Angela Bassett as Emilia Karas

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Stuck on You: Kapitel Fünf

"Anthony?" Xenon furrowed his brow in confusion. "That's your name?" He clicked his teeth and I rolled my eyes. "Yes, it said it in my damn file. Don't call me that or I'll pull your teeth out, one by one." I glared at him and he put his hands up in surrender. "Scary," He murmured before he sat in his chair. I was hella annoyed. He had to have pulled some strings to get this; there's no way that this could not have been planned.

"Brad, are your wounds healed?" Alex walked from behind the manbitch and came up to me, reaching for my arms. "I know you had a lot of glass stuck inside." I nodded in reply, not oblivious to the internal fire that was raging within Santiago. His eyes were filled with hate, glaring at Alex with a guarantee of death. No, he didn't get to be jealous. I was once his at some point, and he gave it all up. "Aw, you care about me?" I grinned and he looked at me like I was stupid. "Yea, I'm fine. They'll heal soon and I'll go back to being the bad bitch that I am." I winked at him and clapped him on the shoulder, watching as he shot me a look of concern, possibly referring to how I was gonna handle this situation.

"I got this," He nodded as he walked out of the room and I turned to face the source of all my demons. "You and I, we need to talk now," I demanded him to follow me here, a hand around my heart squeezing so tightly as if reminding of what once was. I could see everyone in the department raising their heads from their desks, eyes piqued in interest. This was something I didn't want to happen because now everyone would know, more or less, what he was to me.

"I think you're the most beautiful person I've ever had the pleasure of laying my eyes on," I heard that drawl come from behind me and I turned around to look at the man sitting on my bed against the headboard. "Ew." I scowled, turning my face back to the mirror. "Even with these disgusting pimples," I popped one on my cheek for dramatic effect (I played Oedipus in Oedipus Rex for our high school play). "And with how skinny and lanky I look, compared to you, a man who eats muscles for a living!" I screeched, looking in the mirror at myself.

What did he see in me?

Was he with me because he felt sorry for me as his best friend? I would never know.

"Anthony," I heard a sigh and I turned to face the man of my dreams, a soft smile on his dull pink lips, a twinge in his chocolate brown eyes. "There wouldn't be a day that flies by without me thinking of you. You are my one and only," He winked at me and with the curve of his fingers, motioned for me to come to sit in front of him on the bed(which was mine by the way). "Fine," I pouted, standing as I let my hands fall to my sides, walking over to him.

"What?" I grunted with a pout, looking away from him. Santiago smirked up at me, the stars in his eyes as he wrapped his thick arms around my waist, pulling me close to him. I could smell his cologne and I wanted to drown in it. "No matter what you think, even if your face turned red because you had pimples in every pore or if you stayed skinny and small for the rest of your life," He lifted my chin with his finger, a look of asserted certainty in his eyes. He was so determined. "I'd still love you from now until the end of time. So rest assured, love." I wrapped arms around him, squeezing him tightly.

"Take comfort in the fact that I'm here to stay." He ran a hand through my hair, kissing along my temple and I relished in his warmth. I was so lucky, so fucking lucky. Here I was, twenty years old, and I had already met the love of my life. I was happy, so god damn happy. "You know, Santi," I gripped his head in my grasp. "Once we graduate college and whatnot and I go on to police enforcement and you go to law school, what will happen?" I questioned, ignoring him playing with my butt.

"Once I become a lawyer and you move up the ranks, we can get us a nice house, two stories with a white fence all around, what'd'ya say?" He winked at me, wiggling me and I started to laugh. "Maybe have two kids, a cat, and a dog, huh?" I leaned back, placing my hands on his shoulders as I looked at with a smirk on my face. He rolled his eyes, kissing my chin as he rubbed my back soothingly. "Anything for you, Anthony," He tilted his head, looking up at me with so much love and adoration and I felt I was choking on it. "This is your world, I'm just living in it and I'm just tagging along for the ride." He smiled genuinely and I was blinded by his sheer beauty. How could someone like him be so deeply invested in someone like me?

