ON THE RUN

⚠️ Steamy scenes towards the end of the chapter. Proceed with caution!

           Pain and pleasure.

Talia.

  Pain is a sudden hurt that can't be escaped.
It stabs you right into the heart spreading venomous forms to your brain and the next thing you are clouded with judgement and negativity towards everything around you.

Even when Sean's voice echoed through my trail, I kept running, racing far from him. Was it all a lie? The moments we spent together? Why lead me on then?  My mind was swarmed with questions only he could answer.

I slowed down my pace when I sighted a taxi on the other end of the street and boarded it. The taxi man tilted his head quizzically and spoke, "Buenos Noches. Adónde le gusteiria it? [Good evening. Where would you like to go?]

"Do you speak English?"

He nodded. "Si. Where to?"

"Just drive towards Brixerria."

The taxi guy drove in uttermost silence but I caught him looking at me from the front mirror couple of times. I found it creepy and thought to call Prem to let him know of my whereabouts in case I didn't turn up alive.

"Fuck!" I cursed lowly and tapped a fist against my lips lightly while thinking. I dropped everything back there. I didn't have any money or means of communicating. What do I do? Breathe, Talia, breathe.

After a deep breath, I finally spoke. "Take a right turn and move forward until the end of the road and then take a left turn."

He had a slack expression. "Are you sure, Ms?"

When I did not respond he left it at that.

The familiar house was hard to miss even the night. When we edged nearer I saw the lights were on. How did he get here so fast?
  When the taxi stopped, I nervously alighted. "How much is it?"

  He smiled and replied. "That's on me."

I feigned coughing. "Wait here, I'll get the cash for you."

I was barely two steps when he drove away. Who does that? I wondered and slowly reached for the doorbell.

  Ding dong. My heart thundered when I realized that I might have to face him.

Ding dong.

Ding dong.

I sighed. Relief? Maybe?  I wasn't sure but one thing was evident I'll most likely spend the night outside and the only chance of getting in will be once Sean arrived. 

I made myself comfortable on the floor in front of the house. The chirping of the crickets and stridulation of the cicadas tuned me as the now cold devoured me. Why didn't I take a sweater?  I rubbed my palms against each other and touched my face to try and warm myself. I'll freeze if he doesn't turn up.

It was not until a while later that I spotted a figure walking towards the house. I crawled carefully and hid behind the large flower pots. What if it's not him? 

"Talia?" Yup, that's him.

  I came out from my hideout still shivering and waited for him to open the door but instead, he pulled me for an embrace.

 "Don't touch me!" I yanked his arms off me.

 I couldn't make out his facial expression in the dark but I saw him take his hands on his hair. "Let's get you inside before you catch a cold."