Bets, Beds and Treads || 18+

𝒙𝒙𝒊𝒊𝒊.

ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ xxɪɪɪ
| ғ ᴏ ᴏ ʟ |
𝐑 𝐄 𝐈 𝐆 𝐍

𝗠𝗢𝗦𝗧 𝗦𝗔𝗬 𝗢𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗪𝗜𝗦𝗘, but I'd call myself 'simple' because I want nothing.

I don't ask for much, don't waste time hoping. I don't expect anything from anyone. If there's one thing I do expect, it's 'disappointment.'

Disappointment's like an old friend of mine-I always see it coming. It's just a matter of time until someone finds a way to let me down, so I've learned to do what I can to stay ahead of it.

Anticipating it in silence.

And people call me rude, cold, heartless, egoistic for that. They think I stay quiet to seem cool or mysterious, or that I think I'm better than everyone.

There's even worse, and I've heard it all-trust issues, daddy issues, autism, perfectionist, you name it.

What they don't understand is that it's all just a mask-a fortress I built to stop myself from being torn apart. A barrier to keep everyone, especially someone like Reina, at arm's length. I don't wear my heart on my sleeve because, deep down, I'm fragile. I scare too easily. I'm far from perfect. I am a child of flaws, a clown who gets hooked on things too fast, lets myself be pulled in too deep, and swallowed whole-knowing full well that all it has ever done is hurt me.

Actually, never mind, maybe they're right about me, in their own way-opinions are subjective, after all-but this is the only way I know how to stay afloat. Without it, I wouldn't last a day. I've seen what people are capable of, the cruelty cloaked in beauty and laced with sweet deceit. And it terrifies me because I'm the kind of fool who loves without restraint, who gives without holding back.

No one's dared to reason with me, thankfully-my armor ensures that. Over the years, I've built it to perfection. But only if they knew...

I can endure hatred for eternity-let it sear through me, burn every piece of my soul if needed. I'd face the wrath of a beast over the false allure of an angel-eyed beauty any day because love? Love is a different kind of torment. Once I let it in, it doesn't leave, not ever. It carves itself into my veins, consumes my mind, and chains itself to my soul, dragging me to the brink of insanity. Love is the cruelest contradiction-profound in its simplicity, haunting in its riddles. It doesn't just come; it devastates.

And for me? It only takes the slightest things to get caught up-a smile, a gentle word, an unexpected act of kindness.

And with someone like Reina? All it takes is a touch, and I'm already coming undone.

It's painfully clear right now, with her thoughts slithering through every inch of me, taking hold. But that doesn't mean I'll surrender. My mind's still mine, and though my heart yearns to give in, I won't let it. I can't let it.

Because Reina Noelle Gavril is nothing but trouble, and I've always known it. Play by her rules, and you're fine. But cross her, and your whole world could come crashing down. I've seen it happen-lives wrecked just from making the mistake of messing with her. It's just never an option. That's exactly why I avoid getting too close to her because it's bound to happen. Bound to lead always to the same end: disappointment. She's a walking red flag, a wildfire devouring everything in its path, and I'm just another fool standing too close to the flames, trying to outrun the heat.

I despise fighting with anyone, but with her? It's an endless war. She's relentless in her pursuit; she won't rest until she claims what she desires. And I won't yield either, not ever. I've sworn to myself that I won't feel a thing for her-told myself I'd never care, never fall for her games. Never.