Chasing Pavements

six

6
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𝚂𝚝𝚊𝚟𝚛𝚘𝚜

I clutched the tiny heart-shaped locket as if my life depended on it. My thumb brushed against the icy metal. Despite the fact that the photo it framed was never faded, it began to rust. It served as a reminder of how long I had kept the sentimental item. I kept it with me at all times. It didn't matter where, but it brought me peace; peace that I hadn't felt in a long time, but peace nonetheless. Even melancholy.

"Herr, the captain wishes to speak with you." Strom walked across the rocky yacht's pavement, his arms folded beneath his chest, tired.

My gaze shifted from the vast ocean to a man not far behind him. A smirk stretched my lips at the unsure glint in his eyes as he stared at me, not long before averting his gaze to the sailor beside him. He was a coward. With the way his pupils quivered, I could smell his fear from a mile away. A wave of contentment washed over me. I liked his fear, but I didn't like how his eyes lingered.

I took a step forward, my palm resting on Strom's shoulder as I leaned in to whisper in his ear. "Keep an eye on the lanky man behind you. I'm not fond of the way his eyes look at me."

I expected him to argue, but he just looked perplexed. Nonetheless, he nods his head, and I hum in approval. Every step I took, the smirk on my lips waned.

Before we arrived at the Dimitrious' private ship dock, the seas were calm. We were eventually met with tide waves, thunderstorms, and a few mops of throw-ups from the seafarers. I came here with a purpose. Estevan Dimitrious had not been attempting to answer the golden phone in his opulent room. A large amount of weaponry has vanished while still registering as delivered in our warehouses. I considered the few possibilities for what could have happened, or rather, what did happen. A.) One of my captains was a thief, or B.) Estevan thought it would be amusing to trick me. And what's the real answer? It was neither the former nor the latter, because it had hitherto been both. Hansel, my former captain, had admitted to his transgressions. Estevan offered him a large sum of money in exchange for his betrayal. I was insulted. He accepts only a few grand for someone who is about to betray me. I was certain that the hell to come after was more valuable than that. As greedy as he was, he died in agony.

I felt compelled to bathe Estevan's blood after beheading one of my captains.

I could only deal with a few aggravations in my life, one of which was cats, something that I despise with a vindictiveness. The following has now become liars and traitors. Because liars and traitors are a menace to humanity. What happens to those who offend me? It's really quite simple. They are reduced to ashes.

And that is exactly what will happen to Estevan Dimitrious.

"There appears to be an intervention, Herr." Arson was briefed "A woman was discovered floating in the ocean; we have no idea how she managed to stay alive in this weather. But we've brought her up in one of the rooms."

Arson was one of the few captains I brought along with me and entrusted my self to. The man would take a bullet for me, as he proved once in his life.

My left eye began to twitch. "Can you tell me which room?" I demanded a little brusquely. He never questioned my decisions, but the haze in his eyes piqued my interest.

One that had taken up residence in the deep pit of my stomach. The look on his face could have been caused by an urge, a calling of sorts, to find out what was going on with the woman. But it was also the never-ending questions that flooded my mind that fueled the desire. It wasn't every day that you saw a woman being swept away by water, especially one who was still alive.

Arson's powerful strides were eager. A thirst, a hunger, a need to make a claim, as if one couldn't get enough. Even if it irritated my senses, it only pushed me further.

"Do you remember what your name is, Miss?" As we got closer to the room, I heard a familiar voice.

Soldiers and marines alike had swarmed and huddled outside the open door. They all had Arson's expression in their eyes. They appeared to be under the spell of a beautiful siren. Hushed voices could be heard among the men, drowning out the response of the woman I knew was present. A head turned to the right, and the spell that had been cast broke as he scrambled. The men next to him opened their mouths to question him, only to run away when they saw the resting glare I held.

The hallway soon cleared out, making room for me as I sauntered down it. My steps came to a halt when I reached the open door. A rush of heat forced through me as familiar butterflies swarmed in my chest; red-ish brown eyes widened at the sight of beautiful two-toned ones. A pair I never thought I'd look into again. My hands were moist, so I wiped them down the fabric of the dark slacks I was wearing. Doctor Gertrude asked her to repeat her words, which I overheard.

Her gaze was fixed on mine. My Adam's apple bobbed as nerves in my knees trembled.

"Vernamina. My name is Vernamina."

Her soft voice wreaked havoc in my chest. My heart recognized her, and I recognized her. I suddenly realized what was causing the men's dreamy expression. Of course, it was all because of her. She looked just as stunning as the last time I saw her. The only difference now is that her features have matured into those of a woman. I couldn't see the girl I used to know; only traces of her remained, but the woman in front of me was ethereal.

Vernamina Elixir Dimitrious. My one and only love. She had no idea who I was. But I knew who she was. When I saw her, I yearned for her. Her kindness was well-known in high school, as was her stunning beauty. Various men crawled for her, worshiped the ground she walked on, but none loved her more than I did. That was a fact I was aware of. Because I admired her from afar. Only staring at her when she wasn't looking; memorizing every freckle that kissed her cheeks; hiding behind the letters I slipped through the gaps of her locker, watching with a warm heart as she giggled at the notes of my words; I've had Strom hand her chocolate and blueberry cheesecake in my stead. I'd been listening carefully enough to know what she craved during her period because of how loudly she'd moan to herself about how badly she wanted to eat something sweet. I did all of this without even coming close to her.

Why?

Because I was a coward. I am a coward. I was never deserving of her, her love, or her touch. I'd never be. Even when I worked up the courage to introduce myself, it seemed as if fate was always intervening. That piqued my interest, so I took it as a sign. A sign that I'd never be able to hold her in my arms because I'm unworthy. The men who desired her didn't deserve her either. Neither did any of us. But the majority of them were brave enough to give it a shot. And every time someone had the courage to do what I could not or look at her the way I looked at her, jealousy would always prevail.

She was never mine, but something deep within my soul said otherwise. My senses were overwhelmed by a primal, possessive instinct. Strom and I would frighten them away. They were given a silent warning that she had been spoken for. Most of them eventually admired her from afar as well. But that didn't stop a brave few from attempting to initiate something with her, and most of the time, she politely declined.

Suddenly, I became aware of Arson's lingering gaze. I turned to face him, a lethal glare fixed on him. "Don't even bother looking at her." My chest rumbled with a low growl.

He awoke from his trance and lowered his gaze immediately.

"Do you recall how you arrived here, sweetheart?" She nods, her eyes averted from ours.

Doctor Gertrude's gaze snapped towards us. "Chef, ich brauche dich, um einen Moment auszutreten. Vertraulichkeit der Arztpatienten." Boss, I'm gonna need you to step out for a moment. Doctor-patient confidentiality.

My hand forms a fist. I couldn't bear the thought of abandoning her. For the first time, I didn't want to leave. I didn't want to look at her from a distance any longer. Despite my fear of losing her, I nod and pull a dazed-looking Arson along with me.