CHAPTER 18

Genesis's POV

                 There was no need trying to hide. He had already seen me. He had already caught me. He knew I was here. He was aware of my closeness. I closed my eyes, drawing in air into my lungs, calling for the strength I needed to face him. Every encounter with him always zapped out the energy in me. I always came out enervated, in deer need of a build up.

I flinched when his voice assaulted me again.

               "I don't take well to the attention. So it's either you get out or fuck off. Basically, they mean the same shit so you've got just one option."

His voice sent a tremor through my bones, stiffling my muscles and running my blood ice cold. I'll admit in some type of way, he intimidated me. He made me question the confidence I had in myself and at the same time arousing a wild breed of myself.

I flexed my fingers and released a shaky breathe. My mind made up.

I was going in.

Splitting my lips into two, I abandoned the doorframe and crossed over the threshold. At the sound of my footsteps approaching, under the dim lights, I caught sight of his inked back muscles stiffen, facing me. His hands clenched, head swept to the right, frozen.

I outstretched my hand, keeping the smile in place.

Then I began, "Hi, I'm Genesis Reeds. A first year student of Oklahoma State University. Can I meet you please?"

I was nervous. I wouldn't even deny. My brain kept screaming, yelling into my ears, giving me all the reasons why this was a bad idea. This was stupid to begin with. I screwed my eyes shut and snapped them back, inhaling deeply before fixing my smile back in place.

Seconds passed or maybe minutes. Still he didn't turn. He didn't move. His posture as frozen as before. I wasn't even sure if he did hear me. The silence in the air stretched, the tension in my bones magnified, my outstretched hand was starting to hurt and God knows, I have never smiled this long.

Perhaps, he didn't hear me the first time. There's no wrong repeating myself.

                "Hi, I'm Genesis Reeds. A...."

                "Shut up." His voice didn't fail to instill fear in my guts. Slowly, carefully, almost like he was taking his precious time, he thawed. He cracked. He turned.

Scowling down at me, making an agonizing slow trail from the crown of my head to the sole of my feets. Repeating the condenscing movement a few more times before they paused on my outstretched hand. His eyes slitted at them. His height mocked me. Craning my head up to look at him wasn't working. In a minute or two, my neck was bound to snap.

Dario resembled a seasoned warrior. His features, I haven't laid eyes on before. Thick muscles ripped across every part of his body. High cheekbones which accentuated his face. A slender and pointed nose above an angular jaw with light stubble littered around it. His pitch black hair blended well into the darkness and his face carefully structured. He was handsome. Very handsome. Infact, handsome wasn't the right word to describe his looks. He knew he was strikingly good-looking. Perhaps, that's the reason why his ego was bigger than his head. It was a pity I could not say that in regards to his attitude and the stony glare carved into his dark green eyes, devoid of warmth, like they were stolen.

But I noticed one thing. I blurted out, "You don't look American."

He blinked, like I had caught him off guard, "That's none of your business. What do you want? Fuck that, I don't care what you want. It would be in your best interest to turn your ass back around."

I dropped my hand, curling my arms on my chest, shooting a leg out, "And what if I don't?"

He scowled, lips contorting into a grim line. I saw a muscle twitch underneath his right eye. I tensed, frightened of what he might do but I refrained from letting him know he scared me. If I was ever going to do this, then that was out of the question.

He growled, scrubbing his hands down his face, shooting daggers through me. If looks could kill, I'd be dead a long time ago. His eyes could stop my heart, drain the life out of me and rob me of my last breathe. I'd be six feet under after the last nail on my coffin had been nailed.

My brows furrowed in confusion when he cracked his posture and began to walk away. Deep surprise surged through me when he began to leave me standing underneath the dim lights by myself. No, this wasn't how I hoped it was going to go.

I spun, taking a step, throwing my hands up in the air in frustration, "Why can't we just start over?" He paused. "Why can't we just put aside whatever..." I flew my hands between the two of us. "...whatever this is between us and just...and just maybe become friends? I don't know. I don't even know why this is happening. What caused this and all but look, to be honest, whatever I might have done. Whatever I must have done to get you so mad at me, I apologise Dario. I am so...."

