No Going Back

8 - 1

Samara

I was alone, once again, just like when I was seventeen, fleeing the barbarity of my stepdad's abuse after my mother died. There was no point seeking help from the system because they were all working with my mother's gangster husband. My biological father was a Cop, shot dead in a heist gone-wrong shootout, and his family never accepted me or my mother who was a former stripper.

The streets had been a cruel enemy and I'd barely scraped by for a month before a group of teenage gangsters cornered me in a deserted alley. That was when Antonio appeared, his tall, muscular frame and intimidating personality helped in rescuing me.

That day, Antonio took me to his small but tidy apartment and gave me a place to stay. He helped me out with food, clothes, and other essentials, and even supported me in getting a job at a restaurant nearby. Over time, he showed me how to get back on my feet, manage my finances, and make a new life for myself.

He did more than just rescue me - he treated me with respect,, defended me when I needed it most, and kept me safe from harm. It was impossible not to be drawn to him, to not not fall in love with the person who had become my rock.

But despite everything we'd been through together, Antonio never saw me in a romantic way. To him, I was just a plain platonic friend, nothing more. It was hard for me to accept, especially since I had no one else in my life. Watching him with other girls, seeing him glide on from one to the next, was a painful stab that mocked me that with the words that I would never be more than just a friend to him.

That's how he was anyway, I kept telling myself- a rogue unapologetic manwhore with a sharp tongue and a quick temper. He was brutally honest and never sugar coated words, often speaking his mind without regard for anyone's feelings.

Despite his affection for me, Antonio wasn't always easy to be around. Growing up he resented it when I tried to intervene in his life, especially when I'd advise him to not participate in illegal races and change his ways of sleeping around.

I had always struggled to form close relationships with other girls, and it was mainly due to Antonio's presence in my life. Many of the girls who entered our social circle were immediately drawn to him, and I became a mere bridge in their pursuit of his attention. Others, seemed to harbor an unspoken jealousy towards me.

I tried to fill the void left by Antonio's indifference, seeking comfort in relationships with other men. But they never lasted a good time. I'd been carved by the harsh realities of life, and my bold, fiery personality often intimidated the men I dated. They'd eventually lose interest, and I'd be left to pick up the pieces, a polite rejection saying that I wasn't the kind of woman men wanted to settle down with. So I was always the temporary tempting choice that's good to spend a few nights with.

Antonio's reputation as a talented tattoo artist earned him a loyal following, and when we opened the bar together, it quickly became a hotspot. As we spent more time together, managing the bar, handling its successes and challenges, I couldn't help but feel hopeful. Maybe, just maybe, Antonio would finally see me in a different way.

He didn't!

Then Floria walked into our lives. She was a vision of sweet innocence, and Antonio was immediately smitten. He pursued her relentlessly, refusing to take no for an answer. I had assumed she was the type of woman who would be drawn to refinement and sophistication, but to my surprise, she fell deeply for his rough-around-the-edges charm.

Along the way Hendrix entered my life, and he was unreal. He was one of the most exceptional men I'd ever had the pleasure of meeting. With his chiseled features and rugged charm, he was undeniably handsome. But it was his kind heart, genuine honesty, and gentle nature that truly set him apart from every other man that I encountered.