Broken Together

Chapter 2: Urge

                                                                                   CHAPTER 2

                                                                                        AMELIA

“How- How did you know I work here?” I said almost in a whisper as he stood a few steps from me. He looks straight into my eyes, and since he is this close to me, I can see more clearly what he looks like. His eyes are a mixture of green and blue which makes it so much prominent due to his dishevelled blonde hair and he’s very tall. 

“I have my ways.” He simply said with a smirk on his face. Does he have something to say to me? I look back at my Aunt May who is now gawking at us. I cleared my throat, looking at this brooding man in front of me. “How are you feeling? Do you need anything from me?” I asked him smiling, trying to look confident. He clenched his jaw and his brows furrowed as he shifted from where he stood.

“I better go.” He said looking like he’s in discomfort. He walked right past me, heading outside of the bookstore, leaving me confused as the door closed. 

“Who is that?” Aunt May finally found her voice as I approached her. 

“Just some guy I saw earlier,” I said still confused but trying to look like I’m not interested at all. 

Aunt May let out a breath then said “Well, he sure looks intimidating. He came in and he had that aura that tells you that he always gets what he wants, you know.” She scoffed then headed back to her office upstairs without saying anything else, as I sat behind the counter, I’m relieved that she didn’t ask any more questions. She can be tenacious at times. 

How did that guy recover so fast? Hold on, come to think of it, He looked pale. Plus, he looked uncomfortable before he left. Maybe he’s not yet recovered. Whatever that is, I’m still not clear on why he went here and how did he know that I work here. 

I went on my day not giving too much thought of that brooding guy. At 5:00, I’ll be heading to my part-time job as a newly promoted employee. I’m so happy to be promoted from being a dishwasher to a waitress because that meant that I get to get a much bigger pay. 

I approached Josie’s and immediately immersed myself at work that I completely did not realize that it’s already 10 o’clock. Ted, the owner’s son, peeked from inside the kitchen to where I am behind the counter, “Good job today, Mel. See you tomorrow.” He said smiling giving me a quick wave. 

“See you tomorrow!” I said to him smiling, as I head back to the locker room. My phone rang as soon as I reached my locker. I fished it out from the pocket of my jeans and see an unknown number. I contemplated for a bit if I should answer it or not but decided that I probably should. You’ll never know if you don’t try, right? 

“Hello?” I said as I undress to change from my uniform to my sweatshirt. 

“Mel?” I froze as I heard the familiar voice on the other line. “Mel… How are you? I haven’t seen you for years.” My mom’s voice sounded hoarse, I imagine her in a small room, holding the phone on her hand as a prison guard watch her from the phone booth. My thoughts jogged back to before everything happened. She was so pretty. She always smelled like pancakes and maple syrup until she locked herself on their bedroom injecting themselves with drugs. She was a very passionate person and she was liked by almost everyone we know. She’s the opposite of me and my dad. She’s outgoing and cheerful, like a bright sunny day.

“I’m sorry, I just- “I feel a lump in my throat, I cleared my throat, in an attempt to suppress my tears. “I’ve been so busy, Mom. I’ll try to visit soon.” 

“I’m sorry, Mel. I- “She paused for a few minutes and when she spoke again, I can hear by the sound of her voice that she’s crying, “If I could just turn back the time…”

“Well, you can’t, can you?” I quickly said, my voice sounded harsh. I regained my composure when I didn’t hear any response from my mom “I’ll come to visit, okay? I have to go.” I added plainly. I didn’t wait for her response before hanging up. I sighed as I stand in front of my locker, thinking what a day it has been. So much happened and I can feel my body slowly turn into a jelly. I am mentally and physically exhausted. I need to go home to my small apartment, crawl into my bed and pass out. Some nineteen-year-olds will go out and party after a long day or whatever nineteen-year-olds do, but not me. I like being alone, I can fully entertain myself by reading a book, watching a movie or a tv show and eating a bag of chips. I guess you can call me an introvert. 

I waved goodbye again to Ted, who is now at the counter, he waved back at me with a smile as I opened the restaurant door to Seattle’s cold evening. I walked to my apartment building, just a few blocks from the very convenient restaurant. 

