Paragon

Chapter 15

"Iris?"

I run past Vivienne and up the stairs, ignoring her.

"IRIS? What's wrong?"

I slam the door of my bedroom and lock it, not bothering to turn on the light.

...

"Open the goddamn door, Iris!"

Stellan's bellow and constant shaking of the knob should scare me but I'm not ready to face him. It's cowardly of me- I don't care. I've been strong long enough.

"Iris, please. We're worried!" Vivienne calls out as well.

Stellan's voice surfaces again, this time lower. "Iris, please. What happened... it wasn't your fault. I shouldn't have made it seem that way... I need you to open the door and let me in."

I stare at the door and clutch my pillow tighter.

...

After finding the hallway empty hours later, Stellan and Vivienne no where to be found, I clutch my jacket tighter and enter the garage, grabbing the car keys hurriedly.

...

I close my swollen eyes, letting my body calm with the sound of the loud, creaky washer and dryers. Gustavo hasn't come to talk to me- probably doesn't recognize me in my pajamas or knows I'm in no mood to chat.

I have no laundry- I came simply to get away. Desperate times call for desperate measures- I have no idea what to do.

I want to run away. I want to stuff money into a bag and hop on a plane, disappear- take Stellan with me so he would never have to endure the media and the harsh realities of knowing the wealthy, corrupted people I do. Try to make him forget the pain.

I sit and think of this cruel, cruel world.

Stellan is a good man... He doesn't deserve this.

And I don't deserve this either. I'm not as good as him but damn, my life is falling to pieces before my eyes. Viktor's warning's come to mind- he was right. He knew my life would fall to pieces going after Vance. I just wouldn't listen.

What life am I bringing this baby into?

I set my head into my hands and let my fingers rake through my hair frustratingly.

"I figured," Stellan whispers breathlessly, "that you were here after I checked the woods."

Slowly, I raise my head, too exhausted to try and get away from him. He's still in the suit from earlier but his hair is pulled back into a ponytail. I simply watch him, silently as he bends down in front of me in the harsh light, grasping my face.

His eyes are slanted with worry as his thumb strokes my cheek lightly. "Come home."

Feeling my lip tremble, I nod, closing my eyes tightly. He exhales loudly and rests his face against mine. I take his hands and stand up with him, my legs sore from sitting in one place too long.

I curve into Stellan's body as he wraps an arm around my shoulder, pulling me in and my eyes flicker to Gus, who's watching us with a small smile on his face. I wave goodbye silently and he returns it, nodding to Stellan.

"Good to see you, Gus," Stellan murmurs, walking past the counter towards the door. "Congratulations on the wedding."

"Thanks, man."

Stellan pushes the door open, sounding the bell. "You're actually taking me home."

I look up at him, raising a brow.

"I told Eric to leave so you'd be forced to take me home," he confesses, smirking slightly. I stare at him as we stop next to the car, unsure as to what I'm feeling right now. As my lips turn up amusedly, I realize he's probably the only person in the world that could make me laugh at a time like this.

"You're lucky I don't leave you here."

"You love me too much," he answers, taking the keys from my hand.

I do.

...

Stellan shuts the bedroom door quietly, turning on the light. "I told your mother you let me in so she'd go to sleep."

"Thank you... I'm not used to having her here," I murmur quietly, kicking off my sandals. I climb into bed, pulling the covers up to my chin.

"We'll talk in the morning," Stellan says, resting his hand on my arm. I nod and begin to close my eyes. I don't know what compels me to reach out for him but I do, grabbing his hand tightly.

"What?"

"Where are you going?"

"I'm going to shower."

"Oh."

"I'll be here when you wake up, Iris."

I smile softly and nod, watching him as he turns for the bathroom. There's one thing I'm unable to let wait. I push up onto my elbows and say, "I know it's asking a lot right now- after what I said and after what's happened... but- I-I don't want to lose you... Stellan."

Turned at the sound of my voice, as my speech ends, he simply stares, illuminated by the warm bathroom light.

"Well, I'm here," is his reply before he shuts the door gently behind him.