From Selena's perspective
Angry as a wasp, I headed for the side of the street, already having a nose for what would happen to me. I literally gave up my whole life for this bastard to provide him with protection, and he has faded away. I gave up my good job, my meetings with my family, whom I deceived into saying that the company was moving me to New York. Furthermore, I did it to be with Felix and ensure his happiness! And he says he can no longer manage to live like this. I can't fathom what is happening to him. He is like a frightened child, the same as when I defended him from his peers in elementary school!
Is it the side effects of medication? Or is it his true character after being treated in a psychiatric hospital?
However, a memory from the night I picked up the phone and heard a woman's voice in the receiver, which warned me that a mentally ill person, even after proper treatment, will never be fully sane again....
So, at this point is Felix having a depressive episode?
I stop in mid-step and turn to face him. He silently, with his head lowered, walks ahead, not even noticing that I stopped.
- We are going back to my apartment, stay there and see what happens. It's fortunate that I didn't sell it, as if I had some kind of premonition," I declare unexpectedly, making him stop in mid-step, lift his face and look at me with puzzled eyes. - I see that something bad is happening to you. What is to be, will be. At most, I will face Lucas, we can't spend our whole lives running away from him. It was an ill-considered decision, made in an act of desperation.
- No, Selena, it is I who will face him. I will protect you from him. I promise he won't hurt you," he replies, looking at me with sad eyes. - I think you are right when you say that it was a reckless decision, made in an act of desperation. I was the one who gave you the idea, I'm sorry that I messed up your life. I didn't think I would become so weak that I couldn't take it any longer. I thought that running away by your side would make me really feel happy....
Furthermore, I watch him with a caring eye, seeing that something terrible is happening to him.
- Lucas was right when he said that I am also your poison. I see it now," I say in a whisper.
- You are not my poison, Selena. You have never been her. I am the poison for all the people around me. It's me who's the problem, always.
My heart softens. I walk up to him and without saying a word, I hug my face to his chest, closing my eyelids.
- Running away is a fatal method, but I will find a way to get you out of this. Nevertheless, I will free you from Lucas and all your pasts.
Felix embraces me tighter and kisses the top of my head.
- Selena, you have become incredibly brave. Now you remind me of your former self, from your childhood days.
I laugh quietly, ignoring the car driving past us.
- I guess it's just my nature, because I damn near missed you all these years, I missed the thrill of not having you by my side.
I move away from him and look at his face as he pulls a strand of hair behind my ear.
- I also missed you very much. Without you, my life has no meaning," he declares, watching me with sad eyes. This sight makes my heart pierce with pain.
I worry more and more about him. I see that he can't be happy.
- We're in the middle of this damn rumpus, but be strong. I'm sure we'll hit some bus stop soon.
- You know... the greater likelihood is that one of Lucas' men will find us sooner and embrace us with a free ride. - Although he says this in jest, his voice still sounds sad. - Isn't it better to stop someone and ask for a cell phone to call Mike and Eve?
- Even though they are our friends, I don't want them to know for now that we decided to go back to my apartment. After all, we got them involved in all this crap, they might be angry with us for giving up.
Felix merely nods in response.
*
From Lucas' perspective
I look with amused eyes at Hannah, who is sitting next to me in the VIP section. Her facial expression says a lot about how unhappy she is in my company, and she should be gloating with pride that she is sitting here as my escort, when not long ago, she was just a waitress. I let her leave the house where she has been trapped so far, but she doesn't look happy about it.
- What is it, mouse? Have you become an introvert? Don't you like the club?
- What do you really want from me? - The girl is knocking me down with her eyes. - What are you up to when you're still not looking for Felix and Selena at all? What do you need me for?
I take a sip of whiskey, gloating over its strong taste.
- Mouse...
- Don't call me a mouse. I don't have a delicate beauty. I'm more suited to a rat," she says with indignation in her voice, which makes me laugh.
- Well, rat, you should be happy that I don't keep you locked in the house. After tonight, I'll give you your freedom.
- Are you kidding me?
- No," I answer her completely seriously. - You can even go to the police and report that you were kidnapped by me.
- Since you say so, I guess you have a deal with someone in the police. - I see that her face suddenly turns pale. - That's why you're not looking for Selena and Felix. The police are doing it for you," the girl finishes, and her voice trembles.
I start applauding her, looking happy.
