19. Stay Away
19
Stay Away
R YU’S hand rested on her leg as they drove through the city. In her mind, Roselin rehearsed everything she planned to tell Nadia. That she was only home to get some more of her stuff. How sorry she was for leaving Nadia alone in the apartment, and she’d still pay rent. But when Roselin opened the door, Nadia wasn’t there. Was she relieved or disappointed?
“It will only be a minute,” she said, gesturing for Ryu to sit. Of course, he didn’t listen.
“Is this Nadia’s bedroom?” He pointed to the half-open door.
She narrowed her eyes at him. “Why do you want to know?” Before she was able to stop him, he entered the room. “What the— no, Ryu.” And, naturally, he ignored her again. “Damn you, Ryu.” She followed him.
He stopped in his tracks, cupping her cheeks in his hands. “You said Nadia had nothing to do with it.”
It wasn’t a question, but a statement. Yet, Roselin still answered him. “Yes, and I stand by it. Nadia warned me, as a great friend should do, and not try to harm or…” kill her. He turned her face to the ground, pointing to a pair of male shoes. She furrowed her brows. “So? Shoes don’t equal killing.”
“Those are Gales.”
Roselin scoffed. “And how do you know that, detective?” She crossed her arms in front of her chest.
“Because I pay attention to details. Those were the one-of-a-kind tailored Oxford shoes Gale wore the night I wasn’t allowed to kill him.”
Okay, maybe he was a detective. “Still doesn’t prove Nadia is what you say.”
“Why are you defending her this fiercely? You’ve only known her for a few years.”
“I know you less than that,” she bit back and stomped her feet.
The muscles in his jaw twitched, and anger flashed in his eyes. “Yeah, but I’m not a fucking terrorist,” he raised his voice.
Her mouth dropped. “Neither is Nadia!” The shadows danced around his fingers. She slapped his hand. “Fuck your shadow voodoo, Ryu.” Nervousness crept up on her, and she took a deep breath to calm the rush of emotions. “What am I missing?”
“Gale is part of the Brotherhood of Arcadia’s order. The terrorist organisation who fucking attacked the metro and tried to kill you ,” he yelled at her.
The blood drained from her face. “No.” Gale was many things; an ass, dirtbag, weasel, cheater, but he wasn’t a killer… right? She turned around, stormed out of the room, and took her jacket.
“Where are you going?” Ryu attempted to grab her arm, but Roselin avoided his grasp.
“Away from you!” she snapped at him. Roselin pressed her lips together, suppressing all the nasty things she wanted to call him. “I thought Mister Visser said you couldn’t go after them.” The words she shouldn’t say escaped her.
Anger flashed in Ryu’s eyes, and she realised she had screwed up. She had always been a hothead who let her emotions take over, and as usual, it bit her back in the ass.
“And how are you aware of what Mister Visser said?”
“It’s not like you were quiet. It’s one big open space and only a thin door in between.” With every word, her face grew hotter. “You can’t be mad at me.” She crossed her arms, making it clear she wasn’t going to budge.
“Damn right, I can!” Ryu hit the wall beside them. The shadows dispersed like smoke.
Her hand balled into a fist. “You can’t. I deserve to know things. After everything—”
“No, you don’t.”
She ground her teeth to keep her from yelling at him more. Who did Ryu think he was? “Well, you’re not allowed to talk to Nadia.”
His hands slid down his face as he groaned. “Are you dense? She’s fucking a damn terrorist.” Shadows grew around the room.
“Yes, and you didn’t even tell me! So you go home. I’ll speak with Nadia.”
Ryu scoffed. “You understand that’s not going to happen.”
Her fingers raked through her hair. How did she end up here? She felt the urge to cuss Ryu out for not telling her about the Brotherhood of Whatever and yell at Nadia for letting Gale return into her life. “I need to tell Nadia.”
“You can’t inform her, or she might snitch to him.”
“Stop acting like Nadia is a terrorist,” she yelled, putting on her jacket.
“You stop behaving foolishly.”
His words hurt. The truth of Nadia’s possible betrayal hurt. Everything hurt. She turned away from him so he wouldn’t see her tears.
“You saved Gale.” His voice cut like a sharp blade.
She whirled back around and slapped him across his cheek. “How dare you imply—” Choking up, she couldn’t finish her sentence. “—Fuck you, Ryu.” She tried to zip up the jacket, but the zipper refused to cooperate. Her hands trembled around the small piece of metal that didn’t go up. Angry tears streamed down her face. Screw the jacket, screw Ryu, screw Nadia and Gale, and screw everything. She wanted to punch things or break something.
Silence filled the room, replacing the fire smoking between them as she struggled with the zipper. Why wasn’t Ryu yelling anymore?
Ryu reached for her, and she jerked away. She blinked at him. He held up his hands in surrender; the shadows gone, and the familiar warmth back in his eyes. His icy fingers wiped her tears from her heated face. “I’m so sorry, my Rose.” He kissed her forehead and zipped up her jacket.