"Maybe even have a boy and girl," He continued talking about our life plans while looking me dead in the eye. "What would you name them?" I played with the curls on the back of his neck, making myself comfortable in his lap. I liked this, soft music playing in the background and the lights dim and nothing else but the two of us soaking in each other's presence. "I'm not too sure about the boy," He frowned, thinking of his absent father. "But for the girl, I'd name her after my grandmother." He grinned, looking down and I nodded, knowing that I could make it happen.

"Ivory, right?" I questioned, thinking of his Ivory Karas. "Yea," He looked back up to me, an indistinguishable look in his eyes. "I think it's such a beautiful name, Santi. Who knows?" I breathed, running a hand down his cheek.

"Maybe one day we can make it happen."

I hated myself for thinking of that time. I didn't at the same time, but I did. It hurt to think of that memory.

Once we were in a secure room, no one listening, I whirled around on him, breathing heavily. "Let's get one thing straight, Mr. Luzardi," I spat in a spiteful tone and he didn't have the nerve to look surprised. He looked at me with that sharp, analytical stare, not saying anything. "I busted my ass for the last eight years to get the job that I wanted, and I will let you or any other fucking person come and here and take that away from me. I don't know what the hell you think you're doing, coming up and here like you run this damn establishment," I put a hand on my hip, narrowing my eyes as he stood, leaning against the doorframe with his arms folded and that smirk.

"But you will keep our shit out of this department. Here, I'm just the detective working your case and you are my client. Nothing else and nothing more, do I make myself fucking clear, Santiago?" I stared at him, watching as he drunk in my body, his eyes filled with lust and hope. What was he hoping for? It better not be a damn thing because I refused to let it happen. I couldn't let it happen. No matter what you say or what you do, your heart always wins. I sighed internally, knowing that in the end, this would be a long and drawn out battle that I would lose. He was my first and only love and I never loved somebody so much like I loved him, never devoted so much time and energy.

But I did for him.

"Clear as water, Anthony." He stood to his tall height of 6'7, cracking his knuckles as the welts in his Calvin Klein suit smoothed out. I hated how effortlessly attractive he was; it reminded of our younger days, when I was so in love with him. A small part of me missed him, I mean, how could I not? He gave me so much to remember. But then I remember how he abandoned me without a word as to why. Nothing hurts more than being left in the dark. He walked towards me, a swagger in his step as he stood in front of me, crouching just a bit. "But you're going to have to do more than that to stop me from making you mine once again, wouldn't you say?" His baritone voice enriched with that exotic accent tranced over my face and into my ears, making my face flush unwantedly. I was left speechless; I didn't have a clue as to what to say.

"Until we meet again, love," He winked at me, caressing my cheek as he walked away, his eyes held over in a bout of fondness, a small smile on his lips. He waved over his shoulders as he exited the room and my knees buckled and crumbled from beneath me. "Wow," I breathed, my heart beating erratically, sweat running down the side of my temple as I ground my teeth. I wanted to slam myself against the table, maybe kick something to feel reprieve for allowing myself to get swept away.

Why was I acting this way? He was the one who left! He was the one who decided to give up everything we had! For what: it is still unclear to this day.

"Hey," A soft voice broke my train of thought and I looked up to see Alex standing there, a look of concern and knowing in his brown orbs. "It's okay." He came over to help me up and I grabbed onto him, a small whimper leaving my mouth. "You know, Brad," He helped me gain a walking start and I flicked my gaze over to him, feeling vulnerable and exposed. That was what Santiago Luzardi did to you. "We have been partners for the last 5 years and you're probably the smartest man I've come across." He explained and I nodded because obviously. "It doesn't much to piece together the fact that Mr. Luzardi was much more to you by the way he was talking about you before you arrived. I've never seen someone look so happy and lovestruck," I snorted, jabbing him in the side slightly.

"But it doesn't take away the fact that he must've done something to you. Do yourself a favor." I looked at Alex as he was deep in thought. "If it comes down to it and your heart and mind can't reach a consensus," He gripped my hand as he walked me out of the station. "Try to remember what once was, and what could be. It'll take your mind off of the false hate and rage you seem to have." He nodded to me as I clicked the unlock button for my Cadillac, walking over to it.

