Deep Down (UNEDITED)

Who are you again

P.O.V AMARA

Life, the most beautiful gift on earth, but right now mine is a big joke. And by a big joke, I mean a lame joke that no one but you can laugh at. The warm evening light shines in through the windows. After I decided to make a deal with Vladimir, they made me sign a contract and informed me of all the conditions and rules.

Most of the conditions were really ridiculous, during the time I was with Vladimir I was not allowed to be seen with another man by the press. I quote Vladmir's words "that's bad for our publicity and business". Apparently Vladmir is more famous than I thought and sometimes he has paparazzi who will do anything for a picture. He's even more stupid than he already was to think that I would cancel my trips to the sea with Max for him.

Nothing, absolutely nothing, could stop me. I snorted softly, after the deal was done they pushed me into a car straight home, with a bag containing a new mobile phone and credit card. It seems likely that the phone will be tracked, but it's better than the old-fashioned phone I have now.

When I got home, the cottage was empty. No Max or Rosaline squabbling, just the sound of the sea and some birds singing. The bag of new stuff I had plopped down on the kitchen counter and had been staring at me for the past hour. I am sitting in the leather-covered sofa with my legs pulled up against my chest.

How could it have gone so wrong? For years I thought I had covered my tracks and that I was playing my role as a normal citizen perfectly. Vladimir punctured that role and before I knew it I was the fiancée of one of the most famous criminals and about to be married. One thing plagues me, why me? Why not another girl. I suppose many would be only too happy to take my place. My pondering was broken by a soft buzzing. I frown. The buzzing comes from the kitchen. The sofa creaks as I pull myself up. The sound of my bare feet hitting the cold floor echoes through the room.

I stop at the kitchen sink, again I hear a soft buzz. The sound seems to come from the bag of new things. Doubtful, I take the new mobile phone out of the paper bag. The small screen casts a blue glow on my face as I run my eyes over the message I have just received.

Unknown number:

Are you home yet?

I chuckled softly, this could only be one person, right? I wait a moment before finally running my fingers over the keyboard

You:

Yes Vladimir, safe and sound

Not much later the screen lights up again.

Unknown number:

Good, tomorrow we're going on a date, put on something decent for the press. I don't want to be seen with someone who dresses like a tramp

I had to restrain myself not to throw the mobile against the wall and call Vladimir to tell him to f**k off. Carefully I sucked in a big breath to calm down

"It's okay Amara as long as he helps you everything is okay. Everything is going to be all right" I admonished myself

"Who is helping you?" I let out a loud cry. The mobile phone almost falls out of my hands, but I manage to catch it at the last moment. I turn around and see two pairs of confused eyes staring at me. One pair belongs to Rosaline, but I don't know the other.

"Do you always have to scare me like that?" I snarl, my eyes sliding over to the guy standing next to Rosaline, his dirty blonde locks wild stand wild, from my distance his eyes look green, emerald green. Rosaline rolls her eyes.

"I can't help it if you're talking to yourself" Rosaline mutters, she notices that I'm staring at the guy next to her. "Oh yeah, almost forgot this is Aiden" She points enthusiastically at Aiden who rubs his neck a little uncomfortably as he raises his hand in a small greeting. "I ran into him in a bar and I thought he would fit in perfectly with the friend group" she squeals.

Sceptically, I look from Rosaline to Aiden, his mouth slightly set. He seemed a bit slouchy. "So what you're saying is that you brought a stranger home with you" I slip the mobile phone into my back pocket. Rosaline rolled her eyes as she hung her coat on the coat rack.

"Like I haven't done that before" she says as she picks up Aiden's coat as well "And besides Aiden isn't a serial killer, right Aiden?" Aiden looks a little startled from my to Rosaline.

"Um, no not that I know of no" He says followed by an uncomfortable smile. Rosaline walks across the room to the bedrooms hallway.

"Hey, where are you going" Aiden and I call out almost in chorus. He didn't feel like being alone with me for a while either

"I have to go to the bathroom for a bit, but make sure Aiden is comfortable!" I could curse Rosaline for leaving me here with Aiden. I looked at him doubtfully, his green eyes staring brightly. Think Amara Think. How to make this less uncomfortable?

"Would you like a drink?" I suddenly blurt out, a little surprised Aiden looks at me, but he nods. I shuffle over to the cabinet full of glasses.

"And what might it be?" I ask as I look over my shoulder. Aiden had already taken a seat at one of the chairs on the kitchen island.

"Just some water will do" he mutters. I raise my eyebrows as I grab a glass and fill it with water. Carefully I place it in front of him.

"Thanks" A faint smile plays on his lips. I am now leaning against the kitchen counter. His hand closes around the glass and as he stretches his arm I can see a tattoo come out from under his sleeve. It is a snake, at least I think so.

"When did you get it done?" I ask curiously. Aiden frowns before he realises what I'm getting at.

"Oh this one?" He rolls up his sleeve revealing the entire tattoo, the snake wriggling up to his elbow "About three years ago, when my father died" he says looking at the tattoo. fascinated I watch myself until I finally avert my eyes.

"Sorry I didn't know-, I feel for you" Aiden laughs softly as he looks at me from under his blonde locks.

"You don't have to, I didn't miss him when he passed away. He was never really there for me" he says as he twirls his glass a bit "you must think I' m weird for telling you this when I hardly know you" he mocks

I shake my head as I smile "On the contrary, I find it courageous" I declare "Do you have any more?"

"Another one, but I can't show it now unless I start stripping" he snorts "and I don't think you'd like that" Aiden rolls his sleeve back down "Sorry to ask, but what's your name again?" Aiden looks at me sideways as he swallows.

"Amara" I say softly

"Amara" he repeats "I'll remember that"

I think I've made myself a new friend.