𝓝𝓸 𝓸𝓷𝓮 𝓲𝓼 𝓮𝓿𝓮𝓻 𝓽𝓸𝓸 𝓵𝓸𝓼𝓽 𝓽𝓸 𝓫𝓮 𝓼𝓪𝓿𝓮𝓭.

Decisions. We think about things, turn them over in our minds a million times, play out possible scenarios, but really when it comes down to it, you have to go with your heart and move forward. Some decisions may turn out good, some, not so well, but you have to live with your decision and move ahead.

Life is all about making decisions, and I feel like kissing Albert was a decision I could have done without. Things have been awkward between us after what happened a week ago. He became much colder with me but still, he showed much more emotion compared to what he showed with others.

My mind travels back to the conversation we had after the day we kissed.

***

"Ari," Albert calls as soon as he enters my room.

"Uh, hi," I say, not knowing what else to reply with.

"I- um, I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable. I didn't realize I was forcing you into something-" he starts but I stop him.

"Stop," I say, "You didn't force me into anything, I did that with my free will, and it was what I wanted to do."

"Then what was the problem?" he asks, "Did I do something wrong? If I did then I'm sorry, it was never my intention to hurt you or make you uncomfortable,"

"It's not you Albert, it's me," I say, "I know that sounds shitty but seriously, you do not want to be involved with me in that way. You will regret it sooner or later. I'm not what you want or what you need."

"Well, let me be the judge of that Ari," he says, glaring at me, "I know what I want and need. You don't need to tell me that." I grip the cold edge of the table and make a fist around it, squeezing it.

"You shouldn't want me. You don't want me, it's just a phase and you'll get over it eventually."

"You know what, Ari, you don't get to make my decisions for me," he seethes, "You don't get to decide what I want and what I shouldn't want. You don't know what I feel or what I'm going through. Let me make my own decisions."

"Please, I can't do this. I- I want some space. I need to think this through," I finally utter, noticing the hurt look on his face. Seeing him like that makes my heartache. I don't know where these feelings were coming from. We haven't known each other for long, so why do I feel like this?

"I'll give you space if that's what you want. But I want you to think this through and really ponder on it," he says, "Until then, take care. I'll still pop in a few times to make sure you're doing well." He slides out of the room and I'm left staring at the black door where he was previously standing.

***

I quickly pick up all the clothes scattered around the room and shove them into the duffle bag. I'm almost fully recovered, except for my leg. It's still broken and healing, but it's healing much faster than it should be, according to the doctor. It's been two months since I got hurt, and after moving in with Riona, these months have been absolute bliss. There have been people taking care of me, making sure I have food from time to time, and I've had my meds and gotten rest.

I've felt... wanted. I've felt loved. Elle took care of me as if I was her own child, Riona helped me with studies and other tasks that were difficult for me, like a sister. And Albert, well, Albert has always been here to look out for me and make sure I have no difficulties with anything. He's kept me happy. They've all accepted me like I was family. I don't know how I could ever repay them.

A knock pulls me out of my reverie, and after I softly tell them to come in the door opens. The large form of Albert comes into my view and I turn to look at him.

"Hey," he says, awkwardly waving his right hand. I smile and wave back. "How are you?" he asks.

"I'm fine," I state. My eyes roam his figure, studying him. His hair is as dishevelled as usual, and his eyes are a little dull but they still have a twinkle in them. He's also wearing his usual attire, a suit and dress pants.

"Packing?" he asks, eyeing all the things spread out on the bed.

"Yeah, I'm going back to the dorms in a couple of days."

"Oh, okay," he says, "I'll leave you to pack then. I'll be with Riona or Elle if you want anything, just let me know, alright?"

"Okay, will do," I say and he slips out of the room.

Well, that was awkward.

***

After making my way over to the wardrobe I close it, the loud sound of wood hitting wood surrounding me as the door closes. I shuffle around the bag that Albert gave me as I move away, but then I stop myself. Bending down I take out the first edition copy of Lolita, making myself comfortable in the armchair near the window and switching on the lamp. I rest the throw blanket over my legs, opening the page where I left off. I should read more.

Halfway through the book, I hear a sharp sound, which oddly sounds like a shriek. It makes me stand up and I rush to the door, hurrying over to the kitchen.

"What happened?" I ask, my eyes wide as I take in everything. Albert is hunched over, and Elle has an excited look on her face.

"Uh- nothing," Albert says, awkwardly scratching the back of his neck and standing up straighter. My eyes go over to Elle and I see her almost jumping with excitement, an ear-splitting grin on her face and her hands clasped together.

"Elle, are you okay?" I ask her with an amused smile on my face.

"Oh yeah, I'm more than okay! Albert just gave me some amazing news," she says, looking at Albert with bright blue eyes.

"I cracked a deal today which we thought we had no chance of getting," he elaborates, nodding a little.