In a blink of an eye, he charged at me. It was so fast I could have missed it. In fear and panic, I took some steps back, stumbling on my feet.

He turned on me, like an enraged panther, spitting venom, "Don't you ever...don't you ever in your godforsaken life say that word." Fires of fury and hatred were smouldering in his narrowed eyes. Vexed and mad in the face, his anger and fury slicing me open.

My eyes were struck with fear. I swallowed the bile rising up my throat, trying to refrain my nerves from going haywire.

But I wanted to know. I really wanted to know. If I never asked, I wouldn't have the answer.

His eyes said it all, "Why do you hate me? What is it have I done to you to make you dislike me this much? You don't even know me."

Our faces inches apart, his eyes, angry bored into mine. Those angry eyes were his pain untold. An agony experienced and withheld. Deep into the depth of his eyes, I could see it. I could see it all. The worst wounds, the deadliest of them all. It didn't take residence in his appearance. No. He was bleeding internally. An innocent soul caught in the hands of so much pain and darkness. It was sucking him in. It was devouring him. He was haunted. He was suffering.

I reached up, brushing the tip of my fingers on his cheeks, whispering, "What happened to you?" 

He caught my arm, snarling, teeth baring. Immediately, he discarded the space he occupied, turning his back, walking away again.

I wasn't letting go though. I called out. "You can talk to me if you want. People say I'm a good listener."

He paused and spun. His face the usual type of emotion.

               "What did I tell you about staying the hell away from me? What the fuck do you want, huh? What in fuck's name do you want from me? I thought you had a good time with Keegan. So why are you here? Why the hell do you always show up in my damn space? Why are you digging in my business? Why the fuck are you sticking your nose in shits that ain't in your jurisdiction, eh? Seems like you gonna be answering a lot of why's now. Don't fucking tell me he didn't hit it like you wanted because word on the streets says he's damn good. So what, huh? What?"

                 "I just...."

                 "Don't give me that crap. People just this days. I just this. I just that. Tell me because I wanna know. No shit. Why...Just why are you with Keegan? Why are you around him? What do you hope to gain from him? Is it the cash? You need some cash? Tell me because I can give it to you. I would give you however much you want so you never have to show your goddamn face in our lives again. C'mon. Spill it. Name your goddamn price and I can guaran-fucking-tee you'd have it tonight."

I jerked back, stunned. It felt like I had just be dounced wifh a bucket of ice water. Like what?

                 "What are you saying?" I asked, shocked to my bones. What is he even talking about?

                 "One look at you and I can already tell you apart. A girl like you with a guy like him. Perfect for you, ain't it?" His hard stare dropped and slowly trailed up my dress till he met my face again. He was mercifully picking me apart. I felt exposed. "From the looks of it, he's began, huh?" He chuckled, shaking his head. "My friend is a dumb idiot." He reached behind his rear, pulling out his phone and began swiping. "Spit out your details. Tell me how much you want so you can leave him alone." Eyes digging into mine, he spat, "I don't like you around."

I stood there, mouth agape, eyes so wide, ears tingling, taking in the monstrous words he was saying to me. I was the dumb idiot, not Keegan. How could I have ever thought I could get through to this hard-headed rude and arrogant fellow in front of me who has no control for his mouth and the scandalous things that comes out from it.

I was upset. His words were cutting deep into my flesh and if he didn't stop, I'd have to react and then we'd resume our rift, perhaps take it to the next level. He was unreachable.

I gritted my teeth, "I like Keegan. A lot so whatever you're saying is complete garbage. I don't need his money much less yours"

He feigned gasp, canting his head, "Really? You don't say."

I shifted my stance, "Well, I do say so please stop all of this pointless insinuations. I want nothing from you or from him."

He snorted, "You? Like Keegan?" He chuckled, clearing mocking me. What was so funny about that? I like Keegan. Of course I do. Is that anything to laugh about? "You like Keegan." He repeated. I rolled my eyes. I can't remember the last time I did that.

                 "Yes. I like him a lot and today just intensified that by a hundred folds if you must know."

