Mysterious

Chapter 12

Bruno didn't even ask her what was wrong. He grabbed her and held her tightly. He didn't let go. He rubbed her back and whispered, "I'm here for you, Arissa. Always." Her head fell to his shoulder. He felt the wet tears on his shirt.

"Get a room you two!" they heard Anna and Diego yell at them from the bar. He ignored them as he let her cry. He lifted her head off of his shoulder to see her make-up was completely gone – now on his shirt. Her face was red but he didn't know what to say to her. She was still such a mystery.

"I'm sorry. I need to go..." she said turning around to Anna.

"Arissa....don't leave me again....please, don't leave...." he pleaded with her as her hand slipped away. "We don't have to....it was something dumb....I...."

"I can't...it's too...too...I just can't." Arissa said as she started to cry again.

"Please, sweetheart. I want to know everything. Please talk to me...." he walked towards her. He could see her body tense up. It was so relaxed since they were together yesterday. He thought he had found her. I had her. Where did she go? She's gone. She shook her head saying no.

"Not now. Not now. It's too much. I can't." she said wiping away her tears. They were near the bathroom by this point. Natalia walked past them headed to the bathroom.

"What did he do to you, Arissa? I'll kick his ass." she said handing Arissa her purse.

**

"He didn't do anything." she responded looking at his sad face. She didn't know if she was ready to tell him everything. She wasn't sure if he would be hers after, if he would understand it all. Come upstairs with me...he mouthed as Natalia looked at Arissa. "Okay..."

He took her hand barely touching her leading her upstairs. "I'll talk to you tomorrow, Natalia..."

"I'm sorry, Bruno..." she said once they got on the elevator.

He kissed on the cheek squeezing her hand so hard she could hardly feel it. It was perfect.

"My lady..." he said opening the door for her.

"Thank you..."

"Do you have allergies": he asked as they walked in. She sat on his bed laughing at his comment. "I recognize those tears, baby doll." He sat down next to her putting his jacket on her. She smelled it as he wrapped it around her gently.

"I didn't want you to see me like this. It's embarrassing. No one has ever seen me cry like that."

"Why? It's okay to cry like that." he told her.

"I'm strong, I'm independent, I'm fearless, I know who I am. I know what I want to do with my life. I don't need anyone else in my life to support me. I can take care of myself...and then I do that? That's not what a girl who knows those things does." she explained.

"Rissy...everyone needs someone...why would you say you don't need anyone? You have so many people that care about you...."

"You know what I mean, Bruno I don't need a boyfriend, a husband, a significant other, a...whatever...I can do it all on my own. Be fancy, have the time of my life, be born this way...." she started to cry again.

"Your strength amazes me, Arissa. I don't understand why you don't think you need anyone by your side..."

"Bruno..." she got quiet. "Every time I try to get close to someone it hurts. I get hurt. It's too hard."

"When did you decide that?" he asked her.

"January 2nd." she responded bluntly.

"What happened on January 2nd?"

"Robert raped me."