Anywhere But Home

{17} Deadly Secrets Part 2

Emily Roberts 

I never experience such an embarrassing moment in my entire insignificant life. Hearing him calling me that name, especially in front of all those people, who just laughed at my face, made my insides boil in pure rage. I simply turned my back around and walked away. Why do I even listen to Tori?

''Emily.'' He called, grabbing my arm gently preventing from walking any further. ''I'm sorry.'' He apologized, slowly making me turn around so I could face him. He was anything but sorry. I saw his lips trying to hide the huge laugh ready to burst out right in front of me.

''You're an asshole you know that?'' I blurted, taking my arm out of his grip, looking around. ''Did you really had to call me potato head in front of all of those people?'' I asked, clenching my teeth.

He chuckled. ''I wouldn't forgive myself if I didn't.'' His lips parted into a smile. ''Besides, seeing you blushing like a tomato, made my night. I was feeling so bored.''

I tapped on his shoulder abruptly making him stumble back. ''Ouch. Looks like we have an MMA fighter here.'' He mockingly stated, getting closer to me.

I smile sarcastically. ''You're feeling overly confident tonight aren't you?'' I asked taking a few steps towards the really spacious and extensive balcony. I saw them serving drinks there and right now I need one, asap.

Acting like a lost puppy, he followed me. ''I did a good speech didn't I?'' He inquired almost rhetorically in his cocky tone.

''You did okay.'' I simply said grabbing a glass of champagne from one of the trays that the waitress had.

''Okay?'' He asked in disbelief. ''Come on ..'' He pleaded rolling his eyes in a presumptuous way. ''I was flawless.''

I frowned my eyebrows and looked at him. ''Your cockiness is so annoying.''

''All in you ...'' He began saying gesturing to my body. ''Is annoying and you don't see me complaining.'' He said with a huge smirk on his face.

''If I'm disturbing your peace of mind, you can always go back inside and stop annoying the living soul out of me.'' I mumbled getting closer to him. His amusing smile was seriously irritating me.

''Na.'' He said closing, even more, the gap between us. ''Seeing you getting all fussy is so much more fun than talking about business stuff.''

I didn't know what to say. He has the power to make me feel so infuriated. The lack of space between us wasn't actually helping either. And to make it even more wonderful, my feet didn't move. Come on stupid legs.

Noticing my staring, his smile only increased. ''Come with me.'' He said grabbing my hand and pulling me throughout the ballroom passing through the hallway until we reached the kitchen.

I lot of people gave us incredulous looks and doubting stares about what the hell were we doing there in the first place. Christopher ignored them all and continued dragging me until we reach a backdoor, that led to another door. He opened it up.

Breathtaking.

I didn't know that the back of the house had a small lake. The full moon made the perfect reflection on the water, illuminating in a gorgeous and unexplainable way all our surroundings. ''It's amazing right?'' He asked looking at the scenario standing in front of us.

''How do you even know this place existed?'' My question made him turn his attention to me.

''We used to come here on the summer. According to the owner of Black Enterprise, it was actually my father's idea to make the party here.'' He said walking towards one of the trees, taking a seat in the grass.

I think he read my mind and took from his pocket a large napkin and placed on the grass right next to him. ''There you go princess. We don't want to stain that beautiful dress of yours, now do we?'' He said teasingly.

I rolled my eyes and took a seat, carefully trying not to show anything that I shouldn't. ''Thank you.''

This is probably every girl's dream. Standing side by side with a gorgeous guy, watching the moonlight, feeling the semi-cold breeze of November blowing on their face. It looks almost romantic. But then, I'm with Christopher. So you can imagine my problem.

''I was really surprised when I found out that you were coming.'' He said breaking the silence, moving his gaze to me. He was so close. I have never been this close to a guy before.

''Tori can be really persuasive.'' I replied shrugging, earning a chuckle from him.

''Some things never change.'' He stated shaking his head smiling.

