“It started as small things—trying to control what I would eat, what I could wear. She’d become angry when I’d get home from work late, accusing me of cheating on her.” Eventually I became a hollow shell of the girl I once was. I wasn’t always this person who did nothing but work and eat. I used to have friends, go to parties. But then I became isolated. She got rid of anything that brought me joy in life.
Once the words start leaving my mouth, it’s like a dam has burst. It all comes pouring out.
“When Carina—who was my only friend for a long time, even if just by text—stopped answering me, Gianna noticed my agitation.” That was the beginning of the end.
“When I dropped everything, getting on a flight to England? Yeah, she was pissed. But Isawthe press conference. Carina’s father was there, controlling her. I knew it. After everything she told me, all the trauma we unpacked together? How could I not make sure she was okay?
“When I got back to Italy, though, that was the breaking point. Gianna snapped. She pulled a knife on me. She startedthrowing out accusations left, right, and centre, just as she had before. But this was different. She said if she couldn’t have me no one could.”
Eli growls low in his throat. “She threatened you?”
All I can do is nod. “Yes.” The word is so quiet in the silence of the room. “I ran. Left Graham with my parents, hopped on a flight here, and never looked back. I didn’t think she’d—”
“That she’d want you back?” Eli interjects. He huffs a laugh. “Anyone who’s ever lost you is a fool. I’d be more surprised if she didn’t.”
“Can I see the texts?” I ask. He’s had my phone hostage this whole week. I didn’t even know she’d been texting.
There’s the text Eli read out to me.
G:You can’t hide from me forever. You’re mine.
Then others. Most are in Italian, but translated they say:
G:I miss you. I’m sorry about what happened, we can work things out.
G:You’re a fucking bitch. Answer me, or I swear to God…
G:Answer me, please, baby.
Why now? Why? After all this time?
The phone vibrates in my hands. Another text from Gianna. This one in English.
G:I’m in London. I will find you.
My fingers tremble around the device, my arms erupting with goosebumps. Eli takes the phone from me, scanning the latest message quickly before breaking the phone by crushing it in his palm.
It’s only when his thumbs swipe at my cheeks that I realise the tears falling down my face. I suck in a breath, trying—failing—to calm myself.
“Angel?”
Eli pulls me onto his lap, cradling me in his arms, stroking my hair and whispering that it’s going to be okay.
“I have to run,” I whimper, my voice small and hoarse. Eli’s arms tighten around me. “Eli, please. You have to let me go. She will find me here.”
I look up at him through blurry eyes to see him shaking his head. His voice is steady and sure as he speaks his next words. “You’re not leaving me, Angel.” His fingers absentmindedly trace my skin. “You’re right, though. She will find you. But I’ll be here to protect you when she does.”
Eli
Emily has an ex-girlfriend. That’s an interesting development. She’s not lesbian though. She’s attracted to me, I know she is.
She jostles in my lap as I hold her. “Eli?” she murmurs, her voice small and fragile. I hate it.
“Yes, Angel?”
“What do I do?”
I consider our options. It’s been five days since I brought her home with me. On Monday, she’ll have to go back to work, and her life, or people will become suspicious. But she doesn’t love me yet. Of that, I’m certain.