Love Me in the Dark

RIVER

“What do you mean I’m leaving? Did they catch him? Is he in police custody right now?” I was torn between celebrating and feeling down at the same time. It would only mean one thing that I wouldn’t get a chance to see Krew again, but he seemed okay with it, though.

I was drenched with sweat while he looked all mighty in his dark blue suit with a crisp white shirt, his hands in his pockets like he was born to bark around. Of course, it was. Who am I kidding? He was the big bad wolf.

“You’re leaving, and not yet.”

“Then how could you just throw me out if he's still at large?” My anger brewed in my blood quicker than I thought. I was throwing him an incinerating stare, fuming with anger while he didn’t seem to give a damn at my outburst. “Is this because you failed to convince me to accept your offer? And that I didn't fall for your devious plans?”

“No. It has nothing to do with that. You’re not interested then I was only respecting your decision. I arranged something else for you back in the city. You’d be safe there, and you'd have a chance to see your friend. You’re gonna like—”

“What do you know what I like? You don’t even know me to know what I like, but then this is all but an arrangement. I should be grateful, right? Well, you got it. Thank you very much for your help.” I stomped away from him out of the mini gym. I was an ungrateful bitch, but my fury had gotten over me.

After I took the quickest shower, I changed into a crop top, jeans, and sneakers. Whatever his plan was, I made sure I had my own. Just in case I needed it.

I took the phone he gave me, and that was it. I was leaving this house for good. Before I walked out of the room, I looked at the guitar one more time and let all those good things that happened in here go.

The driver was indeed waiting for me. He followed me outside the house, opened the door of the black SUV, and I entered silently. When I thought Krew was still willing to have a word with me before I left, I was wrong. The vehicle started, drove to the driveway of his home out of the gate. I regretted right away that I didn’t talk to him, thanked him for keeping me safe for the past few days.

My eyes watered, and my stomach knotted. It felt like there was an enormous hollow inside my chest that I left like that with unsettled arguments. I stared outside the window and let those lush greenery passed by like a blur with those chances.

I paid no attention to the man at the airport who introduced himself as Conner. He said he would be the one to send me to the place Krew had arranged for me.

“Do you have luggage, Ms. Rouge?” He was not older than his early thirties, but I was not in a mood to have a delightful conversation right now. It was ridiculous—what I felt. The moment I was happy, then it turned me to the dark place—I was suddenly sad. I felt terrible, unsafe again in spite that this man was hired to protect me.

“I take that as a no.”

Once I found out about our flight, I texted Journey.

I hadn’t said a word other than no thank you throughout the flight. Conner was sitting next to me had shut his mouth for good when I only answered was a glare.

I sighed in relief as soon as the pilot announced that we were about to land. I still felt sorry. I had this unsettling feeling in the pit of my belly that I left angry. I took note to myself to send him a text that I arrived safe and thank him for your hospitality. But that would be too much, plus, he didn’t give me much of a choice other than barking at me that I would be leaving his house today.

my itch. There were a lot of men who could respect me and give me what I wanted, and certainly not someone like

to the aisle, grabbed their belongings from the overhead bins while I forced myself to find a

the restroom. I hated doing it on the plane. The

Of course. I forced myself not to roll

phone vibrated in my pocket, and I knew it was from Journey. After how Krew threw me

I followed

would be quick,” I assured

time,

Journey in the bathroom. Her bluish-green eyes widened in shock to see me walking

Oh, my god. I thought I just lost my maid of honor. Where the hell have you been?” She inspected me from head to toe and shrugged as if disappointed “You look just

“Why wouldn’t I be?”

a man in a blue suit telling me that you were somewhere. That’s all he said, and nothing else even how many times I grilled him with questions, he didn’t budge as if I was taking years of his life he answered me. Alł he said was it’s for our own safety. What did he mean by that?” She looked

will tell you

replace you with someone else. You’re my best friend, River, but I feel like you’re turning into

“Not here, Journey. Please?”

and change. Don't worry, I’ll be right here waiting for your long explanation. And you’ll have to

entered the toilet, I asked, “Have you heard

She looked at me with a

“We did.”

that he crashed my engagement

I’ll explain it later,

flight attendant. It was a good thing Journey had access to the wardrobe where

I asked Journey to take a few steps ahead of me the moment I saw Conner. He has pretty occupied with his phone. Thank

the stroller from me before I climbed into her passenger

here, you better start talking,

I started. I told her everything from the very beginning on how I met Briar to our breakup. She knew the

Ri?” She shook her head in disappointment.

before my best friend gets married is to drag you into my mess. I want you to be happy and free from any trouble before