''She maybe didn't, but you did.'' I said regretting instantly what just left my mouth.

His posture straightens up and his smile disappeared. Why can't I just stay quiet? ''Do you think that you are the same person you were two or three years ago?'' He asked.

Hell no. God only knows what my life has been since my mother passed away. ''No.'' I breathed out, almost silently.

''Exactly.'' He said, almost as if he made a point. ''There are circumstances in life that change you. Everyone has their breaking point and their weak spots. I know I do. And I know I am no way near to be perfect and honestly?'' He stopped for a second. ''I don't want to be.'' He added. ''Life was not made to be a sea of roses. You will fall, but you'll get up. You will meet awesome people and you will share awesome times with them, but eventually, half of them will leave you. It's the cycle of life.''

Where did his wisdom come from?

''I understand you. Believe me, I do.'' I started. ''But just because life has been a b***h for you, doesn't mean you have the right to be an asshole to others.'' I said, but before he could protest, I continued. ''And I'm not saying that you are an asshole.''

He narrowed his eyes at me, crossing his arms. ''Okay.'' I sighed. ''I may have said that you are an asshole, but in those situations, you kind of deserved it.''

''So according to you .. did I deserved to lose my brother that way?'' He said coldly staring blankly at me.

I swallowed the knot that was forming in my throat. ''Of course not. I didn't mean it like that.'' I corrected.

''I just don't get it.'' He breathed out giving a bitter laugh to the side. ''Everyone expects me to act a certain way. Nobody gives a s**t about what I've been through and that annoys me so freaking much.'' He muttered leaning back at the tree that was behind us. ''Do you think, that I like to be like this? Always grumpy and on the edge?''

''Then don't be it.'' I said readjusting my position so I could face him better. ''Look, you said it yourself. Life was not made to be easy. So stop living in the past Christopher. You need to find some peace within you. You need to heal this.'' I said pressing my finger unto his chest, into the location of his heart.

He broke our stare and sighed. ''Why do you even care?'' He asked still not looking at me.

''Because ..'' I began saying then stopped. Why do I care? What the hell Em? What am I doing to myself? Noticing my lack of response, he looked back at me. I cleared my throat. ''Because I guess, I'm your friend.'' I finally said, facepalming myself internally. You guess?

''You guess?'' He said, almost as if just read my mind. ''That was so .. profound.'' He added, chuckling. I couldn't help, but to join along. 

''You understood me.'' I state smiling widely, pinching him on his torso.

He shifted, growling from the pain. Come it wasn't that bad. ''Did you just pinched me?'' He asked with a sly smile on his face.

I must say, that smile scared me. ''Come here!'' He said grabbing my both arms with his right hand, tickling me on my belly with his left.

''Christop-'' I said giggling so loud that all the dead could rise from their graves. ''Stop it!'' I warned in what was supposed to be my scary tone.

I hate being tickled. I just start breathing and laughing like a hyena. ''Oh no ... Not on the neck please!'' I yelled shifting, trying to get out of his hold. I never thought he was this strong.

Before I knew I was only a few inches away from him. I had a few hair strands falling in front of my eyes. He stopped suddenly, grabbing gently the few hair strands and placing them behind my ear.

His breath was a mix of mint and lemon. His eyes were locked on my eyes, making it impossible for me to divert my gaze from his beautiful face. I think my heart rhythm increased drastically. His lips looked so appetizing. I just thought about how it would feel if I could kiss him. 

I almost forgot that he was holding me. His touch somehow was something I could get used to. I involuntarily moved my face a little closer and he did the same. I have never been kissed before. I have never experienced this feeling.

He moved even closer, letting go of my hands. I thought this was my cue to leave, but then he did the unexpected.

His right hand went to my back, pushing my body closer to his torso. Now I was standing on top of his lap, one leg to each side, with my lips almost touching his. Almost out of instinct I placed my hand on the back of his neck and grabbed his hair tightly. His breathing was starting to get intense and having his mouth sending warm breaths all over my lips, just made me want to lose it right there.

