6
1674 Words
Maddison Lorenzo.
“So what’s going on?” Carl gently tucks a strand of hair behind my ear.
I roll my eyes because…. seriously? What isn’t going on?
“Everything.”
He sighs. “Start from what you said last night. What happened in your apartment? Fuchsia said some men broke in…”
The second he says it, regret crashes over me. I shouldn’t have told him anything. Now every question feels dangerous. Adonis is the kind of man who doesn’t warn before he destroys things.
“Yeah.” I say quickly. “The police are handling it already.”
“Damn. Do you think they were robbers? Stuff like that happens during the holidays, but I don’t get why they’d go to your place. And kidnapping you?” He frowns. “Where did they even take you?”
I shift in my seat. “Um… I couldn’t really see.” I lie.
“And what’s up with the investigation? I could ask my dad to step in if they’re being slow just because you’re a college student—”
“NO, Carl.” I reach out and press my fingers lightly to his lips, stopping him mid-sentence. “Fuchsia’s dad is already taking care of it. I swear. He’s handling everything, and they’re… kind of powerful. I’m safe in their house.”
Carl studies my face like he’s trying to read between the lines.
“Can I visit?” he asks quietly. “At least?”
“Of course, babe.”
I lean in and kiss him, hoping that settles it.
“Oh…” he grins when we pull apart. “So you’ve forgiven me?”
“Yeah,” I say. “I have.”
This time he leans in first and kisses me again. I close my eyes and somehow, stupidly, it’s Adonis’s face that flashes in my head. His stare. His voice. His control.
I gasp and pull back.
“What?”
“N-nothing.” I pout a little to cover it up. “I just… missed you.”
He relaxes and reaches into his bag. “Here. I got you this for getting your attained scholarship. I know it’s a bit late…”
“Aww, Carl.”
I unwrap it and my face actually lights up. It’s a small golden lamp, perfect for a bedside table.
“It’s perfect, Thank you. I love it. I’ll get you something before New Year’s too. I promise.”
I settle against him, admiring the lamp he got me, tracing the smooth gold edge with my thumb while resting in his arms. It hits me then that this is the first genuine smile I’ve had since everything went wrong.
At least if anything happens to me… Carl would come looking. At least someone would.
“So….” Carl says casually, “what do you think about you and me… on New Year’s? One of my parents’ condos. They’re not using it right now.”
“Just us?” I lift my head, surprised. He nods.
“What would we even do? Just us…”
“What boyfriends and girlfriends do.” His voice drops like it’s supposed to be romantic. “There’s a pool. I can teach you how to swim or we can get one of those floaty beds. We can kiss as long as we want. I can help you apply sunscreen, take off your bikini—”
“And?” I tease.
“You know, Maddy.” His tone shifts. “We love each other. I’m your boyfriend. I don’t see why we can’t… do it.”
“I didn’t say that. I’m just pulling your leg.”
He smiles again. “Right. I’ll be gentle, obviously.”
“Stop.” I cover my face and push lightly at his chest. “You’re embarrassing me.”
“Don’t be. You’re pretty. Honestly… I’m not even worthy of being your first.”
I lower my hand. “What?”
“Some of my friends saw you when you came to apply for the scholarship interview.” he continues. “They were all staring at you. Like…at how much of a goddess you are. They couldn’t believe I’m the one who gets to hit it—”
He says it. Hit it and it lands wrong. Heavy. Ugly.
My smile disappears instantly. Hit it? Like I’m not a person. Like I’m something you use.
“What—”
“Hit it?” I repeat, quietly. Just enough for him to hear it and realize how it sounds.
“Yeah—” Carl shrugs a little too fast. “It’s just something boys say. Don’t pay attention to it, okay?” He leans in and kisses me again, probably hoping that fixes it.
His phone buzzes, saving him from what I would say again.
“I’m gonna use the bathroom.” I get up.