                 "You like Keegan." It rolled out from his tongue. It was as if he was testing the truth in the words on his lips. "You like Keegan." I frowned.

Seconds, maybe minutes. We stood in front of each other. I said nothing. He said nothing. I stared at him. He stared right back at me. His face gave out nothing, nothing to help me with his thoughts. Blank and stoic, I couldn't get around him. It was difficult picking him apart. He tried picking me apart. I'd want to do to the same.

It was unexpected. It was unpredicted. What he did next. I didn't know he was going to react. The breathe knocked out of me when our bodies collided and in the blink of an eye, his mouth was on my mouth, devouring the interior, ravaging the exterior. His tongue searched my mouth, seared my lips. He he kissed me aggressively, hunting for the deepest parts of me, leaving no stone unturned.

I was stunned for a bit as my mind wandered far and wide, hopelessly trying to reason out all the why's this was happening. I struggled to maintain my anger towards him, the wrong doings he dedicated to me but his lips were utterly commanding and my thoughts were cloudy.

I swayed against him, instantly groping his hard shoulders to steady my feet. His hand roamed around my body, grasping, grabbing till they paused on my bottom. He squeezed hard. I saw stars. In a blink, my legs latched onto his waist. His hands underneath the cheek of my bottom.

He began to backtrack, guiding our movements till I felt the wall press against my back did he stop. His chest pressed tightly against my front, no space remained, not even air could pass through.

My hands snaked up his bare chest, sliding through the back of his head and weaving into his hair. On instinct, I tugged, a deep growl vibrated inside my mouth. He rewarded by deepening the kiss. I had thought it couldn't even go any deeper but he was Dario.

Without breaking the kiss, his hand caressed down my sides, creating a pathway, leaving a river of heat in its wake. He slid under, brushing his fingertips along my thighs, cascading, travelling down a sacred area.

I should stop him. I know I should. But I didn't. I let him. I let him go on. How wrong this was? What am I thinking? This felt so wrong so why am I giving him the so much liberty? Why am I stopping him? Why aren't I pushing him away?

His hands grasped the insides of my thighs. I squirmed, shutting my eyes. My breathe hitched when his fingers swept along the centre of my thighs. He stilled his fingers there. My heart thudded in my chest in thoughts of him slipping his fingers in, touching me down there, meeting the woman in me. Will I let him touch me in that way?

What was happening?

I felt him smile against my lips, a small chuckle leaving his mouth. He shifted, ghosting his lips across my cheek, nibbling on the lobe of my ear, sucking, licking, whispering, "You're wet. Wet for me."

At a fast speed, he pulled away. I dropped to the ground, almost losing my footing. No act of chivalry on his part.

His voice sent a shiver down my spine as he spoke, "You like Keegan, huh? Well, I can see how much crap that is. You finally see what I see in you, eh? You believe me now when I said and still say you're a whore. A cheap slut. Two main pals at the same time? Goddamn it! What the fuck is Keegan thinking?"

I didn't think. I just acted. Before I knew the next step, my hand connected with his cheek before the last word could tumble out from his mouth. The loud sound consumed the four walls of the room in which we inhabited. Anger swirled deep in my guts, churning, twisting. It burned so hard I couldn't stop it. I couldn't control it. If felt like I was a completely different person.

I raised my hand, ready for another strike but he caught it. Clutching my wrist so tight it could snap into two, glaring hard at me, lips twisting into a snarl, muscles tightening, veins popping.

I glared back, ready to throw back whatever he was planning on dishing out.

He gritted out, "Sai quanto sei pericoloso per me?", (Do you know how dangerous you are to me?).

I blinked, disoriented, lost.

He roared, "Lo sai?", (Do you know?). I trembled in fear. My heart raced. Adrenaline flew over my veins like a carp through the river yet, I couldn't even move a single muscle.

It wasn't just that his irises were monochrome or that the lines etched around them in wrinkles never moved, only deepened. It was the kind of glare that harboured intent. There was a tale behind it, something I'm connected to but I don't know what. I could sense it. I could feel it. This wasn't just normal. It wasn't usual. This wasn't lost hatred.

