Insane - Who Are You To Judge? (Gripping Psychological Thriller)

Chapter 50 - Avery

A million thoughts fly around in my head as I drive home.

There are certain things about Him that I am now suspicious of. Things I had previously just put down to coincidence or convenient timing. But tonight I am going to find out exactly who he is.

When I unlock my door, I step over several buttercups on my doorstep. At least he is giving me some warning now.

"You know," I hear Julian's voice from the lounge, "I was planning to leave the buttercups and go. But as I was laying them down, I saw an envelope poking out of the letter box."

I burst the door open, now worried about his findings. I see him sitting behind my desk, waving the letter through the air. My jaw locks as my eyes gauge its content.

"You've really made some enemies, haven't you, Buttercup?"

I march towards him and snatch the letter from his hand, maintaining a cold expression even though I'm trembling inside, fearing this could be the ammunition he's been looking for.

"Now, now," he says defensively, "there's no need to get testy with me, love."

Come to the corner of Old Oak Street at midnight. I have a little present for you. And remember, no returns.

"Come on, Avery, spill the beans. Who have you pissed off this time?" Julian has a smirk on his face that I just want to rip right off.

"Don't give me that crap. For all I know you could be the one sending this."

"Oh you don't have to worry about me, Buttercup." He leans back in the chair and clasps his hands together. "When I take you down it'll be on my terms, it'll be forever." His grimace widens and he lowers his head. "And you'll never see me coming."

The both of us jump at the banging on the door and my eyes widen. "You've got to leave," I demand, my voice hurried and nervous.

Julian isn't fazed by the knock or by my change in temperament. "Oh I'm sorry, are you expecting someone?" He gives me a sideways smile. "Is it your new boy toy?"

I sigh and yank him out of the chair. "Oh shut up. Will you get out of here? Now."

"What's with the rush?" His tone tells me he is enjoying this situation far too much. "We're in a good place now, right? Surely it's time for the new beau to meet the ex." Julian then begins to approach the front door.

I grab his sleeve and spin him around, pulling him into me. I stumble off balance from the force of his body against mine and instinctively latch on tighter to him.

His face is so close to mine, I feel the warmth in his breath brushing against my lips as they tingle from the forgotten sensation. He presses into me so that the ridges of his abs caress my tensed stomach. The butterflies swoon.

Putting his lips close to my ear, he whispers, "Oh, Avery, it's not that I wouldn't love to break the bed again – you know, for old time's sake. But unfortunately ..." Julian presses in even closer to me, wrapping one arm around my waist and relieving my feet of carrying my weight. My arms want to throw themselves around him, my lips want to give into the temptation that is only a millimetre away, my vision wants to fade away so it cannot be held responsible for what happens next. "You are a colossal bitch and even my best pal down there can't look past that." As his words form his tone grows harsh and strong. He immediately drops me back to the ground and I kick myself for almost giving in. Almost.

I shove him away, every fibre suddenly repelling him. "Don't be disgusting, I would never touch you again. Just get the hell out of here. And not," I quickly add, "through the front door."