"The enemy I faced was not the world, but the storm within my soul."

**************

Max's POV

From the deepest depth of my soul, an anger like no other surged. Like a tempest that had been brewing since that dreadful day and now, as I stood before him, it erupted with a fiery intensity that threatened to consume me whole.

My vision blurred at the edges, tunneling down to focus solely on the guy in front of me. Every muscle in my body coiled, tensed with a seething fury that radiated from my core. I could feel the heat in my face, the flush of rage that turned my vision crimson.

My gaze flickered from him to the door's lock, calculating and recalling the key I saw on Nikolas's desk, the one for sure fitting for this specific lock. Without giving it a second thought, I whirled around and rushed back to that room.

"Hey, why leave so fast," I heard him say behind me, more like whining, expecting more from my side. Oh, he has no idea.

I came to an abrupt halt when my eyes landed on the metallic key, lying on the wooden surface. Snatching it up, I was about to make my way back, but then it occurred to me that I needed some form of defense. My gaze darted around the room, scanning for any available weapons. There had to be something in here.

I rushed back to the desk and yanked open the first drawer, frantically searching through it, but I came out empty-handed. The second drawer, however, made me pause in my rushed movement. Two guns were resting there, I ignored them and reached for the single knife positioned nearby. Guns didn't quite feel like the right choice for me now.

Grasping the cold metal between my fingers. I got up and rushed back to where I found him. I came to a heavy stop by the door, my chest heaving with the rage consuming every living nerve in my being. His eyes flickered from my face down to my hand, to the knife tightly held within my grip. His hazel eyes met mine again and he lifted an eyebrow, "Dark Maxie," He commented in utter amusement, "I think I like that."

"Oh, you're gonna like it alright," I grated out as I edged forward, pushing the key into the lock and slamming the cell's door open. Nathan's eyebrows pulled closer in confusion as he stepped back and away from the door. He shook his head ever so innocently, "But I don't want to leave yet," He commented.

As I gazed at him, memories of the torment, the sleepless nights, and the endless fear I felt flooded back. The weight of what he had done, what he had taken from me, pressed down like a leaden shroud. And in that moment, I couldn't see anything else but him, the source of all my anguish. I didn't leave him a chance to take his next breath as I rushed him into the wall, groaning in utter exasperation.

"Woah, woah," He said, his eyes growing wide when I pressed the knife's tip against his neck, "I don't want to hurt you, Maxie, I am trying to play on Nikolas's good side, so why don't you go and play with people your size," He added, ever so calmly, like I wasn't fuming and ready to unravel at the seams.

My fists clenched over his sweatshirt, holding him up against the wall, wanting to squish him within my grip. The world around me seemed to fade away, and I was locked in a silent battle with the maelstrom of emotions swirling within, "You ruined my life, you fucker!" I grated out, pressing the knife enough to draw blood but not to cut deep yet.

His eyebrows pulled closer, "Me?" He asked ever so innocently, "What did I do?" He added, "I just took your kidney, but you replaced it, and look at you, all brand new."

"Shut up!" I grated out through clenched teeth at how simple he made it sound. It wasn't simple. Nothing was simple. My heart thundered, each beat resonating with a relentless anger that drowned out all other sounds. It was a war drum, announcing my defiance and my determination.

"Seriously, think about it," He added, "I am not really the one who ruined your life," He said, in a matter-of-fact tone, "All this anger and rage, it's not directed at me, Maxie," He added, "I hope you are aware of that."

He shrugged, "But I get it, sometimes, it is easier to focus on the physical pain rather than on what's really killing you on the inside."

If his aim was to unravel my sanity, then he had succeeded beyond measure. In that heart-pounding moment, rationality had abandoned me entirely. A primal growl erupted from my chest, a guttural sound that reverberated through the room's four walls before crashing back into me, sending shockwaves of adrenaline coursing through my veins.

With a maddening determination, I lunged forward, the knife gripped tightly in my committed hand. It moved with an instinctual purpose, carving a vicious path from his upper cheek down to his chin, hoping for a permanent scar to haunt him forever. As I stood there, breathless and trembling, I gazed at the gruesome wound I had inflicted, a morbid fascination taking hold.

The air grew heavy with the acrid scent of fresh blood, and I watched in a strange mix of emotions as crimson droplets cascaded, splattering the floor like a grotesque work of art. His eyes blazed with a volatile mix of astonishment, wrath, and pain, his hand instinctively rising to cradle his injured face.

"Now, that wasn't very nice," his voice, once placid, underwent a malevolent transformation, dripping with a dark and lethal edge.

