Chapter 43
Aoi
I could spend the rest of my short life pinned under Andrew’s firm and muscular body as he kisses and pampers me.
Unfortunately, I have to work.
I rush into my hotel room, and my smile falters the second I step inside. “What are you doing here?” I demand, striding past him. “Get out. I don’t want to see you.”
“Where were you?” Jason asks, getting up from the edge of the bed.
“It’s none of your business, now is it?” I scoff. “After all, I’m just a whore, right? Isn’t that what you called me last time when you barged into my room, insulted me, and then left me like I was disposable? You just love to waltz back in like a pretty flower once you need something from me.”
He sighs and rakes his fingers through his perfect blonde hair, but I notice grey strands that weren’t there last time. “You know that’s not what happened. I was angry and clearly overreacted. It was wrong of me, but you’re partly at fault.”
“Fuck you and your excuses,” I snap, throwing my suit vest on the bed and striding toward the closet. “I don’t want to talk to you anymore.”
He steps up behind me and grabs my shoulder, forcing me to look at him. “So, that’s it? You want to end our relationship over a stupid argument?”
“What relationship, Jason? There’s nothing between us. It ended a long time ago and just because we fucked a couple times, doesn’t mean we’re together. Me fucking around should’ve made that clear.”
“I gave you time and space.”
“You mean you stopped spamming my phone for a couple days. That’s not something to be proud of Jason. I asked you to stop bothering me repeatedly, but you kept doing whatever you wanted. Do you expect me to praise you for leaving me alone?”
We stare at each other for a second, waiting for the other to give up so we can call it a day, but instead he scoffs and grabs my chin. “You’re not leaving me, Aoi. I won’t allow it.”
“Allow it?” I swat his hand away. “You and your tyrannic crap. I’m not some pet you can order around and discard whenever you have more important shit to do.”
“I’ve never treated you like a pet. My feelings for you have always been genuine. It’s you who dumped me after your parents’ death and who’s been using me like a spare cock whenever you get horny.”
Something in me snaps, and I shove him violently and slap him across the face.
“Did you come here to blame me for breaking up with you sixteen fucking years ago? And so what if I used you? Don’t even try to make me believe you weren’t using me all along!
You son of a bitch, stop making me out to be the bad guy.
This is all because of you. I didn’t do anything wrong. ”
“Are you done?” he strokes the spot I assaulted. “Now come back home with me. This rebellion of yours has wasted enough of my time. I’m tired of waiting for you to make up your mind.”
I gawk at him, fury burning inside me. “I can’t do this anymore.”
I’m so fucking tired of arguing with him all the time. Our entire lives, all we’ve ever done is argue and hurt each other.
But he’s the piece of shit. Not me.
“I’m not fucking done, okay? Who the fuck do you think you are to look down on me?
” I snap, pushing past him. “I’m sick and tired of you always trying to control me.
You keep shaming me and guilting me for being a wreck.
The fact that you even had the audacity to call me a whore is fucking disgusting and I’m sick of it! ”
His foot taps against the floor. “This nonsense needs to end. Come home with me. We can get you a psychiatrist if that’s what you need but I can’t allow you to spiral in this manner.”
I can’t believe this. He’s never going to change in the end. For years, I lied to myself, claiming he’s just complicated, but that’s not it. He’s just a disgusting, selfish narcissist.
People like him only care about themselves and nothing else. He never fucking loved me. I’m a prize he couldn’t hold on to, and it infuriates him that I keep slipping through his fingers.
But I’m fucking done being passive in my own life.
“Get the fuck out, you motherfucker,” I snarl, shoving him violently.
“We’re so fucking done. I don’t want to ever see you again.
Don’t call me. Don’t text me. I want you out of here when I’m back.
” I grab my hair at the root and pull hard.
“You know what? Fuck that. I’ll get Dixon to pack my things. ”
“And where the hell would you go?”
I grab a bag and stack a bunch of clothes inside, not paying attention to what I’m grabbing as I zip it up and throw it over my shoulder. “Anywhere, as long as it’s far away from you.”
“Aoi.” He raises his voice and stalks behind me, “Don’t you dare turn your back on me. Aoi!”
I slam the door behind me and run. I don’t know where I’m going but I let my legs guide the way. My heart hammers in my chest and I realize it’s as much from fear as relief.
It’s over. Finally.
***
Amira whips up an amazing vegan curry, and I almost die from the sheer delight my taste buds are blessed with.
I haven’t told her about my argument with Jason, and I don’t intend to. I hardly want to think about that asshole in the first place, and sparing him any energy, even to cuss him out, is a waste.
“So, tell me more about Andrew. What does he do for work? How old is he? Because he’s definitely not our age.”
I grimace at the assault of questions. “Andrew is from a wealthy family. I don’t know if you know them, but he’s Bellami Lacroix’s little brother from Lacroix Corporation.”
She gawks at me, brows furrowing as she averts her eyes. “That’s…surprising.”
“I was shocked too, at first, but he’s not like those rich brats.” I smile at the thought of him popping into my mind. “He may only be twenty-three but he’s rather mature.”
“Twenty-three?” she asks, stunned. “He’s a decade younger than you, Aoi. That’s a big deal. And why are you smiling like that? Don’t tell me…”
I nod. “We made our relationship exclusive. I know this is sudden, but I really like him, Amira. I’m constantly freaking out about it, and it’s only been a day.”
“Lacroix,” she repeats the name with a scowl.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. I just thought the name was a bit familiar. Must be because it’s a famous family.”
