TOUCH OF THE DEVIL | A MAFIA ROMANCE

12.

"What are you doing here?" I asked him, confused. "And why the hell are you following me?"

"Wait what- you know him?" Ashely asked looking back between us.

"Why? You jealous?" Ares smirked looking at her as Ashely faked gagging, looking all disgusting.

Ares frowned, flinching. "What was that?"

"What was what?" Ashely replied, going back to normal and looked at him as if he was crazy.

"That thing u just did with your mouth? That- that thing, ugh" He tried explaining with his hands going all around air trying to mimic her but failed terribly.

"Stop that," I told them both and turned Ares to face me and asked him once again. "What are you doing here?"

"I...go to school?" He said with a sheepish smile.

"Dude, you look like you're 50, so no one's gonna believe that you go to uni." Ashely said, looking at him up and down.

"Excuse me ma'am, would you like my seat? You look like you're having trouble standing that long. Won't wanna damage your knees any further, " He said, gesturing to his seat.

"You little sh-"

"-seriously, stop that! Both of you!" I whisper-screamed.

They both shut up and looked at me.
"Ashley, nows not the time, did u forget he literally followed us here." I told her as she turned serious. I looked back at Ares and gave him a stern look.

"And you, answer my damn question, why are you following me?"

"Well don't come at me, I'm just following boss's orders."

"Boss's orders? Wha- Val's order?" I spluttered out.

"Using nicknames now, are we?" Ares smirked crossing his hands.

I cleared my throat and realised what I said. Well shit.

Ashley looked at me like I was crazy.

"Stop it," I said, "I thought I was free to go? Why are you following me around?"

"Well yeah, but I hope you realise that Valentine's not just any person." Ares said quietly, turning serious, "he's got a lot of enemies Aviana, we cat guarantee your safety, yet."

I felt uneasy when he said that. Who wouldn't? I looked at Ashley and she was staring at the floor. I guess she was right about him.

"Listen, I know you won't like this, but I suggest you get used to me following you around. Trust me, I'm better than a bunch of his bodyguards surrounding you for everyone to stare at. It will take some time, but for now, I'll have to stick around you." He told me. He looked pretty serious and worried for my safety.

This made me mad. I was finding out that others could potentially harm me just because I was accidentally kidnapped by honey eyes. And it was all his fault. I was furious at him.

"Before you say anything, yes, you can carry on with your normal life. You just have another amazing friend go bang out with." He said taking his seat and picking up another newspaper that was on the table.

"Are you serious?" Ashley said, annoyed. "You can't seriously let him hang around with us."

I thought about it. "Honestly Ashley, it's better if he's with us rather than following behind me. At least I won't have the creeps." I sighed.

She nodded her head and gave me a hug. She clearly hated that Ares was going to be follwoing around us, but we had no option. And I loved that she understood.

----

Some weeks had passed and it went by normally, almost.

It was obviously impossible to forget that I had been kidnapped but I think I kind of learned to live with it. I never thought about it much. Life was pretty good.

I tried my best to stay positive and focus on what was good for me. I had spent many days just processing what had happened and having breakdowns suddenly.

I once almost hit Ashley with a pan while cooking because she sneaked up behind me. I was very paranoid. Couldn't walk without feeling like someone was going to knock me out again.

That's why I decided to take up a boxing class, so I could learn to defend myself if not attack. I was doing pretty good and now, I was way less paranoid.

Aside from Ares and Ashley's bickering and his snarky comments, I was doing pretty well. And I think Ashley was starting to like Ares a little bit.

I was peacefully listening to music until I saw Ares marching towards me. Ashely wasn't with him. They had gone to get some donuts while I searched for the seat. But she wasn't with him.

I removed my airpods and asked Ares where she was.

"Listen Aviana, I know this is very sudden and it must be scary for you. I can't really explain completely right now, but I assure you that you'll be alright." He said while he took my hand and I stood up.

What was wrong? Had something happened to Ashley? Fuck, had she been kidnapped?

"What's wrong?" I asked him worried. "Where's Ashley?"

"Don't worry, Ashley is fine. But you, you're not safe here Aviana. You need to come with me now. And before egku protest, you have to know that this is serious. You have to listen to me, please. I can't explain right now but just hurry up and follow me. We need to leave right now." Ares said as he pulled me with him.

I had no time to say anything as he wasn't even bothering to listen. A million thought raced through my head and I couldn't think straight.

The hallways were crowded and students were hurrying to go to their classes.

If Ares wasn't holding my hand, I'm pretty sure I would have fallen and someone ould have definitely stepped on me.

I didn't know how or when, but I found myself in a car with Ares telling me to just trust him and not get out of the car. He said he would be back before i knew it and that I should call and tell Ashley to go home and lock her doors.

I was so confused as to what was happening but I somehow managed to stay calm and tell achely what he told me. She told me he can go fuck himself.

Ares was pretty serious. And the little long I had known him for, he had never looked this serious or scared. It frightened me.

When the car started moving, I started panicking.

"Um, sir?" I nervously looked at the driver. "Could you please wait?Ares said he'd be back, I don't think we should leave him."

"Ma'am, he's the one that told me to leave if he doent come back in 5. You're our first priority." He said starting to drive off.

What the fuck.

Why was he talking as if Ares was gonna die?

I didn't ask anything else, scared of what might be true. If it was, Ashley probably was safe. She's at home. But Ares...

I started panicking and tried to calm myself and taking deep breaths.

Before I knew it, the car stopped and my door opened. He was standing there, looking all tall and handsome.

"Val," I whispered.

Please no not again.

I can't be back here. With my kidnapper whom I had kissed.

Fuck no.