As soon as I step out of the study room, I adjust my hair, trying to look normal. On my way down the hall, I notice a guy in a face cap leaning casually near the shelves, pretending to scroll on his phone.
I clock it immediately. Adonis said he’d have people around me. This has to be one of them.
My chest tightens, and I walk faster, going into the girls’ bathroom and locking the door behind me.
I turn on the sink and just stand there, staring at my reflection. The water rushes and it gives me space to think. I don’t know why I think my thoughts are loud enough for others to hear.
I close my eyes.
Does it make sense that Carl is apologizing for dancing with someone… but already talking about going to his parents’ condo? About being alone. About things I’m not even sure I want right now?
It’s not that I don’t like him. I do. I care about him. I just… don’t feel it the way I think I’m supposed to. When he kisses me, it’s sweet but when it starts to sound like more, something in me shuts down instead of lighting up.
I turn off the tap and take a breath before heading back.
Carl flips his phone face-down the moment I walk in and opens his arms, like we’re rewinding to before everything felt complicated. I settle back against him.
“Who called?” I ask.
“Just Steven.”
Of course it is. Steven. His best friend. If the word playboy were a person, it would probably answer to that name. I still don’t know what they have in common.
“Hmm.” I murmur.
My phone buzzes this time. Unknown number but then a message pops up.
Hello, Maddison. This is Estella. Your luggage from your apartment has been brought to the house.
“So,” Carl says suddenly, “you’re gonna be seeing Myron?”
“Huh?” I look up at him.
“Myron. Fushia’s brother. You know he plays hockey, right? My parents are always comparing me to him. Hockey star. Business school. I hear their dad is pretty authoritative. Our families are actually friends.”
“I didn’t know that.” I say.
“It’s kind of a given. Powerful families stick with powerful families.” Then his tone shifts, lighter but sharper at the same time. “So… he’s not making advances at you, is he?”
“Who? Myron?” I shake my head quickly. “No, Carl. I’m just a guest at their house. I barely even see him. I have my own room. I eat breakfast with the family, that’s it. Fushia’s dad even gave me a job because he’s worried about my safety. They’re… really sweet.”
“I guess next time I’ll introduce myself to Mr. Edward and thank him.” Carl says.
“Uh, sure.” I force a smile. “Why don’t we do something fun instead?”
“Like kissing?” He doesn’t even wait for my answer.
Carl starts kisses me, harder this time. I kiss him back, mostly out of habit, mostly because stopping feels like it would turn into a whole thing. Quickly his hands move too fast, tugging my top upward and gazing at my breasts in a way that makes my stomach twist instead of flutter.
I stiffen.
“What…what are you doing? We’re in a study room—”
“Maddy, relax! It’s fun. Just—shh. Don’t be a party pooper.”
He kisses me again, fumbling behind my back to take the hook of my bra and that’s when I know for sure that I don’t feel anything. No spark. No excitement. Just pressure. Just noise in my head.
“Carl—” I try again, as he begins to kiss my chest, about to put his tongue on my breast which he looks at hungrily.
The door suddenly swings open.
I yelp, fixing my top as fast as I can. Standing there is the guy from earlier. The one in the face cap. The one I knew was watching me.
“What the hell?” Carl snaps. “Who are you? I rented this study room.”
“Shut up,” the man says coldly. “Before I bash you into the wall. Miss Maddison, put on your top. The car is waiting outside. It’s time to go home.”
My heart slams into my bones.
“What?” Carl looks at me, confused, angry but I’m already standing. My hands are shaking, but I feel relief. I would rather leave than stay here another second, trapped between confusion and guilt and a body that won’t respond the way it’s supposed to.
“I—I’m sorry.” I whisper to Carl. “I have to go.”
“What the hell is this?” he demands.
“Mr. Adonis just… cares about my safety. I’m not allowed to stay out too long. But I promise…it’ll change soon. I’ll call you.”
I rush out of the library with the books I borrowed.
- Writer
