Brave Enough To Love Again

Chapter 58

Eden

We drove around for a while until I remembered why I had left my flat in the first place. Then I asked Levi to drop me off at the grocery store near my apartment building. He failed to convince me to grab something to eat with him. And after declining his offer to accompany me while I do my shopping he finally gave in, reluctantly. I just didn't want to give the paparazzi more ammunition and cause more rumors about us to be written in the magazines.

"Oh, what shall I do without you now?," his killer smile was more prominent than ever when he grinned at me, his eyebrows wiggling, after making a pouting face, "I am bored. Are you sure you don't want to hang out?"

"Yep, pretty sure," I grabbed the car door and got out, "Go find someone else to entertain you then. See you around. Thanks again for saving me earlier."

"My pleasure. You can call me anytime you need help of any kind. You know that, right?" His tone was earnest. I just smiled and nodded my head in gratitude and appreciation.

Once out of his car, he reassured me again that the issue with me two-timing him and Keane would be resolved soon, that he would make sure of it. I waved him goodbye trusting his words fully.

It didn't take long for me to buy everything I needed for my dinner date with Keane. I was in and out of the store and was finished in no time. On my way home, I decided to walk on the other side of the street of my apartment building so I could check if there were still paparazzi lingering in front of my place from afar.

The closer I got to my building the more relieved I was because I didn't see anybody with a camera blatantly standing in front of the entrance. I was about to step onto the street to cross it when I felt someone grab my arm and pull me back.

Of course my instincts kicked in right away and I was on alert. With my shopping bag in my hands, I flailed my arms around and hit the person who grabbed me, which made him step back a little.

I looked at the person and recognized him immediately. The air I inhaled when my eyes fell on the person's face didn't leave my lungs again, as I unconsciously held my breath in surprise and shock.

It was Vic in all his glory. His 6'2 frame was towering over me, his blond hair which he used to love to be cut short was now longer and unkempt. I was aware that other women might have found him attractive and I couldn't fault them because I used to think so too.

However, given our past together and my knowing how violent he could be, his whole appearance just made my body recoil. Other women may have seen a sexy, messy hairstyle, but to me he looked like a crazy lunatic which was worsened by the way he gazed at me with an intense stare. He was a predator trying to convince his prey that he would never harm it in anyway, ever again.

But I knew better. Finally.

Instinctively, I took a step away from him. Realizing that I hadn't been breathing properly, I mentally ordered myself not to forget about inhaling and exhaling. It seemed to me as if my brain just couldn't or wouldn't process the fact that my Ex was actually standing in front of me because there was an obvious pause between us in which neither of us did or said anything, waiting for the other one to break the awkward silence.

It was him who finally spoke up.

"Eden, I, umm," Vic stuttered, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to startle you. I just, just wanted to ask you if you could spare me some time. You know, to talk."

The tight grip around my shopping bags became even tighter when I finally heard his voice again after such a long time. His words caused my insides to clench in an uncomfortable way which was worsened by my racing heart beat. The day wasn't hot at all but I could feel drops of sweat making their way down my spine. I was in a fight or flight mode.