He teetered on the precipice of launching a vicious retaliation, his fury contorting his features, but I had anticipated this moment for a long time now. My grip was tight and my knife remained steadfast in my grasp, poised to pierce right through his kidney as well. He said it was simple, right? I will show him simple.

I marched forward but in the ensuing chaos, time seemed to wrap and reality blurred. It all unraveled with bewildering swiftness, and in that split-second, comprehension eluded me. I failed to register the firm hand that grabbed my shoulder, forcefully pulling me back from the brink. The same hand clamped down on my wrist with an iron grip, forcing me to release my hold on the knife.

I winced and the metal clattered to the floor, the sound breaking the veil of my anger and shaking me back to reality. My eyes widened and flickered ahead of me, watching Nikolas as he wrapped his fingers around Nathan's neck, pushing him into the wall, "You as much as breath his side again and I will snap your neck on the spot, you get that," He grated out, hissing the words in his face before he let go of him.

"But he started it," Nathan whined, wincing as he tried to touch his injured face.

Nikolas ignored him, turned around and his eyes fell on me. Anger surged through his gaze, almost like he wanted to lash out at me too but held himself back. He bent down and picked up the knife from over the floor. His other hand went to my arm, wrapping it around it and pushing me forward, "Come on," I was still in shock so I didn't push him away from me yet.

He locked the door behind us and guided me forward.

"Gotta say though," Nathan spoke from behind us, "Looks like you're walking into your daddy's footsteps," He raised his voice, making sure we heard him as we walked down the hallway, "Be aware Maxie, sometimes you become the thing you hate the most."

My jaw tightened and I pressed my eyes shut, attempting to shake myself out of this state. Nikolas walked into his office, only then letting go of me. I pushed myself further away from him and he headed to his desk, pulling a cloth to wipe the blood off the knife before he opened the drawer and dropped it in. His actions were harsh and vicious. His body radiated with rageful energy as he rested his palms over the table, his scolding gaze drifting to me, "What the hell was that?"

My jaw tightened and I shook my head, "None of your business."

He scoffed, "Oh, it's my business alright," He remarked as he circled his way around, "It's my business when it's my place, when it's my knife and my prisoner," He added, his tone scolding, "So yeah, Max, it's quite my business."

With my jaw tight, and my heart a mess, I stared back at him, silently. His eyebrow raised, "If you are waiting for me to say something," I said, my throat dry and aching and I shook my head, "I have nothing to say."

He sucked into a deep breath, drifting his gaze away from me as he gathered himself. When he turned to me, he ushered me to walk ahead, "Jeremy said he found something," He said, his tone shifting back to neutral, "Let's go."

Waiting no more, I headed back to where we previously gathered, Nikolas following suit on my steps. Jeremy was still sitting down in his previous position, his gaze on the laptop's screen only, narrowing slightly at the words he read before he typed something. Our nearing footsteps grabbed his attention to us. He smiled when he looked at me, "I found him," He announced, ever so giddly.

He swiveled the laptop around, presenting the screen to me, and uttered, "David Kingsley." On the screen was a photograph that appeared to have been snapped by paparazzi, capturing David in the act of exiting what seemed to be a trendy nightclub.

"Kingsley?" Nikolas questioned in something that resembled recognition.

Jeremy nodded, "Yup, our David here is one of the heirs to The Kingsley group."

"Oh," Nikolas said, curious as he went through the information Jeremy had gathered, "Wow," He added in astonishment.

My eyebrows pulled closer as I looked at them both, "Am I missing something?"

Jeremy straightened up in his seat as he explained, "Well, the Kingsleys...They're not just powerful; they're one of the biggest elite families in the corporate world. They're known for their extensive business empire that spans across various sectors. Real estate, energy, and healthcare are just a part of it."

My confusion only grew deeper. How the hell did Valerie cross paths with such a family?

"Yeah, I dealt with a couple of Kingsleys back in the day, not a big fan," Nikolas said, scrolling through the info presented on the laptop, "Killed a couple of them, too," He added, ever so casually that it had my eyes widen at how normal it felt for him to utter such a sentence.

He sensed my weirded-out gaze and he straightened himself up. He cleared his throat, "I mean they had it coming, I didn't do it for fun," He added as he rubbed a hand over his neck, trying to explain his motives. I rolled my eyes and turned back to Jeremy, waiting for more details.

"I found something too," Jeremy added, his tone shifting slightly, his eyes on me as he questioned, "This Valerie, do you...personally know her?"

My heartbeats quickened for some reason; Jeremy's sorrowful tone wasn't helping my case. I nodded my head, "Yes."

