Falling

19 | Dinner Date (part two)

Dinner was going quite smoothly so far. After Dante drilled me about Asher and I gave him the minor detail we had met at a coffee shop he had dropped the conversation. Asher had brought our dinners to us not long after, and I smiled at the quick service. I was very hungry.

We had just finished our main meal and Asher had collected the plates when things turned quite serious.

"Why are you so scared of your past being revealed Amelia?" Dante had questioned while leaning forward on his forearms and studying my reaction.

I stiffened and immediately sat up straight, clearing my throat and looking to the side.

"I'd rather not talk about it." Was my reply.

"Are you in danger Amelia, is someone after you." He said with full seriousness, jaw clenching as he continued. "Because you can tell me. I can protect you with whatever you think is going to hurt you."

Shocked at his response I moved my eyes to his. Anxiety flooded my senses and the nerves racked through me.

"I'm not in danger, It's just something I rather not talk about. And I don't need you to protect me." I quickly said and averted my gaze towards my lap, suddenly finding my crossed fingers more interesting.

"Im sorry Amelia. About your mother." He said and I died.

My heart dropped and I sucked in a large breath not expecting those words to leave his mouth. I quickly looked at him in shock.

"What'd you just say." I said in a whisper.

His eyes softened and he leaned forward even more as if to get closer.

"You know I knew parts of your past, especially number 6. I did my research, furthering my knowledge on who you are." He said cautiously.

"You had no right to look that deep." I bit out.

I knew he housed the part of my life that put me under the radar for years. The part of my life where I escaped the system and was housed by a family illegally under the age of 18. The part of my life I wished to never tell, in fear I'd get them arrested and me as well.

"I'm sorry." Was all he said before we were once again interrupted by Asher returning.

"Any dessert?" He said.

I was too busy trying to settle the beat of my heart to hear what Dante had to say. Whether or not he had ordered, I didn't know. I was too distracted, mind pulling me into deep memories I wished to fully erase.

"I have to use the restroom." I said quickly, standing and then rushing towards the back of the restaurant where I knew I'd find a bathroom. My throat burned and my eyes stung with unshed tears. Tears that were about to pool over. I had not thought of my mother in a very long time. For this exact reason. It gave me anxiety and I couldn't handle it.

Quickly bursting into the ladies restroom I shut the door locking it as quickly as possible. I closed the toilet lid sinking down and crumbling atop it. The tears flowed and I choked on a sob. My heart ached for my mother and my past. It ached for the years I grew up without her and the years that I had to learn life without her.

I was crumbling in all senses of my life. My heart was being torn in every which way.

Dante Brown had entered my life and all in the matter of a few weeks, uprooted deep memories within my protected heart. He seemed to make my composure slip, my walls crumble and my sanity shake.

I furiously wiped the tears as they fell, grabbing toilet paper wiping under my eyes trying to settle the flow. I took large breaths of air to try and rest my racing heart. Trying to derail my mind from the memory of my mother.