I wanted to say something, but my mouth was so dry. I never imagined to say this, but right now I need his kiss.

''Emily ..''He breathed out my name is such a husky sexy way. ''Maybe this is a bad i-'' I gently placed my fingers on his lips, shutting him off immediately.

I guess he took that as permission because the next thing I knew his lips crushed into mine.

His lips were dancing with mine with such a softness and delicacy. I let my lips play with his. His right hand travelled from my back to my hair and the other one to my face. My other arm found a way towards his torso for support. As the rhythm of the kiss increased, a soft delicate moan escaped my lips.

He parted our lips for a split second to observe me. For those split seconds my lips felt the urge to be kissed again. His eyes met mines and he grabbed my chin, leaning his mouth closer to mine biting my lower lip. He is teasing me and for some reason, I'm letting him.

He moved then his lips to my neck and then up to my ear, sending shivers through my spine. ''Chris.'' I moan his name, almost too husky for my liking. I'm liking this too much.

That made him tighten his grip around me. I'm feeling his heartbeat increasing by the second.

I opened my eyes. We can't do this. I slowly and painfully pushed him away from me. He didn't understand well why I pushed him away, because he grabbed my chin so I could face him. I couldn't. I wanted more. But I can't get attached like this to anyone.

Finding support on the tree behind us, I got up. I straighten up my dress and start walking towards the door that led to the inside of the house.

''Wait ...'' He whispered loudly from behind. I stopped on my tracks. ''Did I do something wrong?'' That question made me turn around immediately.

''No!'' I stated walking closer towards him, stopping a few inches from him. ''This .. I .. we ..'' I stuttered, trying to find words to describe what I was feeling, but failed.

I sighed. Get your s**t together Em. I was about to say something, but we were interrupted by the most unpredictable person we could think of.

''What a cute couple.'' I hear someone clapping, coming from the shadows. What is he doing here?

Christopher's first move has to position himself in front of me. ''What are you doing here Chad?'' He asked as I could see his hands turning into fists.

''We have some unfinished business to talk about.'' He said, coming closer to us.

''I don't have anything to say to you. Now get away, before I call security.'' Christopher warned taking a step closer.

''And how will you do that?'' Chad said smirking widely, making a sign with his hand.

Along with Chad, another four guys appeared from the shadows. Oh god .. This isn't happening. ''Christopher ..'' I called, grabbing his arm super tightly.

He looked at me. ''Everything is fine Emily. I wouldn't let anyone hurt you.'' Hearing him said that, calmed me of a little. However, the bad sensation that I was feeling, didn't go away.

''I don't know what you think you will accomplish by doing this, but if you think for a second that I will tell you where the bible is, you are so freaking wrong.'' He said confidently clenching his teeth.

Chad smiled. ''I thought you would say that. That's why this time, I brought backups.'' His smile turned into a mischievous grin. ''Go and grab her.'' He gestures to two of his henchman.

''Emily, run!'' Christopher yelled, throwing a punch into one of the guy's face making him fall down. The other one just grabbed Christopher's arms. The other man who was standing close to Chad, came forward, starting to punch Chris on the stomach.

I couldn't move. The guy who was punched got up and grabbed me by my hair, holding one hand tightly around my neck.

''If you touch her, I swear to god, I will freaking destroy you.'' Christopher said receiving after that another punch.

Chad stayed silent, enjoying seeing Christopher getting beat up.

The grip he guy had around my neck was making it really hard for me to breath. My eyes started watering. ''Stop punching him!'' I begged crying, noticing how much he was coughing blood. I can't watch this anymore!

Chad looked at me and then look at his guys. ''Stop it.'' Thank god. At least, there is a little of a human soul within him.

''Bring him and the girl. Let's have some fun tonight.''

No!