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Chapter 14
- Random Guy -

*unedited*
-Clover-

The awkward silence was killing me, and I guess it was driving him as insane.

I tried focusing on where we were going, unlike the night that I tried to make my escape the sun accompanied us on our way to the diner this time around.

"Is everything okay?" his tone of voice was unsure, timid as if the question would be a trigger.

He was right to be cautious.

Everything was not okay, everything was confusing to me. After we somewhat made up from the day before, we were back in this awkward phase where we weren't on the same page and it showed.

As much as I didn't want to think about it, last night really happened. I slept in his bed with him and everyone could tell.

We weren't together nor would we ever be, especially in that way. However, despite his parents being well aware of how we met, when they openly assumed or applied that we were together in some way, shape or form, he would just stand there and let them assume. 

Sure he never entertained their assumptions but he didn't try denying it either.

I tried taking a step back and putting myself in his shoes. Maybe it was just who he was to let people think whatever they wanted about him. Despite how sweet he's been to me lately there was no changing the fact that he was a leader of a gang. He would commit murder without a second thought, I've been on the other side of his hand of power and I've irresponsibly disregarded it for too long.

But when it comes to our current situation of people thinking we're together, of course he wouldn't care about something as little that, right?

But I cared. I'm not that type of girl and even though my image in his parent eyes, or anyone else's shouldn't matter...to me it did.

Lunch did nothing to settle my paranoia.

The entire time Demarco shamelessly stared at me while I acted as if I were oblivious to his stares.

After a while it became really uncomfortable and this mother, Talia distracted me by asking me a series of questions.

"So how old are you? You seem so young to previously be living alone?" Talia asked in between bites of the baked ziti that she cooked to perfection.

I tried not to make too much eye contact. Something about his parent was intimidating, They had a powerful aura around them that commanded your attention.

"20, going on to 21" I answered her shyly.

Talia didn't miss a beat, quickly firing another question. "When will you be turning 21?"

I licked my lips nervously. It felt like an interrogation and even though the subject of my birthday was one that was factly I felt as if their was a wrong way of answering her question.

"The 26th of September".

It was the first time he spoke during lunch and it was on my behalf. The way he answered his mothers question was in the same quick tone she had asked it in. He almost sounded defensive, as if he sensed how nervous her questions were making me.

But that wasn't the most stunning part. All those days ago when he asked when my birthday was, I assumed he had fallen asleep before he could hear my answer.

However, I now know he was listening and took it upon himself to remember.

In that every moment, my conflicted thoughts from this morning were pushed to the back of my head as my stomach begun to fill with those damn butterflies again.

"Two days from today" Dylan said butting in before Talia could ask anything else. If I didn't look up for those two seconds, I would've missed the look he gave her before holding on to her hand in what looked like a comforting way. "Do you have any plans?"

You could tell he was the less aggressive partner in their relationship. I guess Demarco took after his mother in that aspect and Denziel took after his father.

I shook my head stuffing my face with a mouth full of food to avoid talking.

"Great, I'll be here for the next couple days anyways, we could do anything you want" Denziel said happily.

The longer I stayed here around these boys, the more you'd forget I was taken here against my will. You wouldn't think my birthday would be an excuse for my kidnappers to help me celebrate.

"I'm not big on celebrating my birthday" I honestly responded.

Growing up, birthdays in my household were a huge thing up until my mother left. After that my father wasn't in the celebratory mood for anything and the most we'd do was cut cake and take a trip to the mall.

Something else that Denziel said caught my attention. "You're staying here?" I asked.

"Demarco needs to get back to work and everyone else is a little preoccupied lately. So you're stuck with me for a while".

"Oh".

I knew he'd eventually would get better and have to get back to 'work', I guess I didn't think it would be so soon.

I wasn't going to let Denziels offer pass me by. A thought that I've been constantly thinking about since Demarco suggested it came to the forefront.

"Would you mind driving me to my old job? Demarco miss placed my phone and my coworker is the only other person in this area that has my brothers phone numbers".

He snorted, then looked to his older brother laughing hysterically. "By miss placed, you mean broke you're phone?"

"You broke her phone?" Talia angrily questioned at her son.

"It was an accident" he admitted, looking guilty as ever.

"Accident my a..."

