His Estranged Mate

Chapter 7: Not me!

CATRINA

I walk in the direction of my apartment with a grocery bag in my hand when I spot his silhouette. Walking a bit closer, my suspicions are confirmed as he leans against the gates of my apartment, hands in his pockets, only a jacket covering his body in this cold, whistling as if stalking is his profession.

How did he find my address?

I think of various ways of evading him but none of them seem to be working. He's always been a chaser. He won't back down unless I listen to him. Resigned, I start walking towards him, confused by my feelings. I am dreadful as well as excited to know what he wants. After all these years, that too after accidentally meeting each other, now he wants to talk.

Soon, I reach near the gates but studiously ignore him, focusing rather on the guard who's curiously watching Connor. He straightens from his position when he sees me and I raise a brow at him.

"Hey. How was your day?" he asks, smiling sweetly and I feel goose bumps on my skin. Something is wrong. He never spoke so sweetly not unless he wants something. Deciding to play along, I just shrug and lift my grocery bag.

"Grocery shopping, nothing exciting," I say and walk into my apartment. The stalker that he is, follows me and I let him. There's no point in stopping his advances. It will only create a scene and I don't want the people in this apartment building to be more wary of me. I am a newcomer here, after all.

"Why don't you let me do that?" he says and quickly before I can protest, takes the bags out of my hands. I only sigh, relieved. He might feel that I am easy but at this point I am just tired. I want to sleep if possible, just forget about our history together.

Walking into the elevator, I punch on the 5th floor button and wait in silence refusing to entertain him. He will speak when he wants to and I won't beg neither will I show him that his presence affects me, still.

Getting the keys out of my purse, I open the door and enter, holding the door open for him to enter too. Just when he's done keeping the bags on the table beside the door, I wave him out of the apartment.

"Thanks for helping me carry those grocery bags. They sure were heavy," I say, politely. He looks at me with a puzzled expression but I don't offer any explanation.

"What? You think I carried those bags just as a gesture of helping you?" he asks, exasperated.

"Well, wasn't it?" I ask back, wanting him to spit out his reason for waiting at my apartment like this.

"I didn't find your address just to help you carry your grocery bags," he says and I shrug again, feeling another sense of defeat seep into my bones.

"I know Connor. You want something from me. Just say it and then you can leave. I am tired," I say, warily and gesture towards the door. He looks shocked, with his mouth hanging open a bit but I don't let it crack my resolve.

"I... I want you to go on a date with me," he says but I am already shaking my head. This is not possible, not anymore.

"Connor. It's over. It was over the moment you called me a cheating slut. I never cheated on you. I never betrayed you in any sense. If you don't believe me then it's not my fault. I don't think we should relive those times," I say and almost pat my back for perfect mask of indifference.

He is shocked but then his face contorts into that of anger and his gnashes his teeth as if he's controlling himself from attacking me. Suddenly, he smirks at me evilly and I prepare myself for a cruel remark.

"I called you a cheating slut because you are. I saw you with that fucker, Sergei. He was fucking you on the same bed I fucked you and you were moaning his name as if he was the fucking love of your life," he spits and I take a step back, shocked by the venom in his voice.