In an instant, he withdrew, he pulled away. Angry eyes penetrating through me.

He sneered, voice as deep as the sea, "Stay away from me. This is the very last time I will say this."

He turned, walking away, leaving me alone in the dark, without so much as a glance back.

I released a breathe I didn't even know I had been holding back, shutting my eyes. My arms automatically hugged my body. I couldn't fathom what happened? And why? Why I even let it go on? My lips felt heavy on my face, no doubt they'd be swollen. God, I felt beaten. Defeated.

No, this wasn't going to happen again. I wasn't going to allow this happen one more time. No way. I wasn't going to cry again because of him. I wiped off the tears falling down my cheeks and another, taking deep and steady breathes. Swallowing down a pool of saliva, I decided to leave the dark room. The cold in here was unusual and my choice of dress didn't allow for it.

Turns and turns taken before my path began to morph into familiarity. Keegan's room was down the hall, at the very last door. I furthered my steps, arms still framed around my body. My legs walked, my body moved but my mind was stuck in the dark room. Dario isn't just any type of man. He is nothing like I have ever seen before. He devoured my lips, ate the life out of them, left it all red and bruised up, all to be prove a point.

And the path his hands travelled, I didn't even attempt stopping him. I shut my eyes, regret clouding me. My actions just kept on giving him the more reasons to have those untrue thoughts about me.

I didn't stop him.

Why didn't I stop him?

That question was nagging, gnawing at my insides.

Noise and chatter filtered through the door space as I paced up into Keegan's room. I walked in, stalling when I saw his arms tightly wrapped around a girl and his head nestled into her neck. Her actions mirrored his. She wrapped herself around him closer than food wrap and is just as transparent. Brows furrowed, I was taken aback by the scene. She turned her head. I realised who she was. Erika.

Her eyes met mine. Through her overly made up eyes, I saw a mischievous glint in them. A look of triumph crossed her face. A smirk tugging at the corner of her lips. I did nothing. I said nothing. I only waited for them to notice my presence.

Keegan followed right after. As soon as his eyes met mine, he pulled away, coming right for me.

A look of concern crept up his face, "Hey. Where have you been? I was looking for you?"

I glanced at Erika. She came over at us, standing directly beside Keegan. She flicked her hair to one side in what I knew to be a conscious act. So I looked. Dangling from her perfect lobes were diamonds set in white gold. They were exquisite, accentuating the length of her neck. No doubt, they cost more than I could ever afford. I realized I had held my gaze for too long so I averted, bringing my eyes back to Keegan.

I cleared my throat, picking out the right words to say, "I...I was just...."

Erika touched his arm, rubbing her palm on his unclothed skin. I watched the movements, not stupid to think it was an innocent gesture. Immediately, his gaze settled on hers. Her voice, too silky to be normal.

             "Keegan." She whined. "What about what we talked about? The party is next week, you know."

He smiled at her, "I'll get back to you."

She squeezed. I felt a surge of jealousy lance through me. "You promise?"

             "Of course. Why not?" He chuckled, "Twenty-two, eh?"

She laughed, cackling so loud I winced. She pushed her bust into him. I looked away. I just couldn't look at that. "Oh shut up. I'm still young, boy. Hot and sexy too. Many guys would be lucky to have this. Unlike some others." I felt her eyes on me. "Anyway, I've got to go. Tell Dario to call Daniel. He's been blowing up my phone to get to him and you know, Dario and I don't vibe at all."

The next thing I heard was the loud clicking of her heels against the floor as she sauntered. I turned, locking eyes with Keegan.

               "Hey."

               "Hi."

                "You're okay?"

                "Yes. I am. Why are you asking?"

He shrugged, "I don't know. I care a lot about you and what I'm seeing in front of me...that ain't someone that's okay. You look...."

                "I am fine, Keegan. Very fine. I just got lost and couldn't find my way."

He didn't say more. I didn't bother elaborating either.

 I diverted, "How's my phone?"

