Finding Nymphaea's Haven

Chapter Eleven: Seeing His Scary Side

POV

Nymphaea(Delilah)

When I sat back down in my chair, I didn't say anything else. I waited for about a few seconds before Aris decided to speak again.

"Thank you. I know this is not easy for you." He says while trying to give me a gentle smile. Even if he never has lied to me, I knew not to trust him with my life or my children, for that matter.

"Atticus is family and has had some problems for quite some time. Before he moved back, he was involved with some shady people, Lilah. He sleeps around with anyone who will say yes." He says to me. I couldn't help but let a snort out. He stops talking and looks at me like I had lost it.

"That's the same s**t you do, Aris." I said coldly at him. I kept my arms still crossed over my chest. He had this pissed look on his face then. I knew I hit a nerve saying that. It didn't matter to me. At this point, he was just an acquaintance to me.

"You think you're just so special, huh? Do you honestly think he actually likes you, Delilah?" He said just as harsh as I did. He's trying to get a rise out of me now.

I could see some customers starting to stare over at us. I knew he was beginning to be loud. He's even louder than the music blaring out here. Like who the f**k can get louder than these damn speakers. I couldn't let him cause a scene here. Not here when I'm running by myself. If he tried anything I wouldn't be able to have Mr. Anderson to have my back. As much as I knew I could maybe take him, I can't risk my kids having no mother.

"Yes, Aris. I think he does. Clearly he did those things in a different city. That is his past he will tell me when he's ready." I calmly stated to him this time. I had to negotiate him to thinking he should leave. But I had to get him to calm down first.

"He's gonna break your heart. And I'm gonna tell you I told you so." He spits out at me. His voice was so bitter it could have been poisonous if he was a dangerous creature.

I shook my head in disappointment. I couldn't believe he was so quick to throw away a friendship we used to have. I used to confided with him about anything. He even watched my kids on days work kept me later than scheduled time. I let him into my family as one of us.

I don't take that kind of thing lightly. I have so much trust issues with my past I can't afford it to find us. I did everything in my power to get us out of awful place and somewhere safe. It took me forever to find somewhere we could call home. We finally found it here and people who actually love us like family. To see someone you gave a chance to just waste it away in front of you makes you feel foolish.

"Do you have anything else to say to me?" I snapped at him immediately. I'm completely fed up with this conversation. I need to get back to work before we get slammed again.

"Yeah there is one thing. If a woman name Rebecca starts appearing around him, you might as well call it quits. You don't stand a chance; he will always pick her." He begins to laugh then. Taking a drink out of a flask he pulls out of his pocket.

Oh perfect just what he needs is more alcohol running through him. But what he had said peaked my interest more. I know I have heard that name before but I'm not quite sure where.

"What are you talking about?" I ask him trying not to sound too annoyed by him and everything he has said. He took another swig before he looked at me with a grimace look on his face.

"Rebecca is his ex-fiancé. They were engaged like six or seven years ago but he broke up with her and moved to the city." He starts to spill to me. He becomes an open book about this woman and what part she played in Atticus's life.

"Her family are big shots here. You upset Rebecca in any way, they'll make your life hell just for her. And knowing her it's just a matter of time that she'll be snaking her way back to that bastard." He scoffs, then takes a decent swig of the flask.

I couldn't help but feel a rattle feeling flow through my body when he said that. It took me a few seconds to collect my thoughts and hold my ground. I wasn't about to let his words scare me or this woman and her family if it came down to what Aris says.

"If Atticus wants to be with her then I'm sure he's man enough to tell me otherwise I'm not worried about this Rebecca." I said confidently to him. Holding my head high at him as he stared me down. Basically glaring me with this enraged expression on his face. I wasn't going to be intimidated by him.

"I can't believe you are choosing him over me. You've known me longer than him but yet you're choosing to give him a shot." He spits out at me cold like.

"Aris look how you're being. Ever since I turned you down from a date weeks ago, you've been jealous and insulting me when I paid any attention to any man when you noticed. It's why I kept my distance." I stated firmly to him then. I have to get through to him somehow. This has to come to a stop or things would get horrible.

He looked at me for a second then looked down at his hands on the table. My words must of actually reached his common sense about everything. He looks up at me seconds later. His face looks calm but you could tell he is still a ticking time bomb.

"I didn't realize I made you feel uncomfortable. I just feel like the guys you've chosen are just not enough. You deserve the best and so do the twins." He says softly to me. As if the anger was washing away from him. I gave him a small smile. It felt nice to talk to him. Almost like how we used to confide with one another.

But as usual I get proven to be a fool for thinking things could go back to the way they were before. He begins to lean closer to me. Hovering just a bit over the table to get to my face to kiss me. I felt my eyes widen by this. Quickly I stuck my hand out to place on his chest. Putting some force to show him to stop and he did. He looks at me puzzled by my reaction.

"Aris I don't like you that way. I like you as a friend. You have got to stop pushing for more." I said calmly to him.