As I turn around on the corner of my apartment building, right at the entrance, I saw a man leaning against the wall. I continued walking not yet completely bothered by the man hanging outside the building, thinking that maybe he’s also an apartment owner or waiting for someone who lives here. 

However, as soon as I reached the entrance and got a better look at the guy, it’s the same guy. That same guy who I saw bleeding to death and showed up at my workplace just a few hours after being rushed to the hospital. 

I stopped in front of him and he looked up from his cell phone that he’s been holding on his hand. He looks different from earlier today. His blonde hair now is nicely coiffed, his clothes clean but still all-black outfit minus the leather jacket and he has a small bandage at the cut on the side of his mouth. 

“Are you following me?” I asked frowning, a little scared that he may be a stalker or something. He smirked as he stood properly, removing his back against the wall. 

“Did you think I was waiting here for you?” He said, clearly mocking me, with that voice that is slowly growing on me. It’s deep but not too much. 

“Okay.” I simply said and quickly walked towards the entrance. 

He chuckles while following me inside the building, “Sorry, sorry. I’m just messing with you.” He said smiling, showing his perfect white teeth, as he stood in front of me, blocking my way. 

I let out an exasperated sigh then said: “Well, can I help you with anything?” 

He crossed his arms on his chest, “Well, I would like to thank you for saving me earlier by taking you out to dinner.” He said confidently like he does not doubt in his mind that I wouldn’t say no. 

“You can just simply say “Thank you”. That would suffice.” I said smiling back at him, tilting my head to the side. 

His eyes narrowed and his grinning for a few seconds then added, “Sorry,” he moved closer to me “I don’t take “NO” for an answer.” He’s so close now that I can already smell him and his perfume smells like vanilla. 

His smile is now gone as we stood there, looking straight into each other’s eyes. At the back of my mind, I know that I should back away but something about how he’s staring into my eyes, blue to hazel, that makes me unable to move. He broke our eye contact as his gaze slowly descended to my lips. He clenched his jaw and his lips slightly parted. 

I’m suddenly getting dizzy and I’m not sure if it’s due to the smell of vanilla that’s getting stronger and stronger by each second or because I’m just having a roller coaster of emotion today. I can feel my body getting out of balance and this brooding guy probably noticed it because he said, almost in a whisper, “Are you okay? Do you want me to take you to your room?” looking concerned and he touched my arm. There’s no way I’m going to let this guy come up to my apartment. 

I pulled away, “I’m okay and No, thank you.” I started to walk towards the elevator leaving him there. While waiting for the elevator to descend, I’m starting to getting extremely dizzy and my knees are starting to feel like Jell-O. I reached for the wall and slumped against it. I know that guy is still here, I can feel his eyes on mine. I looked back at him and there he is, standing a few steps behind me, looking at me with a scowl on his face. 

“You may go now,” I said, waving my hands to dismiss him. He just stood there still scowling when I heard the elevator ding, announcing its arrival. Just before I could step foot inside the elevator, I felt my body losing its balance and for some reason the last thing I saw is the elevator floor getting closer and closer to my face then darkness. 

                                                                                    VINCENT

I grabbed her arm just right before the elevator door closed. She’s completely passed out. I held her in my arms for a few a minute, lifting her face for me to take a good look on her. Her full lips and cheeks don’t have that flush of pink that I remember from earlier today when I saw her. I fished my cell phone from inside my jeans and dialled a number. Dr Michaels, our family doctor, answered on the first ring. 

“Go to my house. There’s an emergency.” I said quickly then hung up. I don’t need to hear his response. 

I carried her out of her apartment building and proceeded to my parked car. This may look like a kidnapping, and I can already see her neighbour’s eyes on me as I took her outside unconscious but they didn’t stop me anyway. I strapped her on the passenger seat, clicking on the seatbelt and gently reclined the car seat. I closed the door on her side and hurriedly went to the driver seat. As soon as I closed the door, the car smelled like Lavender. She probably rolled her self on lavender or something. I can’t help but smile as I ignite the car and pulled out of the parking lot. 

As I pulled up on the driveway to my house, Gustav approached my car and reached for the passenger door. 

