Erica’s POV
“Miss Erica, could you please sign here and here.”
I was at the front desk with a pen in my hand. The doctor had cleared me and I had refused to be rechecked by any other doctor.
I left with Javier who had the takeout bags in his hand. We walked to his car which was parked in the parking lot.
“Erica, are you okay?”
“What?”
I was lost in thought. What my father had said about Ahxan was still bothering me. I smelled a rat.
I was also stunned that he gave Lorenzo something to give me and he didn’t even tell me about it.
I knew that Lorenzo and I got into a little fight but how come he didn’t mention that my dad had something for me?
I looked up at Javier and his golden eyes were burrowing into my soul. Their soft gaze made a smile tug at my lips but it was too late. He had already seen my initial distress.
“Erica?”
“Javier, I’m fine. I promise you that I’m fine. I just need to get home and get a few things done.”
He looked at me with a raised eyebrow.
“But your arm and leg…”
“… are going to be fine. I’m a werewolf, remember.”
I knew that my explanation was less than satisfactory but Javier let it slide and opened the car door for me.
“I don’t want anything to happen to you, Erica. I’ll drop you off at home. What’s your address?”
My heart skipped a beat. I didn’t want him to know my address.
“Erica?”
“Javier, I actually wanted you to drop me off at the square. I’m sure I can flag a taxi there.”
He looked at me as he pushed the key in the ignition.
“Erica, I disagree. I want you to be safe. I should have followed you last night despite what happened. I shouldn’t have even tried to kiss you and then maybe you’d be safe. I’m not letting anything happen to you again.”
His words touched me and I felt my heart swoon lightly. I wished all men could be like him.
“Javier,”
I touched his arm; his muscles felt so strong.
“None of this was your fault. And I’m fine. But I really want to go home by myself.”
He moved uncomfortably and I felt his eyes searching my soul.
“Is there something that You’re hiding from me?”
His voice was softer and a little sad. My stomach churned in guilt. Was he reading me so easily?
“Javier, I…”
“Nevermind.”
He took a deep breath and his gaze softened even more.
“We all have our secrets and I’m not one to pry. But if there is anything that you need to talk about, I’m here for you. I…I just want you to be safe.”
He reached out and brushed a loose lock of hair off my face. His fingers brushed my skin gently and his touch made me shiver.
“Now, are you sure that you can get home safely if I drop you at the square and have you flag a taxi?”
I blushed.
” Javier, I’ll be fine. You really don’t need to worry.”
He said nothing and gave a nod.
We pulled out of the parking lot and rolled into the street.
The breeze was cool and fresh though it was a little past three in the afternoon. The city noises were uncomfortable and Javier had to roll up the windows to keep the noise out.
So much for fresh air.
He put the air conditioning on and the car was filled with a cool and dry air that made my nostrils hurt for a few minutes before they became acclimatized.
“Here is good.”
Javier pulled up to the sidewalk and just as I was about to get out, he grabbed my arm.
I was caught off guard and when I looked up, his golden eyes caught mine and I felt my heart do a little flip.
“Erica, I know that you said that here is okay, but are you sure you will be safe? I still want to take you home. I want to be sure that you get home safely.”
The sincerity in his gaze made me swoon. I took his hand off my arm and gave him a little smile.
“Javier, I’ll be fine. You don’t have to worry about me.”
He gave a single nod. His face was devoid of any expression of satisfaction. He opened the door and I got out.
He was relentless and lingered for a while but then he drove off and I was alone.
I sighed and waited for a taxi. My mind was set on getting home and seeing Lorenzo.
“Taxi!”
I flagged one down and he pulled up in front of me.
“Elite Avenue.”
I got in and then he sped off. The closer that we got to the house, the more my heart began to beat.
Was he safe? Was his phone bad? Was he still angry with me?
No. He could be. We made you before I went out with Javier.
Was he cheating on me with someone else?
No.
It couldn’t be.
I tried to push the thought out of my head but it lingered. It made me wonder if all the times he had gone out when we were quarreling, was an excuse for him to see his lover.
The thought pressed my mind and I felt miserable.
If he was cheating on me, I deserved it. I had gone behind his back so many times. I wouldn’t even forgive myself.
I pulled up in front of the house and was gripped with fear. I paid the cab driver and went inside.
My stomach was churning and the house seemed unusually quiet. The kids would usually come down to see me but I guessed that they were taking a nap.
I went to Lorenzo’s room, the guest room, and opened the door slowly.
It was empty.
I walked in gingerly. The room was hot and a smell clung to the room. A scent that I couldn’t quite place.
I…
“Eww,” I said softly.
I raised my foot and realized that I had stepped in a small white creamy puddle.
My face twisted in disgust. Was this semen?
“Arrgghh! Yes!”
I heard loud grunting coming from the bathroom and jumped in fright.
It was Lorenzo. He was in there?
What was he doing?
“Fuck! More! More!”
His groans got louder and I clamped my hands over my mouth. He had a woman in the bathroom with him.
I felt my eyes become moist with tears. I moved forward and was determined to find out who she was.
I grabbed the bathroom handle and threw it open.
“Ahhhh!”
“Lorenzo!”
He yelled in fright and stared at me, bewildered and ashamed. He was…