Lines deepened between his eyebrows and he sighed, "Yeah, that's what I was scared of," He mumbled, tapping something on the iPad's screen positioned over his lap, "I am not really sure you gonna want to see this," He warned before he extended the tablet forward for me.

With my heart beating in my ears, I took it from him, turning it around to check what could be so big. It was like a news website of some kind, and the article's title said: "The Kingsley Scandal: The Royal Heir Faces Legal Firestorm as Sexual Assault Allegations Surface."

"Uh, the girl...Valerie, well, she filed a sexual assault lawsuit against David," Jeremy explained and I felt my world crashing down yet again.

My heart thundered in my ears, the sound so loud it felt like an explosion, and a rush of heat washed over me, making my blood run hot. After those words, I couldn't hear or process anything else. My eyes dropped to the tablet's screen, my gaze skimming through the lines. Every word added to the tension building within me, each sentence felt like a weight pressing down on my chest, making it hard to breathe as I grappled with the shocking truth.

"And of course, he turned out to be innocent, and the Kingsleys won the lawsuit," Jeremy's voice added, the words echoing in my mind. "With a powerful family like that, it's almost too easy to manipulate witnesses and influence judges."

A tumultuous storm of emotions roared within me. The words etched across the screen cut through like a blade, unleashing a torrent of pain I couldn't quite understand. My throat tightened, and the hand holding the tablet trembled. I gently placed the device on the desk, unable to read further. With a shaky hand, I rubbed my face, trying to make sense of the overwhelming information I had just learned. I expected a lot of things but...not this.

I could feel Nikolas's eyes focused on me, trying to read my disoriented body language, figuring out who Valerie could be to me. Jeremey gave me a sorrowful look, almost sad that he had to be the one to drop such a bomb on me.

"Can I ask for one more favor," I mumbled and Jeremy nodded his head, "Yeah, yeah, sure, anything."

My heart felt like a symphony of sorrow, a haunting melody of rage, and a thunderous rhythm of anger that pulsed through my veins. Each beat was a poignant lament, a mournful dirge for the innocence that keeps getting stolen from around me, and a loud cry for some fucking justice.

It wasn't fair. None of this was fair. Life, it seemed, reveled in its cruel twists and turns, playing the role of a merciless bitch in the grand narrative of existence.

"Can you, uh," I rushed a hand over my face, trying to compose myself, "Can you check if any of this is related to Valerie's father's death," I questioned, the things I knew before and those I discovered today had me connect a few dots together and I needed one doubt to be cleared out.

Jeremy's eyebrows pulled closer at my specific request, "Sure, give me a minute or two," He said as he turned the laptop back to him and went digging.

My inner turmoil was reaching its zenith, like a nuclear bomb on the brink of detonation. I needed to lean into something, my knees felt like they could buckle beneath me, pleading for respite, so I sat down in the seat across from Jeremy. Leaning heavily on the table, I buried my face in my hands, grappling with the overwhelming disbelief that had taken hold of me.

A couple of minutes later, Jeremy looked up at me, "Found it," He mumbled, sadly, not liking the torrent of bad news he was dropping on me. I nodded my head, urging him to carry on, "Her father died in a car accident. Well, that's what the reports say...that it was an accident."

His eyebrow raised, "It occurred one day only after the last trial of their lawsuit."

It was no accident.

Oh my god, Valerie...

"From what I found, it seems like Valerie and her sister were in that car too," He said, "They both survived," Reneé's leg injury made much more sense now, "But their father didn't."

"It was the Kingsleys, right," I said, my voice losing all of its energy.

Jeremy nodded, "Definitely. It's almost too obvious."

I nodded my head, "Thank you, for all of this," I said, appreciative as I got up to my feet, ready to run from here and just scream at the darkness rooted deep into every corner of this fucked up world.

Before I could make my escape though, Nikolas's hand landed on my arm, stopping me, "Hold on," He urged before his eyes flickered to Jeremy, "Jeremy," He said it in a way the guy understood.

"Oh, I am getting kicked out, okay," Jeremy said as he quickly gathered his belongings and headed for the door, offering me a smile and waving bye, "It was nice meeting you, Max," He said before he left.

I turned back to Nikolas and he asked, "Valerie is someone you care about?" He asked.

I silently nodded my head.

"Okay then, here is how it will go; David, I will find and capture him," He said, "In the meanwhile, I will make sure the girl is safe and protected from him," He added, figuring a whole plan already, "But don't you even think that you will go at him on your own," He pointed out sternly, reading the furious look in my eyes, of how I wanted to go now and find him, to rip him apart at the possible things he did to her.

