Chapter 56: 56. I was out for a walk

He'd driven for a while, with no destination in mind. But that anger refused to subside. He was restless. Brimming with hatred. Hurt. He'd yearned to go back and find her. Plant a fucking bullet right between her eyes and be over with. The pain that she'd caused him over the years. The trouble. The sorrow. She fucking deserved it. And so much more. She'd proven to him once again what a heartless whore she was. A sick monster. One that was willing to destroy the life of an innocent girl just so that she could prove to him that she still had power over him. That he was weak. Soft-hearted like his father.

He was reeling. Fuming with rage. He wanted to fucking punch something. Maybe even go and find those two little bitches, just so that he could beat the crap out of them all over again.

But the thought of her, the thought of his sweet enchantress being there all alone, in her room had him dismissing all those raging thoughts and race all the way back into town. She was vulnerable. A sitting duck. He knew that the bitch was absolutely furious at him now, after what he'd almost done. He'd seen that look in her eyes. That wrathful and scorned gaze. What if she tried to take it out on Lydia again? That thought had him driving like a maniac all the way back home, desperate to make sure that she was fine. It was already so late in the night and he knew that she would be most probably asleep by now. So when he slipped inside and found her bedroom empty he nearly lost it. He wanted to march right up to that bitch's house and kill everybody in there for taking what was his.

Thankfully, he'd looked at his phone and read that message just in time.

*"She's here."*

She was safe and sound. Sleeping in his bed. Dressed in his clothes. She was so fucking beautiful, and he couldn't help but smile as he gazed upon her for another few moments.

There was a soft glow from the small desk lamp sitting on the nightstand to her right, that light faintly illuminating her features. Giving him a nice view at her doll-like features, so peaceful and serene. Those slender and tanned legs as she had unconsciously gathered that duvet close to her body in her sleep, tightly holding it against her chest whilst her leg lay draped over it. He was itching to crawl in there, with her. Have her let go of the comforter and cuddle into him like that instead. Feel the softness of her body. Her warmth. Her scent. Kiss her lips. Her temples. Tell her how much he'd missed her in these blasted several hours.

But there was one thing stopping him. That dark thought. That sickening sense of guilt. He was the cause of this. Of all this. What happened tonight. What almost happened to her several weeks ago. He'd put her in danger. Only by simply wanting her. By daring to approach her.

He was so sure that she hated him, now that she had found the truth about why those assholes had tried to harm her. Now that she had a target on her back, thanks to him. Hell, he'd hate himself too. In fact, he already did. He loathed himself, for doing that to her. For being the cause of her pain. Her suffering.

He cursed the moment that he decided to approach her. That selfish decision to make her his. It would've been better if she'd remained just a fantasy in his head. Just an illusion. *At least then she would've been safe.*

He lightly shook his head, giving her one last yearning glance before slipping out of the room, softly closing the door behind him.

Too late for that. It was just wishful thinking now. What he could do right now was just try to protect her as best as he could. Keep her safe. He would guard her door if he had to. Stick to her side twenty-four out of seven. Whether she agreed to it or not.

**

Lydia's lips parted to let out a yawn, limbs stretching beneath the soft sheets. She had yet to open her eyes, feeling the gentle touch of a warm sunray caressing her cheek as she continued to lazily lie there like that for another few moments. Basking in those few seconds of peace. Of silence. She'd had the wildest dream. A terrible nightmare. One where she-

She abruptly startled as soon as her eyelids fluttered open, meeting an unfamiliar ceiling. She hastily sat up as if being burned, taking a quick look at her surroundings.

Yes. It had been all real, sadly. She was still homeless. And penniless. Taking advantage of stranger's kindness.

She rushed to get out of the bed and then ran straight to the bathroom, hastily doing her morning routine before she could go downstairs and at least prepare det. Hale a cup of coffee. It was the least she could do, considering.

She found a new toothbrush in one of the cabinets and quickly brushed her teeth after peeing, not even bothering to comb her hair after that. She had to get to that kitchen as fast as possible. She could only pray that he hadn't woken up yet.

She practically ran out of that bedroom as soon as she was ready, taking two stairs at a time in her haste to get to that coffee machine. Maybe she could even prepare some breakfast in the meantime. Set up a nice buffet for him as a form of gratitude. For everything that he'd done for her so far.

She blew out a relieved exhale as soon as she noticed that the kitchen and living room area was empty, going straight for the coffee machine sitting on the countertop with fast and determined steps. Entirely failing to take notice of that silhouette that laid sprawled over the sofa.

She started to roam into the cabinets, searching for mugs and coffee beans. Filling up that tank of water, pressing loud buttons as she worked her way around the kitchen. Completely unaware of that annoyed groan that resounded from the couch as the machine whirred so loudly.

She quickly prepared two mugs of coffee, taking them both in her hands before she turned around, about to set them on the bar. When her gaze accidentally darted to the male kneeling over the couch, a seriously aggravated and sleepy expression marring his features as he glowered at her.

She let out a short and sharp scream, almost dropping those two mugs in the process. Julian simply smirked in return.

