Chapter 4 Tension and shadows

Annika

" So do you like Malakai?" . Ares asked,my heart skipped a beat, before I could come up with a sarcastic answer.

Malakai was shoved into the room by Lucian.

Honestly, even though he's such paperwork, it's hard not to take a liking to him. The look in his eyes when he was being polite but still trying to be arrogant. It made my blood boil __and the knot in my heart untie.

Malakai appeared in the living room while I was peacefully trying to enjoy the day without seeing his face.

" Hey!__are you busy?"

" Um...not really, just writing new recipes"

" Cool_ wanna have lunch with me?"He asked, staring into my eyes emotionlessly.

"Sure, I actually had to go out anyway, so it would be nice".

" I'll see you in ten"

He nodded then left the room

The cafe was filled with sunlight, whispers filled the room and you could barely hear your own thoughts.

" The ride here was pretty quiet" he uttered softly.

" Well ,I don't have much to say to you"

He positioned himself defensively on the chair his voice deepened "Why the attitude Anni... just wanted to be polite and get to know my Fiancee"

He asked, leaning forward, guarded.

Anni?

" There was no need for that, I'm not actually married to you Mally"

" First ,that nickname is awful, and second I'm gonna be everywhere with you for six months,I despise being around people I don't know"

" So did you know that woman?"

He scoffed, biting his lip, and started man spread .

" So are you jealous..... or hurt?"

I sighed heavily, " I'm not hurt ,that the guy I barely know was sleeping with another woman, I was hurt because you left me on the ground,slammed the door in my face despite knowing who I was ..... you're naturally arrogant so why are you trying to make peace with me?"

His eyes darkened , like what I said cut him sharper than a knife.

"I have no excuse for that but.... I'm trying to make peace with you because you seem like a kind lady, pretty and intelligent...obviously not scared to speak her mind which is something people don't usually do to me__

Now don't get me wrong I don't like you, but I would like to be with you, I will protect you whether you like it or not because you're stuck here with me"

Silence filled our space, the tension could be seen by the other consumers.

" Cringe" we bursted out laughing .

" What the hell!! Did you just call me cringe Annika? .... seriously after I just poured out my heart to you?"

" You should've heard yourself , you sounded like those book Characters trying to be all cool"

" Wow very nice Annika" he said, shining his teeth ,his eyes lighted up.

He looks so pretty when he smiles. I don't see him smile too often.

" You should smile more". He immediately frowns his face. I threw the almonds on the table at his face.

After lunch, I went into a grocery store to get some snacks for my sister. It's afternoon and she should be at home resting by now.

As a med school student in her internship year she tends to sleep a lot. I can't wait to see her, I've missed her so much, I left her just a month after mom died. I wonder how she's been dealing, especially with my madness on TV.

I was walking in a quiet alley with earbuds in. Then I started to see a silhouette of a tall figure following me.

Wherever I turned ,the person followed.

I started to walk swiftly in order to lose the person. Being nervous ,I met a dead end, staring right at a wall. My heart started beat rapidly, my hands shaking.

I could hear my own breath. The street was deserted, and the shadows stretched out. I gripped the taser more firmly, hoping that Ares wasn't just boasting when he claimed it would be effective.

I stylishly brought it out ,grabbed the person's hand and tased till he dropped down.

Panting heavily I checked to see who it was.