I hold her tight against my shoulder, and rub her hair with one hand, while the other wraps around her lower back.

I look up and see Nick approaching, but i don't care what he thinks anymore, he sees that something is wrong and i shake my head, indicating for him to go away.

Suddenly, Marianne, detangles herself from my arms and i let her.

"I have to go, Ally is waiting for me" She says softly, wiping stray tears while making a few sniffles.

"No, not like this" i whisper, brushing her cheek with my thumb, my other hand at the back of her neck, squeezing gently and she whimpers, closing her eyes briefly. I don't want to let her go.

"Angelo....i have to go" she says, looking up at me, even though the tears are not falling anymore, her eyes are still, red and glossy, she might tip at the slightest provacation.

"What time will you be done?" i ask, my hand still at the back of her neck, soothing her.

"Uhhmm, six..six thirty" she whispers, looking down at her wrist watch.

"I will come and get you" i say and when she opens her mouth to protest i add.

"I am not asking, go on" i give her a little push and she frowns and walks away, stoping at the door to take a deep breathe before walking in again.

Who the hell has the audacity to upset her like that!

"What happened?" Nick asks curiously, when i return and find him with Marco.

"I don't know, she was quite upset when i found her" i reply, almost absent minded.

"Oh, but what did she say? didn't you ask her what happened?"

"She didn't tell me" i repeat.

"But....." Nick starts but i glare at him this time.

"She had to go and finish her lesson with Ally, so I. Don't. Fucking. Know. Whats wrong yet." I snap.

"Right." he says, exchanging a dirty look with Marco.

6:18pm.

"Excuse me, goodnight" i mumble on my way out.

In the library, i push the door open knowing they won't hear me if i knock anyway, walking past a few shelves i walk to the area i know i will find them.

Leaning again a shelf i look at the pair of them. They must be done, because they are talking and laughing, Marianne looking composed almost as if i imagined what happened a few minutes ago.

I clear my throat.

"Angelo, hai, fancy seeing you here" Ally smiles.

"Hello Alaia" I respond, my eyes shifting to Marianne, who gives me a brief smile that doesn't quite meet her eyes.

"Surprised to see you in here." Ally continues.

"Am actually here to pick up Marianne, i will take her home." i tell her and her mouth opens in silent surprise as she turns to look at her.

"We ran into each other in the hall, and well, he offered" Marianne explains.

"Oh....right, well, ok then, yeah....i guess then i will see you Tuesday?" she mumbles through her surprise.

"Tuesday" Marriane comfirms, picking up her teaching material and other stuff.

"Goodnight" I smile at Ally, before turning around and walking behind Marianne, my hand on her lower back.

We walk in silence out of the house and to my car. I open the door for her and walk to my side. After i get in i ask for her address and she gives it to me.

The drive is quiet. Not awkward, just a comfortable silence. We are both just deep in thought.

My mind is wrapped around the fact that I am crossing a line here, a dangerous line i drew for myself years ago. I am allowing myself to get emotionally connected to this girl. No woman i have dated or slept with in the recent past has cultivated so many emotions from me so fast.

And i haven't even kissed her yet, i run my fingers through my hair.

I don't know what am doing anymore, because i am driven by a desire to be near her, to see her, to hear her, all the damn time and i don't know how to stop it.

I feel like i am on a speeding train headed for a crush, but i don't know how to get off.

I can't believe this is happening to me right now, i sigh.

I turn my head and glance at her briefly before turning my eyes back on the road. What happened tonight, i wonder, i don't want to bombard her with questions so soon, but i will, if she doesn't start talking soon. Patience is not one of my virtues.

"Right over there, that block" she points to her apartment building on the left side of the street. I put the car in park but leave the doors on auto lock and turn to her.

"Well?"

"Well what?" she asks, meeting my gaze. Having fully composed herself now.

"You want me to pretend i didn't just see you in that state?" i try to restraint the fustration in my voice. Why does she have to make everything so difficult.

"Yes, thank you very much for the ride home" she murmurs, reaching for the door handle.

I watch her try to open the door unsuccefully, and feel my patience running out. Am ready to kill someone and she better give me something.

She meets my eyes again.

"Angelo, am fine now, really, it wasn't as bad as you think, i appreciate your concern, really i do, thank you, but it's ok" she utters.

"It's not ok." i reply, my eyes hooded, staring out into the night sky through the window shield.

The stars are shining bright, the moon a perfect crescent. It's a beautiful night, any other time, we would be on a date and this would make a beautiful romantic atmosphere.

Auto unlocking the doors, i walk to her side, open her door, and extend my hand to help her out.

Without letting her hand go, i walk her inside the building.

We get up to the third floor of the six story building and stop at her door, apartment 365.

"I need to get my keys" she motions to her hand in mine. Reluctantly, i let her hand go, taking the opportunity to study our surroundings. Not a very safe place, security is almost none existent in this place, i observe.

She opens the door and steps aside.

"Are you coming in"? I hear the sarcasm in her rhetoric question.

"I thought you'ld never ask" i wink, as i walk past her.

I go with her to her living room and watch her put her purse on the table.

"You live alone?" i ask, studying the small but cozy apartment.

"Yes" she replies, standing by the door that leads to what looks like the kitchen.

I sit down, put my phone on the table and lean back on the sofa, with my arm stretched over the back of it.

We look at each other, neither saying anything. It's almost like a little game we play, it's our thing, see who breaks first.

She lowers her gaze.

"Come here" i say, patting the space next to me on the sofa.

I am in her space, i finally realise, in her turf, invading her territory, and i want to dominate every bit of it.

"Wipe that proud look off your face, this is my house, don't make yourself so comfortable" she says quietly but sternly, as if reading my mind.

There it is. That spirit, that energy that she hides behind her quiet persona, that's what has got me so hooked on her.

"Come here Marianne" i repeat, my eyes never leaving hers.

"I don't want to talk about it"

"Tell me, who do i have to beat up?" i ask seriously and she smiles.

"It's not about a boyfriend"

"No? So there is no boyfriend?" i don't know where that question came from but i need to know now that i have asked. I want to know if i have competition. A rival.

Competition? Wait, did i just go there?.

I guess i did, it's settled then, i am pursuing this girl. I want her her. I want her like i haven't wanted anything in a very long time.

"Yes" she says softly, and i exhale a breathe i didnt know i was holding.

"Then what was it?"

"A family issue, but it's ok now, i just overreacted." she forces a smile.

I nod, "Do you need anything?" i ask, standing up and she tenses.

"No, thank you very much for your concern...and time"

"I could stay a while, if you want" i offer.

"No, it's ok." She says, heading to the door and i feel like i am being kicked out.

"Are you sure you will be ok?" i ask, feeling bad about leaving her alone.

"Yes. Thank you"

"Ok, Goodnight." i say, avoiding any physical contact. This is not the time to get greedy.

"Goodnight" she replies. I wait until after she closes the door before i walk away.

Entering my car and i take a deep breathe.

What the hell are you doing Angelo Morreli?

I don't do emotional attachments or commitments, i specifically avoid women who seem to be easily emotionally attached. That can never change.

But the moment i look at her and feel her energy, i loose all focus. This is playing out backwards, not following script. Nothing like it usually is. Like it should be.

Starting the car, i start to reverse out of the parking lot when i notice that she left her teaching material in the car.

Damn. I should probably go and give this to her.

A/N. Thanks again...Don't forget to vote and comment.