Forbidden Fruit

Chapter 1

I love baking. The smell of freshly baked bread, cakes, pastries. It was one of the few things that I truly loved in this world, and being able to be surrounded by them at my job was like a dream come true. Right now I am currently eating a sandwich and drinking strawberry milk behind the counter of the cafe I work at. It was after closing time so I knew I would not be disturbed. Mrs. Gem, the owner, said we could make and take any left overs if we are the one to close the shop, so, here I am. Honestly, I could have kissed Mrs. Gem when she said that because mom and stepdad never let me eat at home. Sadly, I am not always on the closing shift, so this is the first time I am eating in three days. 

I sighed taking a drink of my strawberry milk while looking down at my half eaten sandwich. My body is in so much pain. Stepdad was really angry this morning because I bumped into him while walking down the stairs this morning. He screamed how useless I was, while kicking, punching and whipping me. By the time he was finished, I was bloody and black and blue all over. I wish I could say sorry to him for bumping into him but I couldn't . He does not know sign language and I cannot talk, so I just took the beating, downed some pain killers and went to work as usual. But now, the painkillers are wearing off and my whole body is beginning to hurt again. I was shaken from my painful thoughts by the sound of the bell above the door of the entrance. Weird, we are closed.

I looked up intending to sign to the person to leave but froze. Ice filled my veins sending shivers down my spine. Time seemed to stop. I could not move, I could not think, I could not breathe. I did not even see if anyone else entered the cafe behind them. All I was focused on were them. The people who abandoned me at ten years old. The people who did not even turn back at the sounds of my cries. The people who never called, never texted. The people who I once loved so whole heartedly but were now strangers. The people who I have not seen for the past 12 years. My father and older brother. Just as sudden as time stopped it painfully restarted. I jumped up from my chair, knocking it down with my sudden movement. I did not even look to see their expressions as I ran through the door to the employee bathroom. I closed the door to one of the stalls, not even locking it, before collapsing to the ground in tears. 

Why? Why are they here? Why now? I began to hyperventilate.  I could not get enough air into my lungs. It felt like a brick was crushing my chest while someone strangled my throat. I clawed at the invisible hand that was strangling me with shaking hands. Cold sweat beaded down my face mixing with my tears. My sobs racked through me as they echoed through the bathroom. Black dots swarmed my vision. Each one like a hand reaching out to me, to pull me into the depths of the abyss. Both terrifying yet familiar. As I was about to take the abyss's hand, something brought me into a warm wall. Wait, not a wall, a chest. I began to thrash, trying desperately to let the abyss's hand pull me under but the owner of the muscular chest had other plans.

" Il mio coniglietto, I need you to breath with me okay. In and out. Follow my breathing, listen to my voice. Feel the steady beat of my heart." A deep, soothing voice repeated over and over. The rhythm of his heart steady, the rise and fall of his chest constant. His voice swept over me, blanketing me in its soothing comfort, while his big, muscular arms anchored me with its tight hold. After what felt like an hour, my breathing finally returned to some semblance of normalcy. My sobs were reduced to sniffles while my trembling was only slight. But for some reason I did not want this stranger to stop holding me. Normally I hate anyone touching me but with this stranger it was different. My skin did not feel like acid was being poured onto it from his touch. Instead, it felt like a shield. A comforting and protective shield. His scent was smokey and husky with a note of spice. I inhaled it deeply, letting it invade my body and warm me. This stranger was also built. Like built built. He must live in the gym. His chest is huge and muscular and his arms are the same. I have no idea what he looks like as I am smooshed into his chest but honestly, I like it here. I could live here in this comfort and safety. But like all good things in my life, it came to an end.

"Can you look at me il mio coniglietto? I want to see your beautiful face." his smooth voice whispered into my ear sending pleasant shivers up my spine. Blushing profusely, I slowly looked up to him and gasped.  OH MY GOD!!! He was so hot!! He looked like an Italian god. His piercing grey eyes stared into my soul. They saw through me. They were like a grey storm. Emotions roaring through them. I have know idea what the emotions were as they were passing to fast for me to figure out but that just made him more intriguing. I broke my gaze to examine the rest of his face as dear god I am going to faint this man is too good looking. His black hair looked so soft and silky I wanted to run my fingers through it. His jaw line was so sharp it could cut metal and his lips were so plump and luscious that just thinking about kissing them made me lick my suddenly dry lips. I looked back up to meet his gaze and saw him smirking at me causing me blush even more. God I felt like I was going to implode from how hard my heart was beating. Without breaking eye contact, this mysterious stranger, whose name I still don't know helped me to stand while keeping a firm grip on my waist. It was almost laughable the height difference between us. Even at full height I only reached his chest, having to crane my neck up to meet his gaze.

"Il mio coniglietto, I know you are scared but please hear your father and brother out. Just for a few minutes." Mr. handsome stranger looked into my eyes with sincerity, his big, warm, callused hands coming up and wiping the tears from my cheeks. Voice deep and soothing the tension of confronting my father and brother. Taking a deep breath, I nodded and walked side by side with Mr. handsome stranger, his arm still around my waist. I paused at the exit at of the employee bathroom, taking another deep, steadying breath, as I took in the people I once knew. My father looked the same as I remembered. Cold and intimidating. His black hair was slicked back, blue black eyes unforgiving. His sharp jaw littered in scruff. He was wearing an open brown satin suit with a white under shirt. I could not see his shoes as everyone was sat at one of the tables. Next, I looked to my older brother Koen. He has changed so much from the teenager I once knew. He wore a loose beige suit with a white button up shirt inside, accessorized by a white mask covering his nose and mouth. His blue eyes looked through me with no emotion. Black hair styled to perfection in careless kind of way. His face was set to a stone cold expression that I could not read even if I was paid to. Lastly, there was a second mysterious man seated next to Koen. He was the very definition of American beauty, with his electric blue eyes, tussled blonde hair, strong jaw line and muscular body. He wore a light grey, loose button up, tucked into his light grey pants. He accessorized it with a pair of black glasses hanging from the loose button. The only thing that set him apart from the rest of America was the cold look in his eyes that mirrored by brother's and father's. Their lack of expressions made me start to panic again but Mr. hot stranger just puller me tighter to him to reassure me that he was there. With one more deep breath, I began to walk towards the table with my mysterious stranger. 

Hey guys what did you all think of the new chapter, comment and let me know!! See you on the next chapter of Forbidden Fruit!!