"Oh, congratulations then," I say, slipping out of the kitchen and back into my room. As I enter it, I realize that I ran out using both my legs. I didn't use my crutches. My eyes widen as I take in what just happened. Bending down a little from my waist I lightly poke my plastered leg, surprised when I feel no pain. I grab hold of the light wood counter under the television and set my injured foot down.

Lifting my right leg and putting all of my weight on my injured leg, I screw my eyes shut and prepare myself for the pain, but it never comes. I look at my leg in disbelief as I slowly let go of the counter, balancing on my leg again. I've never seen anything like it. I still don't feel one prick of pain.

Trying to walk over to the armchair without support turns out to be a success, and I rejoice when I reach it. I can walk on my own! Dropping myself into it I can feel my arms and legs seize, and I try to get over my shock as I try it again, walking over to the bed. I plop down on it, and again I don't feel any pain.

I have half a mind to message Albert to take me to a hospital and get checked out, but instead, I just push myself down, laying on my back and pulling the covers up to my neck. Closing my eyes, I let myself fall asleep.

My eyes snap open as I look around the dark room. I don't realize why I have woken up. The ringing phone draws my attention to it. I pick it up and clutch its cold surface in my hand. Squinting my eyes, to adjust to the bright light, I try to read the name on it. Albert. What the fuck is wrong with him? It's like two in the morning.

"Hello?" I ask into the phone after I accept the call.

"Ari, hey," Albert says from the other side. "I'm sorry for calling you at this hour, I know I told you that I would give you some space, but this is, like, really urgent."

"Okay?" I ask, my voice a little deeper as I just woke up.

"Neither Riona nor my mom is picking up their phone and I'm in desperate need of help right now," he says, panic evident in his voice.

"What? Why? What happened? Are you okay? Are you hurt? Do you need me to come? Should I-"

"Stop, Ari," he says, "One question at a time, and yes, I'm okay. No, you don't need to come. And no, I'm not hurt. I want you to give the phone to my mom or Riona so I can talk to them." I look around the room and my eyes land on a folded piece of paper on the television stand. I walk over to it, normally may I add. Opening it with cautious hands I read what's written inside.

"Uh- they are not in the house," I tell Albert after reading it, "Mr Stone called around ten and she had to go. And Riona is staying with a friend, studying."

"What?" A string of profanities comes out after that, "How could they leave you alone?"

"It's fine," I say, reassuring him, "I'm okay, plus they said that they'll be back by tomorrow morning."

"Morning? I can't wait that long!" He says and curses even more.

"What happened?" I ask him, "Tell me. Maybe I can help." After a couple of minutes of silence, he replies.

"Okay, so this is going to be really weird, and I want you to ask no questions. Okay? Just promise me you won't ask questions," he says.

"What are you going to say?" I ask, a little suspicious.

"Just promise me, no questions."

"Okay, no questions."

"So, um- I accidentally ripped my clothes, like ripped them to shreds, and I need a change," he says.

"I- what? How did you manage to do that?"

"No questions, remember?"

"Whatever," I say, "So, what do you want me to do?"

"Um- can you? Maybe get me clothes?" He asks. "You don't have to, you can tell Darren or Luc, they'll get clothes once they wake up, which will be around four..."

"Around four? They don't live anywhere near here, though," I state.

"Uh, yeah-"

"Do you know if they'll be here?" I ask, moving around and gathering my things.

"No," he says.

"So, you plan to wait for them? Naked? For two hours, probably three considering where they live?" I ask.

"It's not like I have a choice," he says.

"Then why are you not asking me?" I ask him, rolling my eyes. He sounds ridiculous honestly.

"Because I said I'll give you space. I won't force you to be alone with me or talk to me," he replies. His words turn my insides into mush as I sigh.

"Oh my God Albert, just shut up, you sound ridiculous," I say, "Now tell me where your clothes are, I'll decide later if I want to come or not."

"Ah, they're in the room beside Riona's," he says.

I open the door to my room and step outside, walking along the corridor, the sound of my bare feet against the hardwood floor echoing in the empty penthouse. Walking over to his room, I open it and my eyes fall on the wardrobe similar to mine but in black.

"Okay!" I say as I get the clothes out, "Now tell me your address. Where are you right now?"

"Somewhere in a forest park," he says slowly.

"You've got to be kidding me," I say, exasperated, "How did you enter there? It closes at ten, and it's two right now, how is anyone gonna make it there in time?"

"Oh, they don't have to reach me in time! Listen, I'm hidden in the woods part, and there are not many people here but I need someone to get here. I can't just walk out naked!" He snaps.

"Well, you should have thought about that before entering the park, or maybe before ripping your clothes to shreds," I snap, shoving his clothes in a bag.

"Can you just ask someone to come here?" he asks, the sound of the wind whistling through the phone on his end.