He smiled, "I'm done with it." He said, pulling away and crossing the room towards the bed side. He pulled open a drawer. "It ain't something complex, you know. Just little this and that. I got it all fixed up." He confirmed, turning to hand the phone to me.

I took it, turning it to the back and front. It looked all new - brand new to be exact. The screen used to be cracked, slaughtered even. I could barely see through it but when I powered the phone, it sprung to life. Clear screen, no scratch. No flaw. There was even a pouch enclosing it.

I frowned, looking up at him, "Did you change the screen as well?"

He nodded, his hand reaching out behind to scratch his neck, "It was broken. While I was picking out the problem, I figured I should."

             "You didn't have to. You...I...."

             "Well, I have already and I think there's no reverse action here." A chuckle left his lips.

I didn't know what to say. I didn't even know what to think. My gaze dropped to the space between us. I saw his feet move. Till they brushed the tip of my shoes did he pause. His hand reached up, cupping my cheeks. Automatically, I glanced up at him.

              "Did I do something wrong?"

I shook my head, fumbling with words.

              "Then why aren't you okay with it?"

              "I am. It's just that. This has never happened before you know. A guy like you taking so much interest in a girl like me. I don't know what to make of it. You're so sweet and so nice and I just...I just...I don't know what to think."

              "Hey, hey. Think nothing. I've told you before, Genny and I would keep on saying it. Scream it at the top of my lungs even. I'm crazy about you Genesis. I fucking like you a lot. You're all I think about and I don't give two shits who you think you are. You're fucking flawless to me. So beautiful. This ain't mean anything. It needed a new screen and I got it. No big deal."

I couldn't stop the smile that crept up my lips. Whenever he said he was crazy about me, it always did something to my insides. It made my skin tingle.          

               "So." I stressed the word. "How much I'm I going to pay for it? I don't have much money though so please go easy on me but I do..."

He laughed, tipping his head. "Baby, I don't repair damaged phones for a living. It's just something I'm skilled at and besides, I'd very well prefer something else if you're so keen on paying me." He smirked.

I frowned, "And what's that? I hope it's something I can afford though. You know I..."

He kissed me. He glued our lips together, grazing the seam of my lips with his tongue to slide in. I parted my lips, offering him more entrance. I closed my eyes, swaddling my arms around his neck, surrending to the fire his mouth ignited. 

Soon, he pulled away, resting his forehead to mine. My eyes remained shut as I tried to bring my beating heart to normalcy.

He breathed against my lips, "I can't help it, Genny."

I rasped, "Help what?"

             "The way I feel about you. You make feel things I haven't felt for anyone ever before and the crazy thing is I like all of it. I crave all of it. I want all of it. I know this is too sudden but Genny the truth is I am falling in love with you. I am falling so hard...so damn fast for you." His voice cracked. "Please, tell me you do not have anyone else. Tell me you're not seeing anyone else." It sounded like a plea.

My mind was blank and my eyes wide as I stared at him in shock. His eyes desperately searched mine… waiting. I had to say something. I searched my mind for something reasonable to say, but to my surprise my heart answered for me, "I do feel something for you too."

I stood on my toes, enough to come close in height with him and hugged him. Immediately our bodies made contact, he tightened me into his arms, pecking the side of my face every now and then. I closed my eyes and inhaled his scent. It was my favourite type of smell.

I shifted my head, whispering into his ear, "I have no one else except you."

He inhaled deeply, impossibly pulling me even closer, pressing his lips into my ears.

             "So you gonna be my girl then, huh?"

I giggled, "Yes, yes. I would. I would be your girl Keegan. All for you."

He kissed me again. I melted into his arms.

              "Thank you."

I laughed, "No, thank you."

              "Thank you."

              "Nah-uh, thank you."

He chuckled, grabbing a shirt from his closet and pulling it over his head. I heard him mumble, "Thank you."

               "I heard that."

He turned, winking at me. Striding, he swaddled my waist, intensely gazing into my eyes.

