Illusions

30. blame

Amira's POV

It should be illegal to have tinted windows.

I can't tell if this car is delivering my food or if I'm staring at some random person. If it's the second one, then I feel bad.

Roman was being overprotective for no reason, as if I don't walk around New York every day; I can survive picking up my food order from his secured parking lot.

I hear the door open and get my phone out to give him the confirmation code, I'm acting like I have not eaten food in days.

"Hi, here's my code," I thrust my phone out and look up, "do you--

My heart drops.

"That shouldn't be an issue," he smiles and opens the door, "get in."

He doesn't give me a second to react and pushes me into the car.

I scream, but it's muffled by his hand on my mouth, and then decide to thrash around.

"It's not going to work, Amira," James says monotonously, "look, it's your boyfriend running like a little bitch."

I turn around and see Roman running after the car, but to no avail, and is soon lost as we exit the garage.

Acting calm and collected might be the only option here.

"What's your end goal here?"

Let's hope he didn't hear the quiver in my voice.

"You."

I roll my eyes.

"Elaborate."

He looks at me from the front seat.

Oh.

"C'mon James, you know we were just a means to an end."

He slams his hand on the center console and glares at me through the rearview mirror.

"Amira, we both know there were feelings, you can't ignore that."

There weren't for me and I told him that when we ended things.

"James, I'm being real," I say while eyeing the car for anything that could help me, "I was sexually attracted to you, but that was it, I never wanted anything more. I made that clear from day one."

I watch his knuckles whiten on the steering wheel and realize that I should've kept my mouth shut. My heart continues beating at a rapid pace and I look out the windows to see the city disappearing behind us and my hopes of escaping with it.

"You know, for your situation, you're a bit too calm."

I roll my eyes.

"I've worked six back-to-back shows in one day at Paris Fashion Week," I scoff, "that beats this tenfold."

He changes lanes without an indicator and I watch as a car swerves to avoid us, almost hitting another car in the process.

"You should indicate next time," I say sarcastically, "wouldn't want to kill your precious cargo."

"Don't worry, darling," he matches my sarcastic energy, "I'll take really great care of you."

Darling.

Roman must be so worried about me, he probably dropped everything to find me.

I'm such a fucking burden to the people in my life.

"Thinking about something or someone?"

I roll my eyes.

"James, just focus on the road," let's test the waters, "and also, do you have my food delivery? I'm kind of hungry."