Catch me if you can

Since the interview wasn't very long, your work doesn't either. You hear your phone buzz and you quickly to see a text you don't understand.

' Non mi piace essere ignorata, principessa '

You quickly translate this text.

"I don't like being ignored, princess"

You verbally laugh as you go to respond but before you can, you hear the front door unlocking and being opened. Ella's home. You sigh a happy relief as you race out to greet her home.

She smiles as she sees you, a quick hug is had and she looks like she's going to explode with the good tea.

' Natalia first things first what the fluff happened last night, Luca was allll over that ass and you left crying, he didn't do anything did he? ' She asks firmly.

' No, no. He pretty much told me to stop acting like I was too good for him, you of all people know how I feel about myself. I've been building myself up for so long just for him to say that. '

' Well in his defense Nat, he doesn't know you, he probably deals with shallow airheads after fame and money all the time. Can't blame a guy for being dumbass, plus he was so hurt and confused after he dropped you off. He stopped by Mark's to tell me to check in on you. '

' What, why? Well I was crying, but I'm sure that wasn't a first for him, yknow making a girl cry. '

Ella giggles while heading to make herself a cup of coffee.

You make your way to the sofa and open his message again. 'It's not that I'm ignoring him, I just don't know what to say ' you thought. But you decide to be a bit on edge, you open up translate to even the playing field. You get your response within a few moments as you copy paste it into the little texting box.

' Allora fai qualcosa al riguardo '

You look down at your response one more time before you hit send.

You notice he opens it right away.

All you get in response is the devil smile emojis. Three of them to be exact. Your stomach melts as you get a bit excited at just the mere thought of him devouring you bit by bit. The racy thoughts are quickly interrupted by El asking if you wanted to go grab dinner and drinks because as she says is literally starving.

You agree as you let her know you'll need some time to get ready. You wash up and decide to wear the best thing you own a short, flashy black mini dress with matching knee high black boots.

After awhile it's close to 5 and you two are finishing up last minute touch ups on yourselves. It's been awhile since you two did a double outing like this but after last night's bullshit you're ready to be faded and carefree.

Warm weather, even in December your birthday month is a Rollercoaster for you. But it's hard to stay down in Florida.

You two decide on Cuban sandwiches so you head for Dave's, the best spot in the city. Luckily for you two it's walking distance, as you approach the doors some big hair trashboat comes through like a bat out of hell almost knocking both of you to the ground.

' What the hell '

You both say simultaneously,

You two laugh it off as you find your favorite booth empty. The waiter brings you guys your oversized margaritas and takes your order. Halfway through your drink the food finally arrives. You and El make small talk about random topics.

' Soo, I did a bit of good investigating for you, maybe I should reconsider my career ' She laughs before continuing.

' Mark has known Luca a long time, according to him Luca lost his first love forever ago like when he was 15. They were walking down a street when a blacked out car drove past and let em fly, they missed him and got her. She died in his arms. When the cops got there he was a mess, bloody and snapped. That broke him, they never caught the killer's but rumor has it he knows exactly who did it and why! '

You stare at El wide mouthed, you don't have any idea how to respond to that so all that comes out is, ' What the actual fuck!'

' But that was forever ago, what fourteen years now, not that that kinda pain and anger ever goes away, but it does kinda explain his demeanor '

Her words are like ash in your mouth and throat, you eat only about half of your sandwich. You just can't get over what she has told you. You ponder about how the hell to feel with this new information. Why did Mark tell her this, did he figure she'd tell me?

The waiter bringing the check gets you out of the thoughts, and before you know it you're hand in hand with El walking to pay and getting to the same club you were at last night. Only this time, no vip treatment, waiting outside in line the fun part.

You and El wait in line for about 20 or so minutes, the same bouncer was there after you pay you both head back into the booming bass filled atmosphere. That pretty waitress is there but you notice she's not in her uniform, she's probably off tonight.

You think to yourself maybe it wasn't the best idea to come back here, but on the other hand you've had a whacky 24 hours. There's no way you're going to let some air head ruin your already declining mood, you feel even more guilty since finding out about Luca's traumatic past.

El grabs you by the hand and leads you to the bar, you both hop up on the stool and wait your turn for the bartender. She's a gorgeous little thing, tall, brunette with bright blue eyes!

' Geez don't drool too much '

Ella chimes in.

' Don't judge me for appreciating beauty! '

You respond with giggles.

Just then the bartender stops at you and El.

' What can I do ya for? '

Ella orders you both your favorites, a Mai Tai for her and 2 shots of Rumple Minze for me. You down your first shot as Ella takes a few big gulps of hers. The next ten minutes pass with laughter and chit chatting, you finally stop babysitting your second shot before gulping that one down too. Two shots is always enough to get you loose and started. You're feeling extra dumptrucks so you order one more to really get you tipsy.

A few moments later you and Ella head to the dance floor as the music is thumping through your drunken bodies, you get a strange feeling and it's not the alcohol.

You get alert quick and you instantly feel sick to your stomach. The room starts to blur as you stop in your tracks, El takes notice, you back away until you make it back to the bar. El trails behind you curious why you just stopped and took off.

