Bound by Christmas

Chapter Nine: Rojo

I was so done with my day!

As soon as Ari and I stepped into my building's elevator, I breathed a sigh of relief. It felt like it took us an eternity to make it back to my apartment, especially since Ari had to stop for some gas, but I was finally going to be able to put the night behind me.

It was over. Sebastián and I were really over.

Why did I feel my heart splintering at the thought of never seeing him again? Wasn't it inevitable after all the things he had done? Or, not done?

Shaking the thoughts out of my head, I stepped out of the elevator and turned to walk toward my door when I heard a loud, thundering voice shout, "open this damn door!"

Shit! I knew that voice. I rushed to my apartment to make sure Sara was okay, and I saw Sebastián hammering on my door with his fist.

"What are you doing here?" I demanded, boiling with outrage.

Sebastián froze, his fist stopping in the air. Slowly, he lowered his hand and turned to face me. "Jenna, I thought you were inside. We need to talk."

"So you decided to break down my door?" I scoffed.

"Jenna, please I..." he stopped mid-sentence and looked at Ari, who had raced after me when I ran down the hallway.

"Why is this idiot still with you?" Sebastián grunted, clenching his fists. "I'm getting really tired of having him thrown in my face."

"Oh, that's rich," I replied, my voice lowering as my anger flared.

Sebastián approached me, stopping just short of touching me. "Jenna, whatever you're thinking, you're mistaken. Everything has been one big fucking misunderstanding."

I shook my head in disbelief. "A misunderstanding?"

I felt Ari closing in on us, trying to intervene, but it was pointless; Sebastián would not allow it. I attempted to push past Sebastián, but he wouldn't budge. Looking up at him, I narrowed my eyes. "Sebastián, let me pass."

Ari cleared his throat. "Look man, she's not interested in listening to you."

Sebastián stared at Ari with murderous eyes. Without saying a word, he had Ari taking a step back. Then, he turned back to me and softened his features. "Mi alma, please, let's just..."

"No!" I shouted, interrupting his pleas. "Do not call me that, Sebastián. I am not your alma. As a matter of fact, I am nothing to you. I was simply your living, breathing sex doll."

I could tell Sebastián wanted to argue with me, but he was deterred by Sara's entrance as she slammed open my door and marched right up to us.

"That's it," she hissed. "Back away from my best friend and rein in your demands."

"Demands?" Sebastián questioned. "I'm fucking begging her to listen to me."

"Sara, it's okay." I intervened. "I'll handle it."

Sebastián's eyes roamed between Sara and Ari. "So you're Sara, huh? And, I assume this is your boy toy?" he asked, pointing at Ari.

I could hear Ari trying to hold in his chuckles, but Sara didn't look like she found anything funny. Trying to regain control of the situation, I spoke up again. "Okay, I think everyone should leave. It's been a long night."

Sebastián crossed his arms, spreading his legs wider. "I think that's a great idea. Ari and Sara should leave so we can have a private conversation."

Ugh, why was he digging in his heels? Would I never get rid of him?