Shoutout to _g_clarke_ for the constant love, support and encouragement for my work. You always know how to put a smile on my face with your comments. You're appreciated! 💕.

                                ***

⚠️ Okay, trigger warning, before we start!
In this chapter, a very serious and heartbreaking subject is touched on, so please be aware before you continue. ⚠️.

Disrespect to me or the situation will not be tolerated for a second and if I feel as if you are doing that, I'll warn you than block you.

Thank you.

***

Jayla Santiago's POV

*1 hour before hand.*

I am just about to get into the shower when a thought crossed my mind.

I promise to call Temah and talk!

Maybe I should invite her for coffee since she will know all the best places.

I pick up my phone, tightening the towel around my chest and dial her number.

She picks it up after a couple of rings.

"Hey, Jayla, what's up?" She asks.

Her voice is slightly strained and she sounds breathless.

"You sound weird, you good?" I ask.

"Mhm, yeah, Jayla I'm good" she responds.

"What did you wanna tell me?" She asks.

"Douglas, behave!" She giggles.

I chuckle to myself.

"Your boyfriend is with you? I ask and she giggles a little more.

"Yeah he's here" she says shyly.

"You free later next week?" I ask her.

"Yeah, I should be, Ahh!" She squeals.

"T, are you good?" I ask.

"Mhm!" She responds, her breathing a little heavy.

"Douglas, stop!" She says, her voice unintentionally coming out as a small moan.

I pause and then smirk to myself.

"Temah, is your man, giving you wood, while you're on the phone to me?!" I ask with a cackle.

"N- not... exactly, hmm!" She gasps and I chuckle.

"You nasty hoe!" I tease.

"Meet me on Thursday and we'll talk about everything!" she says, sheepishly.

"Sure thing. And don't forget to tell your man to take it easy! We need you to be able to walk!" I crow.

"Bye, Jayla!" Temah responds before cutting the call and I laugh aloud.

I really am a fool sometimes.

I put my phone down and remove my towel, stepping into the shower, letting the water splash over me.

I let the water flow over me, before squeezing some body wash on a bathing sponge and scrubbing myself clean from head to toe.

After getting out of the shower and doing the rest of my hygiene, I use my body lotion and wear a different set of workout clothes, including another sweatshirt because of the weather.

I walk down the stairs to find it still incredibly quiet.

I tie my hair up and look once again at the family schedule and I nearly choke on my spit.

I run my finger across the column and see that Kofi is out...

For the whole weekend!

That means it's gonna be just me and Luis in the house.

Alone.

For two whole days!

I start panicking as I think of ways to avoid him at all costs.

I could... go for a walk.

Or a run.

Or I could go to the store.

For no apparent reason, J?!

I sigh.

I'll just have to firm it. I can do this!

It's only two measly days and he'll probably give me the cold shoulder after my attitude this morning.

My thoughts are suddenly cut off by the front door opening.

Luis steps inside of the house.

"Jayla!" Luis calls out.

Time to go.

One awkward ride later, and a meek thank you, I'm standing outside of Diav's house with Jace and Donnavan.

A few moments later, I am standing with Diav, who has come to meet us outside.

Diav's eyes roam over me slowly,  purposefully and shamelessly, making my cheeks burn.

I can't lie.

The man is attractive but that's not what I'm here for.

"Don Santiago" he greets, holding out his hand.

"Mr Kuznetsov." I respond.

"It's Diav" he tells me with a wry smile.

"In that case, it's Jayla to you then?" I ask.

"I'd like that" he responds and without hesitation, he picks up my hand kisses my knuckles.

My cheeks heat up and I look away.

He leads me to the training room and I exchange glances with Jace, who gives me a knowing smirk.

I scowl back and look away.

We enter the training room and we are met with a tall man, who's attention immediately snaps towards us, his steely grey eyes on us.

Valentine Ivanov.

He is a young man, maybe in his early 20's.

He is rather broad shouldered. He has a little scruff on his chin and neck and eyebrows that overhang slightly, causing a slight shadow to appear over his features.

He smiles to greet us and extends his hand to me.

I tentatively take it and he brings my hand to his lips, kissing it lightly, eyes still on me.

Are these guys Russian or French?!

They all act quite romantic.

His eyes move to Diav and he says something to him in Russian, a wide smirk appearing on his face.

Diav's face reddens with anger.

"Just train her,Valentine!" He responds stiffly, glaring at Valentine.

Valentine, who is completely unshaken by Diav's chilling tone, turns to me.

"Let's start" he says.

I nod.

Diav walks out of the room, hands in his pockets, muttering to himself in Russian.

I turn back to Valentine, to see a very well aimed punch, connect with my side, knocking the air right out of my lungs.

"Focus! You can do this" he tells me.