"You heard Jeremy, they're a powerful family but so is your family, Max," He pointed out, "You go at them alone, they will hurt you and her," He added, "But if you leave this to me, then I will catch David and bring him here for you to do whatever you want to him without anyone else getting harmed," He said, trying to convince me, "So, do we have a deal?"

My gaze flickered all over his face, the plan seemed flawless, but, "How do I know that I can trust you," I couldn't help but ask, it's not like he had the best reputation around here.

"Because I am giving you my word," He said, his tone serious and each word sounded genuine for a reason, "I will do whatever it takes, as long as you stay out of the line of danger."

"So, I give you my word, I will catch and bring him here."

I couldn't restrain the words that tumbled from my lips, a bitter remark escaping without hesitation. "Well, at least you two will have something to bond over," I muttered. It was as if he had a unique talent for inciting this seething anger within me, akin to the wrath that surged when I laid eyes on that fucker Nathan. This man too has an uncanny ability to draw forth a hatred I never imagined I was capable of.

A low humorless sound left my mouth and I took a step backward, looking around and shaking my head, in disbelief still, "God, are there people like you just damn everywhere?" I asked while pointing at him, "Because believe me, this is the last straw, one more thing and I am going to lose my fucking shit!"

Whether my words affected him or not, he acted otherwise. He gave me a small nod, "Look Max, if you want to keep calling me names, then go ahead," He said, his tone as neutral as it gets, "You want to be angry, you want to scream and fight all the time, then do it, let it all out," He added, "I am okay with all of that but I won't tolerate it if you go out looking for David, or if I see what happened back in there again," His voice hardened, addressing my current episode with Nathan.

"We do this my way," He added, his voice holding an edge, "You don't want Alex to know, then I won't tell him," There was a light warning in his tone, that if I didn't agree to his terms, the first thing he'll do is tell my dad about it. I wanted to roll my eyes at him but held myself back. I didn't want anyone else to know about this. And his...help could be fruitful in this issue in exact.

My jaw tightened and I nodded my head, "Okay."

He seemed a bit taken aback, expecting me to fight him over this. He recovered rather fast before I spoke again, "I want one more thing," I said, my tone hard and not exactly requesting.

His eyebrows pulled closer and he nodded his head, "Yeah?"

"I want to be trained," I said and he gave me a very unsatisfied look, ready to fight me on it but I interrupted him, "I looked around here, and this is not just a prison or an office," They train people in here; Their own soldiers. "I want to learn how to defend myself and not because I want to go at David by myself," I justified my reasons so he won't start bitching about it, "But because I felt so damn weak when I got this," I pulled the hem of my sweatshirt up, just enough to address the scars left behind by Nathan's knives.

Nikolas's gaze drifted there and I covered it again as I added, "And I don't want to ever feel like that again."

A tense moment of silence passed between us. I broke it by edging forward toward him and extending my hand, "So, now, do we have a deal?"

His gaze fell on my hand, contemplating his choices and it took him five to six seconds before he made up his decision. He brought his hand up and wrapped it around mine, his jaw ticking because he didn't like any of this, but he accepted it nevertheless, "Yes, we do."

*****************

Valarie's POV

I dipped the tea bag into the cup, lifting it up and down repeatedly to ensure it mixed thoroughly. This ritual was repeated one too many times, resulting in a tea that had turned far too dark and bitter for my liking. Letting out a sigh, I released the tea bag and settled back into my seat. I reached for my phone and refreshed my notifications, hoping for some kind of message or update.

Zero notifications.

I checked my internet connection and all seemed fine on my end, so the problem is not in my phone but probably in his.

Glancing at the time, I noted that it was now 11:45 p.m. Another sigh escaped my lips.  Tonight was one of the many where my mom didn't find her way back home, which was for the better. Reneé had gone to bed around eleven, already lost in her dreams. I should follow suit, but I couldn't stop my mind from drifting to a pair of troubled green eyes. I couldn't help but wonder what had transpired after his conversation with his so-called cousin. Is he okay? He said he'd call me.

Swallowing my pride, I straightened my back and opened my contacts, going for his, unable to keep pondering over this longer. I pressed call and rested the phone to my ear, anxiously picking on my lower lip as I waited for his answer. The phone rang, one ring, then twice before he answered, but he didn't speak.

I stared at the screen, my eyebrows pulled closer as I said, "Max?"

"Yeah," He mumbled, his voice a bit different from usual.

"What...what are you doing?" I asked then cleared my throat, wanting to act casual and failing. I pressed my palm over my forehead and I wanted to kick myself for being so awkward.

