𝑹𝑼𝑰𝑵 𝒀𝑶𝑼

𝕮𝖍𝖆𝖕𝖙𝖊𝖗 𝕾𝖎𝖝𝖙𝖊𝖊𝖓

I squinted my eyes as the morning rays bled through the blinds. Clarence's warmth was still present behind me, sending waves of calmness down my spine.

I shifted softly while still in his arms, watching him.

His heavy breathing, his beard, his hair, his tattoos, his lips. All of him—I'd dreamt about it, I'd learned to hate it and now I was here admiring it.

I placed a small kiss on his lips before quietly standing up, replacing my body with a pillow so I wouldn't wake him.

I walked to the bathroom quickly, shutting the door behind me.

Alyssa, Freya, Demetrius, there's no telling if what they were thinking right now. I had basically disappeared off the face of the earth.

I don't even know if I wanted to be found honestly.

I eyed myself in the mirror, different thoughts running through my head about the reflection staring back.

Was I happy now, this is what I wanted right?

I shook my head and finished using the restroom, leaving quickly.

This house was beautiful from the outside, but knowing there was a gym underground made me wonder what else it hid,there was no telling what secrets it held.

I made my way back to the room, Clarence was no longer in bed, but now at the dresser—unloading store bags.

My eyes widened at his back, there were numerous bruises all over him, not minor ones either. They looked painful for even him.

"what happened?" I asked lowly, walking over to him.

"Rodrigos men brought clothes over for you, dropped them off while you were in the bathroom." He told me, ignoring my question.

"Clarence, your body, what happened?" I asked, scanning his body.

"Jay Stop, it's nothing, It's what I have to sacrifice to keep you and André safe." He said, down playing the situation.

"It's not right." I shook my head.

"It ain't a choice either." He replied with a shrug

I stared at him for a moment, he still cared about me—I could see that. But he was different, more reserved, more cold.

Is this what I was like?

I walked up to him and grabbed his hands, they were rough and calloused—but they weren't ugly, just a reflection of the person he was I guess—damaged, a reflection of the people we both were.