Moves in place

Moves in place

TRISTA’S POV

I stood frozen in place, my entire body felt so tense as i watched Leonard slowly disappear
down the dimly lit street. A cold breeze brushed lightly against my skin, but i barely felt it at all, I
was was trapped in my own thoughts, my mind kept on replaying every word Leonard uttered
before he left
i was still trapped by the heavy weight of leonard’s words.
“I’ll definitely find out the truth. And when I do… you better be ready for me.”

The way he said it sent an uneasy shiver down my spine. It was definitely not a threat. It was a
promise, and Leo never breaks his promises that’s what scares me.
My heart hammered hardly in my chest, painfully infact maybe from fear or the adrenaline rush I
felt while arguing ,the steady thumping filling my ears as I visibly shudders hard.

Damn him.
Damn Leonard.
Damn him for always knowing exactly where to hit.
For never letting go.
For always chasing.

i know for a damn fact that it didn’t matter how hard I tried to cover my own tracks— paranoid
Leonard always had a way of sniffing out the things people wanted buried, things that I definitely
didn’t want his attention on, if only he paid this much attention during the past, we wouldn’t even
be in this crazy mess, trying to act like he now cared is quite unbelievable, I thought to myself..
And now, thanks to Chad’s” very brilliant idea” of interviening, i was even in a more bigger shit
than I was in before.
Damn chad too.

Why do men in my life don’t listen at all!
The weight in my chest tightened further.
I need a plan, a good one,The best one infact.
Fast!

A hand Slightly brushed against my arm, snapping me forcefully out of my spiraling thoughts.
Are you okay?
it is Chad’s voice. Gentle. Concerned.
I totally forgot that he was still here, damn I also absolutely forgot that I am still here standing.
Goodness.
But I am sure of one thing at this moment, his concern was definitely not what I wanted, not at
this critical moment.

I wanted distance, distance from everyone including chad to think and come up with something
quick.
I jerked away from his touch like his skin had burned me physically . Chad i can remember that I
clearly told you not to get involved any of my business any longer, I can swear that I made that
pretty clear, Didn’t I? My voice came out sharper than i intended, she didn’t care at all, least it
was getting my points clear to him. Why don’t you ever listen chad? I had things under control!
Chad’s brows furrowed, confusion flickering across his face before finally frustration settled in. I
was trying to help you get rid of him.

I scoffed loudly, shaking my head. Help me? Help me chad? By making crazy absurd claims that
even I wasn’t prepared for? I turned on him fully now, my eyes burning with anger, and my Heart
clenching so hard with my every intake of breath, Did we ever discuss this, Chad? Did I ever tell
you to say those things?
His jaw tightened. It’s not like you even tried to deny it, he retorted.
Goodness gracious!

I let out a sharp, humorless laugh, pressing my fingers against her temples because at this point
I am sensing very brutal migraine coming through. Because denying it would have made things
worse chad, I said. I dropped my hands, meeting his gaze. instead of shouting I say calmly
Leonard is like a shark, Chad. If he smells even a little hint of blood, he never stops chasing.
Never.

Chad folded his arms across his chest, his stance unwavering. So what’s the plan now? His
voice was calmer now, but there was an edge to it. Because he definitely looked like he was
cooking something up.
My fingers curled tightly around her purse, gripping it like I had the solution to clean up this who
mess in it, my mind racing fast.
A plan.
I needed one.
Now.

Leonard had always been a step ahead ever since I have known him. He wasn’t just smart
man—he was quite relentless and didn’t stop until he got what he wanted, and right now, what
he wanted was the truth.
i can’t let him have it.
I can never let Leonard have it, it would cost me almost my damn life.

My mind is working through the possibilities at once, maybe I can just throw him off? Or
misdirect him? Anything for me to stay ahead of him, just anything to control the narrative.
Chad’s voice cut through my spiraling thoughts again.
So?” he prompted,clearly his patience running thin. What’s the plan, Trista?
My frustration boiling over I said, Why do you even think I’d get you involved in my plans, Chad?
i snapped. What gave you that idea? Can’t you like read the room or something?
He let out a bitter laugh, shaking his head. Maybe because I’ve saved your ass several times?
You could at least have the courtesy to clue me in. Courtesy? Is he shutting me right now?
I rolled my eyes, crossing my arms, I need to make my points clear.

“chad I don’t know if your memory is all fogged up but I never asked for your help, not even once! You inserted yourself
into this mess acting like a duitiful boyfriend and made it ten times worse!”

Chad took a step forward, closing the space between us. His expression darkened visibly, his
jaw tightening. You needed my help, he countered back, his voice low.
i felt the heat of his presence—too close, too intense, overwhelming.
I glared up at him and said, All Ineeded was for you to stay out of it. But now, thanks to you,
Leonard has more questions and more suspicions than before.
I turned away, I was done with this whole discussion, my heels clicking against the pavement as
i paced.

My fingers drummed anxiously against my thigh as I mentally worked through the options.
I needed to act fast.
Leonard I know wasn’t someone who would let go easily, at all If he knows that he could have
his way. If he got even a tiny glimpse of the truth, he would rip the entire foundation i built from
scratch into shreds.

You should be grateful nonetheless, Trista,
” Chad said behind me, his voice thick with sarcasm.
But no, instead you want to be Miss Do-It-Alone-Then-Fail-Woefully-Ungrateful-Lady. He scoffed
loudly. At least show some gratitude he said.

I clenched my jaw so hard i might have chipped a tooth..
He was really trying to push me, and this is absolutely not the time to pull this stunt.
Slowly, i turned to face him, my expression like ice. Like I said, Chad, I never asked for your
help. So stop trying to insert yourself into everything and anything that concerns me.
His gaze flickered with something I couldn’t exactly pinpoint that facial expression. If you’re so
sure you don’t need me, then tell me—what exactly is your brilliant plan to deal with Leonard?
He said snarkingly.

Silence stretched tight between us.
My lips parted, but no words came out because I didn’t have an answer to that question.
The truth was, i didn’t have a solid plan. Not yet.
And Chad knew that fact.
I saw it in the way his smirk tugged at the corner of his lips, his confidence dripping in that
insufferable way it always did when he knew he was right.
Damn him too.

I won’t allow him have the last word, that’s one thing I wouldn’t do.
You know chad I have a bigger mess to clean up, i muttered, stepping back from our close
proximity, Save this for another time.
Before he could say anything else, i turned on my heel and walked away, My mind already
racing fast with everything i need to do before Leonard came knocking again with his crazy
suspicions.

My heels clicked against the pavement in my attempt to leave her as soon as possible, the
sound sharp in the quiet night.
I need l be smarter to win this.
I needed to be faster to win Leonard.
Because if Leonard was truly on the hunt
I definitely can’t afford getting caught.