Phoenix ("Behind the Mask" Sequel)

Part 3 - The anatomy of a nervous breakdown

Hello, guys! I know some of you are angry with me because of what is happening with Yuzurana, but please don't be! #onmyknees

I wasn't able to update earlier because I had two papers to finish for college, but here it is, part 3... Leave some feedback, and please don't hate me! ~sobs

The drive was silent. Patrick had his eyes on the rainy road, and I fixed my gaze on the cars that passed by us on the streets. I noticed some glances from him, but I wasn't in the mood to say anything. I already know what is going to come next.

Once we arrive at my building, we go upstairs, since he's having dinner with me every night before going back to the hotel. He throws his bag on the couch as I head to the kitchen.

"I'll boil some pasta for us. It is easier to make," I say as I wash my hands and fill a pan with water.

"What did he want, Ana?" Patrick asked me, finally. "Won't you tell me?"

"Patrick, please, I'm not in the mood for this right now, okay?" I said, letting my annoyance flow along with my words.

"He wants you to come back to him, right?" his tone was somehow sarcastic.

"If you know what he wants, why do you ask me, then?"

"I want you to tell me the truth. Why was he so mad? Why did he go after you? I don't want that boy chasing you around!" his voice was raising in anger.

"First of all, lower your voice. You're not at a boy's camp. This is my home, show some respect," I said, turning to him, with the knife I was using to chop tomatoes on my hands. "Second, you can't blame him. I was the one who left him with just a goodbye letter. Of course Yuzu is still mad at me. Of course he wants answers."

"Yuzu? You still call him by his nickname? Unbelievable..." and with that, he rolled his eyes.

"I call him the way I want, and you have nothing to do with that... I can't believe we're arguing because of this..." I said as I resumed chopping the tomatoes, dicing some fresh basil.

Yuzu loves this recipe.

"You know, sometimes I ask myself if you really want to be with me, Ana..." I felt Patrick coming closer to me.

"If I didn't want to be with you, I would turn down all your invitations for a date..." I replied without looking at him.

I heard him sigh. A sign that he is very, very upset.

"So look at me when I'm talking to you!" he grabbed my arm with force.

"Let me go! You're hurting me!" I protested.

"Only when you show me some respect! I'm your boyfriend!" his eyes were flaming in anger.

This is enough.

I freed myself from his grip, and punched his face. It wasn't a very good punch, I just wanted him to let me go. However, as a dramatic crybaby, he fell on the floor, as though he had been stabbed.

"What the hell, Ana! What are you doi-"

"Just in case you didn't see the news for the last couple of months, Patrick," and I grabbed his hair, turning his face to me. "I met a very dangerous serial killer and beat the hell out of him. So, if I was in your shoes, I'd never touch me like this again, got it?"

"Are you threatening me, Ana?" he narrowed his eyes.

"This is not a threat. It's a warning." I glared back.

Patrick finally looked down. I got back to the counter, as he stood silent for a couple of minutes. Then he turned to me again with a different expression on his face.