Page 27 of Under the Influence
No. No.No.
He really is crazy. I always suspected he was slightly deranged but wrote off his obstinacy as tenacity and persistence. Now his insanity is undeniable. A wicked chuckle bounces through the small space from my furious head shake. “I’m not doing this. You’ve lost it. I’m going toSheena’s.”
“Didn’t she go home forChristmas?”
Panic burns through me. He’s right. She and all of my other friends have either left already or are getting ready to depart. Staying with their families for the next month to celebrate holiday break. Dumbfounded, I don't resist as he leads me out of the elevator, through the massive foyer, and into the den. My mind races faster than my heart. Seeking a solution to this ludicrous situation. “Then I’ll go to my parents’house.”
“Aren’t they spending the winter down south with your grandmother – enjoying the warmer weather while they work on theirbook?”
I have no idea how he maintains such an innocent expression when we’re both well aware he’s more than guilty of so much. “How do you knowthat?”
“They’re under my protection now. Sheenatoo.”
Now I’m going to have to explain bodyguards to them too. As if he can read my mind he shakes his head, holding up his enormoushand.
“Don’t worry. My guys are discrete. But I will always make sure the people you love are safe.” Darkness flickers in his eyes. Both of us well aware of what he’s capable of. What he’ll do when he’s pushed too far. “Besides, you’d have to get up awfully early to make it back in time for your eight amtest.”
He accessed my schedule. Is nothing confidential anymore? “I'll stay in ahotel."
"With that plane ticket to New Orleans on your credit card? I don't think soangel."
And now he's hacked into my private financial information. He's so, so smug. A brash twist of his lips while he waits for my next suggestion. Of which I have none. "Damn it Gio. What did youdo?”
“I did what I should have done a long time ago.” He talks slow as if we don’t speak the same language. Which at this point I’m not sure if we even do. “I got you out of that fucking dump and back to where youbelong.”
“All my stuff ishere?”
I ask more for myself than him because I already know the answer. Flustered from the realization of the depth of his resolve. From the certainty of his tone and the confidence of his defiant expression. He really believes I will just accept living here permanently. With him. As acouple.
“That’s what moving means, Books. They pack your things in boxes and load the boxes on a truck. Then they drive the truck here and unload the boxes. Your books are in here andyour–“
“Fine!” I toss my palms up in aggravated defeat. To stop him from talking. Prevent him from torturing me anymore with his condescending explanation that he finds hysterical and I absolutely do not think is humorous at all. “Fine! I will stay here until my finals are over, and then I’m moving somewhere else until I can get my apartmentback.”
"Sure. You go ahead and thinkthat."
Irritation heats me to my core from his impudent wink. "I'm serious. I'm only doing this so I can study. Then I'mgone.”
He ignores my threats. Responding only to the buzzing phone in hispocket.
“I meanit."
I yell at his back. Already walking away, engrossed in his screen. His shoes pound on the tile. Filling the hallway with his heavy steps and arrogant laughter until fading to nothing. Just like my own resiliency. Pointless. Futile. Daunting. I'mtrapped.
With shaking hands, I unbutton my coat. He really is out of his mind if he thinks I’m just going to accept him practically kidnapping me and confining me in here without any repercussions. Of which I have…none. I sigh to no one. Dramatic and unsatisfied but my frustration doesn’t matter. He won’t change his mind, and I have no other viable options at themoment.
More than six months have passed since I was in here. Nothing has changed. Still minimalistic décor with only two overstuffed brown leather sofas and an enormous screen filling half the north wall. No knickknacks or personalitems.
Except formine.
My notebooks are stacked neatly between my laptop and a heaping bowl of my favorite peppermint M & M’s on a breathtaking charcoal and ebony desk that still has the wood care instructions in the drawer. Thick new shelves, that don't sag, hold my black and white photo collection and all of my books. Two empty ones ready for more. How did he accomplish all of this in threehours?
No, I refuse to be impressed. Easy to dictate orders for your henchmen to carry out when you have money and power. But, at least, if he’s going to keep me prisoner here, he included some touches that I wouldlike.
What he won't like is me sleeping in the guestroom.
I drape my jacket across the back of the chair and drop down to the plump cushion, wrapping my favorite furry throw around me and plugging in my deadphone.
With the first ping of life, Sheena’s name pops on the screen. A message I missed this morning in the chaos that isGio.