"I'm not good enough? But that son of a b***h is?" His voice grew louder then. The anger returning to the surface. This is my cue to be done with him before it gets out of hand.

"You need to go home. We're done here Aris." I firmly told him before I scooted the seat out to get up and leave. This conversation was going absolutely nowhere now and clearly he can't take a hint either. I could hear him saying please stay let's talk this over and begging me to stay. I wasn't going to take more of this from him. Begging wasn't going to work now.

Unfortunately for me, he realizes that and decides to take things too far. He immediately jumps out of his chair and blocks my walkway just a second in time before I can snake around him. I immediately stop in my tracks. Inches away but close enough to smell the alcohol on his breath. Making my stomach nauseous and sending chills through my body.

Aris is clearly not thinking straight at all, and I agreed to talk to him. Out here where there are absolutely no employees or no bouncer tonight. It was supposed to be a calm evening for me to concentrate on my studies. Not this maniac bullshit he was giving me. I realize I have screwed up, and I can only get myself out of this.

"Please, Aris, you need to move out of my way." I ask him calmly. Standing my ground and doing my best not to let his size intimidate me.

The look on his face made the chills running through me turn into ice. There was no emotion behind his eyes. His lips in a straight tight line. I wasn't ready to take him on before his manner changed into this.

"Dehliah I'm asking you politely to stay away from Atticus. He's not good for you." His voice was pleading me to reason with him. This man really doesn't like Atticus. I could tell at this point now. That still isn't enough for me to just drop him on the face of Earth.

"Aris I'm not going to do that. You have given me no good reason why I should steer clear from him. It is not your job on to tell me who I can or can't be around." I snapped at him then. He was testing my patience and I was ready to risk it all. I couldn't believe he was doing this sort of thing to me. After knowing him for almost two years now he has never acted this way towards me. I've seen him act like this but it was always towards some other women. Nia was right about him. He's just another repeat waiting to happen if I gave him a chance with me.

He took a step towards me then. I flinch back from him. Not wanting to come in grabs reach. He stopped then looking shocked but hurt. I wasn't sure what he would do and in my past experiences I've learned to be cautious. He starts to run his hands through his hard rapidly. His emotions were all over the place and being displayed for everyone to see.

"Lilah you don't understand. Please I'm begging you leave him be and give me a shot. I could be good to you and the kids." His voice cracks a little while speaking. I could tell he was thinking about stepping towards me again.

"You need to move out of my way and leave now. We are done here." My voice was like ice, cold and harsh. I meant it I am done with him. I don't tolerate s**t like this by anyone. It could have been one of the girls and I would still drop them like nothing. It's what I know what to do to keep my twins safe. They matter more than what I want or need.

He then quickly moved at me. He ended up getting a hold of my right forearm. Gripping tight enough to where I couldn't pull away as I keep trying. I then look up when she gave me a hard shake. Sending my body too close to his then.

The look in his eyes was the same but darker and more twisted looking. Sending awful curl feelings in the pit of my stomach. I was actually afraid of not knowing what his next move could be if I tried to fight him off me.

"I'm done asking. I'm telling you if you continue a relationship with him I'll make you regret it." Aris's tone was calm but a little furious was hinted in it. With that kind of threat I knew I needed to stay very far away from him. I just need to get him out of here now and fast.

"Aris you need to let me go." I firmly told him. Pulling at his hand to release my arm. He didn't move or budge. He didn't even break the tense stare he had on me. Watching me fail to get him off me.

I could feel the fear I had tried to push back surfaces way back and growing quicker by the millisecond. I couldn't let him see that. He wasn't going to have that satisfaction. I stop to look at him. I plant my feet as firm as I can. Taking my left hand balling it into a fist. I turn my stare into the anger I was getting. He began to smirk for a second. Setting something off in me then.

I took my fist and swung it at him. Landing a hard blow into the right side of his jaw. I couldn't feel a thing with the adrenaline running through me. In fact I was ready to strike again.

The bastard was still gripping on me. Just making him grip me tighter. Enough to feel a tingly sensation where he had me. I knew he hurt me then I could see blood drop on the ground. He snaps his head back at me then. When he did that the blood was my least concerns.

I had cut his lower lip making it bleed as well. I could see the red mard on his jaw where I got him. Definitely leaving a bruise in the morning. But that's not what had me concerned. It was the look he had. Like this made him thrilled as if he wanted this to happen. All the flashbacks began to swirl their way back in and at the worst moment possible.

"You will pay for that and everything else you have done. Consider you and your brats black listed." He says as he's laughing wickedly. He didn't care that people were staring and shouting at him to let go. I knew they were scared to step near him acting like an insane man. I waved them back. I didn't want them involved. I couldn't afford someone getting hurt because of me. They stood back thankfully but I still had a major problem in front of me.

I turn to face Aris again. I was still ready to strike. "If you threaten my kids again, I'll come for your f*****g head." I said harshly at him. I wasn't afraid to take him on if that meant to the death. No one threatens my twins.

