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He’s so close to me I can feel his breath as he speaks. “How can I free the woman I love even though she abandoned me? You broke up with me over text. Come on, that was cruel.”
I can't believe my ears. “What I did was cruel? How dare you!” I push at his chest, and he stumbles a little backward. “You cheated on me in broad daylight, and you expect me to give you an honorable breakup? You are putting the blame for everything on me. You want me to take you back when you are not even remorseful about what you did.”
“I cheated because you never loved me.” He pushes me against the gate, my back hitting the iron gates. I wince at the contact. He crowds my space; his cologne, which used to make me feel warm, now makes me nauseous.
“There you go again. And you wonder why I broke up with you over text. Because I was avoiding your stupid confrontation,” I spit back. “Now get away from me.” I try to push him, but he pins my arm upwards against the gate.
“No one breaks up with me. I'm not done with you. You are mine.” He has a crazed look in his eyes.
He's starting to scare me.
“You are crazy,” I say under my breath.
“Crazy for you, love.” He starts to lean in, and I try to get out of his grasp, but to no avail. Just as I'm about to hit his groin with my leg, he's pulled backward away from me.
The next thing I knew, Chris rushed to me, looking worried. “Are you okay, Gianna?” His gaze runs over my body for any sign of damage or pain.
I blink in surprise, tongue-tied.
“Who the hell are you?” Kendrick roars in anger, which catches Chris’s attention. He finally looks away from me to glare at Kendrick.
“I should be asking you that question.”
Kendrick looks at me, raises his eyebrow, and points at Chris. “Is he the one you replaced me with? It's only been a few weeks and you have already replaced me. I didn't know you were this easy.”
Chris punches him then, sending him backward towards his car.
“Fuck,” Kendrick groans as he grips his bleeding jaw, shock evident on his face.
Chris grabs him by the collar, forcing him to face him. “You don't manhandle a woman, you bastard.” He punches him again, dragging him to the driver's side of the car. “Now get out, and don't you dare show your face here again.”
Kendrick nods and immediately enters his car. I have never seen him so pliant and helpless. He speeds off, and I feel a weight lifted off me.
“You’re shaking,” Chris says as he returns to my side.
“I am?” I muttered, looking down at myself. Truly, I am shivering.
I hadn't even noticed. I was too shocked at the scene that played out in front of me. Kendrick had scared the daylights out of me. I'm so out of it that I don't even properly register Chris leading me through the gate while rubbing my arms.
It's only when he carries me in his arms that I come back to my senses. “What are you doing?” I ask, my voice shaky due to my nervous state.
“Taking care of you.”
Something warm swells in my stomach, and I feel a blush rising on my cheeks.
His arms, warm and strong, wrap tight around me and tug me close. His scent invades my senses: spice and orange peels.
He walks into the elevator and looks down at me in his arms. “What floor?”
“The second floor. You don't have to carry me all the way. I'm okay. I can walk.”
“I never said you couldn't.” He doesn't spare me a glance and just presses the button of the elevator. “Now, where's your key?”
I hand it to him without question. I never knew a day would come when I would prefer to be stuck with Chris than anybody else. I guess that's how life is.
He opens the door and walks in. I expect him to place me down immediately. But instead, he walks further into the space, his eyes wandering. I suddenly feel self-conscious about my apartment, wondering if there's anything out of place even though I cleaned last night.
He places me gently on the sofa and takes off his suit jacket. He rolls up his sleeves, revealing his strong forearms. “Should I get you some water, or do you want me to leave you alone?” He whispers the last sentence as if afraid that I would tell him to leave.
