Alexandrea's P.O.V

I watched as they both walked over and entered the cafe. I gulped as Lucas's eyes met mine. His eyes gave off nothing and that's what fen scared me more.

"Alex!" Bex waved at me, before rushing over and plopping down on the seat opposite me. Lucas followed and sat by her side.

"Hey Bex. Luke" I forced a smile on my face, avoiding any glance at Luke. He seemed to be doing the same thing.

"What's up babe? You wanted to tell me something?" Bex chirped with a huge smile. I eyed her expression with a frown. If he makes her happy, then maybe I shouldn't tell her.... right? She's smiling and glowing, what of it wipes the smile off her face forever? But at the same time, he's not good for her. He's going to hurt her if she finds out. He's bad.

"Yeah..." I trailed off, glancing at Luke who was suddenly interested in what I had to say. "Um...can we talk alone?" I asked, silently pleading with Bex.

"Oh...sure" She said. "Um...Luke, can we meet later?" She smiled at Luke. Luke smiled back and nodded.

"Of course baby. Dinner? Tonight?" He asked and Bex blushed.

"Okay" she said, giving me a quick glance. On a normal day, I would have teased her about Luke and over dramatically wiggle my eyebrows to make her more embarrassed. But things are different.

"I'll see you later" he said and pecked her lips. She hummed in response and watched him leave the cafe with a smile displaying on her lips.

"I think...." She paused and bit her lower lip, smiling. " I think I'm starting to fall for him. He's perfect. Everything I've ever dreamed of my prince charming to be. You know those kind of guys that are in books? The kinds that you can only dream of? It's like he came right out of those books, Alex!" She chuckled in excitement as she glanced at me, grinning.

The more she talked about him, the more my head spun. I have no idea what to do. I was more confused than ever. "I'm....happy for you" I forced out.

"Thanks" she smiled at me and reached for my hand over the table. "I'm happy too" she added. "You were going to tell me something?" She asked, meeting my gaze.

"I..." I started but I thought of the way she spoke about him. What if she doesn't believe me? What if she's heartbroken forever? "Nothing. I just wanted to see you. I missed you" I said and forced a smile on my face.

She eyed me suspiciously. "Are you sure?" She asked.

"Of course!" I said. Then I told her of the accident that I cured the other day. I told her that I was over the speed limit and crashed my car. I told her that Nick found me and I went in a date with Eli afterwards.

Then we both went home and she dropped me at home. She kept on giving me these suspicious glances like she knew I was hiding something or maybe it was just me. I unlocked my door and entered the house, guiltiness eating me up.

I changed and decided to go to the beach. It's been a while since I've been there. I put on my flip flops and black sweats with a green jersey. I put my phone in my back pocket and a pepper spray, in case of any creeps.

I locked the house and put the key behind the pot of the flower plant. I sighed and scratched my head, messing up my head even more. Then I felt the bandage around my head. Nick...His words echoed in my head. No matter what they will always catch up...

I groaned and ran my hands through my messy hair. I massaged my temple before stepping into the street. I walked along the familiar roads and checked my phone for the time. 7:53pm. I sighed and put it back in my pocket. As I walked closer to the beach, the salty air started to fill my nose. I finally saw the glistening turquoise coloured water slowly come into view. I miss this place.

A smile grew on my face as I neared the shore. I removed my flip flops and left them at the shore, walking barefooted towards the retreating water. I wiggled my toes in the smooth sand and waited for the waves to push the water towards the shore. The cold water buried my feet up to my ankles and retreated slowly, sweeping some particles of sand along with it.

I need to think. And I need to do that fast. I closed my eyes and inhaled the salty air. The soft, cold wind blew my hair away from my face and let it move eastwards. Should I have told Bex?

I did it because I wanted her to stay happy. It might scar her for life if I told her that Luke is not who he seems like. Maybe some music will help. I took my earpiece and plugged it to my phone. Then I played 'Blank Space' by Taylor Swift. I just love how badass she sounded in the song. Other than that, I loved her in general.

I spread my arms out and moved my body to the song. "...Cause darling I'm a nightmare dressed like a daydream! If it's gonna be forever, then it's gonna go down in flames..." I sang quietly. I kicked the water and moved along the shore.

"You actually have nice dancing skills. I'm impressed" A voice startled me, making me almost drop my phone in the water. I snapped my eyes open.

"Did you follow me here?" I asked, narrowing my eyes at the green eyed jerk. I removed the earpiece and hung it around my neck.

"I have better things to do" he shrugged and walked towards the water. He squatted down and scooped some of the water in his hands then separated his fingers, allowing the water to flow out of his hands. He folded his hand in a fist and closed his eyes, still in the same position.

