The second I woke alone in my bedroom I knew he ran out of here so he could pretend like nothing happened. I laid in bed awhile contemplating what to do. My body was buzzing in happiness and although I knew he would deny there was anything between us I wasn't going to regret it.
I took a long shower, then dressed in my leggings and power puff girls shirt. I needed to channel some inner girl power right now. Since I have no friends I was turning to buttercup and bubbles. I know I need to get a real life.
Eros was outside waiting by his jeep and I took a deep breath before opening the front door. He would act like last night was nothing and I will be perfectly fine with it. Cue big smile and bubbly attitude.
As I predicted he cut right to the chase and said it meant nothing. The stabbing in my heart was painful and I don't know where the idea to mess with him came from. I just reacted and acted like I was crushed then laughed it off as a joke.
I jump in his jeep a little proud of myself. I handle that very well in my opinion. The gut wrenching pain didn't go away, but at least I didn't look like a pathetic girl pinning after a man that didn't want me. I had to find a bright side somewhere.
The second we arrived at the airport everything that happened last night suddenly felt like childish thoughts. My pain from being rejected turned to pure fear of getting arrested. I'd rather get rejected every day then sit in jail.
I could feel Eros getting more and more irritated as I said hi to every guard. I needed to do something though. Being friendly seemed reasonable at the time. Looking back I understand why he called me a freak. The way he grabbed my hand and whispered in my ear how everything would be ok sent my mind into a rollercoaster of emotions though.
I loved how he told me what to do and knew how to comforted me. I just wish he actually wanted to be that to me. It might seem weak for some woman to lean solely on a man to make the decisions, or to ask for permission, or to need his comfort like it was air to breath, but I craved it. Eros was the only person I met that I trusted that way. He could tell me that if I jumped off a bridge and I would survive I would trust there was a net to catch me without looking. I know it's bizarre and I also know I had to curb those feeling for him. The real Eros would probably tell me to jump just to laugh at how gullible I was.
The second we got back to his house I knew he was off the charts pissed. He could be a little rough with his words, but he never screamed or got violent. His body would tense and he would get eerily quiet.
Once I saw what was in the bag I almost crumbled to the ground crying. I couldn't live with myself knowing we put those drugs and guns back on the street. Eros grabbed me, sitting me on his lap, and told me to let him handle it. I wanted to believe he would do the right thing and trusted him to handle it. In all honesty I didn't want to go back to El Diablo or ever see Jose again.
Even though it felt right being coddled in his arms as he told me everything would be fine I knew I had to leave. This was it for our little adventure and I was getting way too attached. At night I prayed he would come through my window and during the day I constantly looked for him to be watching over me. It just wasn't normal behavior and definitely not the Eros I knew him to be.
Once I got home I couldn't think straight and headed straight to my studio. This time I went a bit more risqué with my painting. A woman in a red cloak wearing just scandalous undergarments stood in a desolated land with a tall distorted clock beside her. From the distance a man with deep green eyes and a distinct black slit to show his wolf eyes stalked her. The woman was sexy but shied away from the man as his zoned in on her to be his. There was clear lust between them, but there was no time or way for them to fit into each other's world.
Definitely had little red riding hood vibes and was inspired simply from him calling me little red. He did remember that night and I was more memorable than I thought I was. I set my paint brush down and cleaned my studio. Eros should had met Jose by now but wouldn't be home until after 2 from his shift at work.
As I crawled into my bed I let a small hope consume me that he would come to me. I knew it wouldn't happen and tomorrow at the Charity event he would probably be back together with Chrissy. As much as I didn't want it to be true it was how it always was.
———
Morning came and I groaned awake hitting the side of my bed. Eros never came. I let out a sigh puffing my cheeks like a disappointed child. I checked outside and his jeep was in the driveway so I knew he made it home safe. His bike was missing though and I wonder if he left early with it. His jeep and one classic bike were always in the driveway but occasionally he parked them in their oversized garage with the more valuable cars. I doubt I would be talking to him anytime soon to find out what happen so I just let it go. It was back to just me now.
I headed downstairs for breakfast seeing my mom and dad giggling over eggs. "Good Morning!"
"Good morning, sweetie!"
"Good morning, princess!
That was the extent of our conversation when my mom was there. I made my coffee and grabbed a plate then headed back upstairs. I knew if I stayed too long the sadness would fill my mom's eyes how I reminded her of the life we had. It broke my heart that I wasn't something that helped her get over the pain but a reminder of it.
