Gem’s POV
After days of mulling over how to deal with everything and a call from the police station saying that the suspect they had found was not the real perp, I was fed up. It was almost time for finals and I really wanted to focus on studying so Niro and I agreed that we wouldn’t hang out unless it was to study. Especially since we’ve kissed twice now and neither of them has been explained to me.
If I had to be honest, I'm not really sure how I feel. Getting to know him, learning about his life-- the reason he's the way he is. It's like... I get lost in the chocolate river flowing from his eyes every time he towers over me. When he hugs me it's a warmth I've never felt before and makes me wonder why I've been missing out on it so long. I wonder what that warmth would feel like in places. But what does that mean?
"UGH!! I'm supposed to be studying, not getting turned on by someone who's not even here," I shout, throwing my head back in annoyance.
*Knock* *Knock*
'Hm? Who is that,' I think walking towards the door. Swinging it open a little harder than I had intended to, the color draining from my face as I see who’s on the other side. Leaning against the wall on the other side of the hall was the figure of probably the last person I wanted to see after screaming out that last statement.
”So? Who’s on your mind?” His smooth voice was like a melody to my ears.
I stood there trying to hide the embarrassment slowly creeping up. I can’t believe he heard that— him of all people. He smirks and I feel myself go weak in the knees but I manage to play it off, shuffling my weight towards the door frame.
“Hey, w-what are you doing here? I thought you had something to do t-today,” I managed to choke out.
”I finished early and wanted to come see you, so I did. I didn’t know you were uh… busy,” he chuckled slightly at that last part. I shift once more as I find the words to speak again. “I was studying so yes and no.” There’s a short air of silence as we stand staring at each other unsure of what the other will say next. At this point, I start playing with my fingers to distract myself from how nervous he’s making me.
“Can I come in? I got some economics stuff to do so I won’t bother you… often.”
His statement throws me off. We had made our agreement to only hang out when studying for finals a few days ago but right now something about it now that the moment had basically arrived, I wasn’t sure what to make of it. After all, it’s just two completely platonic friends doing their homework together in one room with sexual tension you could probably cut with a knife. But I also have to admit, I'm a bit uncomfortable.
“Sure.” This’ll be fine… right?
***
I haven't had the best experiences with men throughout my life-- that much has been obvious. But as I grew older, the thought or situation of even being alone with one has been too much to bear. "Gemma!" My father stomped around the house as if he was confident the ground would never cave in underneath. He is big, but he is more muscle than anything else. He gave me every reason to be afraid of him and every reason to be afraid of others.
Vividly, I remember one of the last times we were alone together before I came to college. I always tried to barricade myself in my room as he'd stumble into the front door drunk from his "hard day at work." That day... I truly felt as if I couldn't get away fast enough.
That day he had stumbled in with a friend, one with whom he'd worked with for years and back when I could sort of remember the good times, I think he'd used to come over often. But this day... something was off. For once, I was downstairs in the kitchen figuring out if there was something I could eat for dinner before he came back.
I lost track of time.
"Gemma! Gemma where are you," My dad yelled. I instantly turned my head towards the living room and walked out towards it slowly. I guess he was taken aback by the fact that I was downstairs this time because he made a face as if I was an alien. "So you finally got your fat ass out of bed for once. I'm telling you, Phil, it's a miracle she got into college when she doesn’t do anything. She's as dumb as her mother," he laughed looking from me to his coworker. I mentally rolled my eyes, 'As if you would let me out of the house for anything but school, I buried myself in books to get away from your crazy ass.' I snapped back from my thoughts when he yelled again. "Fucking space cadet, listen when I'm talking to you," he rolled his eyes.
"I'm sure you remember Phil from when you were little. He needed some help with a few things and I figured you'd be just the right person for the job." With the last part, he gave an ominous smile that made my skin crawl. Phil looked me up and down as if he was scanning and analyzing every part of me with his eyes--- almost like he could see through me. Then he and my dad looked at each other before my dad got up and walked towards me, causing me to flinch.
"I'm a little short on cash at the moment, hard to get good shifts at work these days. And since you been living under my roof, eating all of my food, wasting all of this damn space-- it's bout time you paid up. Your good-for-nothing momma left me in all this damn debt and I can't pay, so be good and do what I tell you," He said reaching out to grab my arm. I tried to snatch away before he got a grip, but he overpowered me in an instant. Throwing me on the couch next to Phil, I was basically trapped with nowhere to go.
No matter how much I screamed. No matter how much I begged or pleaded. I couldn't get away... they wouldn't stop...
***
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"G... G... Gem.... GEMMA," Niro exclaimed, pulling me from my overbearing thoughts. "You good? You ain't looking like you're up to doing much work." At some point, my hand had stopped writing and I was now staring at my computer screen which had now gone dim. I shake my head and put my pencil down. "Nah, I'm good. Lost in thought is all," I said getting up from my bed and walking over to him, sitting at my desk.
I placed a hand gently on his shoulder and offered a soft smile to which he responded with an unconvinced eyebrow raise. "Mmm." I laughed quietly, "You're always so concerned about me you know that?" He turned around in the chair to face me, "You give me reasons to be concerned." I brush him off slightly with another laugh, "Yeah yeah."
