Amare "To Love"

Eighteen.

Author's Note: I struggled like hell with this chapter. The material itself wasn't hard to write, but due to the circumstances regarding the last few days it's been very difficult to focus. So please, bear with me while I get back in the groove of things. Thank you. 💜

Thursday, July 7th, 2005
Apple Valley, MN

Prince's POV

Stopping everything I had to do, I packed my belongings, and promptly headed to Minnesota.

Words could only do so much describing the anger and sorrow I felt. Just hearing her plead and cry like that left me feeling frustrated, powerless, and ultimately useless.

Upon my arrival, I wasted no time getting to Mia. Instead of going over to Paisley, I went straight to her place. I didn't care about anything other than her, my honey needed me, nothing else mattered.

The cozy apartment was welcoming but eerily quiet despite Phil's soft movements and squealing. After making sure he was okay, I strolled over to the door of her bedroom.

More uncomfortable silence.

"Mia?" I sighed while twisting the sliver knob, which was cold to touch.

There she was. Hidden by a multitude of pillows, blankets covering head to toe. Easing down I began to peel the covers away.

Eyeliner stained, lips plumped, red in hue was her face.

Her eyes? Slightly swollen.

My heart dropped. Just when I thought the feeling couldn't get any worse she looked up at me, which intensified all of the heartache.

"Honey? I thumbed away a single tear as she winced in pain.

Her eyes were sore, which was a clear indicator of just how much she'd been crying.

I took it upon myself to help her out of bed, and lift her into my arms.

She locked her legs around my waist, resting her head on my shoulder. The sweet scent of coconut met my nostrils, in which I gratefully inhaled.

I stood, taking everything in, including her. She clung to me, whimpering. Her pain became mine igniting a familiar fire in me.

An enraged fire that I put an end to myself many years prior, but my treasure had been tampered and toyed with.

Ablaze and awakened, the flames of my choleric ways returned.

**

Mia watched me closely from the bathroom's counter that I placed her on.

"I've got this strong feeling that you've been holding out on me." I said while squeezing the access water from the washcloth. "I need you to tell me everything, don't you dare leave out nothing."

Gently placing the warm towel against her left eye, she took short glances at me with the right but didn't mumble a word.

"Mia." My voice firmed. "Talk to me before I have to go to talk with someone else. And I don't think that's something you want me to do."

"Even after I tell you, that's something you're going to do anyway."

"You're damn right. Who's responsible for all of this? Tell me now."