you're mine

Chapter 20

Luca's point of view

Once the kiss ended, we stayed there by the river for a while and watched the sunrise. Though once It had fully risen, we strolled from the forest to the campsite.

With blood still coating our bodies, we took it upon ourselves to wash off from a small tap on the river; we assumed it was cleaner than the river.

Not long after,  Emily changed clothes, which I had done a while after her,  whilst I packed some things up from the site. Blankets from the tents, food from the hut that belonged to Gary, who is now dead.

I don't regret that. If anything, I regret not giving him a more painful death. I kidnapped her and even I haven't forced her to do more than kissing and hugging. I could if I wanted to, but I don't. I really don't want to force her because if she ever agrees to do it,it feels like an accomplishment. She will have sex with me once she trusts me and that is something, physical, that will show our growth. I don't want to force her to do that because then I will never know if she trusts me with something so personal.

I wouldn't tell her that, I know if I said it out loud, it would sound offensive. But I don't mean it like that at all.

I can't help thinking about the deal I made with her. How can I be so stupid? I was so scared that I let my emotions show a little too much and gave her what she wanted. Freedom.

Though, I am praying on the fact that I can convince her to stay with me. She did kiss me last night, so that's a good start. I just have to control any anger and be nice to her.

If she does decide to leave, I don't have to stick to my deal.

After I took all the things worth taking, including a tent, I headed straight to the car and we drove. Which leads me to my current surroundings.

After driving for three hours, the gas tank was on near empty. We stopped at a gas station then went to the diner next door.

"Can I please have the birthday pancake special and the double chocolate pancake stack." My mouth curves into a smile as I hand the waitress a menu.

"Birthday pancake special? That isn't a thing." The waitress chews on her gum with a tired look on her face.

"Make it a thing." I smile with a warning tone.

She rolls her eyes and walks away.

"You don't have to do that, I would have been fine with normal pancakes." Emily spoke, slightly embarrassed.

" Oh, come on! Of course I had to, it's your birthday. Everything has to be perfect." I flash a toothy smile.

"Yeah, well it didn't start perfect when you killed someone in front of me." She spits coldly.

An irritated stare lingers on my face. My hand reaches across the pale tale and grabs her delicate arm.

"Don't say that so-" I cut myself off and release her hand from my tight grip. "I am sorry, god I- I don't know why... Why I done that." I stutter in shame. I look up at her innocent eyes which only makes me feel worse about losing my temper.

This is going to be alot harder than I thought.

"It is ok." Her lips curve slightly. "I shouldn't have said what I said."

"Shit, I forgot drinks. What do you want to drink? I am meant to be getting this perfect." An embarrassed laugh runs from my mouth.

"No, no you are... doing good. I will have a hot chocolate, please."

"Is that your comfort drink? You seem do order that often."

"Not officially. But I enjoy it." She nods.

"If you weren't with me, what would you be doing today?" My fingers pass a silver ring from finger to finger.

"I would be volunteering whatever cause my mom thinks is good this month and then probably a birthday meal."

"Do you like it?"

"Volunteering?" She frowns and her eyes fall to the ring I play with.

I nod slightly and put the ring back on my thumb.

"Yeah, I like helping other people. It was fun. I know that you think my family is evil and you are saving me from them, but they aren't that bad. My dad is a heart surgeon and my mom... well she does a lot of things; such as volunteering."

"I don't think your parents are evil at all, quite the opposite actually. I know evil parents and it is not that. I just think you deserve better than to have your life planned out for you instead of choosing for yourself."

"But you don't let me choose."

"Trust me, princess. You get a lot more freedom with me than you would with any other kidnapper." I emphasis the word kidnapper considering how ridiculous it sounds. "I took you on an adventure, showed you what the world has to offer. I give you time, sexually. I bought you things and I take you places. I don't make you serve my every need or keep you chained up in a basement."

"And I appreciate that, truly. Can you-"

"Here is your food. One chocolate pancake stack and one birthday special. Can I get you guys anything else?" The same waitress from before serves us our food.

"One hot chocolate and one strawberry milkshake, thanks."

"Have you both been to Casey's Diner before? You looks really familiar but I can't quite put my finger on where I know you from."

"No we-"

"Yeah we have." I interrupt Emily. "You must know us from here." I chuckle, trying to hide the nerves creeping up on me.

"Oh, that must be it." The waitress walks away to make our drinks.

"I am going to be sick eating this." She laughs referring to her pancakes, completely clueless to the interaction we had encountered seconds before.

The large stack is cooked with strawberries and blueberries in the batter. They are topped with sprinkles, whipped cream, chopped banana, caramel syrup, strawberry syrup and a lit candle.

"Happy birthday." She blows on the candle; unfortunately not something else.

"Thank you, Luca."

We both dive into the sweet breakfast on the table between us. A quarter way through our pancakes, the waitress returns with our drinks, interrupting mine and Emily's conversation on the topic of cars. She believes an Aston martin trumps a Koenigsegg, to which I told her she was ridiculous. She didn't seem to mind and surprisingly, was interested in my take on it. I hold my breath the whole time she is placing the cups on the table.

"So, what about movies? What is your favourite?" Emily asks with her cup to her mouth.

"I like Horrors, specifically 80s horrors. Like the shining, child's play, silver bullet, Christine, the lost boys.... you know, the classics."

She laughs softly. "Okay, okay. What about least favourite?"

"Horror?"

"Mhm!" Emily takes another bite of pancake whilst waiting for my answer.

"You ready?" I grin.

"Definitely."

"Motel hell. I watched it when I was eight and didn't sleep again until I was eleven." I joke which makes Emily chuckle.

"I don't think I have seen it."

"Oh you have to! I am making you, next time we come across a tv that is streaming it."

"Okay, deal."

My eyes wander over to the front counter where I meet the intense stare of our waitress, she holds a phone to her ear and looks at me with a terrified look. Even when I meet her eyes with my own, her gaze doesn't drop.

"Shit."

"What is wrong?" Emily's brows knit together.

I throw some cash on the table and take her hand. I don't stop walking even after the waitress' yell after us. I speed-walk to my car, dragging Emily along with me.