"You space out a lot when you're lost in thought. But sometimes, you tense up as if you've seen a ghost or something like you did just now. You still flinch away from me whenever I try to give you hugs, but you'll let me kiss you as if nothing is wrong," He said rising from the chair. I scoff, "I have no idea what you're talking about." He stalks towards me with an unreadable expression on his face, backing me up towards an open space on the wall. His towering figure loomed over me once again like when we first met, but this time it was different. The mood is different and so is the situation. Hell, I'm different.
"Yeah? You don't, huh," he said taking a hand and gently lifting my chin so our eyes would meet. I hated when he did that... I crack under pressure every time. "We're supposed to be studying you know, this is why I said we couldn't hang out," I said with a smile. "I know." 130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbvcnJ60YHZ
Being alone with him was scary but it was also different than when I was with Bobby or when I had to deal with Phil... It was more tension than being around Caleb and more open than being around Josie. I feel safe enough to fall but I'm scared of what will happen when I do. With all of that, I still shut my eyes as tight as I could, scared of what would happen next-- of what he would do next.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡViw1CwLeoG
I could feel that he had inched closer and closer towards me, leaving almost no room to even breathe. But after a while of standing and waiting with my eyes shut so tight they began to ache, I realized that whatever it is I was expecting... wasn't coming. I started to slowly open my eyes as his breath hit my ear, "I won't hurt you GG. So tell me what's wrong." The concern in his voice welded the tears that rose and had begun to sting my eyes. I couldn't think of anything else to do, or say as he held me in his arms as I sobbed into his chest.
"Shhh... I got you. Trust me."
A Few Hours Later
The sound of my phone ringing woke me up. "When did I fall asleep...?" I looked around for Niro as I was now laying on my bed and saw him sound asleep at my desk. It makes me feel better that he's still here after I apparently fell asleep after practically bursting into tears earlier.
Looking at the caller ID and see that it's Josie. Shocked, I tapped the green circle and lifted the phone up to my ear. I figured it was time to apologize, we were both out of line that day but she's my best friend and really is like the only family I have. I can't live without her at this point. "Hey J, look I'm sorry for what happened. I was wrong to go off like that and I should’ve talked to you more about how I was feeling and-- J?"
I paused suddenly long enough to finally hear the sniffles and quiet sobs filtering through the speaker. "J? What's going on, are you okay," I frantically questioned with slightly startled Niro awake. "What's wrong G-" "Shh!" I hushed and pressed the phone closer against my ear as the sobs began to turn into words. "Ge- Gem. H-h-h-he...." Josie started and then faded as she cried. "Focus J, I'm right here. I'm listening, what's happened," fear was evident in my voice as both I and Niro were now standing up, ready to go as soon as Josie told me where she was.
"H-h-he h-h-h-hit me," she almost whispered. But I caught it. Clear as day. Now I'm pissed and looked at Niro as I asked Josie where she was. "A-a-at his hou-se," she cried. "We're on our way, don't move. Is he still at the house," I questioned, grabbing Niro's arm as we ran out of the door and down the steps. For his sake, I think it's best if he isn't.
Through her sobs, Josie managed to choke out, "No. He left a f-fe-few minutes a-ago." I nodded my head as if she could hear me and told her to stay on the phone as I muted the mic and explained the situation to Niro. He shook his head in disapproval, "We'll get to her G, don't worry about it." I smiled at his words and continued walking quickly, taking J off mute and trying to calm her down.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo48XQifKyY
-
The ride to Murphy's house was quicker than any other time we'd driven anywhere. I'm surprised we didn't catch a ticket on our way over here. Luckily, Niro had a key because of how often he stayed here and easily unlocked the door. He barely had time to move out of the way as I came barreling in to find my friend. "JOSIE! JOSIE! J-," I shouted as I ran from place to place before finding her upstairs in what I assumed to be Murphy's bedroom. Her eye was black and her lip was bruised as if it has been that way for a while. She was wearing shorts that exposed the other many bruises that lined her legs, 'How long has this been going on like this?'
Without saying a word, I pulled her into a tight yet warm hug as she sobbed even louder upon seeing us. "I-I'm so sorry Gem! I didn’t m-me-... I didn't me-mean---," "Shh... I know J, I know." Niro came upstairs with a bottle of water, aspirin, and a first aid kit. I mouthed a thank you to him before coming out of the hug and grabbing the water and aspirin.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0qL2WeldT
I turned back to my friend and gave her a stern look, "How long?" She continued to sob as she lowered her head. "How long J," I questioned again. All she did was shake her head and quietly reply, "T-the last f-few w-w-weeks." I frowned and turned to look at Niro who was now patching Josie's wounds.
"I'm gonna kill him."
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TO BE CONTINUED...
Thank you all for reading this chapter of 'Stolen Romance'. It was a long time coming but I needed to make sure this chapter came out just right!! I hope you enjoyed it and are looking forward to the next chapter which will be released next week which will be the SEASON FINALE so be on the lookout for that. Byee~ <3130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRDbKh16fh
