I know that you're hiding something from me

That's been close to your heart

And I felt it creeping up every day

-The Weeknd

M A R N I E

The air was getting colder, Inverno or winter was approaching.

My coat was wrapped around my body tightly as I crossed the road and walked inside the cafe that I haven't been to in a long while.

Definitely not after Art scared the shit out of me by telling me about the death.

As I open my mouth to place my order I notice someone sitting in the very corner. Dressed in all black, a mask on. Even a beanie on.

I order keeping my eyes on him as I turn around walking to a table nearby. It was really late at night but I had a shit ton of studies to do so a hot cup of coffee and a midnight stroll should keep me refreshed.

"He's a biker, don't worry." The woman assures me, I turn my head to look at her giving her a small forced smile.

It doesn't matter if he's a biker, those eyes are haunting. I recognise them, I just don't remember where from.

If I hadn't recognised them, I wouldn't be so paranoid.

"Ma'am. Here's your drink." A strong accent caught me off guard as I nodded smiling at the waiter before handing him the money.

The drink was way too hot.

I never noticed the man getting up but as he passed by me his hand slid onto the table and knocked the glass over.

I made a sound of surprise, heads turned as he simply walked out. I look down at my spilt drink only to notice powder.

As the drink had spilt and was making its way around the bright tiles I noticed some powder that looked like sugar spilling too.

I never asked for sugar.

My eyes widened as I picked up my stuff while people came over to help me out but I pushed past them to the man that was getting on his motorcycle.

"Wait!" I yell running but he simply puts on his helmet.

"Hey! Wait!" I yell again, my lungs burning from the sudden activity but rather than turning his key and letting his motorcycle rev he stills.

"Yes?" He asks, his voice familiar but I couldn't recognise it.

Who the fuck is he?

"You spilt my drink," I state panting and I hear a breathy chuckle leave his lips.

Blue eyes. Electric blue eyes. Dark hair. Definitely not Enzo.

"Here." He passed me a twenty-dollar bill. He was overpaying, by a lot.

"I don't need your money, you did it deliberately," I state my eyes squinting. I knew why he spilt my drink I just needed to hear it from his mouth.

I also needed to hear more of his voice to recognise who he was. So I maintained a conversation.

"The waiter drugged it, funny enough you never noticed. This cafe is a shithole." He states before his bike revved.

I jerk back at the sound and watch him drive away.

I was terrified, my hands shook as I removed my phone from my pocket, and decided to call Arthur but the phone rang and rang and rang.

Art had told me she had a business meeting at Cameo so I flagged down a cab and made my way there.

Before I knew it I was pushing open the large heavy metal door at the back of the club and making my way down the stairs where the performer's room was.

I knocked on the wooden door and soon enough the lock clicked and Art opened the door.

"Mer." She grinned but her smile died when she looked at my face.

"What's wrong?" She asked pulling me in as I breathed heavily.

"I called you." I breathed out and she furrowed her eyebrows looking for her phone before unlocking it.

"Shit I'm sorry, I was sleeping. What happened Mer?" She asked again leaning down to have a look at my face while one of her hands remained on the side of my neck and the other on my waist.

"I was at a cafe-" I was interrupted by the bathroom door opening and Zara walking out.

"My muscles are sort after last night." She groaned, her body covered in just a towel and her hair covered in one.

I could feel my eyes start to burn.

Arthur's breath hitched in her throat.

"Oh hi." She smiled walking up to me and thrusting out her hand for me to shake.

Absentmindedly I shook it, my limbs loose. Arthur's hand slipped from my waist and I could feel my heart beat faster.

"I-" Words defeated me.

"Zara, can I have a minute with Marnie?" Art said and I looked up at her but she didn't meet my eyes.

"Of course, just let me get my clothes on." She shrugged before walking to the closet.

As she was away from us Arthur met my teary eyes.

"What the fuck?" I whispered to her and she shook her head.

"It's not what you think." She said quickly, her hand meeting my waist again but I pushed her away.

"Well, then what the fuck is it?" I asked tilting my head and swallowing the thickness in my voice.

Arthur's dark worried eyes simply stayed on my teary ones as Zara walked out of the room.

The dim lighting, the messy bed, and the clothes fallen everywhere really explain everything.

My muscles are so sore after last night.

"We just shared the performer's room because she doesn't have her own," Arthur said softly but I simply stared at her.

"Why didn't you go home?" I ask her, she had been staying here for the night.

"I was really tired last night." She explains her voice desperate to be heard but all I could hear was my heart pumping blood into my veins.

"You could've told me, I would have driven you home." I scoff stepping away from her, my hand wrapped around my waist.

"I didn't want to bother you." Her voice was a low whine and the tears appeared again.

"Well, shit this bothers me!" I say waving my hand around her room blinking my tears away but one betrays me and trails down my cheek.

"Mer Mer Mer Mer, please understand." She whispers stepping close to me I roll my eyes.

"You don't even have a proper explanation. This is the meeting you had? Huh?" I lean my head forward as she meets my eyes.

"I can't tell you." She sighs running her hands through her hair.

"Why the fuck not?" I ask and when she doesn't answer I simply step away my heart breaking in my chest and walk out.