"If I could melt your heart...

...we'd never be apart."

Tears of rage and frustration ran down my cheek, I whipped them quickly and I proceeded to head back to the bar. 

A bodyguard stopped me, and asked for my ID. But the other one whispered to him, telling him to let me in. 

As I entered, I exhaustedly rushed to the bar and took a shot of the the tequila that was right in front of me.

It was my first time drinking alcohol, I couldn't help but taste its extreme sweetness to calm me down a bit.

I felt numb, unaware of my surroundings. The moment I saw Mikhail making out with that girl, my brain just got turned off from everything. I couldn't concentrate or see clear at all.

Marcus and Adriano were both slumbering on the bar, I didn't wanna irritate them by waking them up, so I just left them there.

"Hey," I heard a harsh voice of a middle aged man. "That was my tequila."

I looked back at him. His hair was brown, he was so tall, so huge, his arms were too masculine and full of tattoos. His expression didn't seem pleasing at all. He was angry, and frowning at me.

"Oh, I'm sorry." I apologized, awkwardly. "I'll just buy you another one."

"No." he refused, glancing me up and down, as though I was an unbearable meal. "Dance with me."

"Well," I raised my eyebrows at him, chuckling. "I don't dance with old men."

As I quickly got up to leave his sight, I felt his huge hand gripping on my arm, painfully hurting me. "But you will."

My eyes were watery again. I tried to push him away but he was too heavy, I couldn't. 

A vision that I never wanted to remember suddenly wandered my mind. I remembered how Liam held my arms the same way this old man did, I remembered how I constantly got hurt by people around me, including the dearest ones to my heart.

Squeezing my arms shut, I sobbed uncontrollably. "Please, just let me go!" I shouted.

"Come on, baby." he smirked in a perverted way, grabbing me forcefully. "Just one dance."

The man then stopped moving, I terrifiedly opened my eyes, finding Mikhail's hand gripping on the man's arm.

"She said she doesn't wanna dance with you." Mikhail gritted his teeth, glaring at him with horrific, mad and furious eyes that made me tense myself.

"Who are you to say that?" the man smirked, sarcastically. "You're just a pathetic little kid."

Once he said that, Mikhail instantly punched his jaw. The man's mouth bled and one of his tooth fell down.

Everyone in the club gasped and screamed, watching fearfully. I didn't know what to do, I quickly rushed to hide behind Mikhail's back, frightened to my bones.

The man groaned and then proceeded to punch Mikhail back, but he managed to avoid the punch.

Another man who seemed to be on the old man's side, punched Mikhail right through his face. His lips were bleeding and his hair because so messy.

Mikhail let out a chuckle as he smirked and whipped off the blood on his mouth. 

The man grabbed a bottle of champagne and crashed it into the bar, leaving only the edge of it that had a sharp glass to hold.

He ran to stab Mikhail's chest with it, I sobbed and screamed as I rushed to wake Marcus and Adriano up, shaking them roughly. My heart was pounding so fast and my chest ached too much.

Hopefully, Mikhail managed to take a grip of the man's arm as he threw the broken bottle away and knocked the man out by clasping his forehead harshly to his. 

I couldn't wake Adriano nor Marcus, they both were sleeping too heavily, as though their souls were taken.

The moment I looked back, I found the other man with tattoos standing not too far from me as he held the broken bottle, aiming it toward my head.

It was already too late to avoid it, it all came too fast. I squeezed my eyes shut, pursed my lips and sobbed as hard as I could.

For a moment, nothing happened. I heard the sound of the sharp glass digging into someone's skin.

When I looked back, I found Mikhail standing right in front of me, the sharp glass was digging into his hand as he tried to defend me with it.

Blood dropped all over the floor, and women went screaming.

The man kept digging the glass into his skin. Mikhail just stood there, handling the pain with a way I never thought someone would. He curled his lips and glared right through the man's soul. His other arm were holding me behind him, making sure not to get hurt by anything or anyone.

"Mikhail!" I sobbed, eyes widened from all the blood he was losing.

"Get the hell out of here." he chocked out, groaning.

"No!" I cried out, earning a sigh from him as he rolled his eyes, grabbed the man closer to him and kicked his stomach with his leg.

As the the man fell back down, Mikhail grabbed the sharp glass, proceeding to stab him with it.

"Mikhail!" I suddenly heard Adriano and Marcus calling out for him, eyes widened as well.

