Andrew Belle – Pieces  

https://youtu.be/izXScOqVhMM

"Who do you think you are?" I started shouting, poking a finger into Harry's shoulder.

Actually, I am a conflict-free person and I don't argue with other people. But looks like Harry pissed me off. He was surprised and didn't expect that from me. He thought that I will leave and cry somewhere in the corner. No, I am not going to cry, I will better hit his head. He still looked sleepy.

"You're a pain in the ass!" he answered in the same tone.

I began slowly moving away from him. What? A pain in the ass?

"You're a rich spoiled girl who was always indulged and pleased with all of your whims..." the guy kept insulting me, coming even closer.

I doubled my fists and wanted to hit him for all his offensive words, although he was telling the truth.

"They give you gifts and kiss on the forehead before going to bed..." his voice sounded more and more rough, and his eyes were full of anger that they could burn me at any moment. What got into him? I didn't expect that he will get so angry and start raising his voice on me.

"As if you're any better than me!" I cried, pushing him in the chest.

This made Harry to pull away from me. I couldn't bear and started yelling at him.

"You're studying at Stanford. Have your own apartment and a car! You're not better than me even for a bit, you rich, spoiled jackass!" I yelled. Looks like all the neighbors will gather up here now.

Harry's eyes were burning in anger and incinerating me. If it was Michael, I think he would have shut me up already or even hit me, but not Harry. He turned around and went down the hallway. I was in rage, where is he going? I haven't said everything yet.

"Okay then! Go to your slutty Olivia! You were right, I am too good for you, you can only be with such whores like her!" I shouted back at him.

Harry stopped abruptly and turned around. It seems that I made him very angry. He quickly covered a distance between us. His features got rougher, lips are pressed together and eyes got darker. I shivered in surprise and squeaked something incomprehensible. We were standing face to face, so close that I felt his breath on my skin. My heart started beating faster; palms got sweaty, not because of fear, but because of him standing too close. As I was standing beside him, I forgot that I need to breathe. He was staring at me intensively. It was hard to foresee his actions, or what he's going to say. Clearly, he didn't return to apologize. Probably he will tell something offending.

"You're a fool..." he finally said.

His words were evident; I didn't expect to hear anything good. We didn't stop looking at each other. A moment later, Harry grabbed me and slammed me with my back against the wall. I wanted to squeak something in pain, but didn't have a chance, as Harry kissed me. His lips covered mine and I began kissing him back. At night, his kisses were tender and sweet, but now he was kissing me passionately and demandingly. I wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him closer. Harry's hands picked me up by my hips. I began to gasp in lack of air. The guy broke the kiss and started kissing my neck. He lifted me up and I wrapped his waist with my legs. Harry was gently nibbling skin on my neck and in response I groaned involuntarily. His hands were all around me.

"Ewww, gross!" I heard Jess's voice.

Harry pulled away abruptly, but he kept holding me. We looked at one another, he was panting and his lips were slightly swollen because of kissing. I have just noticed that I lifted my hand to Harry's hair and I am still holding it. Jess rolled her eyes and left without a word. I was trying to recover my breath, when I looked over Harry's shoulder and saw a granny. All of this happened in front of her door. She slightly opened the door and stuck her head out.

"Harry, we're not alone," I said huskily.

The guy put me down and started adjusting his shirt. Both of us were staring at granny. She didn't say a word, just smiled, winked and closed the door behind herself. I got all red, I wonder, for how long she was watching us? How awkward, she's my neighbor after all and it means that we will see one another again.

"We'd better not see each ever again..." Harry finally said.

"Ever again means never?" I asked raising my eyebrows.

"Exactly," he replied dryly, smoothing his hair.

I had enough of arguing with him, he doesn't know what he wants himself. It's better to stop this strange relationship now, before I fall in love with him. I have just broken up with my boyfriend and I am not prepared for another hopeless relationship. We can't be together, it's obvious! Who is he and who am I. We aren't good for each other. Of course, he can be sweet and behave like an ordinary guy, but most of the time I want to punch him. I have never experienced such conflicting feeling before. I am sedate and calm, but when I am with Harry, I get impetuous and gushy. I don't like these changes in myself. I want to be the same old Emily.

"Great," I sighted. I didn't want to see him anymore, so I turned around and headed over my place.

I felt him watching me. He was silently fallowing me with his gaze. I quickened the pace, as I was afraid that I will turn around and return to him. His presence has a bad influence on me. I quickly entered the apartment and slammed the door, Jess jumped in fear.

"What got into you?" She shouted.

I didn't reply anything and headed over my room. Now I hated my room, because it kept memories about Harry, the bed is still messy. I am sure that pillows and blanket smell like him. I couldn't stay here anymore, so I gathered some things, got quickly dressed, fixed myself and left the room.

"Where are you going, Emily?" my friend asked me, sitting in the living room.

"I want to see my parents, I'll be back on Sunday," I quickly answered.

The only person who can help me right now is my dad. He can always calm me down without saying a word. I need to distract myself and forget about everything that happened. I will get to my senses till Sunday.

"But today's Saturday, isn't it?" the blonde asked me.

"I want to spend a day with them," I quickly replied and waved off.

I went outside and got into my car. As I took my phone, I called my dad. He answered me after a few beeps.

"Dad, I'm coming to you today..." I began.

"Did something happen?" my dad asked cautiously.