"I am...uh-" His voice died after, almost like he was fighting for words to say and I felt that maybe I called at an inappropriate time so I interjected, "You know, we can talk later, I think you are not available, sorry, I just dialed you without asking-" I rambled on and was ready to hang up but he interrupted me.

"Valerie, wait," He said, "The thing is, I am actually...outside your house, and for the last half an hour, I've been pondering over whether I should come down or not," He said, "Is your mother home?"

"No, no, she isn't," I said, already getting up to my feet and headed for the door, "Come here, I opened the door," I mumbled, sensing in his tone that he needed...someone and that someone could be me for tonight.

I ended the call when I noticed his presence, across the street as he stepped out of his car. He made his way towards me and paused by the porch. His gaze locked with mine, and beneath the soft glow of the moonlight, I observed him more intently. I scrutinized the turmoil swirling within the depths of his dark green eyes, a tangled jungle of emotions blocking any clear path. He appeared to be grappling with something profound, buried deep within himself.

Before I could utter a word, he bridged the short gap between us. His arms enveloped me, drawing me close to his chest, in a tight, desperate embrace. It felt as if he clung to me, as though I were the very air he needed to breathe. And right now he was suffocating. A surge of shock coursed through me as his strong arms encircled my back, his head finding refuge on my shoulder. His hand tenderly cupped the back of my head, and it didn't take long before I returned his embrace, holding him because it seemed like he needed it.

My eyelids dropped down and my hand cradled the back of his head, my fingers weaving through the soft strands of his hair. In that moment, my heartbeats quickened, racing to a crescendo before abruptly halting, as if crashing against an impenetrable barrier. The shattered remnants fell into the pit of my stomach, causing a dull ache. I tightened my hold, squeezing my eyes shut in an attempt to contain the emotions surging through my chest, it felt almost like he was battling a similar war to my own.

When his hold over me loosened slightly, I edged backward, just enough to look at him. Instinctively, my hand went to his face, resting against his cheek as I whispered, "Are you okay?"

He just shook his head, every so helplessly, like he needed to admit it out loud for once, "No."

I swallowed hard, a lump forming in my throat, and my hand slowly left his face, tracing a path down his arm until I found his hand. Gently, I interlocked our fingers and whispered, "Come inside." I tugged him gently, guiding him into the house and closing the door behind us.

I was being reckless again, I was trusting someone again but at the moment I couldn't fathom a single logical thought. I couldn't overthink this one and I just pulled him with me into the house, ready to nurse his inner wounds.

I guided Max into my room, taking precautions to ensure my mother wouldn't return home unexpectedly and find him inside the house, avoiding any unnecessary drama. As I closed the door, Max settled on the edge of my bed, his tired eyes roaming around my room before they met mine, a ghost of a smile playing on his weary face.

"What's on your mind?" I inquired, taking a seat beside him.

He shrugged, his voice soft, "Just the fact that I'm in your room," he replied, attempting to inject a hint of playfulness into his tone, though it didn't quite succeed.

"Yeah, first and last time," I chimed in, mirroring his attempt at feigned cheerfulness.

But as his gaze drifted away from me and landed on his lap, where his hands were intertwined, I found myself unable to tear my eyes away from him. My gaze traced the contours of his profile, down to his hands, and then to his sweatshirt sleeves, which bore a few drops of blood. My eyes widened, and I panicked, reaching out, and blurting, "What happened?" Worry creased my face as I checked for an injury.

Max followed my gaze, his Adam's apple bobbing as he swallowed, and then he shook his head. "It's nothing," he replied, trying to downplay whatever was weighing on him.

I continued to search his eyes, concern evident in my voice as I asked, "Do you want to talk about it?" I just wanted to help him through whatever was troubling him.

He shook his head, seemingly unable to find the right words to express his current state. I nodded in understatement, my desire to ease his distress growing stronger. "What do you need?" I asked. Why did it feel like I would do anything he wanted? Anything to see a glimpse of his usual outgoing self.

Max met my gaze, his eyes locked onto mine as he made a simple request, "Can I stay here tonight?" He watched me closely, as if ensuring that this proposition wouldn't pose an inconvenience.

I nodded my head, my response almost too quickly. "Of course," I assured him.

"That's all I want, then," he whispered, and I motioned for him to get comfortable. "Take off your shoes and lie down, make yourself more comfortable," I encouraged him, pulling back the blanket and fluffing up the pillow.

He hesitated for a moment, then looked at me with a soft, almost pleading expression. "Will you lie down beside me?" he asked, the vulnerability evident in his eyes.