We both looked back at them. 

Marcus glanced at me then he looked back at Mikhail, holding his hand up. "Don't."

I then found Mikhail looking at me, as though he became conscious of what he was going to do the moment his eyes met my gaze.

He looked at the knocked out men and threw the glass away. 

"Take them." Mikhail ordered the bodyguards that just entered the club.

The crowd was all around us, eyes horrifically widened.

I let out another sob as I ran to Mikhail, wrapping my arms around him and squeezing my eyes shut. Another sob after another and I couldn't stop sobbing. I was truly scared that he would get dangerously injured by them.

"It's alright, I'm here now." he softly said, caressing my cheeks with his both thumbs. "No one can hurt you."

I looked at his hands that was bleeding from his inner palm, my eyes were still watery. 

"Mikhail." I cried out, trembling. "Your hand..."

"It's okay." he said between heavy breaths as he pulled me into his chest, stroking my hair with his fingers, trying tried to stop me from crying. "I'm fine as long as you are."

My grip tightened to him as I sobbed harder into his chest.

...

We arrived home, I quickly grabbed Mikhail to the couch, he was injured and still drunk.

He unbuttoned his white chemise to breathe better. I took off his black jacket, Marcus gave me a wet towel to clean the wound with it. I took Mikhail's hand, making sure to dry it carefully.

I firstly unwrapped the cloth that put pressure on his palm, and then I started cleaning the wound with the towel.

He was resting on the couch, worn out as his eyes were completely closed. 

"I'm so sorry we weren't here when that happened." Adriano said, anxiously scratching the back of his neck.

"It's okay." I said, unconcerned as all my focus was only on Mikhail.

Adriano then nodded and left.

I gently patted the palm, drying it slowly. 

"Mikhail?" I hissed, nervously looking at him.

"Hmm?" he mumbled, opening one eye, as he tilted his head at my direction.

"Thank you for saving me." I said, sorrowfully looking at his injury. "You really didn't have to risk your life for me."

When I finished drying the wound, I rubbed some ointment on his palm and then I wrapped his hand with a bandage.

"I risked my life because I care about you." He said, resting his head and closing his eyes. "I've always did."

I tried to hid my smile at that. 

I knew he cared about me. It was just too obvious.

He again tilted his head at my direction, and murmured. "Do you care about me, Eve?"

My eyes watered by his question, I ran my fingers through his soft hair and smiled. "I do."

I noticed him smiling a bit and humming in satisfaction.

As I stopped running my fingers through his hair, I leaned closer to him and whispered. "What about that blonde girl?! Do you also care about her?"

He knitted his brows in confusion and murmured. "What blonde girl?"

"No one." I let out a giggle, caressing his cheek. "Get some rest."

...

Next morning, I woke up one hour before everyone, deciding to prepare breakfast for them this time.

I cooked pancakes, omlettes, prepared a bowl full of berries, bananas and avocadoes. I also cooked some chocolate waffles and made coffee. 

Once I prepared the table, I knocked on everyone's bedroom door to wake them up for breakfast, and then I went downstairs again.

"Woah, what's all of that!" Marcus grinned, looking at the table that was full of food with such starvation. 

"I decided to cook you guys breakfast." I said, holding a cup of coffee. "I also made some coffee, since you all must be suffering from hangovers."

"You're a life saver." Marcus winked playfully with a smile, taking the cup of coffee from my hand as he instantly drank it.

I then found Mikhail entering the kitchen, face too drained, holding no expression.

I glanced at him, and smiled a bit. "Morning."

He wasn't focused at first, but then he took a glance at me and gave me a soft grin. "Hi."

"Can you believe that, Mikhail?" Marcus said, chewing on the waffles as Mikhail looked at him and sat on the table. "Turns out Evelyn knew how to cook after all." 

Mikhail chuckled and I rolled my eyes at Marcus. "I was just doing you guys a favor, don't expect me to be that kind every morning." I stated, and Marcus pressed on his lips.

Mikhail was still quiet, eating in silence, as though his mind was filled with too many conflicts.

"How's your hand?," I sat on the table opposite him and glanced at his injured hand. "Does it feel better?"

"Huh?" he questioned with confusion, eyes neutral. Then he took a glance at his hand, too. "Oh. It's fine, don't worry about me."

I nodded. "I should clean your wound, though. Before I head to work."

He looked at me, stuttering a bit, as though he was about to say something.

