Roses

|Chapter Eight|

[Kaden]

"Thank you," she said again, there was a moment of silence between us as she plays with her fingers While I stared at her, trying to understand why she was being like that. 

Suddenly it dawned upon me. The door was unlockable She was going to be alone for the whole night, After being harassed by a lunatic. She looked up with her eyes getting wide as I walked straight towards me. I noticed something, my hands life up on their own in inspect the wound over her neck but she slightly move back, it was a reflex. I didn't blame her for that considering what had just  happened

So I let my hands fall back down staring at her bruised neck. She was going to bring her hand up to touch it and suddenly my hand grabbed it stopping her. Her eyes looked into mine, shocked and confused I had to come with an reason. A reason to touch her. "Don't touch it. Your skin is red" She bites her lip nodding, I almost pulled her for a hug. A sudden quick sound coming out of her mouth as I grabbed her hair softly pushing it back.

I didn't know what I doing, I shouldn't have. It was making her nervous. The last I wanted was for her to be uncomfortable around me. 

"You should put something on it" I said and She nodded.

"stay" She whispered. It took me second to understand and when I did, I saw the desperate need to be in the presence of someone she could trust. I saw her nervous and afraid state. Although she said it by mistake. Like hell I was leaving her alone. 

Something told me I should protect her, she was just to delicate to be left alone currently. I couldn't imagine what would've happened had I decided to never come back here. My rage was purely for that guy. And for her, I was angry with her. To even trust a guy like him. 

I sigh"I'll sleep on the couch. I'll leave early. So, You can go ahead and sleep" She looks around and licks her lips. 

"You don't have to, you already did so much" I looked at the ground. "I broke the door. If you are okay with that-" She looked at the door and her eyes blinked twice. 

 Ya, I did that. "Oh, Um- I'll get you something," She said leaving me before I could say anything further. 

I opened my eyes and stare at the windows. My head tilted towards the clock see it was seven in the morning. I sigh going over kitchen and having a glass of water. My eyes lingered over her door do a minute before I take my phone and called a friend. 

I waited for him for thirty minutes and I see him at the door. "Hey man. Is it this one?" He asked pointing at the door. 

I nodded. "What happened?" He said getting to fix the door which was almost off his hinges. 

"The roommate was a lunatic, tried to hurt my-"I pause and he stopped and looked at me. I cleared my throat as he went back to fixing the door. "She works with me" He nodded not asking anything further. 

I grabbed my jacket thanking him as he left and close the door leaving her. 

I didn't think much of what happened while working the whole day. But the time came to head to my club I thought of going to the strip club and taking a look at Rose if she needed anything. I  don't understand why I cared at this point, I had done enough. But whenever her face flashed across my eyes I needed to check if she was doing okay. 

I parked my car in the parking lot and walked in from the back door. As I see familiar people around I noticed Coby drinking. I walked over sitting next to him. "Hey. You in a good mood?"  I rose my brows. "Cause you ain't gonna like this" I leaned back staring at him as he sets the glass down. 

"Brandon went to Jack's, Said we violated the terms and conditions. now he wants to have a word, Probably was brainwashed by him. He won't let us host another race if he is convinced by Brandon. We might need to find another spot. And take care of his Father. He might report to the cops." I nodded. 

"I'll see about that," I said standing up and scanning my eyes through the area. 

"She's not here" I look at him, "You searching for Roselyn? She didn't come in today" I clenched my jaw, I felt the need to see her. 

"See you at tracks tomorrow," I said and he nodded. I look at the time, it was only seven, I didn't want to seem invasive. But I was just making sure if she needed anything. 

I knock on the door and waited. If a took a while to get any sound reaction. So I knocked again. I frown. "Rose?" I called and immediately the door swung open. Her eyes coming in sight of mine. Her startled face was so obvious. 

"Did I scare you?" She shook her head opening the door all the way and holding onto it. 

"Um, Why are you here?" I was completely taken back. I had no answer. Why was I there?

"Uh- Just checking on you," I said, my hands fisting and unfist in frustration. I had zero reasons to be there. So take a step back. "Well, I guess you good. So, Good night:" She nodded. 

I turn around walking towards the stairs when I heard her, "Do you-" I turned back. She paused. She was thinking. "Did you fix the door?" I put my hands in my pockets. "I had a man called and fix it this morning, I didn't see you at the club so, I just wanted to check in" She nodded. 

