Loveless♣

Chapter 51

"I can't believe this. After everything, you're just going to leave, Bella?"
Joshua's voice was filled with incredulity as he watched Bella gather her things into a small black purse.It was the same purse she'd brought with her when she first came to his home and contained her credit cards,her car keys,a bundle of money and a gun.
Joshua cocked a brow when he saw her take a tube of lipstick and apply a generous amount on her lips.
He was leaning against the doorjamb of his bedroom, his arms folded,his eyes narrowed.His hair was back in its bun.
"Bella..."
"Look,Joshua," she said sharply,throwing the lipstick in her purse and snapping it shut.She turned to him."This..."she gestured around,"was nice.The sex,the food,the view,the charade.But,we have to get back to reality,okay?My ex-lover is a psycho who'd love to hang me by my neck and watch me bleed to death.As you've probably noticed,that's his signature move on his enemies. So...I have to leave. Now,I'm not doing this for me,but for you as well.If he finds you, "she walked slowly towards him and stopped when she was a few inches apart from him."If he finds you,you're dead.Can't let that happen so," she kissed both of his cheeks,"adiós. Salud."
She tried to go around him.He blocked her and folded his arms.
"Really, Isabella?"
She shrugged innocently. "What?"
"The fuck you mean,what? You're just gonna pretend that this all meant nothing and that you're not leaving to protect me when the truth is that all this is overwhelming you and-"
Bella gave a mock laugh."Please, Joshua,we're not children.Let's not get dramatic about this alright? Just let me slide out of your life in peace."
"And then what?!And then you keep on running for the rest of your life until he finds you and chops your stubborn head off?!"
Bella placed some fingers on her temple."Stop throwing a tantrum,por favor."
"And stop being a coward."
"Don't,"she jabbed a finger at his chest."Don't you ever," another jab "call me a coward,you got that?!Ever!"
"Then prove it to me.Show me that you're not one." He stepped closer to her.She stepped backwards. "Look at me straight in the eyes and deny that you're not running away from this."
Their faces were inches apart now and Bella let out a shaky breath that made him smirk.
"Kiss me," he said.
She moistened her lips and shook her head.
"Listen, Joshua,there are things I've done that you don't know about...things that would probably make you hate me if you found out and-"
"There's nothing that could make me hate you,Bella.I've seen you at your best and your worst," he replied,kissing her."Understand? "
"Hmm?" she asked,befuddled by his kiss.
He kept kissing her and motioning her backwards towards the bed.
"Joshua, I can't.."
Another kiss.
"There's something you need to know..."
And another.
"Are you even listening to me?!"
He kissed her deeply this time,and Bella soon found her back on the bed.
"No," he replied,chuckling,and removed his shirt slowly.Bella swallowed.
"Joshua-"
"Stop talking, Isabella,and just--What's this?"
All traces of desire fled from his eyes as something crunched under his feet.He frowned and picked it up.
Bella's heart fell from her chest.
The envelope.
She raised herself on her elbows and watched him warily.
He looked from the envelope to her.
"What's this,Bella?" he asked after a long moment of painful silence.
Bella could not find her tongue.Her throat went dry.She opened her mouth to speak but no words came out.
Joshua's shirt fell from his hand and he opened the envelope. Bella could see his chest rise and fall with every breath he took,with every line of the letter he read.
She closed her eyes and shook her head slowly.
This is it.
This is the end.
When she finally opened her eyes,she was nearly knocked unconscious by the look on his face.
The look of pure disdain.
Of disgust.
"Did you hide this from me,Bella?"
"Joshua,I-I-"
"ANSWER ME!"
She gasped and clutched the bedsheets. "Joshua, please,listen-"
"Oh Christ," he muttered,shaking his head and moving backwards slowly,his face contorted in disgust.
"You did,didn't you?You hid the letter."
"I swear,I didn't mean to..I was waiting for the right time to give it to you..to show you.I didn't think-"
"Get out."
Bella froze."What?"
"I want you out of my house now.I don't want to see you ever again.Pack whatever the fuck is yours and leave," he said calmly.He took one look at her."We're done here."
He walked out of the room without a backwards glance.