“I’ll do it.” I quickly said to him, stopping him from opening the door. I walked towards the passenger door and opened it. The black-haired girl is still unconscious. I stoop down to unlock her seatbelt and carried her again out of the car. Her soft wavy hair dangling from her head to my arms as I carry her like a newlywed except, she’s unconscious. 

“Has Dr Michaels arrived?” I asked Gustav who still has his poker face on. Gustav is my bodyguard but I don’t use him to guard my body. I can take care of that. He was hired when I reached the age of fifteen and I don’t have any complaints because he never once questioned what I do. 

“Yes sir. He’s in the living room.” Gustav said with his French accent.

“Tell him to go straight to my room.” I said as I walked inside my house and went straight to the stairs, “And one more thing, Gustav” I looked back at him, “You will not say a word about this to anyone.” I said to him without showing any humour so that he knows that I’m serious. My parents don’t need to know I brought a girl home. 

I don't even know her name yet here she is... laying on my bed. Dr Michaels said that she's anaemic. He said probably because of fatigue or stress. I'm just glad that I was there when she fainted. I can't imagine her being carried by another person. I don't know why that pisses me off. I know I should've dropped her at her apartment, I could've asked one of her neighbours where she lives but I didn't. Simply because I want to get to know her and she seems like the kind of person who's closed off. She even declined to have dinner with me. I used that stupid excuse of "treating her to dinner to show gratitude" but the truth is... I'm just curious about her. And if I need to kidnap her just to get to know her... I'll just get a lawyer. 

 Her eyes fluttered and her lips parted a little. Dreaming probably. I pulled a chair next to my bed and sat there as I wonder what she's dreaming about. She's beautiful without even trying. She doesn't have any makeup on. I would know because I've met a lot of women with way too much make up and if she was wearing makeup, it should've smeared all over her face already. When I first saw her in that alley, black strands of hair sticking out of her beanie, her slightly upturned nose showing a hint of pink matching her cheeks and lips. And her eyes... her eyes lit up that dark alley. Come to think of it, she's still wearing the same outfit I saw her in earlier. Same white sweater and black tight jeans.

 Her eyes fluttered again and she stirred a little then her eyes slowly opened. 

  "Hi," I said trying not to sound creepy. She blinked a few times and her eyes darted to me. 

 A frown slowly forming on her face, "W-Where am I? And Why are you here?" She sat upright on the bed, looking around. "Why am I here?!" She raises her voice. 

 "Okay, calm down, would you?" I said as calm as I can while she hurriedly crawled out of the bed at the opposite side from where I am sitting. 

 "Calm down? Calm down?!" She said, clearly pissed off. "Look, I don't even know you and now I don't even know where I am!" She's waving her hands in the air and started pacing the room. 

 "Well, to answer all your questions..." I cleared my throat, leaning back on my chair, crossing my legs, "You're in my house and in my room," she stopped pacing and her eyes grew wide open. "You fainted before getting inside the elevator so I decided to take you here," I added quickly. 

 "W-What?!" She looked around the room again and then back at me. She's glaring at me and I can't help but smile because she looks too cute when she's angry. I know I'm an asshole but I can't help it. She closed her eyes, breathing in and out for a few seconds then she spoke without opening her eyes. "A normal person would just ask help from another person to take me to my apartment." She opened her eyes barely suppressing her anger, "But I'm guessing you don't do "normal" She sighed and picked up her bag on the table next to my bed. 

 "You can't leave," I said standing up and walking towards the opposite of the room where she is. 

 She turned to look at me as I leaned against the wall facing her, "You know I'm starting to think you kidnapped me and now you want to hold me hostage. But jokes on you because I'm not rich, okay?" She stood up and crossed her arms Infront of her. She's understandably still pissed. 

 "You're correct on your first observation but not with the second one. What I meant with “you CAN'T leave here” is you do not have any means to leave this place, especially at this hour." I said to her gauging her expression. When she didn’t speak, I added: “Go take a look.” I gestured her towards the balcony. Her beautiful eyes glanced back and forth from me to the glass door right next to me. Her scent filled my nostrils as she approached the sliding door to the balcony, I instantly moved right next to her like a f*****g magnet, as I watch her slide the door and take in the view. Her eyes grew wide and her lips parted.