- I love that wisdom of yours, Hannah. You figure everything out pretty quickly.
- What have you done?
- Nothing. If they find them, they will charge Selena with kidnapping my cousin, who is still not healthy enough. I am his legal guardian.
I can see Hannah starting to panic.
- So why did you kidnap me?
I raise my eyebrow, measuring her from bottom to top, then take another sip of whiskey.
- Because you caught my eye. I wanted to get to know you.
- Are you making fun of me?
I put down my glass and move closer to her, grabbing her by the neck. I draw her close, looking into her eyes from a close distance and sliding my gaze to her lips.
- I come from such a family that I have the whole world at my feet; therefore I can have everything I want. Now, do you understand?
- Is this your pastime? Hurting innocent people?
- Innocents? Do you mean yourself now, or Selena?
- I'm talking about Selena," she replies to me firmly, without dropping her gaze. - She just still loves Felix and wants the best for him, and you have a deal with a corrupt policeman and want to destroy her life just because she defied you.
- Felix is still sick, and I am taking care of him. He has to take medication, and this idiot kidnapped him, thinking that she will give him a better life. Her presence will only kill him, so I wanted her to stay away from him, but she is stubborn and selfish and thinks only of herself!
- And you don't think only about yourself? Sebastian said that you keep him close to you because he is your only family! You are afraid of loneliness!
I can no longer listen to her, so I close her mouth with a kiss. She tries to pull away from me, but I don't let her.
- Boss... - I hear behind my back. I move away from the surprised girl, who is wiping her mouth with the sleeve of her blouse.
- What? - I ask, looking at him over my shoulder. - I'm busy.
- Sebastian showed up at the club. He is not alone, he is accompanied by Selena friend.
I smile broadly, stretching out on the couch. I see that Hannah is looking at me with a deadly gaze.
- Excellent... the big show is about to begin!
- Are you going to destroy Eve's life? She has a man and a baby! - yells at me, Hannah, getting up from the couch. - Give them a break!
I raise an eyebrow.
- Why? They could have stayed out of Felix's escape. They helped Selena, so I'm going to mess with their lives a little.
- You will only hurt the child...
- Well, I don't like children," I answer her roughly. - She was born in such a family, so she will suffer. I also suffered and had no choice.
- Please...
- I'm asking you for something too! - I yell at her, rising from the couch. I face her and grab her by the shoulders, shaking her. - Either you cooperate with me like a good girl, or I will destroy your life. I'm giving you a chance because I've managed to like you. Think about it...
I push her away gently and leave the VIP area, intending to go down to the dance floor and put on a funny show.
As I head down the stairs, I adjust the gold watch on my hand. My eyes find Sebastian and his blond companion standing at the bar.
- A traitor has the audacity to show up at my club? - I ask as a greeting. I stand next to Eve, who looks concerned. - Aren't you afraid that I will kill you and, by the way, the woman accompanying you? You got a chance from me, and you keep coming back here....
- Boss... - My favorite boy pretends to be scared, playing the victim in front of Selena's friend.
He has no choice if he wants to live.
- For the sake of the past we have in common, that night I will let you have fun in my club, but never come back here again and don't call me boss, treacherous scumbag," I say, measuring Selena's friend with my eyes on the way out. A mocking smile appears on my face. - I don't know who you are, but be careful that he doesn't stab you in the back, too.
I'm overjoyed when I walk across the dance floor, rubbing my lips with my finger. I love to take revenge on people who get under my skin.
With distaste, I push away the hand of the girl who pusillanimously grabs my forearm as I walk past her.
- Paws by your side.
I feel differently, however, when Hannah approaches me. I let her grab my hand, although I raise my eyebrows, being confused by her behavior.
- What do you want?
- If I stay by your side, will you really provide me with a luxurious life? - she asks, and I see that her eyes are shining.
Of course... money corrodes everyone.
I smile wryly.
- After all, I told you that you have a choice. Did you make up your mind so quickly? - I ask, looking at her from under squinted eyelids.
- I have no family, no friends, and I'm tired of working like an ox every day for a measly pittance to survive. Besides. I don't need the problems caused by you yet.
- So I hope it's actually your decision, and you're not planning anything against me, rat," I say, tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear. - Because I assure you that you will end up even worse than the rest.
Hannah swallows her saliva nervously. She can't change her decision now. She must remain strong.