Chapter 12
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Luna
Just my luck. You know those people the universe picks as its personal punching bag? Yeah, that's me. It's the only explanation for how I keep landing in these messes.
All I wanted was some air, a moment in the hallway to breathe. Instead, I get Tim stumbling after me with his brilliant plan to sell out the bracelet prototype.
I can still smell the vodka that rolled off him, making my skin crawl. God, I hate drunks. At least smokers keep their minds intact - alcohol just turns people into monsters.
But the cherry on top? Having the CEO overhear everything. The way Roman Borisov took Tim down just proved what I suspected all along. This man hides his demons the same way I hide mine - under layers and layers of control, thinking we've buried them deep enough. But sometimes...they claw their way out. And tonight, I watched his break free.
The way he seemed genuinely concerned about my reaction...
No. Stop it. Don't romanticize this man.
He beat someone when he could've called the cops or let security handle it. He chose violence, and that says everything about who he is. And what's keeping me tossing in bed isn't the violence - it's how much I liked it.
I liked knowing those punches were about Tim's fingerprints on my wrist. The way Roman stared at those marks said it all.
I can still feel where Tim's fingers dug in, but the ache fades the moment I remember my boss's dark stare.
And that kiss... God, the way this man changes the energy in a room just by existing is suffocating. One minute I'm freaking out about Tim, the next his hand covers mine and my body betrays me completely.
When he asked if I was lying, that deep voice seemed to stroke my skin, short-circuiting my brain.
I should've pushed him away. Been outraged. But I couldn't because the second he leaned in, I wanted that kiss.
Fine. I'm attracted to him. That's all this is. These things fade... right?
Because I know it's wrong, but there were times I would've given anything for someone to step in. Someone who could look at me and just know - know that I'm drowning, that my lungs can't get enough air, that I'm buckling under the weight of carrying all this alone.
So when Roman stepped in...it lit something in me.
Who am I kidding? It started an inferno.
For one split second, every fiber of my being wished he'd been there a year ago. And clearly those flames fried my brain because when his lips met mine, resistance wasn't even an option.
I've got issues.
No denying that. But how could I not? When you've spent a year with a stalker breathing down your neck, nearly losing your life, nearly losing everything - when someone finally shows they care, you latch on like they're your last lifeline.
Back when things first went sideways with Aidan, my ex, I was so naive. Thought it couldn't get that bad. I had friends, a life I'd built.
And you know how we like to save men we see are broken? A piece of advice, girls. Don't do it. Some like staying in the dirt and they'll drag you through it with them.
It started like it always does. He was perfect at first - sweet, attentive, everything I wanted. But that's their playbook, isn't it? Narcissists reel you in slowly until you're too tangled in their web to see straight.
The warning signs were there in our different backgrounds. My parents pushed education, independence, career goals. Meanwhile, Aidan couldn't handle authority and seemed allergic to holding down a real job.
Back then, I bought every excuse. The boss was terrible. The pay wasn't worth the work. Companies wouldn't hire him because he dropped out of college.
I swallowed it all because love makes you blind, right? Couldn't see that my sweet boyfriend was really just a parasite who preferred living off other people's hard work.
Then the mind games started. 'I can't live without you.' 'If you leave, I'll kill myself.' 'I just need help this one time.'
And stupid me, I wanted to believe he wouldn't play me like that, that he cared enough not to manipulate me. What a joke.
It didn't take long for the emotional blackmail to turn into straight up threats. Something in his head must've snapped, because what he felt wasn't love - it was sick obsession, fueled by the fact that I was his last lifeline to pay off his debts. God, how many times did I beg him to stop?
I hate that I'm even thinking about him. Made myself a promise not to say his name, not even in my head. Like somehow just thinking it might summon him back into my life.
Yeah, that's how paranoid he made me.
I try to shake off the memories, push away those moments of feeling trapped and alone in his twisted game.
The rain's coming down in sheets like the sky's weeping. My building looms ahead through the darkness, and I have to squint to make it out. I make a break for the entrance, just steps from safety, when a hand shoots out of nowhere, slamming me against the wall. My umbrella clatters away, and when my vision clears, there's Aidan - face twisted with rage, eyes wild.
"I’ve been out here for two hours while you're screwing your coworkers." His voice drips venom, making my skin crawl as pure panic floods my system.
"What are you talking about?" The words barely squeeze past his grip on my throat.
I'm still getting air, but just enough to speak. My fingers claw at his hand desperately, but it's like scratching at stone - he doesn't even flinch.
"Who were you with, Luna? Hmm?" His voice takes on that unhinged edge I know too well.
The most twisted smile I've ever seen spreads across his face. God, how did I ever find this monster attractive?
"What the hell are you talking about?" I rasp.
I try to knee him where it counts, but I'm too slow. I hesitated - actually hesitated to hurt the man who's choking me in front of my house.
"I can smell another man on you, Luna." His tongue traces my cheek, making me want to vomit. "And I don't like my girl playing around. So you're gonna be nice and give me some money, okay?"
I try to steady my breathing, but all I can hear is the rain and his ragged breath against my cheek.
“I can't give you any more money.” My voice cracks as I say it. How do I make him understand? We're done. I want nothing to do with him.
“Oh, but we both know that's not true. How's that bonus working out?” The eager curiosity in his voice makes my blood run cold.
My confusion must show because I suddenly realize - he's been asking questions at my office.
“I wouldn't have minded you keeping all that money.” He steps back, releasing my neck and running his hands through his hair in a show of vulnerability. “You know I'm not unreasonable.”
I glance at the door, doing the math. No way I can get my key out, unlock it, and make it up the stairs before he catches me.
“But you had to go running around with other men. You know I can't let that slide.”
I stare at him, speechless. The twisted logic of it all - he came for money, but somehow he's spinning this like it's my fault, my disrespect, punishing me for things I haven't even done.
I can't hold back the tears anymore, and I hear myself laugh - a sound that scares even me.
“You won't see another cent from me. Try anything else and we'll handle this at the police station.”
I turn to open the door, so damn tired of his games.
The pain explodes through my skull before I realize he's hit me. My hand scrapes the wall, searching for balance, but everything's spinning. His last words echo as darkness swallows me.
“Go to the police. See what kind of monster you've turned me into.”
My eyes snap open. Just a memory . Too bad memories can drag you under just as easily as reality, leaving you gasping for air.
But as anxiety sinks its claws into my chest, I see those storm-gray eyes, anchoring me. One breath...two...until the panic subsides.
I stare at my hands. I know it's impossible, but I swear I can still feel warmth spreading from where he touched me in that office.
What in God's name have you gotten yourself into, Luna?