I felt a slight tension inside me when he made the request, but my anxieties and concerns were quickly quelled as my mind replayed the two previous nights I'd spent in his bed. On both occasions, Max had been nothing but respectful, never pushing any boundaries or making me uncomfortable.

With a nod, I replied, "Yeah, I will."

A wave of relief washed over Max's face. After a short moment, he shifted onto the bed and lay down. I joined him, but the confines of my smaller bed meant we had to snuggle in close, every inch of our bodies pressed together. I swallowed hard, doing my best to quell any overthinking. I placed my hand beneath my cheek, focusing my gaze solely on Max.

Max gently reached for my cheek, his fingers tenderly sweeping a strand of hair behind my ear. In a quiet, almost hesitant tone, he spoke, "There's something I'd like to share with you, something no one outside of my family knows."

I nodded my head, my eyebrows pulled closer, both curious and worried about the type of news he would reveal.

"Did you think how is it that I have...two fathers?" He asked.

In order to keep the mood light, I shrugged, "Well, I suggested the Sweet Home Alabama theory in which both of them hooked up but you said it's not."

His eyebrow raised at my joke and I smiled sheepishly, "That would've been less complicated from the actual truth," He said and my heart took off a sprint, expecting something unpleasant coming my way.

"The truth is," His eyes dimmed down, the turmoil written over every edge of his beautiful face, unable to phrase the sentence out loud without it destroying him, "It's that he...the..." It was almost like he didnt know how to address him so I muttered the word on his behalf, "Your biological father?"

He winced slightly at the title but nodded his head nevertheless, his throat bobbing heavily as he unraveled the truth for me, "He ra...forced himself on my mother." He opted for that word because the other one was just too heavy to say out loud.

The news hit me like a brick and I shot up from my laying position, my wide eyes on Max as I tried to understand. The bitter truth accelerated my heart rate to the point where I could hear the blood pounding in my ears. My stomach churned with a nauseating feeling, I felt sick, I felt like I could throw up; like I could sob and cry. I felt too overwhelmed and I couldn't control the emotions pressing behind my eyes, desperate for a release.

Max settled in an upper position across from me, so close to me that I could see the trauma this truth had left in his eyes, "Oh my god, Max," I whispered, still shocked, in disbelief, "But your mother, she is just..." She seemed so flawless, so happy, so composed and put together, she is, "...so strong."

He nodded his head, his eyes glassy, "She's the strongest person I know."

The first tear trickled down my cheek, and I felt a strange mixture of cold and heat, dizziness overwhelming me as if I might just collapse and black out. Emotions surged like a turbulent sea, tossing me back and forth between memories. "She is," I whispered, and another tear followed, then another, until I lost count. Max became a blurred figure before me, his words unlocking a flood of my own past trauma.

Frantically, I wiped at my cheek, apologizing, "I'm sorry, I don't know why I'm crying." The more I tried to wipe the tears away, the more they streamed down uncontrollably, and my voice quivered with vulnerability. "I don't know why I can't stop..."

I felt a sudden warmth as two arms enveloped my fragile form, gently tugging me back from the edge. He pulled me into his embrace once more, his voice a soothing murmur in my ear as he cradled the back of my head. "It's okay," he whispered.

I buried myself deeper into the comfort of his chest, allowing my tears to flow freely. "I'm so sorry," I kept repeating softly against his chest, soaking his sweatshirt with my tears. But he didn't seem to mind. I should have been the one tending to his wounds, but here he was, tenderly bandaging my own.

As I inched back just slightly, just enough to meet his gaze, he cupped my face between his hands, gently brushing away the painful tears that stained my cheeks. When I looked into his eyes, my heart shattered into a million pieces. I could see the same ache reflected in his gaze, and it felt like he was carrying the weight of my pain with me. At the moment, I wanted to tell him everything, let out every pain and every insecurity, just...everything out. I wanted to sob in his embrace like a little kid who never had a chance to properly process the overwhelming pain; who hadn't been granted the time or space to heal.

Max seemed to be struggling too, fighting for words he wasn't sure he should let out or not. Instead of talking, he edged closer and I felt the tenderness of his lips press into my forehead as he whispered in a very low tone, "It's gonna be okay," It sounded almost like a promise rather than an assurance.

I tried to kick myself back in and I sniffled, wiping under my eyes again, "Sorry for being too dramatic," I mumbled, forcing a pitiful smile.

He shook his head, "We all ought to break down at some point, we need to do that actually," He said, sucking into a low breath, "And Valerie, I just want you to know if you ever need anything, I will always be here for you."

He offered me a chance to lean into him whenever I needed to, almost like he realized that I have no one else to lean into, no one to draw strength from, no one to keep me standing as life throws rocks at me from left and right.