                "Really, thank you. I mean it and I gotta confess something to you. This is my first time trying this out. I've got no clue how this is gonna go or how I'm gonna do this but I wanna try...for you Genny, I do want to try. I might do stuffs you wouldn't like and we might argue till the sun goes down and pops back up but just know that I feel a whole fucking lot for you. I care a lot about you, Genny so really, I just wanna say thank you...for giving me this chance. A chance to have you. Thank you."

A smile cracked my lips. A huge grin even. I hugged him so tight, resting my head on his chest. His words were touching. They whisked mine away, leaving me completely stranded. It warmed my heart. Keegan was no doubt slowly etching his way into my heart. He was slowly making it his.

               "It's getting late. Let me drop you off."

***

The night was a special kind of blackness, the kind that wanted only to hold the stars and help them to shine all the brighter. It was a warm black that hugged you no matter what, and within its safety I could feel my own soul all the more clearly, that innocent inborn spark.

Our fingers were intertwined, our sides lightly brushed with each step taken as we ambled along the dorm halls in silence en route to my room. I had the most brightest smile on my face and I was doing a bad job trying to hide it. Keegan laughed by my side, leaning in to kiss my cheek.

I giggled, "Thank you for today. I had a wonderful time."

He smiled down at me, "You're welcome, girlfriend."

               "I'm thankful. Boyfriend."

I looked away, smiling to myself. He always got me like this - giddy, happy - excited. I couldn't wane it out. I wouldn't even try. I loved the feeling.

I turned to him again, brows furrowing, remembering something, "Hey, can I ask you a question?"

               "Sure."

               "Why did your friend act the way he did back at the cafe?"

He frowned, "I don't understand."

                "I mean Dario. He almost killed that boy at the cafe yesterday. Why did he do that?"

He sighed, "To be honest, I'd do the same thing if I were in his shoes though. The guy deserved it. No shit."

                 "What did he do?"

                 "The video of you two. The one you told me someone put up on the net?" I cringed at the memory. I had forgotten all about it. It was my most unpleasant experience. "It was him who created it. Dario saw it and pulled it down and the guy took it back up. He sent a message to him telling him to take it down again and the guy told him to go fuck himself. That got Dario mad. The next morning, on his way to the campus, the brakes on his bike got all shitty. It wouldn't stop. He crashed you know. He had an accident with it and he seemed to know just who was responsible."

I gasped, "Who did it?"

               "Bryan Cooper."

               "The one who leaked the video?"

               "That's right."

               "How did he know?"

               "He was shitty. An amateur. He wasn't smart. He left something of his which incriminated him. His driver's license."

                "Wow. That's...that's just wow. I thought Dario was just on one of his moods again."

                "Nah."

                "I didn't know it was something really serious. He could have gone to the police or something or like reported him to the school authorities."

He chuckled, "You mean my Dario?"

I shrugged, "Yeah. I mean..."

               "Nah, I mean normal people will prolly think in that direction but that ain't him. Here we are." We stopped in front of my door. The characters, B36 stared back at me. The day ended so quickly. I frowned at the realization.

                 "Close your eyes."

I spun quickly, "What?"

He repeated, "Close your eyes."

                "Why?"

He laughed,  "Can you please....not ask? Just close your eyes and please turn around.

Confused, I did what he asked. Seconds scrolled by and I was getting impatient. I considered turning back around but stayed put. Out of the blue, I felt the soft skin of his hands ghost around my neck. Slowly, he swept my hair to the side. A gush of air assaulted the exposed skin immediately. I felt him place a light kiss on the nape.

He circled something warm around my neck. Instinctively, I touched it. It was a necklace. My eyes flew open instantly. I looked down, astonished at the beautiful chain dangling from my neck. The necklace was a simple silver chain with a pendant, one with the Celtic trinity shown by woven swirls. It was nothing flashy. Simple and elegant. I fell in love with it at once.

I spun around, eyes wide, mouth agape, "Keegan..."

               "Shh." He kissed me, murmuring against my lips. "I love you."

Behind me, the door flew open. My arm gave out. I stumbled into the room. In an instant, I heard the door bang close.

Against my will, I twirled, coming face to face with Lana.

She screeched, "Spill."

Stunned, shocked, astonished, "He said he loves me."

~

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