𝐎𝐔𝐓 𝐎𝐅 𝐍𝐎𝐖𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄 | 𝓟𝓮𝓭𝓻𝓸 𝓟𝓪𝓼𝓬𝓪𝓵 |

The moment

I can hardly believe what I'm doing. Running away from my life with an almost complete stranger? That's crazy. I just hope I don't regret this decision.

It's basically rebuilding my life from scratch. Back to the beggining? I could describe it that way.

During the whole flight, sitting in the first class area, two seats together with the option to separate with a kind of hard curtain; Pedro has been answering emails, writing messages, reading articles, and making the occasional video call with colleagues, directors and his manager.

He hasn't taken his eyes off me during the whole trip, which fortunately has been barely three hours.

I watch the streets of Naples in silence from the cab, on my way home. I am nervous, very nervous. Sophia has assured me that Matteo won't be back for a few days, but I would never trust him.

"Hey" Pedro brings me out of my thoughts. "Is everything all right? You've been very quiet since we got on the plane".

"Yeah, it's just me, I can't stop thinking about everything". I say trying to play it down. "And I didn't want to interrupt you either, you were working".

"You can interrupt me whenever you want preciosa". Says as he takes my hand.  That word felt deep in my heart.

I answer holding his hand with both my hands. "I think we are here".

We get out of the cab and take the suitcases.

"Give me a minute to answer the phone".

"I'll be going". I turn my body but he holds me, preventing me from moving forward.

"Are you sure? Wait for me and I'll come up with you, I won't be long". I deny.

"Don't worry, I'll be quick, I'll leave the door open for you, on the fourth floor".

Under his disapproving look, I make my way to the door to go upstairs.

I greet the doorman and take the elevator up. I think I don't even have enough suitcases to take everything, I'll have to choose... I guess once I leave I'll ask my friends to come and pick up the rest of my stuff.

Finally, I enter the apartment, everything looks the same. As I told Pedro, I leave the door open and head straight to the bedroom.

I take out a huge suitcase from under the bed and start to put all the clothes that fit in it, also some other necessary things and other belongings.

The flushing noise makes me completely freeze. I stand up and walk out of the room, staring at the bathroom door until it opens.

"Look who has deigned to come". He laughs sarcastically. "Did you think I wouldn't find out?". I can't speak, just turn my back as he slowly approaches me. "You're useless, I don't know how I've been able to put up with you for so long in my company".

My back hits the wall. I can't get the words out, almost with no air. "I'm sorry".

"That's it? That's it?!". He holds my neck with one hand. "I've been supporting you for years out of pity, and this is the thanks I get?" His other hand hits the wall right next to my head. "You're a fucking asshole".

"You're hurting me Matt". I start to cry uncontrollably .

I try to let go of his hand by grabbing his arm. "It's the least you deserve, and I'm holding back a lot". He slaps me without letting go. "You better not have gone out partying with your stupid friends, because I swear I'll kill them, and you'll be the next one".

"Please...".

She shakes me. "Answer me! Did you fuck someone else? I'm sure you're such a whore, answer me!".

"Matteo I can't breathe".

"I'm telling you, answer me". Repeats very close to me.

I'm trembling, it's hard to breathe as he squeezes my neck tighter and tighter. My eyes are full of tears.

He is my height, maybe a little shorter, but he goes to the gym and I can't cope with his strength. I give up trying to break free from his grip.

I close my eyes, and suddenly I notice how he lets go of me and walks away. "Don't you dare...". Pedro grabs his shirt from behind and throws him against a table, hitting his head against the furniture and falling to the floor. "...to touch her".

"And who the fuck are you?" He says in pain from the floor.

Pedro looks at me when he sees me not moving. "Take what you need and let's go".

It's hard for me to react, but after a few seconds, I go to the room and take out both suitcases as they are and leave the apartment without looking back. "Are you going to stay there staring at me? Are you the guy that bitch fucked?".

"I won't call the police, but if I find out you're following her, or doing anything to her friends, family, or anyone close to her, you'll get your consequences". I hear from the hallway. "And trust me, you won't like it".

Then I hear a door slam and footsteps come rushing in. "What did he do to you? Do I take you to the hospital? Are you in pain?".

I cling to his neck without stopping crying. "Get me out of here, please". I sob.

"Don't worry, I won't leave you".

"Thank you Pedro". I whisper in his ear without letting go, once we are inside the elevator.

"It's okay". He kisses my neck.