VJ

28 - This should be interesting

Chloe

“What are you doing here, VJ?” I pull the front door closer to my body. I do not want VJ to think that I’m going to let him into my house.

I can’t believe I was stupid enough to answer the door. I should have known VJ would turn up here sooner rather than later. I had hoped for later. I’m not in the mood for this today. I just want to veg out and watch movies with a massive bowl of popcorn.

Is that too much to ask?

“Where have you been, Chloe? I’ve been looking for you everywhere.”

Clearly not, or he would have found me before now, though it didn’t take him long after I returned. I also don’t believe, for a second, that he didn’t find out I was with my parents. He’s just pissed off that Max wouldn’t give him their address. Max had already informed me that VJ kept calling him, asking where I was.

How stupid does this man think I am?

“It’s none of your business where I’ve been, VJ.”

“It is my business when you run off like a child!”

I roll my eyes and try shutting the door in his face. I don’t need this right now. I don’t feel great. Not that VJ would care if I was dying on the ground in front of him!

However, VJ’s big hand slams against the door, stopping it from closing.

I sigh audibly.

Why can’t he just leave me alone?

“I’m sorry.” I raise an eyebrow because those are the last words I ever expected to hear from VJ. “Chloe, hear me out. Please?”

I don’t want to hear him out; I want to kick him in the balls and tell him to go to hell! I want to punch him in the throat and tell him that I am worth so much more than he believes I am.

“I know you hate me right now, Chloe, and I don’t blame you. But I truly am sorry for what I said. God, I’ve never said sorry to anyone for anything in my life. But for you, I would walk over hot coals, Chloe. I would make a damn fool of myself if I could just see you smile.”

I want to smile right now because that was sweet. I actually believe what he’s saying because I know VJ wouldn’t say such things if he didn’t mean them. VJ doesn’t strike me as a man who would say anything unless he meant it.

But I don’t smile. However, I pull back the anger and let VJ enter the house.

“Thank you.” He tells me.

I follow VJ to the living room. He offers me a seat like he owns the place. I shake my head and fold my arms around myself. There’s no reason for us to get comfortable, so I’d rather stand.

“Look, I know what I said hurt you.” I scoff because he has no idea. “Please, Chloe, I’m trying here.”

I stare at him for a moment. VJ is looking at me with pleading eyes. I can’t imagine this man pleading for anything from anyone, though he seems genuine to me right now. My resolve is wavering, and I groan inside.

“Go on.”

VJ takes a deep breath while running his hand through his hair. “I know what I said was harsh, but I reacted in the moment. I got angry when my sisters were saying stuff about you and me. Something about you spooks me, Chloe.”

I blink, rapidly while narrowing my eyes.

What about me spooks this giant of a man?

“I have never, in my life, wanted to spend time with a woman, let alone sleep with one more than once.”

I touch my stomach and swallow hard. I don’t need to know how many women VJ has slept with. Hell, I shouldn’t want anything to do with him. VJ used me for se.x when it suited him. No matter how badly I may have wanted it, we’ve never been more than that.

When did I become so needy and pathetic that I’d allow a man to use me as VJ has?

Especially a man as fucke.d up as he is?

“You don’t spend time with me, VJ. You drag me into your world like a caveman just to use me for se.x. Once you’re done with me, I don’t see you until the next time you want to fuc.k me. Do you have any idea how that makes me feel?” I scoff. “What am I talking about? Of course, you don’t. I’m not a toy, VJ, and I am worth so much more than what you give me.”

VJ stares at me, and I can’t read him. If he wants to yell, he can yell. I won’t stand here and say nothing. If he wants to leave and never see me again, that’s fine. It’s not like I’ll die because of it.

Sure, my heart will break, but it won’t kill me. I will move on with my life. I’ll have this child, and I will raise it to the best of my ability. My baby will want for nothing. Every ounce of love that I possess already belongs to my baby. If VJ isn’t willing to even try, then I have to let him go. I cannot be a good mother if I’m always chasing a man who will never love me.

“I know I’ve done nothing but prove to you that I am every bit the cunt people have me down for...” He breathes deeply. “But you changed me, Chloe. They say I’m unfeeling, and in many ways, I am. I don’t know how not to be. However, I feel more than I have ever felt when it comes to you.”

His long legs carry him over to me, and he takes my face in his hands.

“I never meant to hurt you with what I said, Chloe. Hurting you is the last thing I ever wanted to do. I’ve never done this before, Chloe. I don’t have a clue what I’m doing.”

I stare into his blue eyes, and I feel the truth inside of me. VJ is falling for me and doesn’t know how to deal with it. He probably doesn’t even realize that’s what’s happening. Being with VJ isn’t going to be easy, but I know in my heart that I can teach him everything he believes he’s incapable of.

“What you said made me feel worthless, VJ.”

“I know.” He sighs and drops his hands.

“I know what you said was just your natural reaction to being cornered. However, you really need to think about what you’re saying before you speak. I won’t stand for you treating me like that again, VJ. Because if you do, I will walk away and never look back.”

He smirks at me and cups my cheek with his big hand. “I won’t treat you like that again, Chloe. I promise. I’m sorry for hurting you. That was the last thing I ever wanted. Will you forgive me?”

I roll my eyes while smiling at him.

I could continue to be angry and disappointed, but where would that get me in the long run?

My child needs a father. Sure, having a father like VJ should be avoided at all costs. He’s dangerous and unpredictable. But I knew the risks when I slept with the man and allowed him to cu.m inside me. I know that VJ would never do anything to scare or harm this baby. Not intentionally, anyway.

“I can forgive you for what you said, VJ. I can do so because I can see that you are genuinely sorry. But I can’t carry on like this, VJ. I need to know what you want from me; nothing hidden; just lay it all out there.”

VJ tucks a strand of my hair behind my ear and smiles. “What I want from you, Chloe, is everything. I can’t promise you hearts and flowers, but I can promise I’ll be yours and yours alone.” I swallow the lump in my throat. My heart is beating so fast I can feel it in my throat! “Would you like to go on a date with me?”

I blink, open-mouthed, shocked that VJ would ask me out. He doesn’t strike me as the kind of man to take a woman out on a date. Looking at him, I can see that he’s genuine, and I can’t help smiling.

“I’d love to.”

VJ leans in and kisses me. I should push him away, but I don’t. I won’t have se.x with him right now, but it feels good to kiss him. I can’t help moaning a little when his tongue battles with mine.

Why does it feel so good when VJ kisses me?

He takes my face in his hands.

“Go for a walk along the lake with me?”

I smile and nod my head.

This should be interesting.