Chapter 50

Evan's P. O. V.

I came to see her for one reason only. To know how she felt about me and end this chase once and for all. When I kissed her and touched her I got all the answers I needed.

The way she reacted told me I wasn't lying to myself when I thought she still loved me. She was still mine and I am not leaving without her this time.

"Evan no, I can't cheat on James," she whimpered as I kissed her lips again and again.

Right...that guy.

"Then tell him about us. You've only been dating him for two months. I don't think he is in love with you," I said quietly.

"What's the point? You will go back home tomorrow and I'll be all alone again," she said. Her eyes were full of tears.

"That's where you are wrong. I am taking you with me," I said and cupped her cheeks. I made my decision.

"What? You can't! What about my grandma? She won't allow it," she protested.

"You are eighteen now remember? I'll talk to her. Look, I am getting an apartment while I attend college. You can come live with me," I said.

"This...I don't know what to say," she whispered.

"I know I sound crazy right now and this is too sudden but remember what I promised you back then, the night before you left?" I smirked.

"Wha...what do you mean?" she looked confused.

"I promised I'll drag you back to me no matter how far you are. Here I am, and I am about to drag you back with me," I chuckled.

"You sound like a psychopath," she said, finally smiling.

"Maybe I am but you still love me, right?" I said and looked at her with hopeful eyes.

"For some insane reason, I do," she said.

"Will you come with me then?" I asked her gently. I know I said I would force her to go with me but I said that out of anger and pain. My head was starting to clear now. I would never force her to do anything she doesn't want to. I will wait ten more years if that's what she wants.

"If...if grandma agrees. I don't want to act like an ungrateful child. She had done a lot for me," she said quietly.

"Okay. How about I ask for her permission?" I asked.

"Okay," she looked down and whispered.

I pulled her into a hug. "Thank you," I said and kissed her hair.

"For what?" she asked.

"For giving me another chance," I said and hugged her tighter.

"Uh...this doesn't mean I have forgiven you entirely for being a bully. You are acting out even as an adult. In fact, you are even worse than you were before," she complained.

"I will change for you," I smirked.

"Yeah right. Whatever, I am going back to work," she said and broke our hug.

"Annie, wait!" I called after her.

"What?" she asked.

"You are mine again, right?" I said. Everything still felt like a dream.

She smiled. "We will see," she said and walked away.

Annie's POV

I knew what I had to do. I sighed when I thought about it. I had to break up with James. I felt pretty shitty about it but it would be even more wrong to stay with him. I was still madly in love with Evan. I secretly waited for him to find me and he finally did.

I called James after work and asked him to meet me at the cafe.

"Hey, are you okay?" he asked.

"Yeah...um...I need to talk to you about Evan," I hesitated.

His eyes turned dark. "What about him?" James asked.

"I am sorry but I can't be with you anymore. I am still in love with Evan," I said meekly.

James's expression hardened. He looked like he was trying hard not to get angry. "You can't be serious!"

"I am really sorry. I gave him my heart and I always wanted to be with him. I thought I could forget about him but as soon as I saw him again, I knew it's not possible. I love him too much," I let it all out. "I don't want to keep deceiving you and make you think otherwise. It's better that we end it now." I exhaled.

"This is bullshit, Annie. I helped you out whenever you needed me. I was a great friend to you and this is how you repay me?" James cried.

"James please...try to understand," my voice shook as I tried to hold back tears. I anticipated him getting angry but this was still hard for me.

"No, I don't understand," he said and grabbed my arm. He glared at me with his eyes full of hatred. "I asked you out because I thought you needed someone to care about you. I felt so sorry for you and wanted to be someone you can rely on. But you are rejecting me? I don't accept," he snarled.

"James you are hurting me," I winced as he held my hand too tight. "Let go of me. We are breaking up."

"No, we are not, Annie. It's not over until I say it's over," he said. His voice was harsh.

I was shocked by his behavior. He has always been kind to me. Not like Evan who was a jerk from the beginning. But Evan never hurt me physically. I never imagined James would do this.

"James you are hurting my arm," I said again and tried to yank it free. Tears started to stream down my cheeks. Why do people I care about always try to hurt me?

"Two months. I've waited two months for you to act like my girlfriend but you won't even get intimate with me. Is it because of that asshole Evan? You love him that much that you'd rather fuck him?" James said cruelly.

"Hey, let go of her man."

We both looked up as someone spoke.

"Mike!" I exclaimed. Thank god, someone was here to get me out of James's grasp.

"Who the fuck are you?" James barked.

"I am her friend. We met, remember?" Mike said. He looked like he was upset as he glanced at my arm which was still held tightly by James.

"Right. Is she trying to sleep with you too? Seems like she would fuck anyone but me," James said.

I tried not to cry. Why was he saying such hurtful words?

"I am warning you man. If you don't let her go and walk away I am going to kick your teeth in," Mike said and moved closer to him.

James let go of me and stood up. "Is that right?" he challenged.

"Yup. I'll even allow you to throw the first punch. That way people will witness what an asswipe you are," Mike said.

"You know what. It's not worth it. Fuck both of you," James said and stormed out of the door.

"Wow...you sure know how to pick 'em, Annie. Evan looks like an angel next to that guy," Mike remarked. He winced as he saw my arm which was starting to bruise already.

"Damn. I should've kicked his ass. Look what he did to you!" he exclaimed.

"No. I don't want any more drama. Can you walk me home?" I sighed.

"Sure," Mike said. He still looked worried but he decided to drop it.