I gasp for air, coughing and spluttering, and he moves to land another one.

I block it and quickly get into stance.

He continues to strike, landing some extremely powerful shots.

Wait just a second!

I am not the type to ever get my ass whooped.

Especially by a stranger!

I am an assassin!

I don't got time for that!

I glare at him and just as he is about to punch, I dodge it and punch his jaw hard, making his neck twist to the side.

"Good" he responds.

Without waiting, I punch him again and again until his stance is low enough for my to wrap my arm around his throat in a tight headlock.

He tries to prise my arms off of him, taking us both to the floor.

I lay on my back, not letting go as he starts to thrash and struggle.

"Tap out" I whisper into his ear.

"Tap out or pass out" I continue, as his face gets redder.

He gasps for air and pats the floor twice, harshly.

I let go and he stands up, a wide grin on his face, his hair disheveled and all over, his eyes brimming with adrenaline.

"You're good... but you still need work" he says getting into fighting stance.

I nod.

"Go again. Come on" he says and I sigh, still slightly breathless.

This is gonna be a long day.

***

I walk into Luis' house a little earlier than 6:30pm, all of my muscles aching from the effort.

Jace dropped me off today because Luis had to do something company related.

He should be back by now though.

I walk into the kitchen to see Luis staring absent minded at the stove.

A glass of wine is next to him, the bottle nearly finished.

He looks deep in though but he noticed me walk in and he gives me a tight smile.

"How'd it go?" He asks, stirring the macaroni and cheese up in the pot.

"It was good" I say bluntly with a shrug.

He nods.

"Good. Go get cleaned up and then come get some food. We need to talk" he says.

My blood freezes in my veins.

Talk?!

About what?!

"What are we talking about?" I ask, folding my arms over my chest, defensively.

"You'll find out, when its time to talk" he says, looking into my eyes.

His gaze burns into me.

I go and clean myself up, changing into something more comfortable and I meet him downstairs again, two steaming bowls of macaroni cheese, waiting for us on the table.

He sits down on one side, fingers clasped under his chin.

He looks more nervous than I have ever seen him.

His leg shakes under the table and he keeps shifting about.

I step into the room, drawing his attention to me, as I sit.

He looks at me and takes in a deep breath.

"So what is this about?" I ask plainly, not wanting to sound as curious as I feel.

I take a bite of my food, still looking at him.

"Us" he says shakily.

I stop eating.

"There is nothing to talk about, Luis" I say coldly.

"Jayla, hear me out, I- -" he starts but I cut him off.

"You cheated. I caught you. That's it." I say harshly.

My blood starts to boil.

"No, you don't understand, I- -"

"Broke my heart? Are sorry? Won't do it again? I know that!" I fume.

"Jayla, would you please, just- -"

"No Luis! You were wrong! The only fucking reason, you're sorry, is because you got caught! You're stupid, bitch self, got caught, fucking a sly ass bitch, while you were with me, you scum!" I yell, not even stopping for breath.

I'm standing up now.

My eyes are pricking with tears that I refuse to let fall.

"And you know what?! It still hurts! It rips me apart every time I have to look at you, or- - Or even your son! God, I was so stupid to think you actually loved me- -" I start to say, but Luis slams a balled fist on the table, standing up.

"She forced herself on me!" He yells.

The room goes silent and time slows.

What, did he just say?

His tired eyes glare down at me, making my heart thump harshly and unevenly in my rib cage.

Raw, painful and open emotion is written all over his face and his eyes shine with unshed tears, his mask of tough masculinity cracking to show his vulnerability.

"She- she drugged my drink and took advantage of me." He whispers, looking at the ground as the first couple of tears start to fall on his cheeks.

I stare dumbfounded.

Luis...

"And don't you dare..." he croaks.

"Don't you dare say that I didn't love you, when you know that you were all I had!" He continues, voice cracking and layered with tears.

He doesn't even hold it anymore.

Tears flow freely down his face, and he sobs as he speaks, roughly, rubbing his hand over his face to wipe them away.

I stand there feet seemingly glued in place as his words sink in...

What she did to him... that's classified as rape.

"Why... why didn't you tell me?" I ask, my voice hardly above a whisper.

"I... I was ashamed" he whispers.

My heart drops to my ankles.

And all I did was judge him...

I didn't even ask why...

He needed me!

And I wasn't there for him!

"Luis, I'm so sorry" I say, stepping forwards and he scrambles backwards like a frightened and cornered animal , knocking his chair over.

"No. Don't... don't come closer... please" he gasps, wincing at how raw his voice is.

He turns away and walks out of the kitchen, leaving me in the empty silence.

Luis was raped.

And all I did was insult him.

I fucked up.

Massively.

——————————————————
Hey all!

How did you feel about this one?