“I really hope you two will get along,” I say. “He mentioned sensing that you don’t like him, but I told him you’re just worried about me.”
She grabs a thick, curly strand of her long, deep brown hair and begins braiding it. “I am. I simply don’t want you to get hurt by some young man who’s–pardon my crudeness–only having fun with your heart and will probably fuck you over.”
“Why do you say that?” I snap, pissed that everyone has decided to get on my nerves today. “He’s the first person that has managed to make me feel something. I’m happy with him. Yeah, I’m scared shitless that he’ll break my heart, or that I’ll break his, but I don’t want to focus on the worst.”
“Aoi-”
“I’m finally happy, so please can’t you just support me and at least try to get along with him?”
She drops her hair and grabs my hands over the table, smiling guiltily. “I’m sorry. You’re right and I am happy for you. I’m just worried. But I promise I’ll be nice to him for your sake.”
“Thank you.” I beam as her thumb strokes the back of my hand. “Your approval means a lot to me.”
She nods and glances at my bag on the floor next to the couch. “So, what’s the luggage for?”
“I’m gonna move out of the hotel. It’s long overdue. I couldn’t stay there forever after all. Andrew is right. It’s unnecessarily expensive and I should just get my own place.”
“Need help finding an apartment? This is New York after all. It’s hard to find a good place that won’t cost you an organ,” she says, laughing and we resume eating.
“It’s funny how one word from your new boyfriend was enough to make you decide to move out.
The girls and I have been telling you this for a while, yet you never listened. ”
I roll my eyes and pinch the back of her hand. “Are you insinuating I’m blindly following his advice? Thanks for the jab, mom, but my decision has nothing to do with him.”
“And where do you intend to stay in the meantime?” she asks, taking a bite of curry. “Want to stay with Elena and me? We have a guest room.”
I shake my head and grab my phone to text Dixon about the situation. “No, it’s alright. Thanks. I’ll get a different room for the time being and I’ll find a place as soon as possible.”
“If you’re moving out of your hotel room because of the expenses then why do you want to stay in another hotel instead of living with us for a while?
It doesn’t make sense. You could just accept my offer and not worry about much.
” She cocks a brow, and I grimace. “Are you hiding something from me again?”
“You make it sound like I have mythomania,” I shoot back, huffing and massaging my temple. “Fine. I got into a really fucked up argument with Jason and ended things with him. I’m tired of his behavior, and us being family isn’t enough anymore for me to tolerate his attitude.”
“I see. Glad you decided to stand up for yourself. I’m proud of you,” she says softly then tilts her head. “But what’s that got to do with you wanting to move?”
“He keeps sneaking into my hotel room and every time we end up fighting.” I cringe when her jaw drops. “I’m sick of his shit, so I want to move and be done with him.”
“What the hell, Aoi?” She stands up and circles the table to sit next to me. “How did he break into your hotel room? I thought only you and the staff have a keycard. Why didn’t you say something sooner? We could’ve helped you.”
“I didn’t want to burden you with my problems,” I admit.
“You have more important things to deal with than to waste your time helping me out. Besides, I didn’t care as much about it before, but now I just can’t stand it anymore.
He’s always known how to get his way so I never really thought about how he did it. ”
Amira pulls me into her arms, and I inhale the hibiscus and papaya fragrance emanating from her perfume.
“I know you won’t talk to me, even if I tell you that I’m here in case you need me.
But still, I’m here. Sally and Elena are as well.
I know I keep reminding you of it, but we both know you need to hear it multiple times for your thick brain to accept it. ”
I chuckle against her shoulder. “Goodness, Amira, you’re literally the closest thing to a mom for me.”
“I’m happy you see me that way. Means you’re comfortable around me,” she says, detaching herself from me. “I definitely think you should file a restraining order.”
The blue of her eyes is brighter than mine, contrasting with her perfect dark skin. I think Amira may be the most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid eyes on. Her high cheekbones, cupid’s bow and aquiline nose leave me breathless every time I look at her.
“I think he got the message.”
My phone buzzes on the table and I glance at the screen. Smiling, I grab the device and unlock it.
Andrew
I need to see you.
Me
Why? Is something wrong?
Andrew
I just miss you so much.
Andrew
I know we saw each other this morning, but I need to see you.
Andrew
I think I’ve developed an addiction to you, and now I’m dying.
Me
You’re impossible.
Andrew
You mean it’s impossible to go a few hours without you, yeah.
Me
Where are you right now? I’ll come to you.
Andrew
The office. You’re at your hotel, right?
Andrew
I’ll pick you up.
Me
No need, I’m at Amira’s. Send me the address and I’ll be there in an hour.
Amira stares at me, stupefied as she shakes her head. “You’re in love with him.”
“I don’t know if I can say that but,” I smile at the mere thought of him hugging me the second he’ll see me, “I want to be with him.”
When I’m with him, I feel safe and comfortable. I just wonder how long I’ll be able to hold on to this dream.
“I hope he won’t hurt you, because I will kill him if he does.”
“Don’t worry. It’ll be fine.” I let my head fall back and smile. “Nothing bad will happen.”
She huffs and points at my phone. “By the way, did you finally learn my number by heart?”
“You know my memory sucks.”
She hits the top of my head. “Doesn’t matter. Get your big brain to remember it.”
“Yes, ma'am.”
I doubt I’ll ever end up in a situation where I need to recall her number, but she’ll never let it go if I argue about it.
Sometimes, I really wonder whether she’s my best friend or my mom. Either way she’s the best.