' Girl what the hell, you look like you've just seen a ghost, what gives? '

' It's Patick, that rat bastard is here... ' and before you can finish that sentence El is already on her way to him. You chase behind her trying to stop her but it's too late.

You watch as she taps his shoulder, as he turns around he smiles at the pretty blonde, right before she lands a good right hook to his nose. As you pull her back she's cursing him out, he's realizing why he got hit as he brings his eyes to yours.

' What the fuck you psychotic bitch '

He screams as he looks as if he's coming to attack the both of you. You see the air head waitress grabbing for his arm analyzing the situation.

' Patrick, what the hell is going on? '

She looks at his bloodied face as she's feeling froggy she leaps for you.

Before she can get to you, you feel yourself moved behind a huge man, Luca, Luca is there. You see him hold her back telling her to calm down.

' Tell that crazy bitch to back off my brother or else '

You move in front of Luca to defend yourself. But before you can El is there to do it before you can.

' Tell your brother to stop being a rapist then you dumb bitch '

You see Luca's face go pale then red with fury.

Something in him just snapped and the next thing you know he's on top of Patrick pounding on him. After he's done he's bloody, in your drunken state all you can think of to do is grab his hand and drag him and El out of the front exit. No words are spoke until you three make it to the parking lot.

He opens the door for you both and with a growling tone demands both of you to get in. Neither of you hesitate as his tone of voice says he isn't asking. It isn't long before you three are in front of your house.

' Ella please head inside, I need a few minutes alone with Natalia '

She's quick to hop out and says she'll be inside if I need her as she scurried away quickly.

' Thank you for that '

' Don't thank me, men like that don't deserve the air they breathe '

' Look '

He stops you and says you don't have to explain. You can tell him if and when you're ready.

No matter how much you fight it you can't help but feel a newfound warmth for Luca, between the story you heard and him beating the shit out of the man who brought you more trauma you care to admit. He was your last ruiner. It's been almost 2 years and you're still not okay despite how much better those closest to you think you are.

There's a few moments of silence between you two before another word is spoken.

' Natalia, I don't need to know the details of what happened to you to know it fucked you up inside, I know a little something about being fucked up myself. But I do want you to know that I don't believe in coincidence, I ... Maybe we're kindred spirits or something '

' I'm a bit lost for words Luca, I said I was damaged goods because I've had a long past of men like Patrick... in a sense. El is the only human on this earth that has genuinely loved me and has always been there, I've grown to understand my situation, why a woman like me isn't meant for love. I'm just too .... fucked up inside! '

You feel the sensation building back up in your eyes. Why does this keep happening with him. Before a single tear is shed Luca gently cups your face to place a gentle kiss on your lips. It's short but powerful.

' Broken things still deserve love Natty! '

You like when he calls you that. You feel a bit of warmth, but you don't wanna feel it. You know how this goes, it's always everything's good until your trauma starts to show them it's adios. Then you're left a little bit more broken, how many times can one person be broke before they're just unfixable?

There's been 3 men in total who have made you who and what you are today.

You will never see justice with the first two but at least the last one got his karma. At least the start of it.

' I appreciate it Luca, that's kinda why I took off last night, when you said I was acting like I was too good for you when in reality it's the complete opposite, I just couldn't handle it, And the reasoning behind it, I'm sure you understand a bit more '

' Well if it makes you feel better, even though you feel you don't deserve love though I don't agree, I think I deserve it, and I want you! Natalia please! '

He's pressing you hard and you've always been a people pleaser although this is one decision you don't feel guilty about.

' Yes Luca, you do deserve love, I can't give you what you want but I'm always up for a challenge '

You responded trying to lighten up the mood. You think to yourself ' why is he so hellbent on me, he just met me yesterday and he's playing hardball about me '

' Thank you amore, I'll text you later, your birthday is only a few days away and I know you have it off'

He says that with a crooked smile, he gets out and goes to open your door to walk you to your door since he missed that opportunity last night. As you two reach the door he grabs you by the waist and pulls you in, intoxicated by his scent your knees buckle. He feels so safe, you feel safe, right in his arms you could stay wrapped forever and be satisfied. The moment you realize this hug is getting you in your feels, you gently pull away from him. He takes notice and holds harder, ' I'm not losing you again ' he says.

Confused at the word 'again' you pull away and he gives you a passionate kiss and gives his farewells. Waiting for you to get inside before taking off. You are greeted by El.

' Oh no, have you've been crying again, what the hell is up with him and you crying! '

' Well this time only half of the tears were sad ones, I'm not sure what the fuck is up with that man but he's so on it about me ' ' I love and hate it '

' Nat, you know I would never tell you to just 'get over your trauma' buut maybe Luca could be your way to trying to get back out there! '

' Well he's so persistent, he wants to have me all to himself on my birthday, you know that's a triggering day for me, like why on the one day I'm supposed to be filled with bliss, is the one day I just don't wanna be here '

Ella pulls you in for a long aggressive hug that you just melt in. She eventually let's go and you two just talk, you bring up what Luca said and she also found it a bit off putting but chucked it up to him just mispeaking.

You eventually make your way to your bedroom get your jammies on and just lay in bed wondering if Luca did misspeak or if it was intentional. You ponder on a million different reasons until you drift off to dreamland. Patiently awaiting the day you dread.