Episode 56

Avery My eyes slowly unfold. The sun shone brightly through the curtains. I looked to my right still feeling Stefano’s heat beside me. I was surprised to see he’s awake and he’s vivid grey eyes staring right at me. His elbow propped up supporting his head on his palm. "How long have you been awake?" He kept staring at me as if he doesn’t plan on answering me. He hummed before answering. "Just... a while ago?" I raised my eyebrow questioningly. "How long was a while ago?" He suddenly hovered above me. He was careful not to crush me with his weight. He hummed again as he leaned down and hovered his lips above mine. "You seem well now." "I’m feeling better now. Like no sign of fever. I can actually go and have my morning run." But I’m still kind of annoyed how he deliberately avoid answering my question. It felt like he was just staring at me while I was sleeping. That’s probably why I woke up suddenly, aside from the fact that it’s already broad daylight. It was the kind of feeling when you know someone is staring at you so you turn and look for the culprit. "How about morning sex?" That took me by surprise. "Stef-" I couldn’t object or anything. He immediately slammed his lips to mine. His kiss was raw with hunger. It was rough and wild like the sex he would usually show me. There was a lot of tongue. It was making me lose my sanity. That doctor was right. Stefano was insatiable. Ever since that night, he was being all touchy and clingy. He couldn’t seem to get his hands off of me. When I was still suffering from fever, he never left my side. He was just beside me. Taking care of me. This is the first time he left his work. Yes, the man took two days off from work despite the fact that he lives and breathes it. I would assume he would bring his work here and just not waste time while I was recuperating but he didn’t. It was unbelievable. It felt like I was dreaming. As far as I know, Stefano doesn’t do stuff like that, does he? I pulled away realising something in the middle of our make out session. His right hand was already above my ****** about to squeeze it but stopped midway when I pulled away. "Don’t you have work to do? You already left your work for two days. And what time is it anyway? Maybe I can catch up with my class. I’m feeling so much better now." Stefano tsked. He got off of me. I raised my eyebrows in disbelief. He’s actually irritated? I just reminded him of his work. "Hey, don’t give me that attitude." I warned him. He grabbed the blanket off of me and threw it to the floor. "What the hell are you doing?" Thinking he was in his pissy mood again. He grabbed my left leg and pulled me towards him. He placed my legs on the sides of his waist as he wes kneeling. "I just got better you know." I warned him again. "Shut up, woman. I’m going to **** you til your fever’s back again. This time you won’t be able to walk." I immediately clamped my mouth shut. "Now... where were we?" My eyes widened nervous of what he’s going to do. He leaned down and kissed me. He shoved his tongue greedily. He raised my right leg to his shoulder and pressed his body against mine... Taking advantage of how flexible I was. --- "What?" As he kept staring at me while I continued to devour my breakfast prepared by him. The fluffiest egg and the crispiest bacon. I can’t seem to highly appreciate my meal when he couldn’t stop staring at me. "I don’t want you near him." He said with the same blank face. I frowned. "What?" "That man at the club. The one you go head to head with?" "What?" I asked again although I know what he meant. Head to head? Really? "First off, we weren’t kissing. We were about to but you interrupted us." He scoffed obviously annoyed with my little information. I can’t help but feel quite happy about it. "Second, he’s my professor-" He glared at me and cut me off. "Then don’t attend his class, drop it or whatever. Just stay away from him." "Well, he’s not my teacher anymore. He was just a substitute. Will you calm down? I could honestly visualize you punching the table-" He suddenly pull my chair towards him and in a second his face was inches from mine. I gasped, surprised at what he’s done. "Listen here, White. I don’t want you near him. If you don’t listen to me then you’ll have to face the consequences." "He’s my friend, Ranallo. I’m sorry but I can’t just comply to your demand." I said with no hint of guilt. "You are such a pain in my ***. Do you know that? Alright. If you’re not gonna follow one simple request-" "Demand, Ranallo. Demand." I corrected him with a straight face. He just frowned and glared at me even more. "... I’ll make sure that he’s not just gonna have a bleeding nose." My eyes widened realising what he’s words meant. What the **** happened that night? He had no scratch or even bruise when he came after me. He was only nothing but wet. "What did you do?" I asked as a certain venom laced in my voice. He then pulled away from me. "Just stay away from him." He grabbed the now empty dishes and put it in the sink. "You know you’re not my boss anymore." I stared at his back which was now facing me. The tattoo peeking on his arm was distracting. "I can just forget whatever you say." I scoffed. "I mean why would I listen to you?" I