Compelled

2: Look what you made me do.

''Is that the last of your things? All of the boxes are at the door waiting to be taken down.'' Liana emerged from my room carrying the last of the boxes that had all my books in it. From my med school textbooks to the many novels, it had all been in that box. I tore a long strip of sticky tape, using it to seal the cardboard ends. ''Yep, just this one and we're ready to go.'' She nodded and carried some of the things down where Ian was waiting to transport them.

Four days after the news of my fathers bankruptcy, a middle-aged mans' lawyer contacted me with an eviction notice. At first I fought like a fool insisting that I owned the damn place but turned out my dad sold it without even warning me. To say I felt utterly hurt and betrayed was an understatement. The money, I could earn that again but the security and trust that I felt with my father before could never ever be repaired and to top it all of, he had left the day before today and didn't even care to tell me until he and mom were in Greece.

The unbelievable part of this entire thing was when I had told him this was unfair and tried expressing my thoughts on the matter he angrily said that I should be thankful that he at least made lodging arrangements for me before he hung up. I haven't spoken to him since.

And what convenient arrangements he made. Well at least it was for him. Leaving the famous Justin Pearson to see to my affairs. The notorious playboy was all too willing to pay off the debts that my father so recklessly incurred but for a price too. He now possessed all of the hotels, the palatial home that I once grew up in and was in charge of the share my father left for me from his business. I guess I couldn't really be angry with him. He could've not cared at all and kept that for himself but he thought to safeguard it for me.

Inhaling deeply, I took one final glance around the apartment. The place that used to be my sanctuary since I graduated. It felt close to home and I had to leave it behind. The walls were plain, the windows bare with the gloomy, grey setting outside reflected within. All the rugs that once graced the floor of my entrance were rolled up and already loaded into Ians' Jeep. I turned around and picked up the small box, not having the heart to take a second glance. I locked the apartment door, trying to mentally shrug the sadness away from me but it didn't help one bit.

The elevator pinged behind me and out came Ian. He motioned to take the box from me and I handed it over to him. He smiled sympathetically at me just before pulling me into a hug. ''Its all going to be alright, babe.'' He said in an attempt to reassure me but nothing that anyone could say would help me.

Ian was my first person my brain thought of to help me but when I asked if I could move in with him he said not just yet since his tiny apartment needed some renovations and had it not been for that, I would have stayed with him but the downside of that was it was a bit of a distance to the medical centre I was receiving training at.

As we got into the elevator, I began easing the little S key-ring that I had clipped onto my apartment keys. ''Justin Pearson is a well-known businessman but his raving business isn't the only thing he's famous for, Scarlet. One wrong move and I swear to god, I will ruin him.'' He started again and I let out a breath thankful that it was just the two of us in this rectangular metal space. We've had this conversation before and that was when I suggested staying with him but that wasn't an option. He couldn't have everything.

''Trust me, Ian. I would never hurt you.'' I said flatly, annoyed that I had to say it out loud. He should know that by now. Circumstance didn't allow me to be picky and until the situation heals, I have to do what is necessary for myself.

The doors opened at the ground floor where his Jeep was parked off. Behind that was my small old shape Audi. It was still going strong and I made sure it never ever missed a service. ''You go on ahead with Liana. Drop my things at the apartments' lobby on Fifth Avenue. I think they already know to be expecting me.'' He nodded and thanked him with a kiss on his cheek before getting into my car.