Scared To Love You Again

52

Leila

Flashback
A year and a half ago....

"Will do." Domenico says. I turned to walk out of his office. "Oh, Leila. Wait."

I faced him. "Yeah?"

"There's something I need to tell you. Shut the door for me?"

Oh God. Just by the way he said that, I can tell it's more bad news. I do as he asked and came back over to sit in the chair. "What is it?"

"Tesoro, I don't feel right keeping this information from you, but you deserve to know." He sits on the side of his desk. "You remember the night of the brawl between Damian and your ex boyfriend?"

Why is he bringing this up? "Yes, I remember. You said you were gonna take care of Marcus. What happened to him? You didn't..."

He chuckled. "We didn't kill him if that's what you're implying. He's in a mental institution."

"What?" I asked shockingly. "Was it because of the drugs he was on?"

"No, tesoro. Not just that. He escaped from the facility a little while back. Right before you two started dating." What the fuck?

"W-why was he there in the first place?"

He feeds me the information about Marcus having some mental disorder and almost strangling one of his ex girlfriends to death. How she disappeared as soon as he escaped and no one has heard or seen of her since.

"Stop. Please. Just s-stop." I'm growing nauseous again. I take a deep breath. "Are you telling me... I was dating a- a- a narcissistic, schizophrenic junkie!?"

"I'm sorry, tesoro. I know it's bad timing to tell you this, too."

"Real bad timing, Nico." I paced back and forth. "Ohhh, that explains so much. The random arguments, the paranoia... it all makes sense. You know I caught him rocking back and forth, talking to himself in his room one day. I just told myself he was on the phone, because I didn't wanna scare myself. Is he still in New York? What if he escapes again?"

"We won't let that happen, Leila. He's on security watch 24-7. You have nothing to worry about. I promise."

"I can't take any chances, Nico. I need to leave. I need to get away from New York. This is all too much at once. I can't go back home. I need to find a new place."

"Leila..."

"Look, I know you said he can't get out... but if he's done it before, he'll just do it again."

"Tesoro, slow down real quick." He exhaled sharply. "I understand you're scared and if you want... I know a place in north Jersey where you can move to. It's a gated community and I'm friends with the guy who owns the building. You don't have to take it right n-."

"I'll take it."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. I need to. I'll take whatever to get me away from here."

"Alright. I'll call my guy today and I can get you moved in by the end of this week. Suona bene?"

I nod my head.

...........
Present

"You're not the only reason why I left New York, Damian. I was scared I would run into Marcus again. The fact that nobody knows what happened to that girl still frightens me. Marcus could've killed her or something. I just didn't wanna be next on the list."

"You're not going to be. I wouldn't let anyone hurt you, baby. You can count on that." I can't tell he really meant that by the way he eyes me deeply. Damian takes a deep breath while leaning back against the counter, collecting his thoughts. "Were you pissed that I knew?"

"I was. For a while, but when I talked about it in therapy, she made me realize that you were just trying to protect me. A couple of mantras, meditation, and bible verses, I learned to forgive you."

"You learned to forgive me for everything I did?"

"Almost, but I'm working on it."

Damian rounds the counter to grab my hand and helps me to my feet. Staring deeply into my eyes. "One day at a time right?"

"Yes." He rests his lips on mine. My eyes slipped closed as our interaction intensifies. My phone starts vibrating causing me to pull away from Damian's grasp.

The caller ID reads "Boss". "Hello?" I answered. "Yes, Mr. O'Nelli. I'm back from my tri-. The blueprints? Oh my God! I almost forgot, I'm so sorry, Mr. O'Nelli. I can drop them off early tomorrow morning. Tonight?"

Damian's head pops up quickly.

"I'm not sure if I can make it tonight I-." I bit my tongue and exhaled lightly in frustration. "Yes, sir. I should be there in thirty minutes. No problem." I hang up.

"Your boss?" Damian asked curiously.

"Mhm."

"What's he want you to do at this time of night? It's almost 8."

"He needs me to drop his blueprints off that I have at my house to his. I was supposed to do it as soon as I got off the plane, but I got sidetracked."

"Baby, I'm sorry. Let me take you."

"It's alright, baby. Don't worry about it. I shouldn't be long. Give me an hour and I'll be right back here so you can rub my booty again." I brightly teased.

Damian bites his lip and grins. "That's all I'm good for?"

"Of course not. You have amazing dick, too." I joked. "But since you just bought me food, I might reward you with a little something when I get back." I smirked, wrapping my arms around his neck.

"I'm gonna hold you to that."

"I know. Can I take one of your cars?"

He sucks his teeth and digs through one of the drawers from the kitchen. He finds the key to his Rover and hands it to me. "Go crazy"

"Ouuuuu. Thank you, baby." I kissed his lips once more before heading to the elevator. "I'll see you in a bit. Okay?"

"Yes ma'am."

From there, I drove twenty minutes back home. This really shouldn't take long. All I have to do is grab those blueprints from the counter, drop them off to Mr. O'Nelli in ten minutes, and then head back to my boo. Simple. When, I made it to my building, I pressed the button on the elevator to my floor. As soon as I opened the door to my apartment, I felt this unwanted presence near me. Before I could react, I'm knocked down to the floor. The last thing I see is a large fist connecting to my face, knocking me out of consciousness.