ꜱᴋᴇᴛᴄʜᴇꜱ

Chapter 15

Song: Bird Set Free--Sia

School went on fine and afterwards I'm at Zane's place.

"I need you to trust me,"

"I can't!"

"Tell me why!" He grabs my hand and pulls me back down on the chair.

"That's because it'll cause harm and I don't want to get any of you caught in the crossfire-"

"And I can take care of myself C-"

"No you can't," I cup his face in my hands. The look on his face on his face only shows determination and he isn't ready to back down now, even for me. "It's too dangerous."

"Tell me why it's dangerous. Why? Why does it bother you so much? And why-"

"And why do you care?"

"Because...I do care," he looks down. "I do care for you and I don't want you to ever be unhappy. I need you to trust me. Please....I'm begging you," he puts my hands in his, looking at me. "If not for me, for you..."

The temptation to tell him was great and if I do, I could once again risk my life. My existence and of those who I care for. I would defile my self-will and slowly let him take over me. I'd done it before, not again.

Choices I wish never existed are a priority that life throws in every single day and this could mark a turning point; good or bad. What do I do?

I've come to know Zane for almost three months since I moved to LA. Everyday, I come closer and want to let go of everything. Not because of my feeling but because I want to trust him.

Sideline my trust issues.

Put it behind me.

I hope I can and I don't want it to later. I'm vulnerable and can blurt anything out right now due to the emotional stress.

Samantha and Robert were as close to me as this. I could talk to them and they'd listen. A new vengeance, new deaths...

Even Greg. He was too close after them.

And it all ended up in flames. Hell bursting up all over.

I moved from NYC because of his--he....I hate him so much.

I gave him everything but Zane is different. We all have our secrets and those people include Zane. He has. I have mine that are all around me and could possibly be the end of me.

Vanessa was the only thing that kept me close to sanity. The only friend I had for three years of my life. The one who never stabbed me in the back. She was like Sam and Rob to me. A sister if I could say. My parents have asked me why I tell her everything, but they'd never understand.

I turn back to look at Zane who is feeling helpless. His demeanor is showing weakness but what can I do? It's either I tell him or I risk losing him forever.

I'm about to speak when he cuts me off. "Then let me take you out....Tomorrow. For maybe, a date?" he stares back at me. "Please say yes..."

"Fine tomorrow. What time?"

"7 and I won't be late...I hope."

"I know you won't," I smile at him, preparing to leave and I think he gets the message. "Neither would I."

"Let me drive you home," he walks over to the kitchen and picks his key, leading me out of the house.

On our way out, we see a lady of probably 22 years of age walking towards us. She's wearing a short sleeve green tee, black skirt that stops mid thigh and a pair of white sneakers. She looks like she hasn't slept in a long while. Her blond hair is in a mess.

"Zane," she calls out but he doesn't look at her. "Please, let me see Zara...just once."

"No! You can't," he blurts out angrily making me look at him but he isn't look at me. His focus is on her. "You caused it all..."

"Please, I'm begging you,"

"Sorry Tay but never will I allow you mess my life or Zara's. You were the reason she was in a cast a month back. The reason she was in a coma. You are like them. The both of them...left us here and they are in the UK. I thought you'd have our backs but you turned out worse. You left us for Blake..."

Her gaze turns to me and she points. "Who is she?"

"This is Cassie..." She's walking towards me, faster than I'd deem appropriate.

"You little bastard!" she raises her hand to hit me but it never does until I open my eyes to see Zane holding on to her wrist. He throws her hand back down.

"Never you insult her!" he yells back. "She isn't you and I do not want to ever find you around this property ever again, or else I'm going to call the cops without hesitation," he walks me to the passenger seat of the car and ensures I'm seated. He walks back to his side, opens the door and looks back at Taylor who is standing static, trying to understand what just happened.

"Go back to Blake and tell him I don't to see his filthy hands around Cassie because I promise him, that'll be his end."

With that, Zane enters into to car and drives off. I bother not to say anything because he needs his time. I don't want to intrude so we sit silently. No one talked until we got to the front of my home. I trying open the door but he refused and got out of the car to do that for me.

He holds me close to his side and turns me till I'm facing him.

"I want you to look beautiful for me baby girl because this guy wants to show you off," he smiles and places a light kiss on my forehead. He leaves me and drives off in his car.

He called me baby girl.

Zane just called me baby girl.

It seemed that butterflies I felt didn't exist are all over the place and I think it's all too much. Whatever just happened made me realise one thing I had tried avoiding...or admitting.

I love Zane Newman.

But what?

What can I do?

I rush through the door, up to my room and fall back on my bed. First person I call is my 'luv doctor'.

"Hey...What can I wear on a date?"

"You have a date? Don't tell it's him," she squeals on the phone making me move it an inch away from my ear.

"It's him..."

"Oh My God!"