"Okay, just turn your phone location on," I say.

"Okay."

Walking over to the living room I plop myself down on the couch. Scrolling through my phone and fiddling with the bag strap I try to find Luc's number. His number flashes on the screen after a few minutes of scrolling and I tap on it, putting it to my ear. He picks up after a few minutes of ringing.

"Hello, is this Luc?" I ask on the phone.

"Yeah, who am I talking to?" He asks, his voice groggy, probably from sleep.

"This is Ari, do you remember me?" I ask.

"Yeah, of course, I do Al- Ari," he says.

"And that's why you were calling me by some other name," I drawl.

"Ari, Ari, Ari... I remember the cheery bubbly girl I met the other day at the restaurant, and I also remember the girl who can't accept gifts for her own good," he replies.

"Yeah, that doesn't exactly sound like me," I laugh.

"And she can't accept compliments."

"Okay, this is a topic for another day, right now I need your help."

"Okay, what do you want me to do?" he asks.

"Um, I need you to drive me to the forest park, Queens," I say.

"Please, tell me this is a joke. It's like three in the morning. What do you even want to do?"

"Albert is stuck there, naked. So yeah, he needs clothes. Also, it's two in the morning, not three."

"I'll be there in about an hour and we'll leave for Queens. Be ready," he sighs. I hang up and turn on the television, trying to take up the hour before Luc gets here. I send a message to Albert saying that I'll be there in a bit, and then I turn my attention to the show.

Around fifteen minutes before three, Luc sends a message that he's downstairs, waiting for me. Putting on a coat, I walk out of the house, locking it with a key I found near the kitchen table. Taking the elevator down to the ground floor, I walk out of the building. After looking around for a couple of seconds I spot Luc leaning against a convertible white Ferrari.

"Couldn't you get a normal car?" I ask, rolling my eyes as I slide into the passenger seat.

"This is the most normal I've got," he replies after he has taken his place behind the wheel. I shake my head and then rest it against the headrest as he starts the car.

The half-hour ride is almost silent, but it's a comfortable silence as I stare at the buildings and the scenery we pass. Luc is driving at an insane speed, but not quite over the speed limit.

"I'll wait by the Stop&Shop, come quick, okay?" He stops in front of the woods and I nod and step outside.

"Also Ari, are you sure that you should go inside with that broken foot of yours?" he asks.

"I'll be fine, I can't feel pain anymore. It's bizarre," I tell him. Might as well tell everyone and get the cast removed. I mean, I have been running around without it hurting.

"Okay, just be safe," he says and closes the door.

I walk along the trees with my phone in hand, trying to track down Albert. The crunching of the leaves beneath my feet distract me, and they make me wonder, is someone with me? I stop and look around but spot no one, so I continue to try and find Albert. The constant buzzing of the insects in the forest accompanies the crunching of the leaves. I keep the flashlight of my phone pointed ahead so I know where I'm going, trying my best step in the right places.

After a few minutes of tracking him, I finally reach the spot that shows where he is. I look around, and I finally see someone standing beside a tall, skinny tree. There he is. I move my flashlight and it lands on his face, which he instantly covers due to the bright light.

"Are you decent?" I ask, turning off my phone.

"Yeah, kinda," he shouts back.

"What do you mean kinda?" I ask.

"You can look, my uh- my parts are covered." I turn my phone on again, and my eyes fall on his defined chest and abdomen. His muscular arms are covered in tattoos I haven't fully seen before, and I stand frozen, gawking at him. How is his body so muscular and fit? My eyes travel down his chest, to his defined six-pack.

Dude definitely never misses gym.

My eyes start to scan his defined v, which leads to-

"Ari?" He asks a hint of amusement in his voice successfully drawing my attention to his beautifully chiselled face.

"What?" I ask, still a little dazed.

"My clothes."

"Oh yeah, sorry, here," I say, handing him the bag, my cheeks flaming in embarrassment. He moves behind a much thicker tree that covers him from view as he puts some clothes on.

"Why did you come, Ari?" he suddenly asks. My eyes widen at the question.

"What do you mean?" I ask, trying to deflect the question.

"I mean that you didn't have to come, you could've sent Luc or anyone else. I know he came here with you. So why did you come? What made you come here?"

Uh-oh, I'm screwed!

Well, that was that, I'm sorry for the delay in updating this chapter and I'm sorry that it's not the best but writer's block got me. Yeah, it's a bitch. I don't really like how this chapter turned out but I hope you can work with it 'cause the editor did a great job saving it! So, shoutout to Sarah, she's amazing!

If you liked the chapter, please do vote comment and share. Tell me how I can improve the chapter and leave down tips that help over-coming writer's block, as you can tell, they're desperately needed! Also, that's a picture of Riona's penthouse.

Stay safe and see you with the next chapter!

Edited by