almost whisper the last part. I’m trying to control my anger. I never liked him being so bossy. He likes to control people and I hate how much he can get what he wants so easily. He turned swiftly to me and strode towards me. It doesn’t take a genius to know that he’s extremely and utterly furious. "Maybe I should remind you what you are to me when I made you orgasmed countless times." He leaned towards me, the table supporting his left hand, the other on the chair I sat. I must have been so red right now. This is the type of blush that I cant suppress. He’s always the reason why I can’t fight it off. "Or better yet I could remind you again by bending you over this table and **** the daylights out of you. You are mine, White." He growled. "You can **** me as senseless all you want. Hell, just one call from you, I will be there. Even if I’m in Italy, I will be there. Whichever part of the world I am, I will fly right away to you. I’m all yours, White, as much as you are mine." Shit. --- The day ended like always. I had only little things to catch up with my classes since I was only absent for one day. Mr. Evans is back. He was obviously a happy father considering he was so chirpy at the class. Nathan, on the other hand, I haven’t seen him ever since that night. I sighed. Even if Stefano wanted me stay away from him, I just can’t. He’s one of the good things that happened to me. "Avery! Hey!" Speaking of which. I turned around to see Nathan jogging towards me. I was on my way towards Grind House and visit Jenna. I haven’t talked to the both of them. My phone was full of their messages and calls. I haven’t have the time to check them. Stefano was always taking my time. As Nathan neared, I notice a light bruise on the side of his lip and there was little cut. Shit. Did Stefano do that? "Did he do that to you?" I almost raised my hand to touch it but I held back. We stood just outside the gates. I don’t think his fans would appreciate it. I’m already on their major hate list. "Yep, your boyfriend had a good punch. Punches actually. He hit me twice." I was shocked at the revelation. "Why did you let him do that?" He gave me a shy smile. "I guess I was getting rusty." He chuckled. "I... I didn’t know you have a boyfriend, Ave." My heart melted. I looked at the ground. "I... It’s... complicated." I winced at how cliche it sounds. "I honestly thought we were over. I mean... we barely have a relationship to begin with. Truth be told, I didn’t know he was going to be there. My traitor of a friends hid it from me." "It’s okay. I don’t believe anything he said anyway. I know you, Avery. I didn’t help you back then for nothing." I looked at him. Really looked at him. I was beyond grateful and I wanted to show him what he did mean so much to me. "Thank you, Lieutenant. I owe you. Thank you so much. Thank you for being there for me when no one else was." He then grabbed something from his pocket. He grabbed my hand and put something in the base of my palm. "Here." My eyebrows furrowed with curiosity. "Happy Birthday, Avery." He said almost in a whisper. I opened my palm and saw the glistening dogtag. My eyes widened, my mouth formed an o. I was surprised at his present. The dog tag had my name on it and some other details like one from a soldier. "Though I wasn’t there to witness it, I knew you were amazing. At least Perry told me so." He chuckled. "But I know you’re destined to be something. You wouldn’t be feeling all the pain without getting something great in return. You deserve it, Ave. I know there’s a reason for you to decline Briggs’ offer but I think you pretty much know how that looks like when you actually join the army." The two of us laughed." Thank you, Nathan. Even though I told you no gifts." He then laughs. "Oh please, you deserve more than a gift." I gave him a full smile. "I like you, Avery." My smile was now gone. His face serious and determined. "Probably ever since when you walked into the class with a salute. I realised it even more when I noticed that you’ve become a wonderful woman. That you’re more than what I believed you to be. You’re amazing, Avery and you don’t give a slightest **** about it." "I’m sorry, Nathan." "I know. But I just want to ask something..." "Okay." "At the club, when we were about to kiss... did you want to do it because you were carried away?" I shook my head and gave him a small smile. "No. I really thought we have a chance. I like you too. Maybe less than what you feel but I was ready to give myself a chance at relationship. You’re kind, sweet, you make me laugh. You just know me so well..." "But your heart belongs to him." He said with a hint of sadness. I nodded. "I hate him." I frowned and he laughed. "Okay. Now I know exactly what you feel." He then grinned. "I’m happy you told me that. Honestly, I would’ve hated myself for not trying. I’m glad to know that I actually had a chance. Being labelled as just a friend hurts more." I laughed. "I hope you’re not going to change though. Bad boy image doesn’t go well with you. And nice guys are much more better." I smiled. "Tell that to your asshole of a boyfriend." He rolled his eyes. "Tell me about it. His attitude reeks of shit." "I dare you to say that to my face, White."