I nodded my head, "I want you to know that...I will be there for you too," I said. Maybe there isn't much for my troubled self to offer, but if he needed my help in anything, I would use everything in my power to assist him.

God, he is just...different. So different from anyone I've met or known and hell, I am so scared. Terrified to my bones to fall back into the rabbit hole.

I added a hint of playfulness into my tone, shaking myself out of those thoughts, "How did you make me trust you, kidney boy," I commented as I gently slapped his arm, in disbelief of my own judgment. He is in my house, in my bed and I am totally relieved, not just that, I feel stupidly safe for some damn reason.

A small smile tilted the side of his lip, "I am kind of irresistible," He said every so modestly, before his arm wrapped around my waist and pulled me back into a laying position.

He pulled me so close to him, my back pressing to his front, his arm tucked around my waist. I felt him suck into a deep breath and he murmured, "The way you make me crave strawberries."

I slapped his arm again, warning, "If I wake up with anything poking me, I will throw you out of my window."

A low chuckle vibrated from him, "Goodnight, Gingy," He whispered before I felt him leave a very soft kiss on my head.

"Goodnight, Max," I murmured and it didn't take me long to fall into the most comfortable sleep I've had in a while.

*******************

Max's POV

I woke up incredibly early, as had become my routine lately. Sleep eluded me, and I often found myself drifting off well past midnight only to rise before the sun. It's astonishing how my body seems to function on a mere three hours of rest these days.

Even having Valerie snuggled up beside me did little to ease my worry and distress. It did help calm my racing heart somewhat, but not enough to fully alleviate the turmoil in my nerves. Carefully, I extracted myself from her embrace, making every effort not to create any noise that might disturb her peaceful slumber. My gaze lingered on her serene form, deeply immersed in sleep, and I couldn't help but smile. Leaning down, I adjusted the blanket around her shoulders and leaned in to place a gentle kiss on her forehead.

"The way you're making me feel, Valerie, it scares the hell out of me," I whispered against her skin before gently pulling away, attempting to regain my composure.

I stood up, casting a quick look around the room, and then grabbed one of her notebooks. From it, I tore a small piece of paper to leave her a note so that she wouldn't wake up to find me gone without explanation. With a pen, I hastily scribbled a few lines:

"Dear Gingy,
You look like an angel when you sleep, nothing like your usual mean self xD
Anyways, see you at five?
Your lovely Max :)"

I left the note on the bedside table, my gaze drifting to the rose I had brought for her lying over there too. My smile widened; she had kept it.

With one last glance at her peaceful form, I quietly left the room, making sure not to disturb anyone as I exited the house and climbed into my car. I drove towards my intended destination, the cool early morning air streaming through the open windows in a futile attempt to soothe the fire raging within me and over my skin.

Following the directions, I arrived in about forty minutes. I parked my car nearby and walked to the building, retracing the path I had taken with him the previous night. Upon exiting the elevator, I entered the code he had given me, and the metal doors slid open.

Stepping inside, I first noticed Jeremy, seated down with his laptop and sipping on his coffee. He noticed my arrival and greeted me with a boyish smile.

"Oh, you're early," he commented as he got up to his feet.

I returned the smile. He seemed like a decent human being, unlike the other people in here. He strolled over to the nearby bench and poured a cup of coffee for me, handing it over with a welcoming nod. "Thanks," I said appreciatively as I took it from him.

He waved it off casually. "Nikolas is in there, second room to the right," he informed me, guiding me in the right direction. I nodded and took a few sips of the coffee, needing the caffeine to prepare myself for what lay ahead.

I walked there over hesitant footsteps, wondering if I was doing the right thing, worrying about what Dad would think if he ever found out. I am sure his reaction won't be too pleasant, rightfully so. I paused by the room's entrance when my gaze fell on him, discussing something with another guy, Ronald was his name if I am not mistaken.

Ronald rolled his eyes at whatever Nikolas said which made him not so lightly punch his arm. The action made Ronald's arm shake, the one holding the coffee cup and he spilled some over himself, "Dude!" He shot out in annoyance.

I made my presence known by taking a couple of steps inside, grabbing their gazes at me. Nikolas seemed slightly taken aback, not expecting me to stick to my words apparently, "You're here," He commented.

My eyebrow raised, "Yeah, we agreed to start early, didn't we?"

He nodded, "Yeah, it's just..." He shook his head, "Never mind."

I placed my cup aside, "Shall we start?" I asked, "I want to finish early, I have a class to catch up to."

