**ANTONY SANTOS POV**With her back facing me, I could get a grip on my desires and not kiss her like I planned. She actually said no, did she find out? If she did, I would have gotten beaten up or something. I had to face the striking truth glowing in my face; she just didn't want to kiss me. I wrung my eyes as hurt glinted through them. This was for the best. This way we could stop making out and actually concentrate on important things, such as her safety for example, meaning she had to get back home soon.I composed a plan in my head going through all the possible loopholes. Ariel knew about the imminent threat which was a plus as she'd be on the lookout, just like yesterday. A sense of pride washed over me, I thought of her that. I snickered lightly, she refused to look at me still making me recollect her reaction to me wanting to kiss her. The more I thought of it, the more it felt like a spear in my chest.She did the right thing, to her at least. It would be cheating; she woul
**TRACY SCOTT POV **Ten minutes had passed, I remained on the bed still fighting an internal battle. A huge part of me wouldn't agree to this "date" . I couldn't decide if I was being rational or overall protective of myself. It also felt like Antony's voice echoed in my head or something. The same voice which spoke to me earlier regarding my safety, but this was Shawn, I knew him.I heaved a large sigh shoving all the arguments down, it was just Shawn. Biting the corner of my lips, I texted Shawn back telling him I would go to his house instead. I didn't want him coming here. My dad would talk, he still hadn't seen the pictures which was weird, I expected questioning by this time. I reached for my phone and searched the web for my name. As expected, the pictures were there. Thankfully, Antony's face was covered so my dad wouldn't know his identity. Still, he should have asked questions."Hmm," I breathed. Too many problems for one day, driving to Shawn's house would give me some tim
**TRACY SCOTT'S POV**The anger overpowered my sense of reasoning. It made me ignore the voice at the back of my head, Antony's voice. Although extremely potent, I shrugged it off nonetheless. Furthermore, I lost all form of reasoning. The screams from Tim zoned out, I just kept moving.I walked farther and farther until they all dissolved into nothing.After walking for a while, I paused and choked on a sob. My emotions had risen up, the main reason why I wanted to go far away. I vowed not to shed an ounce of tears but it was getting much harder to keep that promise, even to myself. Shawn didn't deserve this. He didn't deserve my tears.A huge part of me felt shattered, dead and tired but on the other hand I was also glad I told him, assuring myself a sense of relief. I might've made a lot of mistakes in life but I will be no one's fuck buddy no matter what. I wouldn't be reduced to the level of a mediocre call-girl. Never.The tears were brimming at my eyes and my feets were gettin
**TRACY SCOTT'S POV**Physically and emotionally, I was drained. Hence, I made no effort to try and hasten my pace to get home quickly. There was no need for such. My dad would only be waiting to question my poor choicesyesterday and the moment I sighted Tim, I would wreak havoc, the man would end up jobless at the very end.Having Antony by my side provided some sort of comfort but after the conversation we had moments ago, he completely shut me out. It was not like I wanted to discuss what happened with him, he might just laugh it up in my face, or give an excuse that the kiss was meant to get my attention, that would be a lame one but still very probable. It would've been nice to talk to him. I missed our discussions, no matter how small and meaningless they seemed at that point.We were approaching my house fast and still not a word from him.“Did I say something wrong?”I queried about breaking the hard ice. He took a glance at me before shaking his head in negation."No. You di
**TRACY SCOTT'S POV**In a state of confusion, shock and definitely fright, I did the most childish and stupid thing ever. I ignored the voices of everyone, most of them were yelling and screaming, still in shock as I was. I didn't mind them, I took to my heels and ran upstairs straight into my room and hid under the covers. It was stupid, really weird, and definitely childish, but I sincerely had no other choice. I was shaken to my bones. I took the threat so lightly, as any other one over the years. My bodyguards have been killed before but not like this, not in this way. Beheading someone felt like a triple death. Who knows how they did it? Was he alive? Did they cut it off as he screamed? Did he die slowly and painless or did he yell for his mother as they ended his life?Shivers ran through my spine. I saw him less than two hours ago. Moments ago, I saw his head inside a carefully wrapped box. It resembled the work of a psychopath, that was certain. An unpredictable one. He or sh
**ANTONY SANTOS**~Hours Earlier~The moment she disappeared inside, her words echoed in my ears. The longer I conceal the truth from her, the higher I ruin the likelihoods of ever having anything with her. Granted she said it wouldn't make a difference. But what if it did? If I opened up about the truth, would there be redemption for me?She illustrated that in such a situation, there was no possibility, it meant that if I wanted to keep her close I needed to keep lying, yet everything we laid eyes on one another, and we were bound to do so sooner or later, I only felt culpable. I couldn't agree on what to do. On one hand, I could maintain this life, hiding the truth and striving for the best. On the other, I could throw caution in the wind and tell her the plain truth, damning all outcomes?The first idea had been working out so far, except my conscience pricked me now and then. I nearly blurted it out earlier today. I'd never seen her so sensitive and ordinary, Shawn hurt her up to
**TRACY SCOTT'S POV**"Antony," I coughed, my throat got dried. I must have been crying for quite a while now. He breathed without saying a word. Shortly afterwards, his hands rose up to meet my back. He drew different symbols, tracing lines from the base of my back to the apex and back. I shuddered and let out a sharp breath. I choked on a final sob and relaxed my body into his properly."Stop crying." Those words were meant to sound commanding but with his tone, he was clearly pleading with me. I nodded my head still on his shoulders. He tried to shift my head from his chest maybe in a bit to catch a glimpse of my tear stained face. I recoiled in agony and forced myself back into his chest."Not yet." I begged hoping to receive a little more comfort. I didn't lift my head to check his response but he didn't try to do anything so I assumed he must have heard my pleas."Let's go inside." He suggested, I obliged and wrapped both arms around his torso, locking our position. I just needed
**ANTONY SANTOS**My rage knew no bounds. My body reacted dangerously to her emotions. The more she felt bad or let my test slip, the more I clenched and tightened my teeth and fist. Providing comfort only assured suppressed fear, the threat was still out there. The only way to conclude everything was to get rid of it. They crossed the line by murdering Tim, no more peace, no more battles, they declared war, we had to do the same."I need to go." I blurted out, she froze and ran a hand through her face, cleaning the dried up tears, so she could see me clearly."You said you would stay." She whimpered, her lips were quivering in fright. I tore away from her gaze and got up."Yes, I know that. If I stay, I'd just become useless. I need to go out there and do something, end all this.”"No!" She screamed and latched her hands onto mine. Her nails were practically digging into my skin. It started hurting after a few seconds."Tracy," I called out, struggling to break free."No," She cried,