"Denziel" Dylan said, cutting his youngest son off.

His fit of laugher wasn't over as he turned to me and gave a smug smile. "Anyways, yes I'll bring you. Is tomorrow morning okay?"

I smiled nodding my head. I wasn't thrilled about my phone being broken and Demarco not mentioning it to me, but I was excited to see Nola.

In the process of me thanking Denziel, Demarco spoke up. "No need, I'll take you today" he said, in the same tone he spoke to his mother in.

Denziel didn't try to argue, he just smirk and focused back on finishing his plate of food. I guess he knew, there was no winning an argument with Demarco. Especially if it had anything to do with me.

So here we were driving out to the diner. Me wondering what was up with him and him wondering what was up with me.

I briefly thought about gradually bringing it up.

I didn't want to offend him and the last thing I wanted him to do was turn this car around before I could speak to Nola or my brothers.

"Your parents are really nice".

He nodded his head. "Yeah, but that's not what you really want to say" he knew me too well.

Was this silly situation bothering me so much that I'd risk offending him and not talking to my loved ones at all. Strangely, yes.

So I just spit it out. "Why did they want to meet me?"

Demarco kept his focus on the road, slowing down at a red light before looking over to me to answer my question.

"When I got sick they originally wanted to come see me but I asked them not too. I didn't know they were coming over today, they heard about a girl that was taking care of me. I'm not one that has had many women in my life so they were naturally curious and wanted to meet you".

"Oh".

Good answer, and now I felt stupid for asking.

"Now" he dropped his right hand off the wheel, leaning closer to me. "Can I ask you something?"

I didn't notice it before but he seemed slightly annoyed with me. I guess I'm about to find out why.

"Okay".

"Why'd you ask my brother to take you to the diner after I already told you I'd take you myself?" I shrugged my shoulders.

I didn't think me asking Denziel would be a big deal and even before, I could tell it was bothering Demarco from the moment I asked.

"Denziel offered to do something nice for me and since you're feeling better and will be going back to work, why not? After all he did say he'll be around for the next couple of days. I just thought it would be easier for the both of us".

He nodded his head, as after a long delay the light finally turning green. The conversation was over I assumed so I turned my attention back to the window.

His tone was dark, cold and filled with aggression. "For future reference, ask me first".

His words made me unease and even if I could find the courage to argue, I wouldn't. In a way, he was right. I knew he called the shots from the very first day I meet him, therefore I had to be grateful that he was at least letting me do this whether he accompanied me or Denziel.

My surrounding started to became more and more familiar the closer we got to the diner, but there was still more I had to get off my chest.

You've already made him angry, this is a conversation left for another time.

The voice inside my head was right. I just had to bite my tongue for now.

The car rolled into the familiar parking lot, and like the last time we came here, we parked in the farthest end of the parking lot.

Reaching for the handle, all the doors locked before I could open my door. Great.

"Your bottom lip curls in when you're thinking hard, meaning, something is still bothering you".

I looked at him questionably, purposely trying not to do what he said I was doing. He laughed at my failed attempt, his previous aggressive demeanor lifting. "You're easy to read lucky charm".

This was my chance, he wasn't in such a terrible mood anymore and he was asking.

"Why didn't you wake me up when I fell asleep in your bed last night?"

He wasn't easy to read at all. So I wasn't sure if he anticipated the question before I asked him or not. He was completely unphased, a gentle smile sneaking up on his lips.

"We were both having trouble falling asleep last night. So once you were asleep I didn't want to wake you".

"You should have" I said honestly. " I would've really appreciated it".

He looked over at me again this time for longer as if he was trying to see if I was being serious. I held his gaze, showing him I was being 100% serious.

He laughed. "You were tired and slept in my bed, it's not a big deal" he said disregarding the situation.

It was important for me to stress how important it was to me. "It is a big deal. I don't share beds with random man" I shot back.

If I thought he was upset with me before. The full out frown on his face right now told me otherwise. "I'm not a random guy".

He was not getting my point and it made me livid. "You're right, sharing a bed with you is worse than sharing a bed with a random guy. Most random men don't try killing me, kidnapping me or blackmailing. As upset as I am about the situation, I'm also at fault cause I should've never let it get this far to be having this conversation with you".

I thought the worse that could happen was Demarco getting mad and turning this car around to bring me back to his house but nope.

