Love is a dangerous game (mlm)

What did I do wrong?

Next part will be online in exactly two weeks (if I don't forget it.)

(Lucas' POV)

For the twenty-first time today, I think back to last night. I keep replaying the moment when I saw him leave in my head, trying to make sense of it. I had thought that we had a great time, that we were hitting it off... Yet he just left. Was I too pushy? I shouldn't have flirted so much with him. Most straight guys hate it when I joke around like that. I probably made him uncomfortable, even though he didn't seem to mind at the time. I can't help but feel a sudden wave of sadness wash over me. I just wanted to reunite the three of us. Me, Rosa and Alexandro.

I had expected us to be chatting the whole evening, getting to know each other better, enjoying each other's company. The first few hours had been going perfectly. I had the chance to apologize to Rosa. Lexi was starting to loosen up. I was surprised by how good of a time I was having when I danced with Alexandro. We were so close and I got the perfect opportunity to admire his face. His eyes are green, just like Emeralds. It made me feel some attraction, but I am unsure if it was romantic. 

It has been a while since anybody really caught my eye. I usually find someone at a club, but I haven't had the time to party since I joined the Ruby gang. The Big Meet Up was definitely a magical night I never want to forget. It also makes me keep wondering, why did Lexi suddenly leave? I already sent him a message, though he didn't react to it. I grab my phone to text him again. I hold my breath, waiting for a reply. Nothing comes back. My heart sinks as time goes by without a reply. 

I check my phone once again. That's when I notice my last text isn't even delivered. It can mean only one thing. He must feel really hurt or angry, because he just blocked me. I can't understand what could have caused this to happen. What could I have possibly done to make him think that this was necessary? I feel completely lost. 

***

It's been a week since the Big Meet Up. Alexandro is obviously avoiding me, because I don't see him on the streets anymore. I can't get over the fact that he left without saying anything. I NEED to know why, but I don't want to come of as desperate. I'm just curious. If I don't reach out to him, maybe I'll never see him again. So, I get into my car and start driving to Alexandro's house. It feels a bit weird to make this sudden unexpected visit, but I'm determined to find out what happened to cause this whole situation. 

I can feel my heart pounding in my chest as I pull up to his house. I ring the bell and wait nervously as moments pass. Finally, Lexi opens the door. He's standing there, eyes locked with mine. He seems surprised, before his face becomes stoic again as if he's annoyed to see me. I notice that he slightly lifts his chin. I thought he was going to say something, but he closes the door with a loud bang.

"Wait! I want to know why you're avoiding me." I shout at the door. He doesn't answer, though I have a feeling he can hear me. "Tell me what I did wrong!" I try again. "It has nothing to do with you. Just go away." He replies. I stare at the door in stunned silence as his words echo in my head. I guess it's nice to know it has nothing to do with me, but I'm not satisfied with that answer. I feel a flash of anger as I realize he doesn't want to listen to me. "I won't leave until you give me a proper explanation." 

Yeah, I am not the type to give up. I keep waiting in front of his house. I haven't heard any footsteps, so he is still at the other side of the door. He is probably debating what he will do. Suddenly, the door flies open again. The sound of his voice snaps my eyes up in shock. "Don't you know the definition of go away? Your stubbornness is going to get you into serious trouble one day." He shakes his head while talking. I raise my eyebrow at him. He's the one who's being stubborn by refusing to answer my questions honestly. 

He leans against the doorframe and begins explaining. "My father doesn't want me to see you, because you are from the Ruby gang." His voice is sharp. "And you let him run your life? So what if he doesn't like it? It's not his decision to make." I take a step forward, the two of us nearly face-to-face. His breath hitches. "You don't get it. He will literally kill us if he finds out you came here. He is way more powerful than you think. I'm protecting you."

My stomach drops when he reveals the real reason why I can't see him. His father sounds like a total dick. It's not that he doesn't want to see me, it's that he is worried about the danger that it would put both of us in. A powerful gangster like his father wouldn't take it too kindly to him being involved with the Ruby gang. I have been so stupid in insisting that he see me, not realizing all along how dangerous it really is.

We are both silent, drowned in our own thoughts. I am the one breaking the silence, because it's making me uncomfortable. "Protecting me, Lexi? Does that mean you care about me?" I grin. "What? No..." He replies defensively. I notice a subtle shift in his demeanor, as if it's hard for him to say those words. I think back to the dance. It's clear that he cares about me. But this situation is more complicated than he would like to admit. "You have to go. My father will be home soon."

I stare at him silently, feeling a sudden rush of sadness. I realize that this is probably our final goodbye. Though most of the time we were fighting, I still think he's a cool guy. I will miss him. I feel a sudden urge to hug him. I open my arms to pull Alexandro into a tight hug. At first he doesn't move, shocked by my hug. My face is buried in his chest and I can smell his cologne. After a moment of hesitation, he wraps his arms around me tightly. I'm surprised, because I thought he would pull away.

I don't want this moment to end, but we can't stand here like this for too long while his father is on the way. So I take a step back, looking at him one last time. I let the moment sink in and then I turn around to leave. I walk back to my car, taking in the last few glimpses of his face as I try to commit them all to memory. It feels weird to leave him like this.