David told me not to go back to the shop anymore because the Russians might come back for me. I'm walking on the sidewalk two blocks away from the motel. And I have this strange feeling that someone is following me. I speed up my pace and glanced to my back every once in a while.

When I arrived at my motel room I made sure the door's locked. I took a quick shower and jumped to bed. I'm alone, heartbroken and possibly the Russian Mafia has put a target on my head to turn me into a sex slave or something. I know I once said I wanted a free and exciting life, away from my comfort zone that's why I went here, but things just turned from bad to worse so fast.

I don't know why but I found myself laughing so effin hard. I rolled in bed laughing at my possible demise. Oh I am so dead. Last time, my worst concern is to lose my virginity to Nikolai, but now, I am scared shit because most probably I'm going to be sold to the highest bidder, to a man so gross no girl ever want to have sex with.

I'm in the middle of my crazy thoughts when all of a sudden I notice a shadow walk back and forth in front of my door. I can see it in the gap between the door and the floor. I quickly grab my pillow and hugged it tight. Oh my god. Is this it?

My heart jumped in surprise when someone knocked on the door. The shadow now stood still in one place. The knock on the door turned louder and louder.

"Belle."

I listened again. "Belle! Open the door."

I know that familiar voice. I ran towards the door and opened it immediately.

"Dylan!" I hugged him so tight.

"Belle! Shit what happened to you? You're shaking." We sat on the side of the bed. My hands are so cold. I think I'm turning purple already. Dylan took his jacket off and made me wear it.

"I have been looking for you Belle. You made everyone worried."

Dylan hugged me tight, my head is on his chest. I did not say a word.

"Let's go home."

"Home?"

"Yes, you and Amy will live with me now."

"Amy? Amy's here?"

"Yes Belle, she flew in the moment she knew that you were gone."

My bestfriend is here. She flew in just for me.

"Do you still hate me Dy?"

"One can never hate you Belle."

"I'm so sorry Dylan."

Dylan and I left the motel. My bags were sent first to a taxi while Dylan and I rode his bike. A few minutes later we arrived at the house. Dylan's house is painted in white. It has a garage to the left and a lawn in front.

Moments later I see Amy on the door, holding her arms together in front of her. I wanted to run to her but my legs are doing it again. I can see Amy run towards me. We cried in each other's embrace.

"You got us all worried B!"

"I'm sorry A. I miss you so much!"

"I miss you B. Let's go inside."

We are inside Amy's room. Dylan hurriedly cooked dinner for us while Amy and I are on her bed cuddling each other.

"You have lost too much weight. You look like you have not eaten for like forever. What happened to you B?"

I remember everything that has happened to me. I asked the heavens what I have done wrong to deserve all these. I sob. Amy knows that I'm not ready to talk about what happened yet. I feel like my whole body has been slammed a hundred times to the wall. My eyes are tired and my heart is shattered into pieces.

The following days Amy and Dylan did their best to make sure I ate and regain my strength. My bestfriend looks exactly the same the last time I saw her. Her straight brunette hair, skinny figure and those charming eyes did not change a bit. Amy's dad is half Chinese, while Dylan's dad is American. One can never tell that these two are half-siblings.

"B open your mouth."

"I'm not hungry. I want to sleep."

"You are going to sleep after you have eaten. Now open you pretty mouth."

I tried to cover my mouth with my hand.

"Okay then we are all going on a hunger strike. You won't eat? We will all not eat."

I cant believe she's using this trick again. Dylan just looks at us in amusement.

I slowly remove my hands from my mouth.

"Good, because if that did not work, I will be forced to call your parents. We'll see who's ass is going to be dragged back home."

I love Amy but she can be so hard on me sometimes.

★★★★★

My eyes flickered from the ray of light coming from outside. My head still feels heavy, my legs feel like I ran a marathon, and my eyes don't seem like opening at all.

I slowly walk out of the room barefoot. Nobody is in the living room or in the kitchen. I decided to go outside to breathe some fresh air. I walk towards the the main door, all the way out. I want to feel the grass on my feet so I took several steps towards the lawn. I stood still and savored the feeling that I'm grounded to the earth. I can feel the cool breeze on my cheeks. I look at the skies above. The clouds are moving calmly.

Suddenly I feel droplets of water touch my face. The sprinkler went on slowly soaking me wet.

I see from the corner of my eye a familiar silhouette and the familiar black car, but everything is a blur. I took a step forward but the water is getting in my eyes so I try to wipe it off.

Seconds later, I saw Dylan park his bike on the street. He hurriedly ran towards my direction.

"Belle! What are you doing outside?"

Dylan quickly grabbed me. He carried me in his arms back inside and back to bed. He wiped my face and body with a white towel.

"Amy's coming. She just went to the hospital to file for a leave of absence so she can take care of you. Belle, you have to keep it together. It's not the end of your world. There are a lot of people who loves you. There are people who protects you Belle."

"Hey am I interrupting something here?" Amy is at the door. She's carrying a grocery bag and she looks puzzled. "B, why are you soaked?" Amy paced towards the bed hurriedly.

"I'll just prepare our lunch." Dylan quickly left the room.