"Oh, come on. I can't possibly look that bad in the morning," he groggily muttered with a hint of sarcasm, the girl stupidly blinking for a few times as she continued to stare back at him.

And only then did she finally notice that he was missing a shirt. His lean and tattooed torso on full display for her to see, his undone pants hanging so precariously on his hips.

His black hair was heavily ruffled and his gaze a little bit tired, unfortunately only adding to that sexy, just-rolled-out-of-bed look of his.

She thickly swallowed, ignoring that flutter in her belly.

"What are you doing here?"

His head tilted to the side, giving her a mildly puzzled look.

"I live here, remember? I mean, I used to but I still come back whenever I feel like it," he finished with a shrug.

"How did you end up in here?" He suddenly asked in return and she froze at the sound of that, struck by that uncomfortable sense of guilt and embarrassment. Of course he would ask her that. She was an intruder in here after all. An unwanted guest. One that he evidently had no more positive feelings for after last night.

She suddenly felt so dumb and rejected. So stupid, for wearing his clothes.

This was a mistake. She shouldn't have accepted his father's invitation to stay here. She had to leave. Now.

She approached the bar, and with shaky hands, she gingerly placed the two mugs on the counter.

Julian continued to watch her with a mild furrow of his brow.

That painful lump was already starting form in her throat. But she fought to ignore it, her gaze lowering as she could feel the sting of those tears. No. She couldn't cry. Not now. She refused to.

She was about to run out of there when Derek suddenly made his appearance into that living room, casually approaching her.

"Morning," he said, his gaze curiously darting between the two.

"Morning," the girl softly squeaked in return. Hesitating to meet his gaze.

Derek's narrowed gaze averted back to his son. Taking in his rather indecent appearance.

"You," he jerked his chin in his direction.

"Go and put a shirt on. You're bothering our guest," he firmly instructed with a pointed look.

The young male grumbled in reply but got up nonetheless, trudging his way out of that living room.

He then carefully approached the visibly embarrassed girl, plastering a nice and soft smile on his face. It kinda felt like he was trying to approach a frightened little fawn.

The girl's big green eyes rose to meet his, noticeably redness rimming them as she forced a smile on her face.

"I made you a coffee," she said, her voice though betraying her by trembling a little. God. What did that little fool do now?

"I'm sorry, I didn't know if..." she tried to explain herself with slight shrug of her shoulders, the male warmly smiling down at her as he simply said,

"Thank you, Lydia. That's very kind of you,"

She quickly nodded in reply, a faint blush coating her cheeks.

He was about to approach the counter and help himself to one of those hot steaming coffee mugs when the doorbell suddenly rang.

His immediately brows furrowed with curiosity, even a little bit of suspicion. Who would come to visit his house at a such an early hour in the morning? He didn't have any packages on the way, the mailman didn't work on Sundays and he didn't have any scheduled upcoming meetings with his parents.

Hmmm...

"Hold that thought," he told Lydia with a raised finger, noticing that startled look in her eyes right before he turned and went for the front door.

He approached it with determined strides, mindful of that gun hidden in his shoe cabinet if the situation requested of it. Whoever it was behind that door, they surely weren't a friend of his. Because if they were, they would've known all about his strict rule of being announced beforehand of their upcoming arrival. He wasn't fond of surprise visits. And that was mostly because there were people who had tried in the past to get rid of him this way. People who were now either in jail or even dead.

He flung the door open with a set of his jaw, his scowl deepening as soon as his gaze fell on the vexing little blonde that had managed to irritate him for several times now.

"Of course it's you," he muttered with a roll of his eyes.

She only glowered up at him in return, blowing out an annoyed huff before she pushed right past him, entering his home as if it were her own.

"I gotta find out who keeps giving you intel about me and then strangle the shit out of them," he mumbled out with aggravation as he trailed after her, earning her defiant gaze as she paused to peer at him from over her shoulder.

"Good luck with that. I gather my intel all by myself,"

His brow raised in return for a moment, however being quick to mask it with a narrowed glower. Yes. He was growing more and more impressed with her after their every unfortunate little encounter, but he wasn't going to show her that. He couldn't.

"What? You thought that you're the only one who's got some skills around here?" She sassily commented, earning another disdainful glower.

But the girl didn't even bother throwing him a second glance, her brown eyes growing slick with unshed tears as soon as they landed on Lydia. Noticing her standing there. Looking like a saddened little orphan.

She couldn't refrain herself from running straight to her, wrapping her arms around her body whilst fighting not to burst into a fit of ugly crying.

Lydia remained frozen at first, not really sure how to react as this was actually the first time in such a long time that her friend was hugging her again. Holding her like that. Like she'd missed her, and cared for her.

She quickly swallowed a sob, fighting back those tears. She didn't want to cry again. She'd done so enough, for the past several hours. She needed a reprieve.

Lucy pulled back after another few moments of silence, her glassy and reddened eyes meeting hers as she wrapped a hand around hers, expressing a hopeful smile.