"Okay, let's start then," Nikolas spoke, moving away from Ronlad and heading for the fighting ring, rolling up his sleeves and preparing himself.

"Hold on, you're going to train me?" I asked, my eyebrows pulling closer in confusion.

He gave me a nod, "Yeah, why?"

"I mean, no offense," totally offense by the way, "But you're kind of old."

Ronald started choking on his coffee, making me turn to look at him. He leaned forward and clutched his chest as he coughed, "Jesus," He mumbled, trying to cover his smile at what I just said.

Nikolas didn't like my comment at all. He glared at Ronald and said, "Ronald, come here," He said, urging him to join him in the ring.

Ronald's eyes widened, "What? Why? What did I do?"

Nikolas shrugged, "Nothing, I am just going to show him who is old," He said, ever so confidently, "Come on."

"But, but...but why me? I didn't do anything," Ronlad said, a horrified look on his face which Nikolas totally ignored. Ronald cursed something under his breath before he got up to his feet and headed toward Nikolas, whining still, "Why is it always me?"

I watched in amusement as he joined him inside the ring, "Look, Nikolas, not the face, okay," He warned, "Please, not the face."

Nikolas only gave him a shrug in return, giving no promises.

Ronald turned to me and glared, "I hope you're happy now."

I just shrugged, my lip slightly tilting up into a smile and I leaned across the wall, sipping on my coffee and watching; this looked kind of fun.

They both took their positions. "Come on Ronald, give me your all."

Ronald groaned, "I don't like this at all," He grumbled before he lunged forward at Nikolas, intent on launching an attack. But Nikolas was faster, his reflexes honed to perfection. In a swift, fluid motion, he sidestepped Ronald's assault, turning the tables in an instant.

He parried and blocked each of Ronald's punches and kicks effortlessly, his movements fluid and graceful. As Ronald grew increasingly frustrated, Nikolas took advantage of an opening. With a swift twist, he grabbed Ronald's arm and, using his momentum, guided him towards the edge of the fighting ring. Ronald stumbled and, unable to regain his balance, tumbled into the soft mattress covering the floor, breaking his fall.

Nikolas stood above him and nudged him with his feet, his eyebrow raising, "I didn't have to touch your face for that," He commented.

Ronald, annoyed by the man ahead of him, pulled himself up from the soft mattress, fueled by a surge of determination. He pushed Nikolas away with a sudden burst of strength, gaining an upper hand as he punched him in the stomach. However, Nikolas, quick to respond, wrapped his hand over Ronald's extended arm, twisting it in an attempt to block his attack before Nikolas used his other hand to unleash a powerful punch that landed squarely on Ronald's jaw.

"Now, you made me touch your face," Nikolas said, defending himself.

Ronald groaned loudly, clutching his bleeding lip, "Damn you, Nikolas!"

He walked away from him, giving up on carrying out the fight, "Jeremy, I need ice!" He shouted, still cursing Nikolas as he left the room, "Nikolas fucking broke my lip again!"

My gaze flickered from Ronald's retreating back to Nikolas. My smile dropped instantly when I faced him. His eyebrow raised, "Still think I am old," He pointed out, "Now, come here."

I shrugged as I joined him inside, "I mean that doesn't change the fact that you're old but age is just a number, I guess," I said to which he raised an eyebrow, still salty that I was calling him old.

"Okay," He started, more serious now, "First, I am gonna need you to show me what you got, so I can assess your weaknesses and strengths, and we can work from there onwards," He explained, using his hand to urge me to come closer, "Now, come on, show me what you got."

My eyebrows pulled closer, confused at the invitation, "You want me to punch you?" Is this heaven?

He nodded his head, "Yes."

I couldn't help but smile, "I didnt expect this to be this much fun," I couldn't help but say and he showed no flicker of emotion on his face.

"Come on."

With determination, I lurched forward, my fist tight, and aimed at his face but before it could collide, he grabbed it, blocking my attack. My jaw ticked and I flew my other fist, aiming to catch him off guard but he caught that too.

He looked down at me and even though he tried to keep the neutral act, he couldn't stop his lips from twitching. I pushed myself away from him and grumbled out, "What are you smiling at?"

He shook his head, "Nothing, it's just you punch like Alex."

My eyes narrowed at him, "So?"

He shook his head again, the hint of a smile still on his lips, "Nothing, I just never noticed it before till now," He said, "That angry look in your eyes, the mockery in your voice, the way you move, it's all so much like Alex."

"Well, he's my father, isn't he?"

He nodded his head and he seemed to believe in those words much more than I did, "He is."

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Hope you liked the chapter :)
See ya soon!