"No, I just miss you very much," I replied, trying to make my voice as calm as possible.

"Of course, we're waiting for you..." I heard father's voice.

I turned on the car and drove away from this place. I tried to run away from my thoughts. They were all about Harry.

I arrived fast. My memories took me down, as I was driving down the familiar streets. We often hung out with Jess in that café. We liked to have a stroll down this street with dad. I walked with Michael in this park. I thought that I was happy.

I saw dad, as I was approaching the house. He was sitting on the porch and waiting for me. I quickly got out of the car and ran towards him. As I ran closer, I hugged him tightly like a little child. My dad hugged me back, whilst I was enjoying the scent of his perfume. The same old scent from my childhood, as much as I remember myself, he always wore it.

"Emily, are you sure you're all right?" my dad suddenly asked with concern.

"Of course, I just really missed you..." I answered smiling, it's a pure truth.

"Well then, your mother is already waiting for us," he said, stroking my messy hair.

Dad took my bag and we went home. Nothing changed, everything is as usual. I hugged my mom tightly; she was setting out the table.

"Emily, you'll need to look good today. Mr. Stone and his son are coming for a dinner tonight..." mom said.

"What? Michael and his dad are coming to us?" I asked with fear in my voice.

Mom acted as if she didn't notice my tone. I looked at dad; he sadly shifted his gaze on mother. They are definitely hiding something from me.

"But we aren't together with Michael anymore," I continued, looking at mom then at dad.

"Mr. Stone has important news for you," mother coldly replied, not even looking at my side.

I barely communicated with Michael's father. He was more in touch with my parents, as they were colleagues. I didn't understand anything, but I knew for sure that all this festive dinner wasn't because of my arrival, but because of Stones coming to us. This thought made me sad. I looked at dad, waiting for explanation, but he kept silent. I headed over my room without saying anything else. It didn't change: my favorite books, old vinyl discs, photos.

"Emily, come downstairs, they'll soon be here!" mother's voice broke my idyll.

I put on a black dress, fixed myself and went downstairs. Mr. Stone was already sitting in the living room with my parents and Michael. I wanted to grab a vase and hit it against his forehead, but I took control of myself. He was smiling spitefully. I passed by him nonchalantly and sat on the chair.

"You look perfect, Emily..." Mr. Stone began to speak.

I was always afraid of him; he had such a daunting appearance. Impassive face, imperious look, coldness. He was sitting on the couch in an expensive suit with his hair brushed back and such a treacherous glance, the same as Michael has. I didn't answer to him anything.

"So, we can start I presume," Mr. Stone continued talking and he winked at me.

"It's not a secret that very soon I'll become a head of the company, in which we work together with your father..." he began his speech.

"I'm happy for you," I replied shortly.

"Thank you, the thing is that your father betrayed me. At the moment he's a bankrupt, Emily, and he let our company down for a big sum of money..." I didn't believe to his words, my stomach clenched with fear.

I quickly looked at dad; he was pretending looking at something on the floor. I imagine how he's feeling right now and now I wanted to break that vase against Mr. Stone's head.

"I can go to police and your father will get arrested, but I don't want to do that..." Mr. Stone continued to speak.

"Or?" I asked, shifting my gaze on him.

"Or, your father will become a vice-president and fix everything. I really do believe in him, he'll definitely return the money back..." he said coldly.

"But what am I supposed to do with this?" I asked uncomprehendingly.

"You'll be my guaranty that he won't run away anywhere or something like that..." Mr. Stone answered smiling.

I got scared of his words and of the way how he said it. Looks like I am going to have a panic attack any moment now.

"And how I'll become your guaranty?" I finally asked, feeling how my voice is trembling traitorously.

"It's simple. You'll marry my son Michael," he replied, pointing at his son's side.

My eyes widened in astonishment while Michael was delighted, sitting on couch and swaying his leg.

"No, I won't!" I cried and got up from the couch.

The only thing I wanted right now was to run away from them and hide.

"You have no choice; you don't really want to ruin your daddy's life..." Michael added with his disgusting voice.

"Dad, that's not true, right?" I cried out, but he lowered his head.

"Mom, tell me that it's not true..." I almost prayed, but they were silent.

I hurried and scurried about the room like an animal in the cage.

"Go away! I'll never marry you!" I began to yell at Michael.

He was smiling and enjoying his victory.

"You can't get away from this..." he said, moving closer.

I pushed him with all my strength and ran to my room. How can it be? "That's not true, it's just a nightmare," I whispered to myself. I locked up in my room not turning the lights on or changing clothes, I just fell on the bed. I covered myself with blanket, as if I was trying to escape from everything. I lied on the other side and pulled up my knees. "It's not true, it's not true," I whispered until I fell asleep.

"Emily..." a man's voice was waking me up.

"Emily..." I heard through my sleep.

I opened my eyes abruptly, it's dark, and I can't see anything. I blinked a few times and started to look around. There was a man's silhouette on the edge of my bed. "Michael!" I thought to myself. I stretched my hand, grabbed a book from the bedside-table and started to punch him with it. "Take that!" I exclaimed.

"Emily, it's me, Harry..." the guy husked, as he grabbed the book.

I quickly stood up and tried to take a good look.

"Harry? What are you doing here?" I inquired whispering.

I don't know why, but I was happy to see him.

"We need to talk..." he whispered, putting the book away.