I go to swing at him again. Ignoring the pain starting to linger in my fist. Unfortunately he caught my fist with his free hand. Pushing it away from his face just in time. I kept swinging at him and pulling away from him. He just wouldn't give up.

"LET ME GO NOW!" I begin to yell at him. I could hear the fear begin to settle in. Making Aris smile bigger at me. I knew I was alone and he got what he wanted. Me scared and all alone to himself.

That's when it happened. Someone pulling Aris by the collar of the back of the shirt. Sending him flying backwards and enough strength to make him let me go. I didn't get a look at who it was I ended up closing my eyes for a second or two after that. I knew whoever it was sure enough was going to fight him.

I open my eyes then. I could feel the fear melt away. I felt safe to stand where I was all of the sudden. Aris stood at least fifteen feet from me. But that's not why I felt safe. It was who came to my rescue that did it. Atticus.

He stood there in front of Aris. Bowed up to him ready to take him on if he started anything. He did glance over at me briefly at one point. Making sure I was alright I'm sure and I was now that he was here to help me. I just hope he can handle him better than I did.

"You ever touch her again I'll rip out your throat." He growled at him. His posture read protective over me and aggressive towards Aris. He didn't like what he saw at all before intervening.

"You're not gonna do s**t. I'll take her away from you on way or another Atti." Aris says in a maniacal tone while letting out an evil barking laugh. As much as I wanted to step in and end this I knew that wouldn't a good idea then.

Atticus grabs Aris by the front of his shirt. Pulling his into him as he swung his other fist at him. Making contact in the same spot where I got him. Only to rear back and swing at him again. Landing a nasty blow to his nose this time. I could see Aris's lefs begin to sway trying to hold him up straight. At this point only thing that was keeping him from falling was the hold Atticus has on him.

I began to step a little closer. Noticing that Aris was defeated. But something wasn't right then. The fight should have been over. But then I saw it when I got close enough. Atticus was seeing rage over anything else. What his cousin has done triggered something in this man to keep going and not caring he gave up or that they are family.

Aris saw it too and for some sick twisted reason he laughed more. His laugh sounding hoarse and exhausted from the beating he received. But that didn't stop him from taunting his cousin more. Until Aris looks over at me sends him into a hault. He's still smiling weakly through the blood and exhaustion. Send sick chills down my body.

"I told you he was bad news. I may be bad but this man is the f*****g devil." He groans out as he spits blood from the gash running into his mouth onto the ground. "I know Travian would agree with me." He barks at Atticus loudly and bitterly. Sending the cloud smoke of rage to fog Atticus's thoughts again. Taking things a turn for the worse.

Atticus began to land a blow after a blow before Aris stumbled to the ground. Gripping onto Atticus as he fell and Atticus went with him. Just to take an advantage to get on top of him as he lays on the ground. He threw another punch to his face along with another.

I didn't even think about what to do. I wasn't frozen. I knew I had to help Atticus find his way back to common sense. As I ran up to them I safely dive into the side of Atticus. Bumping him off of Aris. Who layed there staring up at the sky still laughing. Clearly it didn't do much to him but he was still pretty banged up. Knowing that made me very cautious of him.

I rush over to Atticus who is standing now and charging at Aris. I threw myself in front of his hard muscled body when I got closer towards him. Almost sending me backwards just from how hard the impact was. I knew then he was absolutely furious. But to my surprise, his arms caught me by my waist firm but delicately before I could go falling backwards.

I look up at him. Seeing the hurt and anger in his dark blue eyes. They weren't their beautiful color like always too. They were dull like a dark gray blue color. As if the shimmer in them was snuffed out. It hurts to see them this way. What was frightening was to feel pain for putting him in this predicament. I shouldn't be frightened by this feeling but weirdly I am.

I reach out to place a hand on his cheek. He flinched at first but I didn't resist. He didn't pull away then. He just looked down at me. Fighting to let the fog slip away. I could tell he was struggling to get to his composure back.

"Hey, it's okay. I'm okay I'm with you right here. Just focus on my eyes." I whisper softly to him. Not capable to speak any louder. I knew it was from the jitters of excitement and fear that weakened the strength to speak. But I needed to put it aside and ease Atticus back to me.

I notice how his stare focuses on my eyes then. Everything and everyone else began to disappear around us. No longer in his focus only my gaze at his. I could see the shimmer slowly grow back in his beautiful gaze. His breathing even began to hum at a normal pace.

He pulls me closer to him. Wrapping his arms around me in his embrace. I snuggled up to his chest then immediately. Feeling safe and comforted right here with him holding me. I felt the tears build in my eyes.

All the emotions came crashing in all at once. The fear from getting assaulted. The horror seeing Aris's true colors. The pain from the wounds I received from this man. The relief of Atticus showing up to save me. The terrifying rush to watch him go full beast on someone over me. But what triggered these waves of tears was the safe embrace he had ready for me to run into. Knowing that this is what I needed more than doctoring or fussing over any of what happened. Just for him to hold me protectively.

"You're okay little bird." His whispers in my ear was the confirmation I needed to know I was right what I thought and felt then.