My heart skipped a beat as his arms were firm around my waist.

" Let me go! You can't t...touch me!" I shouted. But my words seemed to be useless to him. I started to pant, trying to grasp for the oxygen in the air.

" I can't..." I stuttered, trying very hard to breathe. Black dots started to appear in my vision as my breathing got heavier.

He had noticed it and stopped walking immediately. " Are you alright?" His concerned voice somehow reached my brain.

" Let me..." I stuttered once again. He instantly placed me down. My hand reached out to grab onto something before I fell down. I grasped onto the sofa as my breathing slowed.

My legs seemed week as I wobbled. He neared me once again. I held my palm out to stop him.

" Don't come near me." I wheezed, taking in more air. By then, my throat was very dry. Finally, after a while of breathing, I was back to normal.

" Are you alright?" He repeated once again. " I think it is best if you leave," I suggested.

" I told you I won't leave until you pack up." He stood his ground. " Fine, then I will," I shouted and left my flat. I ran down the stairs hoping he would not be able to catch up with me.

I walked down the pavement, the familiar route to the park. I didn't turn behind because I knew he was following me. I walked to my favorite bench and sat down, hanging my head low.

Soon his presence was beside me, warning me that he was near. " I don't understand. I didn't do anything. I just picked you up." He mumbled, loud enough for me to hear. I scooted to the end of the bench, making sure there was the maximum space between us.

I sighed, rubbing my eyes once again as they yearned for sleep. " Please pack up and come with me." He pleaded. I sighed once again before standing up. I walked away down the pavement back to my flat.

He stood in front of me and stopped me from walking. " Please." His eyes captured my attention. I thought for a while weighing my decision.

" Fine, but under three conditions. One, I will have my separate room as earlier. Two, you don't need to care for me. Three, you will convince your parents and my parents for a divorce." As my conditions were laid out, his face hardened.

" We will revise your conditions once we are back in the mansion." He decided. " Fair enough," I replied before walking back to the flat. I started packing my clothes and essentials.

He just stood outside, waiting for me. I rolled my suitcase out, not bothering to change out of my hoodie and sweatpants. I locked up and shoved the key into my pocket.

He walked in front guiding me to his car. He opened the front passenger door but I opened the back passenger door and slide in.

He sighed before climbing into the driver's seat. " The ride might take a while so you might want to sleep." He informed starting the car.

" For you to carry me to your room? No thanks, Mr. Young," My reply shut him up.

Even though it is late, I have to inform Joseph not to pick me up tomorrow. If he is planning to fetch me that is.

I pulled out my phone as it chimed.

Speak of the devil.

I smiled opening his text.

😘

🤦🏼‍♀️

🥺

I chuckled as I read his text once again. Furthermore, he chose the right emoji for the right time.

🧐

I started to really laugh at this point in time. He started to give me glances for the back view mirror. " What is so funny? Tell me so that I can laugh too," He asked. I shook my head as I typed my reply.

🥴

I tried thinking too, but unfortunately, I couldn't think of any. So I asked him instead.

" Hey tell me a nickname. One that is nice to talk with but not awkward when talking around people." I asked, looking up from my phone.

" How about Andrio? That sounds nickname-ish" I froze as I repeated his words in my head once again.

" What?" I gasped, looking at him to see if he knew anything.

" Andrio. Well, see because I have this friend called Anderson and he asked me for a nickname for himself. So I said Andrio. It has a nice ring to it doesn't it?" He smiled. I blinked a few times before registering some oxygen into my lungs.

😓

I locked my phone and placed it in my pocket. Soon his car was parked in his lot and I strolled out and got my suitcase out.

I walked to the mansion door, but I was surprised it was open so late. " Did you lock the door?" I threw a glance at him to see him staring at the doors.

" I didn't even come home." His stiff voice said it all. We cautiously walked into seeing the housekeeper walking about. I blew a sigh of relief knowing that there wasn't any thief or a serial killer.

" Ms! You are back. Sir took some time so I thought he was bringing someone home. I didn't know it was you. I left the doors open for him and his guest." She explained. I shrugged before walking past her.

" Which room are you going to?" His voice bounced off the walls, loud and clear. " My room. Where else?" I asked walking up the stairs.

" I'll help you carry your suitcase up." He said, walking up to me. " No it's fine, I can do it by myself," I replied, before pulling up the sleeves of my hoodie to carry the suitcase.

" What happened to your wrists?!"