Who knew the worse that could happen was him not responding at all. The saddening look on his face slowly turned into one that resembled pain.

The rage I was feeling seconds ago quickly morphed into guilt.

He stared into space no longer looking at me, his eyes settled on starring at the diner and customers walked in and out.

"I'm sorry for all of that" he mumbled. It was so soft that if it wasn't dead silent in the car I would've missed it.

He cleared his throat, speaking a little louder. "It won't happen again" he added.

It was such a vague follow up response and I had no clue what he was referring too. Was it the sleeping in the same bed part? The killing part? Kidnapping? Blackmailing?

I wanted to ask him what he was referring to but decided not to, him apologizing for all of that alone was a huge accomplishment that I never thought would happen in this lifetime.

"Let's go" as quickly as he locked the doors, he unlocked them, waiting for me to climb out to lock them once again.

We walked side by side in silence, he only turned to me once we walked into the 70's themed diner.

"I think it goes for show, you can't tell your friend about how we met. Same thing with your brothers".

I nodded my head, expecting that much. "So what should I say?"

"I don't know?"

"You don't know?" I turned to him confused, he was the one forcing me to lie to protect him and he didn't have a speech or script written out for me.

He laughed but it wasn't a humor filled one that could been seen in your eyes. "Surprising coming from a murderer, kidnapper and blackmailer, right?" Sarcasm dripped from his lips.

He smiled down at me and again it didn't meet his eyes. "You better get you're story straight cause your friend just spotted us".

Still smiling, his eyes flickered up to someone behind me and the wind was knocked out of me as a pair of dainty arms squeezed the living daylights out of me.

"Clover where have you been!" she yelled at me drawing unnecessary attention from near by customers.

Once her grip was loose enough, I turned around properly hugging my friend for a little longer and tighter than necessary.

Seeing her in person made me slightly tear up. Just a couple weeks ago I thought I'd never be seeing anyone I loved ever again and here we were hugging each other like long lost sisters in front of the very man that jeopardized my existence.

Luckily I was able to stop the tears from coming out, if she sees me crying she'd know something was up and would know I'm lying when it came to tell her about Demarco.

Her happiness quickly transformed into annoyance as we pulled away. She took a huge chuck of my skin and pinched hard.

"That's for making me worry about you for the past week. When TJ and Drew called asking why you weren't picking up their calls I thought the worse happened" he face became red as tears filled her eyes.

She looked around wiping her tears away, lowering her voice. "I thought the guys that kidnapped you got to you before you could get on the bus".

I wanted to tell her she wasn't too far from the truth but I knew what I had to do.

"No I'm fine, I got to the bus station but I missed the last bus going north for the night so I had to wait until the next day".

The lie felt wrong but so far she was listening to me and believing every word coming out my mouth.

Noticing the nosey customers at the counter ease-dropping I pointed the booth in the back where I'd hang while the diner was empty and took Nola's arm guiding her there.

Demarco being himself stayed quiet and simply followed us.

Nola say across from me and Demarco sat next to me. He draped his arm over my shoulder so naturally that to anyone you'd think we were a cute couple but we both knew better.

He was still upset with me and was just doing it for show.

"Who is he?" Nola asked noticing my shadow for the first time.

I smiled trying to play the role, "Nola this Demarco" I said gesturing towards him.

He smiled extending his free hand to shake her own. "It's nice to finally meet you, Clover has told me so much about you".

Nola looked at his hand, hesitantly before meeting his eye then mine. "You fall off the face of the earth for three weeks and find yourself a boyfriend?" she asked.

"He's not my boyfriend" I quickly said my face blushing red. Nola didn't miss the tint on my cheeks and neither did Demarco.

He chuckled, turning back to Nola. "Not yet at least" he said making my entire mouth fall open.

Did he just really?

"I met Demarco at the bus station that night. He was coming off of work and seen me sitting outside near the ticket booth. He offered me a place to stay for the night". My face continued to turn beat read making it hard to think straight.

Nola looked to him skeptical again. "Why didn't you just come back to the diner and find me after you realized the next bus didn't leave until morning. Why'd you go off with the first 'random guy' that offers you a place to stay?"

Wrong choice of words my friend.

