There was a moment of hesitation before Nicholas answered me.

"Yea " he answered before slowly lifting the side of the curtain and stepping into the small space.

His blue eyes bore into mine sending chills up my spine. I didn't like this. I wanted to scream out loud but my voice was stuck in my throat

I never voluntarily shared this with anyone.

Clearing my throat I turned my back to him with my heart wildly beating in my chest.
"T-the zipper is stuck " I croaked

Nicholas tugged on the zipper while placing a hand on my shoulder. My entire body went rigid. His hands froze.

He tugged again and didn't budge.
"Do you want me to get someone?" He asked and I nearly screamed out no.
"I .. just.. can you please just..." I muttered
"Alright " he breathed out.

His fingers pulled and tugged and with a sudden jerk there was the sound of unzipping and a finger slightly brushed against my back with cool air.

I shut my eyes, my nails digging into my hands.

A sharp gasp broke the silence.
"Ella..." he whispered out. I didn't move. I didn't speak.

"I'll go get your bags " he said before leaving me alone.

I released a breath I didn't even realize I was holding and with trembling hands I changed back into my own clothes.

I left the changing room in a blur. Money was paid, bags were grabbed and I was quietly seated in a car watching street lights smear together.

We arrived at my house and I insisted on taking my bags myself. Nicholas didn't argue with me. He stared at me through the window and said "Blue" before driving off.

Confused I turned to head up to my apartment and put the bags down by my bed.

With a glass of wine I sat down on the floor staring out of the window at the sky. No matter where I was the sky was the same.

It was always present, even in my earlier memories that were a distorted blur, the sky was there. I always wanted to know my past. Who my parents were, if had siblings, friends. Everything was a blur. The specialist Ivan had taken men to said it was because of trauma. My brain had a meltdown and just shut down so to say.

She had said that talking about my time in hell would ease things but I didn't see the point. It was in the past. I never spoke about it. Ivan had a general idea from what he saw when he found me, but that wasn't even the tip of the iceberg.

Nicholas was loyal to Alessandro. He was going to tell him at one point or another.

I lost track of how long I sat and how much I drank.

I eased back on the floor lying down on the cold hard ground. My limbs began to get cold and my body slowly curled up on itself.

My phone rang , the loud noise slicing through the silence. I let it ring until it went to voicemail.

And then it rang again.

And again

And again.

My hands curled around the device and it went flying into the wall. Smashing into bits and pieces.

Alessandro plagued my thoughts and I had the strong desire to be in his arms. I wanted to be the woman he wanted. The woman he needed. The one he craved .

*

My hands were bound by chains. My body slumping down as my legs failed to support my body. The cloth stuffed in my mouth muffled my raspy screams. Hot searing pain shot up back as the hot poker was slowly dragged across my back. The smell of burning flesh making me gag.

I closed my eyes shivering in pain. The white bright room making my head spin even more. Tears streamed down my face from sheer pain and I pulled against the chains, my arms burning.

"Would you look at that. The little flower is crying? Is she in pain" a throaty voice cackled.

He grabbed a fistful of my hair and traced my lips with a pointy ballade.

"Look at me when I speak" he spat pulling harder. I cried out in sheer pain.

"Oh we're just getting started " he wickedly sneered and there was a hard snap against my back.
*
Screaming I sat up.

Awake from the nightmare.

Rapidly breathing I drew my knees up to my chin, wrapping my arms around my legs, resting my head on top.

In the silence I heard each breath, tick of the clock, rustle of leaves.

Lighting a cigarette I placed it between my lips and climbed out the window in a drunken haze.

Each successful descending step enforced my wellbeing.

I jumped off messily landing in the ground with a thud. A puff of smoke vanishing into the air from my lips.

Drunk out of my mind I stood up stumbling on my own two feet.

Taking a long drag and blowing out the smoke I began to walk.

The brisk wind hit me in the face and I blinked my eyes trying to focus on my surroundings. It was dark outside, really dark. I felt at ease.

I felt the presence of the guards.

It was suffocating.

Disposing the bud I lit another cigarette.
The flame igniting the darkness.

Stopping at the park I took a seat on the bench.

After a few moments I felt someone staring at me.
I looked up to see blazing blue eyes.

Nicholas.

His eyes were just so blue.

Blue.

"You're favorite color is blue " I stated.

"Do you think Alessandro hates me now?" I hiccuped

Nicholas looked at me with furrowed eyebrows.
"Why would he hate you?"

I blew out a puff of smoke shaking my head. He already knew why.

He was probably going to tell me to go away and leave him alone. Maybe he was just gonna kill me, at this point I had alcohol running through my veins instead of blood.

"It's not my place to tell him anything. That is between you and him" he said before checking his phone.

"What I do know is that he has been flipping shit and will possibly get himself liked at the rate he's driving to get here."

I rolled my eyes as Nicholas walked away.

A car soon came to screeching stop and I remained in my spot. Staring at the swing set across the fence.

Shaking my head I thought how much of a mess I was in this moment. My hair was messing and my face was flushed. And every so often I blinked hard to make one out of the two moons I kept seeing disappear.

My eyes were focused on the ground.
Shiny shoes were in my vision.

I didn't look up.

The footsteps came closer and closer until our toes were against each other.

Warm fingers curled around my chin and lifted my head up.

"Fiorella" his whispered sending chills up my spine. His brows were furrowed and look of concern etched into his face.

He crouched down.

"Mi amor, what's wrong " he questioned brushing the hair out of my face with his fingers.

I hadn't seen him for four days.

I never thought I'd miss him that much.

Maybe it wasn't too late back away.

Just maybe I wasn't so far gone .

I had to put a stop to this before I went spiraling down.

"Alessandro I..." I began.

My eyes began to droop and I completely forgot what I was about to say.

"You're so handsome " I whispered tracing his jaw with my cold finger tips.

His warm hands wrapped around my hands, instantly returning the circulation.

"You're bleeding!" He exclaimed staring at my arm.

"It's probably just scratch." I said shrugging him off.

The slightest touch sent my skin ablaze.

He sighed offering me his hand "let's go"

We drove back to his place in silence. Every so often I glanced towards him. His perfect profile.

His hand in my hand felt perfect. In the one moment I didn't want to be anywhere but here.

Side by side we stepped into the elevator and the intricate design of a Phoenix in the ceiling caught my attention.

His thumb idly moved back and forth in the back of my hand, it was meant to be calming but I felt anything but calm.

Acting impulsively I turned so my body faced him.

"Are you alright?" He asked furrowing his eyebrows.

In that moment I made a decision that had the ability of ruining me beyond repair.

"I want you to kiss me"

*****
Vote, comment, share and what not.

It was hailing outside like no ones businesses yesterday now we just have a shit ton of ice everywhere.

NYC weather is bipolar af.

*not edited*