But we were got off by Adriano entering with a loud yawn.

"Good morning, everyone!" Adriano said, quite cheered up that morning.

"Morning." I smiled and then took a bite of the pancake.

He grabbed the cup of coffee and sipped on it. "You ready, Eve?"

"For what?" I asked, holding my cup of coffee.

"Heading to work." he raised his brows, eating a berry as I watched him glance at Mikhail with uppity, which made him feel a bit irritated from Adriano's attitude.

"But you didn't eat breakfast yet-..." I glanced at the food, then back at him.

"Oh, I just needed some coffee." He raised his cup at me and smiled.

"Alright.." I placed down my coffee and got up, glancing at Mikhail. "I'll clean Mikhail's wound and I'll follow you after."

"I'm sure Mikhail is able to do that by himself." Adriano chuckled in a scornful way, proceeding to grab me by the shoulder. "Lets get going before you're late."

"But.." I mumbled, glancing at Adriano then back at Mikhail who still held no expression. 

"Lets go." Adriano smiled, grabbing my hand until we both reached to the door.

The moment I turned my head to look at Mikhail, I found him glancing at Adriano over his shoulder with a despiteful gaze that kept me wondering...

Are they both in love with me?!

...

Most of that day I spent working at the bakery shop, welcoming the customers and serving them whatever they wished for. The day was not draining like the first time. Actually, it was easy and simple.

Olivia and Emma passed by to spend some time with me. They also said that Liam started attending school again and that he didn't seem well, he was hollow and dented, and everyone felt sorry about him, while they talked shit about me, and thought it was my fault I made him depressed that way.

I was in too much rage with what I heard from them but I kept it cool. Because in the end, I didn't need anyone's opinion about me, I didn't want them to feel sorry for me, I didn't want them know I was the victim, and I didn't want to see or talk about Liam ever again.

The work was finally over, I changed my uniform and packed my stuff. I waved everyone a goodbye and left the bakery shop. 

Adriano didn't arrive to drive me home, and I thought he wasn't going to. So, I decided to take a taxi and go have pizza for dinner.

I walked few steps to search for a taxi, but I couldn't find any. So, I walked few more steps.

I picked up my phone to order an Uber instead, but I froze my place the moment I heard my name getting called steps away. 

"Evelyn?!" I heard him say, with a tone that showed how delightful he was seeing me there.

I slowly turned back to him, afraid of meeting his gaze. His face was too pale with bloodshot eyes. He had a sore skin, dark eyebags and his body was sweating a bit.

"Wh-What are you doing here... L-liam?!" I asked, lips trembling as I wasn't able to pronounce well.

"We have been searching for you everywhere!" He exhaustedly grinned, running to hold me around his arms, but I flinched.

"Stay away from me!" I glared, unable to look him straight in the eyes.

"Come back home, Evelyn." he cried out, "We miss you so much. I miss you so much!"

"I don't" I hissed, looking away from him as my heart pounded fastly.

"What you did was wrong, so wrong." he said, shaking his head and glaring at me with dead eyes as he took few steps closer. "Come back to me, or you're gonna suffer the consequences."

"N-no." My eyes watered and my whole body shivered, I wasn't able to collect words. "You abused me-.."

"I didn't!" he denied, holding his arms to me. "I'm the only one who's able to give you the love you deserve."

I shook my head, tearing up. "I don't deserve that kind of love." 

As I slowly stepped backwards, I proceeded to run away from him, but his grip on my wrist was much stronger as it forced me to fall down on the ground.

"It's okay," he nodded with a sick smile. "You're coming back home now."

"No!" I sobbed, kicking off my legs, trying to get away from his grip. "You're not my home!"

Suddenly, I found Adriano rushing to us, punching Liam right in the face, making his nose bleed. 

He then looked at me with empathy and offered me his hand. I whipped off my tears and I took it.

"Is this guy hurting you?" Adriano asked me, glaring at him. 

"Just...lets go." I cried out as I got up, gripping on Adriano's shirt as Liam groaned, unable to move from how painful the punch was.

"Eve, but!..." he glanced at Liam, then back at me. 

"Please!" I insisted with a pout.

He sighed and grabbed my hand, taking me to his car.

"You can't keep running away from me!" Liam shouted from afar, his voice full of cruelty and revenge. 

I quickly got in the car next to Adriano. I took a deep breath and whipped off the dust on my pants.