Thank God Demarco was a better actor than I was because if I didn't know him being called a 'random guy' pissed him off then I would've missed the slight raise of his eyebrow as Nola said it.

"She was wearing a T-shirt and underwear in 50 degree weather at night. It's probably better that I take her in rather than someone who could've took advantage of her". Once again, his tone was defensive like it was earlier with his mother and brother at lunch.

Even thought our entire story was a lie, he seem to take it seriously. "It was a way better idea than walking all the way over here alone at night especially since the diner would've been closed and you would've been long gone by the time I made it back on foot".

Nola nodded her head, her eyes filled with sadness as she realized we were right. "You're right" she admitted, putting two and two together.

"Anyways, he took me into his home and cared for me until I felt better and once I was feeling better that's when he got sick with what I had. I couldn't just leave him like that after everything he's done for me so I took care of him until he felt better and here we are".

She looked between the two of us, trying to figure something out before she sighed heavily and laughed. "I'm happy you're okay and healthy but Drew and TJ aren't going to be this easily convinced".

She was right my brothers were a whole different story.

"They called me five days ago asking for you and I told them everything you told me before you went missing. Then I panicked, and told them about the fire that happened the morning after you left, the one at your apartment. I thought maybe you went back there, even though you said you wouldn't, and that the gang was trying to get at you again by setting you building in fire. I know their was no death causality but I had to check to see if you were one of the patients checked in that night but they told me no one by your name had checked in and the patients that were in critical condition were all discharged and home with with families. Drew and TJ came here two days ago, they said they had their ways of finding you if you didn't show up soon".

After listening to her I wondered how my life had becomes so hectic. I groaned feeling a headache coming along.

Nola laughed "I know that face, it means your big brothers are about to give you hell for disappearing for the past three weeks".

Demarco laughed the glare I gave Nola. She was having fun with this. "You shouldn't be laughing, you're her accomplice and you're a man. You're in even more trouble" she told Demarco.

"I could handle myself" he said laughing it off.

"Since I lost my phone, I need their phone numbers to call them and I also need yours" I told Nola as she happily nodded her head.

"Would you like me to warn them before you call them on your own?" She asked and I instantly nodded my heads

"Yes, yes and yes" I said a little bit too happily. "Thank you so much, this will never happen again".

I hope.

"It better not" she remarked turning her attention to Demarco. "Sorry to be so rude towards you before. Clovers like the sister I never had and I don't want her falling into the wrong hands" she said standing to her feet.

"Can I get you anything? Coffee, a bagel, muffins, it's on the house". She was making a peace offering and even though I knew everything that we just told her was a lie. It was a nice sight to see, Nola and Demarco getting along.

"Anything will be okay" Demarco said before she quickly dismissed herself to go get us something to snack on.

Once she was out of sight his smile fell and his arm that was once draped over my shoulder was moved away. The act was over and he was back to being in his feelings.

Completely ignoring my presences he took out his own personal phone and another identical iPhone, taking his time typing something out.

After ignoring me for a couple of minutes he slid the newer phone in front of me.

"What's th..."

"Its your new phone" he said rudely cutting me off.

"Not bad coming from a 'random guy' like me, huh?"

Not bad at all.

—————
Sorry for the delay.

1. I kept editing and changing this chapter so that I could get important details in.

2. I started school a couple of days ago and now I have to worry about writing and school work. Btw, my major has nothing to do with writing. I'm in nursing school, how do you college students/ writers deal with juggling school work and putting out your best chapters?! Lol, HELP

3. I realized I don't like posting chapters that are rushed or half-assed for the sake of uploading. I only want you guys to read my best work when it comes to character development, storylines and everything lining up smoothly and appropriately. I already became that author that had to restart a whole book because I didn't take my time with the original (Cough, cough, this book! This is not shaded aimed at authors that feel the need to rewrite a story after its already written because I understand the frustrations of changing your mind and knowing you could've done a lot better. I'm first handedly guilt).I rather post chapters that I am proud of and won't regret writing in the future. The only thing I'd ever go back and fix are spelling errors and small stuff like that, in the end won't change the storyline at all.

Anywhoooo, I hope y'all enjoy because I worked hard on this one and I'm in love this is chapter!

If ya liked vote, and if ya loved it, comment and the next chapter may be dedicated to you!

K_26ss