I was about to storm out the room when Thomas grabbed my arm. "Where do you think you're going, sweetface?"
"Back off!" I gritted my teeth and tried to fight him off. But his palm left a mark on my oh-so delicate skin, as if it was burning. The nerve of this punk!
"I don't see the need to help this bitch, Noah. Why bother to save her from all the distress?" he mocked, licking his lips.
"I told you, I'm not acting hero. I just wanna see the reaction of Joe and his failure club when we catch them."
I rolled my eyes. What am I expecting to a heartless, cruel bastard? "I want you to provide me the information of the Delvecchio. Their latest transactions. Their new investors. Everything."
"What's the Delvecchio?" I asked, completely clueless.
"It's some stupid name for their loser's club."
"By doing that, you are already suspecting their gang. That's a dangerous move, Noah." Thomas shook his head. I'd rather say that's a stupid move.
"I don't care. They hold all the connections. It's not that hard to suspect them. With each passing minute, they get rich and filthy. They should be rotting in prison somewhere." Noah sharply said.
He grabbed my arm and made me stood up but before we could even walk away he demanded, "Call me when something's up. Let's go."
"Is that all? How's that a plan?" I frowned.
"That's not a plan, baby. That's just the beginning." he smirked which made me so irritated. How I hate his guts.
"Are we leaving?" I struggled from his hands.
"Do you wanna stay? Thomas here sure could entertain you!" he grinned.
Thomas put his legs above the table and bummed a smoke. Looks like he's staying for a little longer. He sure is feeling at home. Noah grabbed my arm and dragged me downstairs. "I can walk!" I snapped.
Halfway, Old Lincold is waiting for us. "The food is ready, Master Noah." he greeted.
"No, we're leaving. And don't ever tell my parents that I came home. Do you understand, Lincoln?"
I was silent when we got out of his gigantic house. He jumped on his motorbike, then tossed me the helmet, waiting for me. I stood there, puzzled. "Hop on, Iris " he ordered.
"Aren't you afraid that they are now after you?"
He scoffed. "Don't worry about it. They can't get to me." he confidently said and winked at me. I was holding myself from smiling and giggling.
"You're still an ass." I rolled my eyes.
"And this ass will drive you home now." he uttered.
The engine revved up, getting farther and farther away from the green grass of home, and from the lonely pillars of mansion. It's a shame I wasn't able to do a tour. I was too busy hating that Thomas freak. It wasn't that long until we reached back to his place.
"Can you cook?" he asked after parking.
"A little... I don't like where this going..." I paused a little.
He chuckled and lead the way up his room. "What do you expect from me, Iris? I don't usually eat here." Of course, he obviously prefers eating at the bar or somewhere.
It'll be lunch time soon. Noah went inside the bedroom and I was left in the kitchen. For a moment, I have forgotten the real reason why he brought me here. Strange it is, but the fear is slowly fading. It's not that because I feel safe around him... maybe I put my faith in him that somehow everything will be better soon. Oh, fudge. Snap out of it, Claire! You barely know this man! He's always angry... he's mysterious, and stupid.
We had an awkward lunch together. He wasn't even talking. And I wasn't too. I tried to shake off the thoughts of why was he even glaring at me. "How did you get home safe? After the assault?" Finally, he trailed off after he was done wiping the corners of his mouth.
"You mean, why didn't they kill me?" I let out a bitter laugh and headed to the sink with all the dirty dishes.
I felt his heavy footsteps getting closer to my direction. I pretended like I didn't notice his presence behind me. I continued on feeling the cool water on my palm until he turned it off. I faced him, half annoyed. "With that attitude of yours, I'm impressed they let you live." he smirked.
"You call this living? Huh, Noah? I'm hiding in this apartment with a strange boy who turned out to be super fucking rich. I feel damned!"
"It'll only be for few days, Iris Claire. Sooner, I'll be out of your life." He stepped closer, with his strong arms cornering me.
"What do you mean?" I almost whispered.
"I figured Thomas can help you. I'm dropping out of school, remember?" I looked deeper in his eyes. What was he even thinking?! Giving me away to that bastard Thomas!
"Is that really the reason?! You promised you'd help me!" I tried to push him away but he just pushed me even more closer on his chest.
"Give me one good reason to continue," he said softly and gently, staring intently onto my eyes.
---
Night time came. I caught him placing pillows as division on his bed just like the last time that we spent the night together. "I'll just take a shower." I said like a little child asking for permission.
I stepped inside the cold marble floor of the bathroom, humming. I almost dropped my fresh clothes when I noticed something written on the mirror. I gulped, hands shaking, trying to digest the fact that it was written with blood: 'No one can save you. Only death can.'
I looked around and quickly wiped the blood off the mirror. It looks dried already, as if it was written in here for a little while now. A tear escaped my eye as I erased the evidence. But it's still vivid in my mind. I took a quick shower, letting my tears ran down with the warm water.
I made myself decent and dried before going back out to Noah's bedroom. And there I found him chugging a beer on the edge of the mattress, with a stick of cigarette between his fingers. I let out a sigh, contemplating whether to tell him or just keep my darn mouth shut.
He raised his head until our eyes locked. My lips quivered but I stayed silent. I sat on the bed and removed my robe. "You'll sleep looking like that?" he asked, irritated.
Thin blue night dress with lots of ruffles and laces. What's his problem? I have bigger problems and he's thinking about how I look?! But I had to keep quiet. I have no intention of telling him about that death threat.
I was confused when he stood up and took something from his closet and threw it on my face, "Cover yourself." It was a White oversized T-shirt. And I couldn't help but to notice that it smells like the combination of detergent and manly scent.
"Noah..." Crap. He has to know. This is his house. I can't risk his life too.
"What? Need help in undressing?" he smirked and bummed a smoke.
"Nevermind, you're an idiot!" I wore his shirt over my nightdress.
I looked at him, hoping he'd somehow understand what I was thinking. I cannot keep a secret. Not with the way he was staring at me, like he was bearing my soul apart. Right now, I am just wishing that he would change his mind and won't leave school. He shoot the butt of cigarette in the ashtray on his night stand and chugged the almost emptied beer.
"I can sense that you're wanting to tell me something..." he uttered and lingered beside me. I can smell his intoxicating breath as he moved his face closer to mine.
I slowly nodded and closed my eyes, feeling his arms around my waist. His big hands gently caressing its curves. "Aren't you gonna stop me?" he asked.
I hate where this is going... it looks like he's not even willing to let me go. The odd part was I was vindicated. But I have to break this scene.
I took a deep breath and placed my hand on his shoulder. "Someone was just here..."