Once Upon a Stiletto

13 The Last Time

*UNEDITED

His last words washed over me like freezing, cold water.

Because I'm sure as hell I didn't.

I stared at Alejandro, trying to mask my disbelief while searching his now cold, amber eyes for the truth.

"Of course you weren't just a woman, you're a Maximillian, for crying out loud." When he said the word Maximillian, he emphasized it. "You are Nadav's only daughter, the Maximillian princess." He paused, as if thinking of some more insults to add. "Oh, Jun Park can hound you now whenever he wants to."

"Say that again?! I am not your property, Alejandro."

I used up the last ounce of strength I had to raise my voice, because honestly, if he had given me time to answer his question, if I ever felt anything when he kissed me, I would have said yes and totally humiliated myself in front of him.

And now I have my answer. He just did all those things because...just because I'm a Maximillian, nothing else.

A jerk will always be a jerk.

"Of course not. I never said you were my property. I hope I made it clear-"

"Crystal."

I didn't wait for him so say anything else. Without excusing myself, I went out and closed the door, hard. There was no reason for me to stay here any longer.

I walked past everyone on my way out, but ignored them when they asked what happened. I just wanted to get out of this place.

When I was much younger, I wanted to show everyone that I can protect myself, that I didn't need any help all the time – of course, it it was a completely different story when I got bullied by three boys and Liam fought with them. So I thought maybe I should try taekwondo too, since Liam barely exerted any effort in defending me and himself from those boys.

What am I most afraid of?

That was Alejandro's question. Honestly, I would have said bugs – spiders specifically. Those big, hairy ones...and then, there's a serious side to that answer.

What am I most afraid of?

Losing the people I love. My family and my friends.

But now...

What am I most afraid of?

I took Taekwondo lessons because I wanted to be able to protect myself. But who's going to protect me from myself?

Anyone can tell falling for Alejandro is a bad idea, but it just happened. I suddenly found myself falling – I know for a fact that he won't be catching me. That falling for him will definitely hurt me, but I still went in and jumped, like a reckless teenager that I am.

What are you most afraid of?

Not being able to protect myself.

I went home and ignored everyone's phone calls and curled up in bed, with Alejandro's words still echoing inside my head repeatedly.

I hate you, Alejandro.

But I hate myself more for falling for you.

It had been days after that incident and I didn't go to work anymore. I was still gathering enough 'courage' and more patience before I go back and face Alejandro again text messages were endless from the staff at the restaurant. They all asked me what happened and later on they all told me to 'get well soon'. There was only one person who could have told them about me getting 'sick' and that would be Alejandro.