little bird | a.p

SIX

I woke up sore, but surprisingly well-rested. My lower half was aching and bruised. I peeled Alex's arm off of me and slid out of the bed. I finished my daily hygiene and looked at myself in the dirty bathroom mirror. My eyes were slightly sunken in from the stress. I sighed, primping my hair and exiting the bathroom.

I walked past Alex's sleeping body. His face looked as delicate as glass, soft as he slept peacefully. I was forever grateful for him protecting me. Looking at him now, I couldn't believe he was capable of killing a man with his bare hands. I knew I was safe because I've seen the power he possesses.

I headed down the stairs to join Camilla at the dinner table, sipping her coffee. "Maria, how are you feeling?" She asked me.

I winced at the pain shooting through my woman-hood as I sat down. "Sore, but better."

"I'm so sorry this has happened to you." She sighed and gave me concerned eyes.

"Thank you for helping me." I smiled at her. "How did you know it would work?"

She looked down at her coffee. "My Mai showed me."

I looked down to my lap. "The trials of woman-hood.." I said under my breath.

"Maria, Alex told me," she started. "Alex told me that the police might be coming soon, to ask you questions." She looked at me up and down.

My stomach churned. I really didn't want to talk about it. "Do I have to?"

Camilla sighed. "I don't even know how they found out. Alex said he took care of it?"

I shuttered at the thought. I just wanted to forget it and move on. I didn't want anyone to be involved. Cardosa was dead and he couldn't hurt anyone anymore.

Fast-paced thumping footsteps descended the stairs case. Alex appeared into the kitchen. His eyes were frantic up soon relaxed once he saw I was sitting with his Mai. His lounge pants hung loosely around his hips, his bare torso exposed. He quietly took a seat next to me. Camilla set a hot cup of coffee in front of Alex and he quietly sipped it.

"Maria, would you like to run to the market with me while Alex works?" Camilla said in my direction. I could feel Alex's eyes on me. I looked at him for approval, he nodded.

"Yes." I smiled softly at her.

She smiled back and excused herself from the table to get ready for the day, leaving Alex and I at the table.

"Maria," Alex's warm hand covered my forearm. I looked up at him. "How are you feeling?" His tone and eyes were full of concern but he kept that stern face of his.

I placed my hand over his bigger one. "I am better. Thank you." His eyes softened. "You didn't have to do that."

He turned his body towards me in his chair. "Maria, I did. He hurt you, badly."

I shook my head. "What if you get into trouble?"

"No." He stated firmly.

I nodded my head while taking in his features. His dark, almost black hair looked extra fluffy this morning. His chiseled face was lightly scarred, but just added to his charm. Only when he smiled did his sharp dimples show. I couldn't help but smirk at him.

"What?" He questioned me.

"I just think you're really handsome." I admitted.

His smile lines appeared on the sides of his cheeks. "I have to get ready for work." He said and got up from the table.

I followed him up the stairs and into the room we shared. I decided to copy him and get ready, too. I pulled off my sleeping clothes and put on pants with a small top. I sat on the bed and watched Alex change. His pants were already on. The waistline peeked out from his pants, enhancing his toned core. The dragon tattooed on his back danced as he lifted his arms above his head and ended my little peep show once his shirt was pulled on.

"I see you." He said playfully.

I smiled and met his gaze. "I'm not trying to hide it anymore. You know what you look like, Alex." I teased.

He scoffed lightly in response and walked over to me. He towered above me and looked down, placing his hand under my chin to lift my head to look up at him. "You are beautiful, Maria." His voice was deep but carried smoothly. He caressed my chin and pulled away to finish getting ready. I sat in awe. Even after a year, he left me star-struck every time. He truly was the man of my dreams.

After he finished, we both treaded down the stairs. Alex pulled me into the small room off of the front porch. He held onto my waist and looked into my eyes. "I am unsure about you going to the market without me, but I have to work." He said in a low tone. "Maria, please be safe."

I snaked my arms around the back of his neck. "I will." He brought his face closer and connected our lips. We shared a lingering, passionate kiss. He pulled away slowly when Camilla could be heard walking down the stairs. We stood waiting for her by the front door.

Camilla accompanied us to the walk outside, locking the front door. We watched as Alex got into his car. He waved a small smile at us and took off.

Camilla and I headed the opposite direction to the market. We made more small talk about what we were going to purchase. The walk was a bit longer than normal, but it wasn't bad. The soreness still lingered in my body. We finally reached the market and began eyeing the fresh fruit. Camilla filled her burlap sack with mangos. We laughed together in the warm sun. Camilla held up two small braided bracelets. She raised her eyebrows up and down.

"Purple or Blue?" She asked and I pointed to the blue one. She smiled and paid for them, and tying it to my wrist, she wore the purple one.

Our laughter was cut short when we heard police sirens in the distance. Three police cars whizzed by the market, heading towards the opposite way we came..towards the tire shop. I instantly got a bad feeling in my stomach. I looked to Camilla and her face expression read like she saw a ghost.

"Maria.." she asked. "What did Alex mean when he said he took care of that man?"

My breath hitched. "Uh," is all I could muster out.

She began to shake her head back and forth. "No..no.." she muttered. "Maria, we have to go!" She exclaimed. We took off as fast as Camilla could run towards the tire shop. She began to slow down. "Maria.." she panted. "Go on, I will be at the house!" I nodded my head and ran faster.

I passed the smoothie shop and could see flashing lights ahead.  Three policeman stood with their guns drawn and were shouting at someone to lay on the ground. I ran closer to see it was Alex. My Pai was standing behind him off to the side. I ran to my Pai and hugged him. "Oh, Maria!" He exclaimed and hugged me back.

Alex slowly dropped his hands and laid on the ground. The policemen rushed to him and started forcing his hands behind his back in cuffs. He kept his head off of the ground, the veins in his neck straining. The cuffed his hands and struggled to lift him up to stand. Alex was so much bigger than them, they were lucky he didn't put up a fight. I watched in shock as they began walking him to the police car. I left my Pai's side and ran after them.

"Maria, no!" Alex yelled to me as I tried to stop them.

"He didn't do anything wrong!" I pulled on the officers arm. He shoved me off and I stumbled a few steps back.

"He is being arrested for murder." Another policeman said to me.

"No!" I cried. "You don't understand!" My Pai came to my side and held me as Alex was shoved into the car.

"Maria!" Alex called to me. "I will be back soon. I love you, my Maria!" The door was shut in his face. The car sped away to the police station.

"Maria.." My Pai said. "Alex, he- he killed someone? Maria, please?" He begged for an explanation.

"Pai, yes, he did." He buried his face in his hands. "No, Pai, he was protecting me from a bad man!"

He looked up at me. "Maria, what do you mean?"

I sighed. "This man locked me in a room with him. Alex, he- he came in and saved me. He was punching him so hard, I- Pai..." I broke down into tears. My Pai hugged me.

"My Maria, Oh no...." He held me and wiped my tears. "I am sorry for doubting."