The Mechanic

Chapter Twenty - "Orgasmic."

"The Mechanic"

Chapter Twenty

'Orgasmic.'

Scene . . .

Continuing

Demi's POV

Ariana watched me through the screen as I silently cried into my hands.

"Demi, he didn't say that," she whispered in an attempt to comfort me. I wiped my eyes, taking in a deep breath.

"He didn't have to," I replied, sniffling. "I have to stay." 

When I looked back at the camera, Ariana looked distraught, as though she could also see that he was completely capable of the predictions I was making. I could see the fear in her face, subtle as it was. She was afraid for me.

"When will he be back?" She asked, her voice shaky.

"New Year's Eve, I think," I guessed, based on Wilmer's flaky behaviors. Before he started hurting me, he used to be so punctual, well organized, and timely. But lately he'd been AWOL, leaving me stupid notes to tell me where he'd gone, and an assumption of when he'd be back. Wilmer had a lot of money, so getting any flight at any given moment was totally in his control.

In all actuality, I didn't know when he'd be back.

But I needed the peace of mind.

So I chose New Year's Eve.

"Demi, you're going to be okay. Alright? I just . . . ," Ari became choked up, and she glanced up at the ceiling. "I need you to make me a promise."

"Okay," I muttered softly. "What is it?"

"Promise me that you won't tell Wilmer that you want to leave."

As I began to look confused by this request, Ariana started her explanation.

"Demi, if what you're saying is true, Wilmer will stop whatever he's doing to come and get you. I know how you are when you're angry. If you get impulsive and tell him too soon that you want to leave him, he will come back before you expect it and . . . ," She trailed off, not wanting to say what we both knew to be true.

"I get it," I said, nodding. "I promise, I won't tell him."

"You have to keep him happy if you want to be safe," she muttered. Her words were breaking; I could tell she was trying to look a lot stronger than she felt. "You have to keep him in Milan for as long as you can."

Just as I opened my mouth to agree with her, my phone began vibrating up a storm. I glanced down at it, and immediately cracked a wishful smile.

"Who is that?" I heard Ariana ask. "Is it him?" I shook my head, looking back up at her.

"It's Joe," I said cheerily. With that, I answered the call, this time pressing the phone to my ear, rather than on speaker. "Hey," I said into the receiver. Ariana's face was priceless  - it was like every problem had vanished as soon as his name was spoken.

"Good morning, Miss Demi." Joe's morning voice was the sexiest thing I'd ever encountered. I remembered the first time I'd heard it, and how I'd practically fallen apart at the seams at its depth. "I hope I didn't wake you."

"Oh, no, I'm just here FaceTiming Ariana. What's up?" Why wasn't I sad anymore?

"I'm sorry to interrupt your call," he chuckled. "But I just wanted to know what time I should be coming by this morning."