"You want some soup?" She asked. That was the first time someone asked me that, People usually begged me to leave. I didn't want to. I know who I am. I know how she might regret if she finds out what I do. 

"I am good, Thanks," I said. She frowned. I couldn't watch her like that. She always looked dull, she never smiled from her heart, She always seemed upset, near me. 

"Um- Okay," She said staring at the ground. 

There was a moment of silence between us, I sigh, "I guess I'll have some soup" She looked up as I walked in and closed the door. She gave me a little smiled walking to the kitchen. 

I liked her smile. 

[Lily]

"You already are Lily, So am I," he said. I frown putting my face over his chest as my hands fell over his arms. I was seeking the comfort that I wouldn't get for next four days. 

"Then do something about it" I said, angry, Alex clenched his jaw getting angry, "You know I can't do that" I pulled away frustrated but pushed him away as he tried to pull me closer again  "You'll regret it one day. Not doing again" I said. I knew it would hurt him, I knew it would make him angry. But I was frustrated too. I am angry too. 

I wanted him to know how much in pain I was. 

"Lily!" I almost wince as he yelled but then I chuckled wiping the tears that suddenly fell from my eyes . "One day, I won't come to see you" He grits his teeth. I turned around but my neck was grabbed and I whimper as he pulled me close, my hand coming to his arm. He didn't hurt me. But somehow he scared me, "Stop saying that" I looked at him for a minute in disappointment before he let go.

"It late. You should go" He said getting in the car, and I broke my heart. Did really not care about me? Why would he be like that? I was being honest. It was the truth, There will a day where I will see him for a last time. He won't understand that now. 

He will never understand. I held my tears. The anger inside. I wanted to hit him. I wanted to yell and ask him why I couldn't get what I wanted. But I stayed quiet. I didn't speak a word. I just gave upon us. 

He stopped the car but didn't unlock the door.  "Lily", I never replied still holding the door. 

"Open the door," I said. He sighs . "I-I am sorry," He said but I didn't look at him, I didn't care. I just wanted to let him see that my family was causing me pain. And if he didn't do anything about I will. 

"I said open the door" He didn't  and I roll my eyes. "Lily" He called me again.

"I said open the door Alex!" he unlocked the doors and I immediately opened them. But he grabbed my hand.

"Please" He looked at me, But I didn't let it get to me. I glance at his face one last time. I wanted to see him one last time. But I didn't say goodbye. I just left. My tears pouring out as soon as I slam the door shut. I whimper in pain as I climbed up to my room and closed my windows. 

My body giving up and I fell on the bed crying. I was in so much frustration. I wanted to throw things but I didn't. Instead, I laid there, crying. 

The next morning I woke up to my mother calling me and asking me to do the house chores. As usual. She didn't let me go to my sister's nursery. I was stuck in the house. I packed my bag and That grey dress that I hated. 

My life has been like this, and it will continue to be like this unless I change It. But I have nothing. No money, No learning beyond college. No one to help. Not even Alex. 

I couldn't understand why he was like that. I could see why he didn't want to do anything bad. After all, I looked up giving a sigh. He had already pissed my parents. And was threatened to have a restriction order. The man who Alex was trying to protect me from was a cop. 

So naturally, I never believed in law and the police. 

I look at the driveway, where he would always stop his car. My eyes lingering over that spot. And thinking if I did something wrong. I did, didn't I. 

He was the only man I trusted, Now I had no one, I had broken a bond with the only man who cared for me. I made him angry, "Lilyan" I looked at my mother and got in the car. 

The entire car ride. All I could think about was him. His kiss, His warm body, his hugs. I didn't wanna go away.

I gave my sister a half-hearted smile as she greeted us at their house. "How are you lily" I hug my aunt and nodded, "Fine" She gave me a sad smile before bringing me to the kitchen and given me my favorite pie. 

"We still have to get my and the bridesmaid bouquets did" My mother look at her, "You can ask Lily, She works as a nurse, I am sure you must have made bridal bouquets right?" I was about decline. I didn't have intentions to do anything. 

"You do !? How about you go get flowers of my choice and make us some, I can save up on the money then. They cost so much" 

"True," My mother said. And I nodded as my sister looked at me, "Thanks lily" I smiled. 

"We'll have James take you, he has been waiting for you" I felt my heart drop as I heard his name.