I found the answer to my question as I slid into the front seat of my car. I let out a pathetic sigh as I looked down at my hands.

Yes.

I never really did get over him, did I?

Bottoms Up

cereal killer: so whose whip we riding in
property_of_rays: brads. I don't have gas to be wasting
General!dickhead: same
milkshake: same x2
hey hey asshats: you guys are literal shits. ur the ones dating mafia men and whatnot y'all should be loading. But y'all freeloading off of the poor dude
milkshake: you're not poor.
cereal killer: you drive an $80,000 truck, live in a 5 million dollar penthouse, have ivory enrolled in a private school and you dress like you belong in a damn magazine promoting your style
property_of_rays: so shut up
hey hey asshats: whatever asslickers. I'm on the way. Be ready
General!dickhead: we thought so

I needed this time away from my life to just really crack down and relax with my friends and forget about my worries.

"Haven't been here in a while," I cracked my neck, noticing that females in the booth a few feet from us were eyeballing me. "Damn Brad, go get you some." Derek winked and I shook my head, finding none of them attractive. "They're all paying attention to him because of how nice he looks." It was true. I was wearing a long-sleeved light blue denim button up shirt, tucked into a pair of light brown fitting khakis, with some red Calvin Klein loafers and tied away with a red scarf around my neck.

"There was no need to make all of us look bad," Derek threw in and I rolled my eyes, watching the waiter place our drinks down.

"Did you get your father to babysit Ivory?" I looked over to General David Carlton, who had his hair in a bun and was donning some black jeans with a red shirt, looking fresh as fuck. "Nah, I got a friend of mine to watch her because he was busy." He nodded as he took a sip of water, and I looked over to Micah, who had a look of amusement on his face. "Friend, huh?" He winked at me and I kicked him under the table. "Don't start your bullshit today, my dude." I smirked at him as Derek guffawed, hitting the table. This caused Micah's drink to fall to the floor with a crash as ice and tea spread all over.

"WAITER!" Micah screeched as his face reddened, a sign he was about to laugh and lose it at the same time. I let out a laugh, watching the waiter scramble over with towels to soak up the tea. I felt really bad, but Micah was just too funny. "Thank you, miss," I heard a groan from beside me and with a smirk, I turned to face him. "This is why we can't go anywhere together. You guys don't know how to act." Demetrios rolled his eyes as he put his face in his hands. "Don't be mad cuz' my dick is bigger than you, ole toothpick having ass." Micah folded his arms and I snorted, David's eyebrows raising.

"Micah, don't confuse an inch with a foot, please. It's embarrassing." Demetrios took a sip of water and I almost died on my saliva. "Damn, that's cold man." I shook my head, not stifling my laughs and Micah whirled his head over to me, slapping Derek in the thigh. "Oh yeah? What size is your dick then, huh!?" My eyes widened in fear and in confusion, unsure of what to say. How could I answer this? This question didn't apply to me at all. "I-"

I went to speak but I was cut off by a loud voice from my right.

"Oh, Santiago," God, not today. Please tell me that voice does not belong to who I think it belongs to, or I swear I'll kill myself on site. WHY FUCKING NOW? Why does everyone hate me? "Look who we have here." I heard the click-clack of cherry pumps hitting the floor as they made their way towards the end of our table. I felt Demetrios grip my thigh under the table as he knew that I was becoming highly upset. I just knew something was up. I didn't even have to look up to know that she was standing there all pompous and bougie-like, her arms folded and her lips worn up in a sneer. Then she began to talk in that jeering and condescending voice of hers and it was time that I had enough.

"It's been a long time, hasn't it, Anthony?"

I stood to my feet, annoyance coursing through my veins as my friends looked at this woman, faces tinged with curiosity and confusion. I fixed my collar while fixating my cold stare on the woman in front of me, ignoring the man standing behind her. Was he stalking me now, huh? Why couldn't I have a peaceful meal out on the town with my friends without being bothered? I let out a huff before I spoke in my calm and calculating tone, letting all of the memories of this woman come to mind.

"Emilia."