Hate Me Love Me

24| Surrounded by Illusions 🤰

֍҉֍҉♥҉֍҉֍

"That's what people do who love you. They put their arms around you and love you when you're not so lovable." --- Deb Caletti.

֍҉֍҉♥҉֍҉֍

I'm entranced. Lost in his gaze and he whispers 'Valerie,' like he's reaching out to me with his words. Extending a hand. Begging for help. Aching. Aching. Aching.

And I want nothing more than to ask him the questions in my head. I want him to explain, and fill in the missing pieces of the void he's created.

But then the blinding lights of several flashlights sear inside the car, jolting my back straight and alert.

When the lights turn off, I squint my eyes several times to adjust.

And then I see them.

Security guards.

'Don't move!' one of the four uniformed men shouts. They surround the car and one of them taps the drivers window, making Alaric sigh and roll the window down.

'Security saw a female enter this car near the convention centre, without permission. We'd like to take the car in for clues,' he orders.

Congratulations, Valerie. You've really done it now. This billionaires detective team is going to drain you.

Alaric lifts his hips and pulls out a black wallet from the back pocket of his jeans. He flips it open and takes out a card, showing it to the man.

'You're the son?' the man confirms, and Alaric nods, pointing his thumb in my direction. 'It was her. She's with me. Don't worry about it. You may leave.'

The man jerks his head and the other men follow him away.

'Uh, thanks,' I say, turning to look at him again.

He presses his lips together and nods.

'Why'd you come in, anyways?'

'... Just 'cuz.'

'Valerie?'

'Yeah?'

'Tell me,' he persuades. 'Please?'

I sigh and shake my head. 'I just thought something was odd between you and your dad.'

Something flashes in his eyes for a second, but then it's gone before I can interpret it.

'I'll drive you to your aunts place,' he states, starting the engine again.

I don't need to thank him. He's caused enough unexplained mess in my life. If anything, he should be catering to my needs.

The ride is silent, and I stare out the window the entire time. Watching Alaric drive is too distracting.

When we get there, he turns the engine off again for some reason and turns to face me with emotion filling his eyes.

'Valerie...' he says it like he's trying his best to speak, but it's just too hard.

'Yeah?' I ask, my hand hovering over the door handle.

'Thank you,' he whispers.

I get a please and a thank you all in one night? I must be dreaming.

'For what?'

'... For being with me after that... conversation.'

Oh.

'But, I didn't even say anything to make you feel better.'

'You don't have to say anything at all,' he's on the verge of an epiphany tonight, looking at me with burning intensity. 'Your presence... it... it...' he sounds desperate for me to understand.