After Midnights

prologue - crazy driver

This hasn't been professionally edited or proofread :)

Unica

"Hey, let me drive you home," he offered as though my thoughts were that transparent. I felt the sincerity in his voice, how he chose his words with caution, like trying not to hurt a child more.

Another thick lump blocked in my throat, signs of warm liquid swelling in the corner of my eyes.

"To Constance Forbes," I muttered in disregard and blinked my tears back.

Spilling my whereabouts to people I barely knew could possibly be the cause of my untimely demise but I must had lost my braincells somewhere that I willingly gave him my address.

I took the benefit of getting home the quicker way instead of hailing a cab at this very late hour. This man could not do me any harm anyway, I convinced myself.

I gathered my things, dumped everything in my backpack and slung it over my shoulder. We made it to his car with neither of us sharing a word.

Silence, an uncomfortable one, as he drove us to the highway.

The last thing I wanted to do was think of a subject that I could converse him with while carrying a heart so heavy, so heavy that my chest tightened I could hardly breathe but I didn't want him to feel responsible of me more than I already had.

I should be fine. At least, just for this trip to my flat.

"You might wanna drop at a Pharmacy, buy paracetamol?" I knew too well he really didn't plan to buy any but I already said it even before my brain could realize, taking him awhile to respond.

I was going to take it back but he beat me to it, "Okay. There is one in the next block."

I stayed in the car as he paraded to the entrance of a 24/7 ministop. My eyes followed his back profile until he disappeared inside the store.

"I'll be quick," he said the last time before stepping out of the car, but hunger was already taking over me and he's still wasn't back.

I didn't eat any real meal since my lunch and the snacks that I took in between hours were easily dissolving; now my stomach growled and I squirmed in my seat, trying to silence the rumblings.

It didn't take much of a mental debate and I found myself marching towards a pizzahauz two stores away from the ministop.

I walked in. The bell on the door joggled but nobody noticed as they were busy filling orders.

The lighting was dim and the air was thick with the scents of so many different flavours of pizza, making me hungry more. I was salivating.

I drew myself to the counter, ordered pizza then basked in the waiting area, enjoying the view. The place was warm so I removed my parka and slung it on the chair's backrest.

My phone buzzed through my pocket and swiped green without taking a glance of the expected caller. He was probably looking for me already.

"Where are you?," he asked. Unlike earlier, his familiar voice was now rough, questioning me as though I just blocked him from our telepathic conversation.

I looked around and found a sign near the registry welcome to dolce amores written in chalk.

"Ow I'm at... Dolce Amores."

Luca must be a relative of the flash coz he was soon standing behind the glass door, those deep chocolate irises scanned the whole room until they found mine. Taking big steps forward, he gripped my wrist tight and without second thoughts, he tugged me outside.