He Needs Me (Wattys 2020)

28

"That's fucking it Storm" Andrei yelled, his body just metres behind mine. Oh no oh no, I need to get out of here.

Grabbing the flower vase I threw it backwards as I continued swerving through the white corridors. I feel like I'm in a hospital!

Before I even began my run my audience looked terrified, especially when he stood up. Maybe I did take it too far.

I pushed my body faster as I spotted a bigger corridor, I have to lose him. Glancing around the marble floor I used the lack of grip on my socks to slide across the floor, I will not  lose to him again.

As I slid into the corridor I grabbed the first door handle and yanked it open. Slamming it closed behind me I rested my back against the door panting, I need to breathe.

I don't regret annoying him but I seriously do regret running, I hate it. Now I probably stink and I still can't breathe.

After catching my breath I opened my eyes allowing myself to look around, the beauty of the room stunned me instantly. It's a large room with a desk in the middle, the brown oak desk added a hint of elegance to the plain black rock walls.

For a weirdo he sure has good taste.

Slowly walking towards the desk I let my eyes roam over the files scattered across it, they're all red and read private and confidential. My asshole.

I prepared myself to pick one up when something else caught my attention, a shiny black device sat beside his room phone. My heart beat increased as it registered in my mind.

MY PHONE.

Unable to control the excitement I began to squeal, I can finally call dad and ask him how he is, I thought excitedly.

I miss his voice and everything about him.

Relishing the feeling I quickly typed my password in and went straight to dad's number. Clicking call I placed the phone to my ear expectantly.

Beep

Beep

Beep

Bee

"STORM!??" His gruff yet soft voice instantly relaxed me, even though he yelled down the phone.

"Dad, how are you?"

"Where the hell are you, do you know how worried I've been for past few days, Ray said you were ok but I could tell he was lying. And men have been following me around since you left, what did you do" dad started to lecture me like there was no tomorrow, a small tear escaped my eyes listening to him.

I was about to reply when a small gasp escaped my lips, did I hear him correctly?

"Dad what do you mean men have been following you?!" Panic began to course through my veins as my hands shook in fear, this can't be happening.

"Just that, I thought they were Andrei's men"

Speaking of Andrei, right at that moment the door slammed open and in strided the one and only, along with the biggest scowl on his face.

"Dad I love you so much, don't leave the house, I'll be home as quickly as possible" I uttered without taking my eyes of his seething form.

"Storm wai.." before dad could finish his sentence the phone was snatched from my hand, Andrei threw it across the room as he used one arm to push my body against the cool wall.

I tried to keep calm but it was getting hard as Andrei's chocolate eyes pierced through my blue ones.

"What the fuck is wrong with you?" He questioned angrily, the closer his face got to mine the more nervous I felt.

But overall the fear he was trying to instill in me wasn't as bad as fearing for dad's safety. Pushing against his chest I closed my eyes with a sigh.

"Andrei, do you have men following my father" I asked slowly, his eyebrows twisted in confusion.

"Listen up clearly, I don't give a shit about your damn father ok" he didn't have men following dad, my panic became even worse.

It's happening, it's all happening again, I thought worriedly.

My heart beat began to increase at sky high rates and my breathing became ragged, Andrei realised. His scowl tried to scare me back into reality but it wasn't working. I leant against the wall and held my head high trying to control my breathing.

"For fucks sake" he mumbled, the next thing I knew I was in his arms. Andrei pulled me away from the wall and into him, he placed my head on his chest and sighed.

"It's ok, I'm here" he breathed, my eyes squeezed shut. It was getting worse, the proximity between us weirdly calmed me a little but not enough. I wrapped my hands around his back and held him closer.

"Hear my heart beat? Just focus on that Ya Hayati"