"Who is that guy?!" Adriano asked with irritation, he seemed too furious from what happened.

"My ex boyfriend." I said, gazing out the window as I nervously ran my fingers through my hair. "He's kind of obsessive."

I knew that he'd have found me at some point, I just didn't know it was that day. And I surely wasn't prepared for it.

"Ah!" Adriano said, clenching his jaw. "And he clearly wants to get back with you, no matter at what cost."

"Yeah." I closed my eyes shut, resting my head on the chair.

"If that asshole tries to reach for you again, just call me, alright?!" he said, glaring at the road with gritted teeth.

If I was being honest, at that moment I didn't want to be with Adriano. I didn't want his help.

I really needed Mikhail beside me.

I wanted to run into his arms and sob while I rest on his chest. He was the only person who could calm down the chaos in my head, he was the only one who could burn out the terror stuck through my lungs and replace it with calmness and placidity.

I really did need him.

...

We went back home, Adriano ordered us pizza because I told him I craved it. We were resting on the couch and watching The kissing booth 2.

Marcus and Mikhail haven't came home yet. It was just me and Adriano. 

The masquerade party was tomorrow night, and Mikhail hadn't asked me to be his date.

I mean, I didn't know if he planned on doing it. But I really wished he did.

Marcus promised me that if I didn't find a date to the party, he would take me with him so that I wouldn't feel embarrassed or nervous. I felt glad for him that I sometimes wished I could be his actual sister. He just took great care of me whenever I needed, and especially whenever Mikhail decided to act all mean and rude.

"What's on your mind?!" Adriano asked, looking at me with a grin.

"Hmm?!" I raised my eyebrows at him, not quite focused.

He offered me a pizza slice and I took it. "You and Mikhail seem to be really distracted with your thoughts these days.." he said, pursing his lips.

"Really?" I questioned, looking at the pizza. "Well, I'm just like that all the time."

He nodded. "And so is he."

I smiled a bit and looked away. Maybe Mikhail's thoughts had something to do with me, just like mine had something to do with him.

I took a bite of the pizza and concentrated on watching the movie. 

"Who do you think Joey is going to choose?!" Adriano asked, tilting his head at me. "Marco or Noah?"

I looked at him, instantly knowing my answer. "Noah, obviously."

He knitted his brows, irritated. "Why him?!"

"Because she loves him." I smiled at Adriano, scratching the back of my neck. "And he does, too."

"But, Marco loves her, too." he exclaimed, "And he's better for her."

"He seems better, but he's not." I stated, taking another bite.

"Noah makes lots of troubles." Adriano stated, "He hurts Joey with his words."

I stopped eating for a second, blankly looking down.

Don't raise your expectations too high just because I once showed you some care. I'm usually a cold-hearted person who shows no mercy. 

And suddenly I remembered how hurtful words can last for, just like an enduring scar.

But I also remembered...

I risked my life because I care about you. I've always did.

With a soft smile, I looked up at the television. "What if he did?"

I found Adriano looking at me with confusion. "What do you mean?!"

"I mean that, you can sometimes get hurt by the one you care about, but the love you get from them makes up for all the pain they caused." I said, "The love they give you is capable of rewording whatever conflicts you both had with each other. And that's what makes complicated love worth it. Marco's love for Joey may be easy and simple, but Noah's love for her is more thrilling, more passionate. And that's what everyone needs in a relationship."

For a moment, it was quiet. I looked at Adriano and found him gazing at me with fondness.

The next thing he said, is what surprised me. 

"Will you be my date to the party?" he asked, smiling a bit.

If I was being honest, I felt a bit of delight when he asked me that.

But a shiver of anxiousness ran down my spine as well.

"Marcus found his date. Mikhail found a date." he said, and I cleared my throat in despair. "What leaves us both without one, if not together?"

I looked down, almost about to tear up. "Wh-Who's Mikhail's date?"

"That blondie from the club." he said, sipping on the soda can.

They had a thing after all.

Mikhail had a thing for that blonde girl.

He chose her over me.

And at that point, I thought I was going to choose Marco over Noah.

"Adriano..." I choked out, frustrated. "You can be my date to the party."

______

[Cafuné] (n.) : running your fingers through the hair of someone you love.

...

The end of this chapter was a bit disappointing, wasn't it? :)

It looks like Adriano likes and cares a lot for Evelyn, too!

Do you think they'd make a good couple?

Don't forget to vote and comment!

xoxo <3