The Chief And I

Im Afraid

Chapter 25.

Antonio's POV

My heart nearly shatters when I hear Alondre shout on the other side of the door.

"What are you hiding" her words echo in my head.

I'm not heartless. I just don't know where my heart is. With her? A part of it.

But im not lying. I'm on my way to the office and it's true I can't have distractions. I need to get back to work. I've fallen behind.

What I'm avoiding to tell Alondre is where im going after I leave the office. I feel terrible, but how else will I fix this.

I meet Jackson downstairs."Good morning." I guess I sound a little grumpy because he then asks what is something wrong.

He and I have a close relationship. His been my advisor for years. I promoted him when I made James a wiseman. He is like a father figure to me and I barely keep anything away from him.

So I tell him. I tell him everything about how I feel while he listens.

After a few minutes he shakes his head.
"Thats a shit postion to be in, but just remember not to hurt Alondre. She's been thru alot of pain." He advices.

"I know that" buring my face in my hands. He gives me a pat on the back.

You'll do the right thing, you always do. Hence why this island is still running smoothly"

"Thanks Jackson." I exhale and uncover my face.

"No a problem. To the office?" I nod and we leave the palace.

I pick up my phone and messages Chantelle

"Hey I'll see you later".

Man what am I doing?

-------------------

Alondre POV.

I feel empty. Weak maybe I'm over thinking this whole thing.

I keep repeating to myself: Antonio isn't like that. He not that kind of person. But what if he is? I don't know about his past love life expect for Juliet. But I dunno who this new chick is.

I turn over in bed when the telephone starts ringing. "Yeah?" I answer not wanting to speak.

"Hey Alondre" Chelsea's voice comes thru the phone and I sit up clearing my throat.

"Hey girl whats up?"

She giggles" just worried about you guys. Listen I heard about what happened."

Yeah along with the rest of the world.

I slump my shoulders and nod but then realize she can't see me. "Oh yeah we're still recovering or atleast just me"

"I'm sorry hun"

I shrug and when I want to reply my voice goes away and cracks. "It's fine irs not your fault Chels"

"Awww girl is there something else going on?"

I feel wetness gather around my eyes, thinking about how Antonio is keeping things private from me.

When I don't, and all I do is sniffle into the headset, Chelsea speaks.

"Do you want me to come over?"

"Yes please" I say pulling up my nose.

"Okay. I'll be there in a few Ally." My smile is ailing at the silly nickname I've earned.

We hang up and I then roll back on the bed for almost a hour. My head is swimming when there a soft knock on my door.

A head pokes around it. It's James. "Princess Chelsea Jacobs is here to see you"