Chapter 4 Ink-Stained Fantasies.

Katarina POV

In the bookstore

"My hands cupped her boobs I squeezed her pink nipples and I passed my thick chocolate dick between her thighs the red crown pressing against her clitoris. Ohhhhh I moan ..it feels so goood. My dick rubbing right on her g-spot ." The pages of the book I was reading rustled quietly under my fingers as I turned the next page, my mind lost in the words. I couldn't help but feel the weight deep inside me. It felt as though someone had written exactly what I could only imagine. As a virgin, this was my guilty pleasure.

My eyes drifted over the words once more, then the sharp ring of the bell at the bookshop door broke off my concentration. Startled from my daydreaming, I looked up.

Liam.

He was tall, and his unkempt hair fell over his forehead in that simple manner that always made me feel he appeared as if he just rolled out of bed. He was calm, friendly, and had spent months routinely visiting the bookshop. But it was more than that. I'd noticed the way he'd been coming in every day to read the same book over and over, barely making eye contact with me. It was as if he was studying the words to ask me out, hoping they'd somehow give him an answer to a question he hadn't asked out loud.

Selena, who had been arranging books behind the counter, caught sight of Liam walking in and immediately nudged me.

"Your crush just walked in," she whispered, her voice filled with teasing laughter.

I shot her a look, rolling my eyes. "He's just a customer," I muttered, though even I knew it wasn't entirely true. "Just a customer and a friend."

Selena kept her comments to herself, even though she raised eyebrows, obviously not buying it.

Instead, she said, 'I'll be over at Shelf B, call me should you need me'. She smirked and excused herself from the desk, heading over to the bookcases to pretend to organize a few volumes, but I could see she was listening in on my talk with Liam.

"Hey, Katarina," Liam's voice came through, pulling me back to the present. I looked up, meeting his brown eyes, warm and always full of easy concern.

"Hey, Liam," I replied, pushing the thoughts of my mother and everything else aside, if only for a moment.

"You okay?" Liam asked, setting the book he'd selected on the counter. He glanced at me with those soft eyes, the same eyes that had been looking at me with that unspoken interest for months.

He'd noticed something was off. I hesitated. "Yeah, I'm fine," I answered with a small smile, though the words sounded strange coming from my mouth. Not really, I was not good.

Liam refused to buy it. His eyebrows wrinkled, and his eyes never turned away from my face. "Sure? You have been rather quiet recently. And you have been looking as though you have not slept in days.

His worry caused my stomach to jump around. I inhaled hard. Liam, right now, I have a lot on my plate. I will be good.

Liam bent in slightly, his voice low yet honest. "Talk to me, Katarina."

But I just couldn't. I couldn't explain the burden on my chest, the tightness that refused to go away, or the gloomy thoughts I hid under false smiles.

Though it did not quite reach my eyes, I smiled once more. "Thanks, Liam." Really. But I'll be good," I said, trying to keep the discomfort from entering my voice.

He nodded, stepping back, not looking convinced. All right. I am here, though, should you ever want to chat.

"Thanks.." I flashed him a genuine smile this time, as he turned to pay for his comic books. He handed me a few bucks and grabbed the usual graphic novels before exiting the store with an odd, embarrassed smile. I couldn't help but notice how he went out with rigid shoulders as if he didn't know how to leave.

I exhaled the breath I wasn't aware I had been holding after Liam went. The genuineness of his care made my chest feel an odd warmth.

Once more, the place was silent, and as I looked about, I saw the fading outside light. Madame had left hours earlier, it was growing dark. Selena was packing, already organizing her belongings to head off for the evening.

I looked at the time, five-thirty PM. I was supposed to text Mateo. I wanted him not to worry, I hadn't told him I was staying over at Selena's.

When I got out my phone, He had left multiple missed calls. My pulse skipped a little, and there was a familiar surge of panic flooding my chest. Mateo has never called this much. Why did I not notice earlier? Why did I not pick up?

I dialed his number, but it went straight to voicemail. That was strange. Mateo was always so careful, always in touch, especially in a city like this, where dangerous gangs loom around in broad daylight.

I quickly sent him a text, then stared at my phone screen, waiting for a reply that never came. I felt the unease build in my stomach. Something was wrong.

I could feel it in my tummy. I looked at Selena, who was already at the door, her bag flung over her shoulder. I swallowed, my thoughts mumbled. "What's going on?" she asked, her voice was low, and she picked up on the change in my mood. Shaking my head, I said, "I'm not sure". "But it's weird." Mateo's not answering."

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Mateo's POV

At Katarina and Mateo's House

Having had a demanding day at work, I got home. The door caught my attention first, and the handle was broken. As I hurried inside looking for signs of a break-in, my heart sped up. But there was no mess, no missing items, just the faint smell of stale pizza and cheap cologne.

Then I saw him.

Sitting on the couch, my father had an odd grin. Once again, what the devil was he doing here?

"What are you doing in here? I dropped the food I had brought home on the table, and my voice showed annoyance. I watched him waiting for him to speak.

Not even looking at me, he murmured, "I have to talk to Katarina." His breath smelled like stale whisky, and his eyes clouded. "Where is She??"

Trying to remain cool, I closed my fists. She is at work right now. She'll be home soon."

But he wasn't having it. His tone shifted a sharp edge to it. "She needs to come home immediately." His voice grew louder,

I ignored him. And started walking toward my room, trying to shut him out like I always did. Of course, he was not done.

He yelled out, "Don't ignore me!" after me. I clenched my teeth but didn't reply, I let my annoyance simmer silently in my chest as I passed him, letting him drool on the couch like the sad justification for a man he was.

I grabbed my phone and dialed Katarina's number when I got inside my room. I had to tell her our useless father was back in the house, insisting on her presence. He probably wanted to yell at her again, make her feel like she owed him something.

But she didn't pick up.

I tried again. And again. And again.Nothing.

Tired, I slumped back in my chair. Today had been one of those seemingly endless days when I could feel my body yawning for sleep. The stress of work, the responsibility of providing for this family, Hell! It was gradually wearing me down.

I must've drifted off because the sound of shouting woke me in the middle of the night. My mother and father, arguing again, their voices rising from downstairs. The same tired cycle.

I grabbed my phone, desperate to see if Katarina had called back. And there it was missed calls, a text from her:

I won't be coming home tonight. Spending the night at Selena's.

My stomach twisted. I recognized what that meant. She must have been concerned about Mum. She was tough, but I could sense the tension and tiredness she kept under cover.

I quickly phoned her back, but the phone rang and rang.

"Katarina," I muttered, sending a voicemail. "Where are you? You need to be careful. Dad's here, and he wants to see you."

But why was he always so hell-bent on making our lives miserable? Why hadn't he cared for anyone in this family, not since before I could even remember