In which I fall in love with my brother's best friend.
*****
"Don't pretend like you don't feel anything." His voice is low, sending shivers down my spine.
"What do you mean?"
"You know damn well what I mean."
"I don't know what you're talking about...
WARNING: Mature content ahead in terms of psychological aspect and violence, only suitable for mature audiences who have mastered self-control and are fully aware of the responsibility resulting from their actions.
Please excuse the explicit language too. Vaughn's thoughts are pretty wild in this chapter.
***
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I reach for my clothes, which I just found earlier inside Derek's closet. That guy even hid them there, and I feel sick all over again. Does he expect me to stay undressed for him?
After wearing back my jeans and blouse, I sit on the bed and clutch my dead phone tightly in my hand, waiting for Jake. I don't know where the hell this place is, how far it is. Earlier when I sent Jake my location, I was too in a rush that I didn't remember the location in the map. But since Derek still plans to go to college from here every day, it can't be that far.
I don't even have any idea what this place is. Is this a house? Or an apartment?
While I'm waiting for Jake, half an hour feels like hours. I don't blame him if the streets are filled with traffics at this busy hour. I just hope that he's driving carefully and will arrive here safely.
The thing I fear the most is if Derek suddenly comes back. I shake my head, trying not to fill my mind with the worst scenario.
But then, I vaguely hear the sound of a car being pulled in. Not long after that, I hear loud sounds from the other side of the door. It seems that another door is being banged open and that some things fall to the ground. I instantly become alert.
"Melanie!" Jake's voice booms, and I burst into tears as a huge wave of relief washes over me.
"Jake!" I shout, pushing on the door. "I'm here!"
His footsteps are heavy as he stomps toward the door, and I automatically step back, knowing that he's going to break it. My pulse quickens as he slams his body against it, making me jump due to the loud noise and from witnessing such violence. The damage to the latch is getting worse the more he slams his body against the door. And finally, he breaks into the room with a loud bang.
He's panting, his eyes bloodshot red. "Melanie," he rasps. "God, are you okay?" he cries, grabbing my shoulder, checking my face. The look in his eyes tells me that he can hardly believe that he can finally find me.
I nod, my lips trembling. I feel like crying my eyes out now that I'm with him, but we don't have any time for that.
Then the soft look in his dark blue orbs is replaced with fury. "Where's that fucking bastard? I swear to God--"