"B, tell me what happened to you." Amy said while changing my clothes.

"Nikolai never loved me. He never loved me A."

"B. I'm so sorry." Amy hugged me tight.

"He told me himself. He just played me."

"Well, fuck him! It's his loss B. You are the sexiest, coolest, kindest, smartest, most amazing woman in this whole damn world. Assholes like him don't deserve you."

"Apparently, I was not very smart A."

"Good point, being smart goes down the drain when it comes to love. All is fair in love and war B."

"Have you been drinking? Why do you sound like a love guru all of a sudden?" She just brushes off my comment.

"Let me guess, he said he did not love you after getting what he wants from you am I right? The basic dickhead move. I have seen that many times, B."

"We did not do it A."

Amy gasped in surprise.

"You mean, nothing happened between the two of you? B, it's when the penis of a guy goes inside your vagina."

I gave her a duh look.

"I know how it works."

"Wow..sure he said he played you but normal assholes would have taken the ultimate price before screwing over. It's weird and so gentlemanly of him.."

"Who's side are you in again A?"

"I'm just wondering. Any who, you have no choice but to move forward with your life, B. You will go back to St. Mary's and we will find a rebound for you. My brother...he likes you. What do you think?"

She has a wicked look on her face.

Dylan likes me?

"A! Shut up!"

"What? I'd rather you end up with my brother, who by the way have changed a lot, than with any other guy I will find for you along the way."

I just shook my head.

"You will not intervene with my love-life. Remember that time you hook me up with George?"

"In all fairness to me B, he really looked like a straight guy."

"And Oswald. Marco. Jun. Joaquin. Benjamin. Ernesto. And oh, Louise." I count with my fnger in each name.

"They were all just fine and nice too. A banker, a basketball player, a soldier, a pilot, and a politician. But no, they were all not good enough for you B."

"That's not true. Just no rebound for me A, no gay blind dates, no any other dates that you can think of." Amy ignores me and continues to walk out of the room.

"Yadda yadda yadda, say what B?"

"You heard me."

Her head then quickly appeared on the door.

"You have two options B, my brother or I find you a date."

"What option am I in?" Dylan appeared with a tray of food.

I heard Amy let out her evil laugh. I'm so gonna strangle that woman.

"Uh, nothin Dy."

★★★★★★

I came back teaching at St. Mary's. I really miss my kids. The smile on their faces when they saw me back are priceless. Stephanie, the one who would always pin flowers on my head was the one who greeted me first with glee. She's an orphan with down syndrome. I just cant imagine where would these kids go if donations would stop coming at St. Mary's.

"Belle? Can I talk to you in my office?" It's Dr. Riley Thomas.

"Sure."

I see a guy in his thirties in black suit, he is wearing a distinctly designed ring in his middle finger, sitting across Dr. Thomas' chair.

"Belle, I would like you to meet Mr. Dardan Geci, his boss is one of the most generous donors of St Mary's, Mr. Geci this is Belle, one of the best teachers in this school.

Mr. Geci stood up and shook my hand. I shook it back.

"Nice to meet you Belle."

"Nice to meet you too Mr. Geci."

"Please, call me Dardan."

"Please take a seat Belle." Dr. Thomas instructed me.

"Mr. Geci is here to offer you a job."

"Ms. Belle, my boss is looking for a personal tutor for his daughter. She's a five year old girl. Her name is Aria. Her condition is quite delicate. You see, when her mother died two years ago, she just suddenly went silent. His father can't be with him all the time that's why we would like to hire your services. "

"I hope you don't mind me saying but I think what the girl needs is a child psychologist and not just a tutor."

"We have done all possible avenues to help her, but nothing happened, in fact we think we might have worsen her condition. My boss decided to find her someone she can be with and home school her at the same time. Your qualification is stellar and the recommendation of Dr. Riley Thomas makes you perfect for the job. You will be compensated well if you accept the offer."

"Mr. Geci, I have work in the morning here at St. Mary's. I wont be able to spend whole day with her if ever I decide to accept the offer."

"We understand, that is why we have arranged that you will be homeschooling her the rest of the afternoon, after that, it's up to you if you leave early or late at night until my Boss arrives. Either way, you will be compensated in proportion to the time you spend at my Boss's house. Ms. Belle, we will give you until tomorrow to think about it. We do hope you accept the offer."

★★★★★

Dylan is in the garage, working on an old car. He doesn't have shirt on, he's wearing his usual rugged jeans.

"Hey Dy, I made you sandwich and juice." I place the food beside him.

"Wow, thanks Belle. How's work at St.Mary's?" Dylan is wiping his hands with a towel,

"It was great, I had another job offer, and I think I am going to consider it."

"That's good news Belle. I'm happy for you."

I came close to Dylan and saw the pendant I gave him.

"You're still wearing this." I held the pendant with my fingers. Dylan took a step closer enough for me to smell Dylan's breath. Dammit. Why does he still smell good with sweat and all?

The veins on his hands show underneath his skin. He held my chin while his face tilts down. I can feel that he is waiting for my reaction. I did not move. I allowed him to slowly reach my lips.