Love Me in the Dark

RIVER

After the disaster dinner, I felt like I was losing my mind. I didn’t know what to do with my life. What Briar did to me was unforgivable, but so did Krew.

I couldn’t believe he used me. He made me think that what we had was real. It turned out it was only a part of the plot he was orchestrating. Yeah, it was to save my ass, but he could have just told me about his grand plan, and I was willing to do my part to end that terrible chapter of my life.

Now, I didn’t have a job. I lost two people I started to care for. My bills kept coming, my rent was due, and here I was, slurping instant noodles from a cup.

Great, my life just turned upside down because I was addicted to his extraordinaire cock. Although I was starting to build back my life from the ground—who am I kidding? For the past three days, I did nothing other than slept and be a total loser.

I checked jobs online, though, but there was no luck. I still did not get my phone back since they needed it for evidence. I used my laptop to watch some shows and chat with Krys and Journey to keep my sanity in check.

My fork hung in the air when my doorbell went off. I was a hundred percent sure it wasn’t what I thought it was. Fine, it’s not Krew. He apologized through text, though, but that was it. I hadn’t heard anything from him since then.

I peeped before I opened the door.

“What can I do for you, almighty Kai? The last person I expect to show up at my front door. Well, not for too long.”

“Why? Are you going somewhere?”

“Possibly, since my rent is overdue.”

“Didn’t Krys give you the keycard to his penthouse? You have all the access you can get. Why don’t you go ruin his penthouse to get rid of that anguish and pain in your chest.”

I stared at him in disbelief. Was this the same man I met at dinner? “No freaking way. Would it help? No. I’d rather do my own way of getting rid of this anguish.” I quoted in the air. “But since I don’t have luck finding a job, and I’m alone paying the entire apartment, I’m gonna see myself on the street soon. That’s all to sum it up. Good thing there’s a place for the homeless—God! I’m babbling.” I groaned louder, causing him to laugh. And he found it funny to see someone who was struggling in life. It was so unfair.

I watched him help himself inside without an invitation. He was carrying plastic bags, and it smelled amazing. My stomach grumbled despite I just ate instant noodles. He went straight to the kitchen, placed down the plastic bags on the counter, opened some cupboards, took everything that he was looking for.

“Why are you here? Did he send you? I can't see his lackeys anymore, watching me from across the street.”

He prepared the food on the plate, and I literally drooled. “I owed you a dinner. Even if I don’t, I was still planning on checking up on you. Krys said that you’re still alive, chatting with her.” That was all. He didn’t mention his brother.

I sat on the stool and dug the most delicious dinner I’d ever tasted. Well, I was poor and hungry. Of course, I could tell this was delicious. “Thanks.”

a job.”

thank you. The last time I asked for help from Selik, I screwed

apartment, River. Even though I know my brother would not let it happen. The least

stubbornly. “Don’t make me throw this

him was to smile. “No wonder he’s

the

didn’t hear anything from him since that night, and I’m started to get worried.”

be kidding, right? “You have every man in your payroll if he’s gone missing. Unless he intends not to be found. You know where

am here, to look for my brother. You two had a few misunderstandings that need to sort out. You’re hurt, he’s hurt. Think about the outcome. And I’m not here to defend my brother even though I love that pain in the ass so much. But I saw what I saw and what you two have wouldn’t just disappear with one mistake. He’d been watching you for years, River, and that’s something you should value. I didn’t tell him that I went to see you and warn you because I could lose him, but I did

was surprised as

not telling you to forgive him. You would do it

I searched for something in his

his lips with the napkin. “I’m not asking for sympathy, and I don’t just tell it

I stuttered in

wears glasses, so his classmates made fun of him, but I didn’t know it went too far until it was too late. During their trip to the forest for the whole afternoon, one of the jocks had a girlfriend, and this

squeezed it. My eyes were filled with unshed tears. “You don’t have to continue. I don’t

in the head, gagged his mouth,

My tears fell. This explained everything why he was so

were not like this at that time. I mean, we didn’t have connections. We found him the next morning, full of mud, chilling, barely alive. That’s why

“What happened to them?”

He did immersion therapy. Before they

so terrified.” I sniffled, wiping my tears away. I realized it wasn’t the betrayal that hurt me the most. It was Krew. I cared

I pay for him a

him

there and considers that his sanctuary.

***

dragged me out if I wouldn’t show up. So here I was, trying to enjoy the conversation while I still finding it hard to wrap

audience caught our attention. I started to have a headache

“Yeah.”

to Krew, then just suck it up.” Journey glared at me. “Leave your