue to go. He placed his spoon down and shifted uncomfortably in his seat. I made this uncomfortable for him. I waved over to the waitress to bring the check.
"Just let me know whenever you're ready," She winked at Nathan. We both reached for the check, and I looked at him.
"My treat. It's the least I can do after bringing up rough memories,"
"No," He grabbed the check and slipped his card without even looking at it.
"Thank you," I looked out the window. The sky was getting cloudy, and I groaned. "I'm sorry, I really should go before the rain comes. Thank you again for breakfast,"
He nodded firmly but didn't say anything. I stood up, and he examined my every move.
"Goodbye, Nathan,"
"Eris," He raised his glass and shot me a nod.
I turned around and walked out of the restaurant without looking back.