"Come on. I'm taking you with me,"

"No, you're not,"

Lydia blinked at the sound of that angered male voice, gaze shifting just in time to see Julian standing just a few steps away from them, fully clothed now. A determined frown marring his beautiful features.

"She's not going anywhere," he firmly declared, leaving no room for debate. Lydia's eyes widened with shock. W-what?

"Yes, she is," Lucy rushed to push back, matching his determination.

"She'll be staying with me, for as long as she needs," she even tugged at her hand and pulled her closer for emphasis, much to Julian's dissatisfaction.

"She's perfectly fine here," he rebuked, earning Lucy's distasteful scowl in return.

"Not with you, she's not,"

Julian's eyes blazed with fury at the sound of that.

"Are trying to say that I can't-"

"Guys!" Det. Hale suddenly intervened, making Lydia unintentionally startle a little at the sound of his powerful voice.

"Let's calm down for a moment, okay?" He pointedly peered between the two bratty young adults. Although they were kinda acting like little children at the moment, but anyway...

"Why don't we ask Lydia instead what she wants to do?" He calmly suggested after a moment, making them all three pause and stare back at him.

"I'll go with her," Lydia immediately rushed to say. She just wanted out of there. And that as fast as possible.

"No, you're not," Julian vehemently refused. That determined frown still etched on his features.

Lydia's eyes widened. Shock gripping at her, before a much more powerful feeling suddenly replaced that. Anger. At him. At herself. No. She was done staying quiet. Done refusing to fight for herself. Who did he think he was? Her goddamned keeper?

"Who are you to decide? First you're asking me what I'm doing here, in your father's house and now you've changed your mind all of a sudden, saying that I need to stay here, because what, you said so?" She furiously blurted out in a bout of rage, her heart pounding so wildly within her chest. How could he? How dared he?

Julian's features however remained calm and unaffected, gaze fixated onto her face. Unblinking.

"Why did she say that you'll be staying with her for as long as you need? What happened?"

Her lips parted. Shock and embarrassment flooding her. She blinked, gaze casting aside.

"It doesn't matter," her voice trembled. God. No. She didn't want to cry again. She refused to.

"That heartless bitch kicked her out of the house last night, okay?" Lucy suddenly yelled from right next to her, anger and frustration tangible in her tone. Julian's eyes widened for a moment.

"Lucy!" Lydia screeched out with a disbelieving and even slightly embarrassed tone.

"But it doesn't matter. She can stay with us from now on. My mom is more than happy to support her in any way that she can. We can even-"

"No. That is out of the question. She stays here. For an indefinite period of time. And that's the end of it," Julian effectively cut Lucy's rant with a firm and unwavering tone, earning Lydia's disbelieving gaze.

No. This was too much. It was already going way too far. She needed to do something. Now.

"Why? Because you say so?"

"Precisely,"

"Are you out of your goddamned mind?"

"Are you even listening to yourself? You're actually willing to keep her here, against her will, just to, what, satisfy your fucked-up ego or something?"

"You're unbelievable!"

She could still hear Lucy fighting with Julian even as she ran back up into his bedroom, her moves hasty and even a little bit uncoordinated as she quickly changed into her own clothes, taking the duffel bag with her.

She needed to get out of there. Now.

She clutched the duffel bag in her hand, her dress still hanging so unevenly on her body and shoes unlaced as she quickly climbed down the stairs, meeting det. Hale's concerned expression as he peered up at her. Watching her rush towards him.

"Thank you for everything, Derek. You've been so kind to me and I can only hope that I'll one day be able to repay you somehow," she quickly said as soon as she reached him, her gaze filling up with unshed tears.

He only offered her a pained look in reply, stepping aside as soon as he noticed her intention to flee.

She didn't get too far unfortunately, as as soon as she was about to reach the front door Julian suddenly stepped in her way, effectively blocking it.

She blinked, evidently startled by his actions.

"You're not going anywhere. I'm sorry, but I'm not letting you go,"

Her features abruptly morphed with shock and even a hint of fear. She unconsciously took a step back. Suddenly feeling so...trapped. So unsafe. What was going on? Why was he doing this? Had he gone mad? What was he trying to achieve with this? She couldn't help but wonder, visibly flinching as soon as he stretched out a hand in her direction with the evident intent to grab her.

That certain little action didn't go unnoticed by his father who had been quietly watching this whole time, finally stepping in.

"Julian,"

This was already going way too far.

"I think it's best if you stopped,"

He was scaring her. Couldn't he see?

He watched his son's tortured gaze dart in his direction, expressing what his mouth was refusing to utter. She was in danger. And he was only trying to protect her.

"I know. But we can find another way,"

"One that doesn't involve scaring the life out of her,"

Several seconds passed, neither of them making a single move. The young male hesitating as he peered down at her. His enchantress. The love of his life. The girl that he'd yearned for, with everything that he had. The only one he'd ever wanted, and the very same one he'd managed to hurt. Whose life he'd unintentionally destroyed.

He finally stepped aside, his insides twisting with sickening pain as soon as she ran past that door, slamming it after her. Taking his heart with her.