She stood frozen, not knowing what to do anymore. Her mind was in overdrive, and her emotions were a bad influence. Was she going to leave, pack her stuff like nothing happened, or wait for Gale? “What do I do, Ryu?”
“You won’t do anything but gather some of the necessities. I’ll send someone tomorrow to get the rest of your belongings. You can’t stay here anymore.”
“She’s my best friend.”
“Then invite her somewhere on common ground so we can talk. The three of us.”
Roselin closed her eyes, taking deep breaths. Her hands trembled as she took out her phone. Ryu stroked her hair.
“I’ll call her. We can meet at this cafe close by.” She lowered herself to the couch. “Should I tell her about Gale?” It felt wrong not to say anything. What if Nadia was in danger too?
“No, she might warn him.”
Before Roselin could tell him for the millionth time that Nadia had nothing to do with it, Nadia answered the call. “Hi Rose, how have you been?”
“Hi, good. How are you?” Roselin said. Ryu sighed as Nadia replied. “I was wondering if you would like to get some tea or coffee at the cafe we always study at so you can finally meet Ryu.”
There was a pause, ever so slightly, but noticeable.
“Oh, meeting the famous Glucose Guardian.” A smile broke through Nadia’s voice.
Ryu raised his eyebrows at Roselin.
“I would love to. Meet you in half an hour?”
“That would be great. See you there.” Roselin broke off the connection. Her foot tapped the floor, and she bit her bottom lip. Her hands clenched together as she tried to get a grip on the guilt whispering to her. “I didn’t lie,” she said, more to herself than to Ryu.
Ryu gave her a look, his eyes watching her as he read every little facial expression while her thoughts overwhelmed her. Ryu took her chin, kissing her lips, cheek, and down her neck. “You know, I’d still like to fool around with a girl in a college dorm.”
Her cheeks turned red. “Is that where your mind is after everything that just happened?”
He shrugged his shoulders. “It’s not as if I can change it. Besides, we have fifteen minutes before we need to leave for the cafe.” His hand reached up her skirt.
It was tempting to give in and release some stress, but “Shouldn’t we strategise?”
“Fine, five minutes,” he said. He knelt before Roselin. With a smooth motion, he pulled off her string and lifted her legs over his shoulders. His tongue played with her clit. A moan escaped her lips as the tension fell away.
They were five minutes late at the cafe. Roselin straightened her skirt as Ryu led her to a secluded booth. They waited, but after ten minutes, Nadia still didn’t show up. “Perhaps she has car trouble?” Roselin said hopeful.
“She would’ve texted you if she had.”
Ryu was right, and she hated it. She pressed Nadia’s name on her phone, but no one picked up. “What if something happened to her?” She leaned towards him, lowering her voice. “What if Gale got to her?”
“We’ll give her some more time,” Ryu said as a waiter placed two cups of tea before them.
The sweet scent of the mint tea reached deep inside her nose, and she took an extra whiff. Roselin basked in the warmth of the drink, yet it didn’t calm her nerves. Her finger tapped the glass cup.
Roselin kept checking her phone, but nothing. She sent another text, calling Nadia again… still no response. Shit , Nadia , where are you? Roselin should’ve pressed further on the Sin Eater thing. She should’ve told Nadia not to see Gale again, even if it meant Roselin had to break up with Ryu to prove the point. Turning to Ryu, she rested her hand on his arm. “Ryu, I’m worried.” What if Nadia was with Gale when she called, and he got suspicious?
Roselin didn’t have to say more. Chugging the last bit of his tea, Ryu took out his phone. “I’ll find her.” He kissed her temple, leaving extra money on the table. “Order some food. The Driver will come and pick you up.”
Before he rose to his feet, she tugged his arm, leaning in to whisper. “Promise me you won’t hurt her.”
“Rose—”
“Promise me, because I need to know if you do so first. Promise me because I’m putting all my trust in you, and promise me because you love me.”
Ryu kissed her. “I promise,” he said before he pulled away to leave her.
A sigh of relief pushed past her lips, and she ordered an Italian Savoury Rustic Pie. Her phone pinged before she could take the first bite.
Unknown number 6 (Driver?): I’m outside. Come out when you’re ready, and I’ll drive you home.
She shifted in her seat. An uneasy feeling crept up, and it wasn’t the pressure of someone waiting for her to finish eating. Roselin kept looking at her phone. There were no calls or messages from Nadia. Her lips pressed together into a thin line. Let’s hope Ryu found her soon because something seemed off. She felt it in every fibre of her body. If anything happened to Nadia—if Gale hurt her—it was her fault.
Her stomach twisted. Gale was responsible for the people who died and got wounded on the tram. Roselin let him live. Ryu’s words still echoed through her mind. He was right. This was her responsibility.
Her phone broke her out of her down-spiralling thoughts. Nadia’s name flashed on her screen. Roselin never picked up as fast as she did. “Nadia! Where are you? Is everything alright?”
“Please, Rose,” Nadia said, sobbing. “ Please come and help me.”