I stared in my closet a long time debating if I should just wear the more revealing red dress that Eros would like or go with the more sophisticated black business suit with pink cami. I put the dress on but changed after an hour. I can't be someone I'm not. I didn't feel comfortable in that dress plus it was actually my Halloween costume.
I did switch the pink cami for a red one and took a long breath. Eros would be on Chrissy's arm tonight so it didn't matter what I wore anyways. She was a hundred times more gorgeous than me and she understood his world. I was awkward and simple in his mind. I didn't even want to stay in the city. I was only here for my parents.
"You look beautiful, princess." My dad was at the front door waiting for me. I gave him a smile and he knew immediately I forced it on. Before heading down I already saw Chrissy jump in his sport car as they headed out to the event. I told myself not to get my hopes up, but there was no stopping how incredibly rejected I felt this time. We weren't drunk or teenagers the other night. We were us, Eros and Ella, and he wanted me. I guess it was only for the night, like he said.
We arrived at the event and there were light hors d'oeurve being served with champagne by cocktail waitresses. I wasn't old enough to drink, but I also knew no one would stop me. It never crossed my mind until I saw him. Not just him, but him with her.
Chrissy stood tall in black heels with red bottoms in a sleeveless red dress. She looked absolutely stunning and perfect on Eros' arm. He wore just a black suit and white shirt half unbuttoned and no tie yet looked so damn sexy. Twenty minutes after wallowing in self pity I took a glass of champagne not caring what happened after that point.
I stood by a wide hallway that wound back and forth displaying over thirty pieces of art for auction later tonight. I listen closely to the passing people's comments knowing mine were at the other end. I wasn't ready to hear their thoughts about it so I ate up the praise they gave the artist's work at the front where I stood.
"You look lonely standing here all by yourself." A deep male voice spoke beside me.
I glanced next to me seeing a man in his mid-twenties watching me. Oh shit! He was talking to me.
"Usually when one is by themselves, they are lonely." That is practically the definition.
The man chuckled at me making my eyes widened at him. Was he laughing with me or at me? I definitely just enter some weird time warp where handsome men randomly stopped to talk to me.
"Probably not my best opener. I wasn't sure how to approach you. Jack Whiting." He held his hand out.
I looked at him confused. Oh shit! That's his name. I took his hand biting the inside of my check. "Ella, Ella Jones."
"Ella! I like that name." He smiled at me holding on to my hand.
"Aren't you a little too young to be drinking." A voice came from behind me. Now he shows up. Awesome!
"It's champagne, Eros." I turned to him annoyed. The second I took him in though my body melted to how incredibly handsome he looked.
"We both know you do bad things when you drink though, little Ella." He said taking my champagne glass from me making me blush.
I folded my arms. "What do you want, Eros? I think Chrissy is calling you." Despite my desire to just grab him and firmly kiss my lips to his I reminded myself he went running back to her.
We stared at each other a moment when I felt a hand to my back. I turned to the man now beside me and smiled.
"Hi daddy."
"Hi sweetheart." I smiled at him but didn't keep it long. Chrissy was here too and snaked her body right up against Eros'. I so badly wanted to push her off him and say he was mine. That was so far from the truth though.
"Your little princess is drinking and talking to strangers." Eros was speaking to my dad but looking dead at me.
"Who?" My dad looked next to me and saw Jack standing there. "Hey, I'm glad you made it out. Ella this is my good friend's son Jack Whiting. He lives closer to your home town than here."
"Actually we met already. I didn't know she was your daughter. You said Jones?" He looked me over making me a little nervous. Did I like the attention? Well, of course I did, but it was unexpected.
"Yes, Aaron is my step dad. My father passed away when I was eleven."
"Oh, I'm sorry." He looked away clearing his throat.
Way to make it awkward Ella! And I wondered why I had no friends.
"It's fine, I'm sorry." My face instantly blushed.
"It's fine, princess. Let's get some non-alcohol drinks and talk. I think you and Jack will enjoy each other's company."
"Who the fuck is Jack?" Eros spit out.
"What?" I whispered shaking my head at him. He was definitely angry and out of nowhere.
"Be good Eros. Jack's father is a close business partner with your father. I'm glad to see you and Chrissy made up. If you'll excuse us."
My dad gave Eros annoyed eyes then put his hand to my back and nodded for Jack to follow. I was so clueless of what just happened. I turned to look back at Eros and he was seething in anger. What was his deal? Chrissy whispered in his ear but he brushed her off him and walked out. That was strange.