"Um...are you...okay?" I asked, observing his face. He furrowed his eyebrows and let out a breath.

"No" he answered and I was surprised that he actually answered.

"Oh" I said. I decided to push my luck. "what's wrong?" I asked.

"I don't want to tell you" he answered and I frowned. He took a deep breath and opened his eyes. For a moment, I saw a flash of emotion. Like, he was troubled but he masked it immediately.

"Why?" I asked, hopefully looking at him. He stood up from his squatting position and dusted his jeans.  He ran his hands through his hair and turned around. He began to walk away from the beach. "You obviously look troubled. Do you want to tell me what's going on?" I called as he walked away.

"Alex" he sighed and turned around, his eyes meeting mine. "Go home" he said and turned around again, as he continued walking away from the beach.

"It'll be fine. Everything will be okay" I shouted, feeling the need to assure him. He stopped in his tracks but didn't turn around.

"Alex" he sighed again. According to psychology, frequent deep sighs are signs of stress and troubled mind.

I walked over to him and stopped as I got to where he was standing. His back was still facing me and I gulped before snaking by arms around his torso, hugging him from behind. I heard him hitch his breath "Frequent deep sighs are signs of stress and troubled mind. This can help" I said as I rested my head on the middle of his back.

"Say it again" he said, quietly as I felt the vibration from his back. I furrowed my eyebrows.

"Um....frequent deep sighs are-" I started.

"No. Tell me everything will be fine" he said, almost in a whisper. My cheeks flushed from the cold breeze. I licked my dry lips.

"Everything will be fine" I repeated. "You'll be fine" I said and I felt him let out a deep breath.

I felt him unwrap my arms from his torso, slowly. He turned around and stared at me. He tucked a strand of my hair behind my ear before turning around and walking away. What was that about?

I watched him walk away until I couldn't see him anymore. I sighed and picked up my flip flops, making my way out of the beach. I strolled till I got to the road and stretched out a hand to call a cab when I saw Danny from afar. He was talking to someone. The person was bald but I couldn't see the face clearly.

Danny hailed a can and he got into it, biding the man goodbye. I hailed a cab as well and got in. "Follow that cab, please" I said to the cab driver, pointing to the cab that Danny just entered.

"Okay ma'am" he said and started to follow the cab. If Nick won't tell me anything, I might as well find out by myself.

We continued to follow the cab, keeping a reasonable distance so it won't look suspicious. They turned a corner and ended up in a creepy street. There were collapsed buildings and the place barely had night lamps. The people there stared at the cars as they passed by. The street was really creepy, I started to have goosebumps.

I saw the can we were following, stop. "I'll drop here, thanks" I said to the cab driver and handed him some money. I got down from the can and hid by he side of a building.

Danny got down from the cab and looked around, scanning the area before entering a corner. I put my earpiece in my pocket and followed him, my heart pounding loudly in my chest. What is he up to?

I saw him stop in front of an uncompleted building, looking sideways before entering. I bit my lip and followed him into the building. There are two bulky men at the entrance of the building with a gun at the band of their jeans, each, Danny entered with ease after nodding at the two men while I hid between two pillars, trying to come up with a plan to enter.

I shoved myself between the two pillars further when I saw a girl with millions of piercings in a black tube top and black jeans, with black booths, walk towards the men. She winked at the two bulky men and entered the building. Maybe if I dress like her, I can enter, right?

I messed up my long hair and looked at my attire. There's no way they'll let me in. They probably know the faces of every member of whatever this place is. Maybe I should just go home, I shouldn't be here. I bit my lip in fear. What if they see me?

I peeped and see them in deep conversation with each other. One was black and had dropping dreads. He was wearing a white tight fitted, long sleeve top that showed off his muscles and dark pants. I could see the tattoo that creeped up from under his top to hit neck. He had a full beard which was neatly trimmed and looked up to 6 feet in height He looked in his late thirties and he has light brown eyes.

The second one was shorter. He should be around 5'6" in height. He was tanned and has shaggy blonde hair. He was wearing a loose shirt with blue and green stripes with tight black pants. He had a clean face with a light stubble around his chin. He had bulgy brown eyes and had a lip piercing. He also had a tattoo on in chin, shaped like a moon. That is so weird, why the chin?

I leaned my back against the pillar and gulped. They looked like they could step on me in an heartbeat. I tiptoed out of the space that I was hiding and silently prayed for them not to notice me and continue their discussion.

"Hey! Who are you?!" I heard a voice yell and I froze in my steps. Oh man..

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Writer: Hello sweethearts,
How are y'all doing? How was the chapter? Thanks for all the votes and comments in the last chapter. I truly appreciate each and everyone of them.

Don't forget to vote, comment and follow. I love y'all. Enjoy!
27/12/2020