Tainted Me

Chapter 18: Iris (present)

PRESENT

It was as if my fucking past literally came back from the dead to haunt me.

But it just wasn't possible. Mauri died in my arms.

I fucking watched him die.

If anything, this only confirmed the fact that the threats had something to do with his death. Like I suspected, someone didn't want me to forget.

But who? Who the hell had so much time in their goddamn hands?

I dragged a hand down my face. This had been on my mind these past couple of weeks. It even almost messed up my performance when one of the professors cold called me last week in class.

I shook my head and got out of the car. This wasn't the time to think about it. Tonight, I was taking Arisa out on our first 'real date.'

We've had dates before, but those mostly included staying in and watching a movie or studying. We were too busy with school for anything else and we didn't want to be cramped with too many people.

But since the semester was practically over and winter break was around the corner, I insisted on taking her out on a fancy date.

Let's just say I charmed her into saying yes.

I rang the doorbell to her apartment and waited, while I adjusted my black tie and fixed my suit. For good measure, I rearranged my scarf and thick trench coat as well. When the front door opened, I stopped and just stared at the most beautiful girl I'd ever seen.

Her dark brown hair was fixed in loose curls that perfectly framed her face, and she was wearing a simple black dress. I'd seen her face bare so many times that seeing it with sparkly make-up made her look like a fucking goddess.

My heartbeat pounded at the thought that she was mine.

Fuck me.

There was a smile on her face when she walked up to me and pretended to wipe something on the corner of my mouth. God, she was even prettier up close.

"You're drooling, Alfred."

"Arisa Emilia..." The corner of my lips lifted up, before putting my hands on her waist and leaning in to kiss her cheek. "You take my breath away."

Her smile widened into a grin, her cheeks growing flushed.

"Perfect line."

I brought up her hand to my lips and kissed her knuckles, before whispering, "Only for the perfect girl."

She let out a small laugh, before softly shoving my face away. "Is it from the perfect gentleman?"

"It could be."

"Yeah, right." She chuckled, grabbing her coat from the rack. Then, I helped her put it on. "Let's go."

I pouted. "No 'You look handsome, Alfie'?"

"Why would I say something you already know?" she replied, shrugging.

Without waiting for me, she began to climb down the steps. I followed after her, wearing a huge grin in my face. God, I loved our banter.

I placed my hand on the small of her back and led her to my car. I opened the passenger's door for her like the perfect gentleman that I really was.

I made sure she was safely inside before I closed the door and jogged over to the driver's side. Couldn't let my girl wait too long. Also, it was cold as fuck.