Painting

Chapter 41

I put one foot on the first step and they lift up their heads. Tyler blinks twice and Victor's eyes widen.

-Do you like it?

Tyler indicates me to come closer. They get up. Tyler takes my hand and pulls me closer.

-Who gave you the right...

-The right to what?

-You know what...

I think about it. What does he mean, I need to find an answer, quick. You look like an ignorant. Now, come on!

-I don't know what you mean... I'm sorry...

Victor takes my face between his hands.

-He means, who gave you the right to look like...

He locks his lips with mine like he did in the car, when he dropped me off to my place.

-A goddess.

-I'm not a...

I can't even finish my sentence, Tyler also locks his lips with mine, harshly, this time.

-Masterpieces don't argue with the compliments, they receive.

I lift up my right eyebrow. I guess, I can play their game. I put my hands behind my back.

-A masterpiece... What makes you say that?

Victor leans on the nearest wall and Tyler takes it from there.

-The way you  talk,  walk,  smile,  move...

He walks toward me and without noticing it, I walk backwards toward Victor.

-Learn...

Victor wraps me in his arms, causing my blood to move up to my face.

-And the way you  blush...

Tyler touches my sleeves and trace down my arms with his fingers. He takes my hands and kisses both of them.

-I'm surprised you don't see it, yourself.

I hear my phone ringing, from my room. I roll my eyes.

-It's Teddy. He can wait.

A smile lights up Tyler's face.

Victor lays one kiss on my neck.

-I like the way you think.

The ringing stops.

I feel the bow in the back my dress getting undone. My phone rings again. I sigh. Why does he have to call me right now? Does he miss me that much? Just leave me alone. I can't deal with him anymore. The ringing stops, but it starts again right after.

-What does he want? You made it pretty clear, the last time.

-I think we need to teach him a lesson again, don't you think Victor?

-What?

He is still laying kisses all over my neck and shoulder.

-I'm sorry, something is getting me distracted here.

He gets his head up.

-We should think of an answer you would text him. Do you have any ideas?

-Leave me alone and don't come see me again.

-That's nice and clear. Why don't you go fetch your phone and we'll start making dinner. We were getting carried away...

They "release" me and I climb up the stairs. I walk in my room. I open my phone. I could burst in flames. Three missed calls and one unseen text. He just can't stay out, he always has to mess with my life.

Teddy: You don't answer anymore? What is going on? Can't you realize, I'm only doing this for your own good, these people could never love you the way I do. You'll end up heart- broken.

I take a deep breath.

June: For the last time, I don't need you to worry about me. Now, GO LIVE your life.

Teddy: I want to live my life with you. To protect you.

I close my phone and trow it on the bed. I take my pillow and scream in it.

I take my phone back and go downstairs. I open it and show it to Victor. He reads the conversation and give it to Tyler. He opens his arms and I bury my face in his t-shirt. 

-I want him to stop.

-He will stop, if you block him.

I look at Tyler.

-If I block him, he will increase his efforts to find me. He won't let me go another time. If he finds me and you are not there, he'll take me far away. I know because he already locked me up several times in his apartment.

My voice breaks.

-I don't want to live through that, again.

Tears run down my face.

-I don't want to feel scared like that, again. Maybe, I'm the real problem. I want to be happy and normal.

Victor takes my face between his hands and sweep my tears away.

-Don't say that. I don't want you to be normal, we don't want you to be normal. You are an amazing person and I wish you could see it. You light up the room, when you walk in. You are a gift from the sky. You are not the problem, he is. He needs you, because that guy is not well. He needs something, he can control, but you are getting stronger and soon, he will become a distant memory. You don't have to fight on your own, you are not alone.

Tyler takes us in his arms.