The Neighbor

Chapter 16

Elodie's POV

Nobody was in sight. Arden's parents must've been running errands, and it was just us. I nodded and Florence ran up the stairs grabbing my bag from the bedroom. 

"Elodie, my minds all fuzzy, what-"

I shook my head looking at Arden.

"Shhhh, don't focus on that. Focus on my voice, on me." 

Arden stared at me and I smiled as I cupped his cheeks again.

"Everything's going to be okay." 

He nodded and I leaned up pressing my lips to his. His hands ran to my waist like a missing puzzle piece. He pulled me in closer as his touches were so gentle, so soft. This was my Arden. This was the man I was crazy in love with. Our lips danced as he backed me to the wall, a moan escaping my lips. 

"I love you," 

He said it softly as he trailed down my neck leaving kisses as his hands wandered over my body. 

"I love you, so much, Elodie" 

He spoke in between each kiss as my hands ran into his hair. 

"I love you too, Arden." 

He stopped kissing my neck as he flashed me a giant smile before reconnecting our lips again. I knew he wasn't capable of this. It wasn't him. His hands ran to the back of my hair and I felt him take a fist full of it and tug on it as I shoved him back instinctively. His eyes flickered to mine as he put his hands up in the air. 

"Sorry Elodie I, I didn't"

"It's okay! it's okay!" 

I walked towards him grabbing his hands. 

"No, I- I'm so sorry- I don't know what- I-" 

His eyes were flickering side to side as he looked at me. 

"Elodie, I need to tell you something," 

He stumbled back and grabbed onto the wall as his chest began rising and falling. He placed his hand on his heart as he gasped for air. 

"Arden. Hey! Arden! Stay with me!" 

He fell to his knees, his head falling forward. FUCK! 

"ARDEN?!" 

I dropped to my knees next to him as I grabbed his head tilting it back. Florence reappeared with my stuff as her eyes widened. 

"What's happening?!" 

She dropped the bags and ran towards me, panic filling her voice as she fell to her knees.

"I don't know!!" 

Fear filled my voice as I tapped his face.

"Arden!" 

I lifted his head as it fell to the back. I lifted his eyes as his pupils flickered down to me. I gasped as I tapped his cheeks again.

"Arden! Stay with me! Hey!" 

I tapped his face again and let go of his head again as it fell forward. Quickly he lifted his head up blinking as he looked around.

"Arden?" 

He looked at me as he blinked tilting his head to the side

"Baby? what happened?" 

I looked at Florence whose eyes kept switching between Arden and I. Thank god it was still him. 

"We need to go, now!"