Chapter 79: Chapter 79

~ ROMEO ~

I kept stealing glances at Ivy through the rearview mirror as I drove. Her eyes were closed, and her head was resting against the headrest. My knuckles were white from gripping the steering wheel so hard. I hoped I would not cause an accident with my mind so distracted. If I caused an accident, I would never forgive myself - especially given everything I've already put her through.

The sound of her phone buzzing broke the silence and she reached for it, opening her eyes as she did so.

Her smile confused me, and I wondered what she had seen on her phone to provoke such a reaction. She had not smiled once since I had started driving her home, but there was no denying the look of happiness on her face. I tried not to think about whether it was her boyfriend on the other end.

I bit my lip, trying not to ask who she had been texting. I had already made a mess of things. I didn't want to further mess up by revealing my jealousy.

I was trying so hard to keep my feelings in check. I didn't want to make a mess of things again.

I should have known that when you love someone, they have a way of getting under your skin. I wished I could take back my reaction from the night before. I should never have yelled at her the way I did. It was the jealousy talking. I could not bear the memory of her tears. I hated myself for hurting her like that.

I needed to apologize to her properly, but I had no idea how to go about it. She was giving me the cold shoulder, treating me with icy silence.

I had not been able to sleep all night. All I could think about was her. What the fuck was I even saying? She had always been the one on my mind.

I was losing my mind. No matter how hard I tried to focus on something else, my thoughts kept circling back to her. I could not get her out of my head.

I pulled up in front of her house and cut the engine. I took a deep breath, and turned to face her. As I watched her pull out a mirror and a tube of lip gloss from her bag, I tried not to think about why she was reapplying her makeup. I tried not to wonder if she was getting ready for her boyfriend. But, I knew I should not be thinking about that. I needed to get a grip on myself.

All I wanted to think about was how beautiful her lips were. I had to stop myself from thinking about her lips too. The more I thought of her lips, the more I wanted to pull her close and kiss her with everything I had. I groaned inwardly, hating that my body responded so quickly to the fantasies playing in my head. I was falling into a dark hole of desire.

"Thank you," Ivy said, jolting me out of my train of thoughts.

"Wait!"

I called out before she could open the car door. She paused and spun around to face me.

With her eyes piercing into mine, I was at a loss of words. I could not find the right words.

"Never mind," I muttered, and watched as she got out of the car.

I slammed my fist against the seat, then buried my face in my hands.

It would have been so easy to tell her everything. It would have been easy to tell her I loved her. It would have been easy to tell her "sorry" for everything I've done. But so much stood in the way. So many things I had to make right before I could make things right with her. And now, it was too late. I had already lost her.

My phone beeped, breaking me out of my thoughts. I glanced at the screen and saw Samantha's name, accompanied by a text message.

The message read: "Where did you disappear to at the party last night, baby? Aside from that, I'm at your place. Your mom is home, but your dad is not here. You should probably come over."

I drew in a long breath. Now, to other things I had to make right.

****

"Romeo!"

Samantha's eyes lit up when she saw me, and she ran over to give me a hug. I turned my head as she tried to kiss me, and her lips landed on my cheek.

"Hi, Samantha," I said with a smile.

"Where did you disappear last night?" She asked, a hint of worry in her voice.

"I was bored, so I headed home," I replied, hoping she would not press for more information.

I walked over to my mother and bent down to kiss her on the cheek.

"Are you okay?" I asked my mom.

Mom nodded her head. "I'm okay," She replied.

"I hope he didn't try to hurt you, or cause any emotional trauma," I probed.

Mom's brows furrowed. "Please, stop talking about your father like that. He didn't do anything to me. He has changed. I want you and Samantha to stop trying to get lawyers involved - "

Samantha cut her off. "It is too late, mom. I've already told my mom, and she is already working on it. At least you should get your property back from him."

"I don't want property, I just want my husband," Mom snapped. "And, he's here with me."

"What are you talking about? That man is a monster. He has cheated on you countless times, and he put you through so much emotional pain. He even hit you once. I don't ever want you with that man. You're going to get your property back from him, and we're going to start over," I rambled, running my hands through my hair.

Mom shot me a deadly glare. "You don't get to tell me what to do, and he is my husband and your father no matter what," She snapped.

I closed my fists, looking at her for a moment before turning away. I stormed out of the living room, making my way to my bedroom. I slammed the door shut behind me, sinking down onto my bed.

Samantha followed me and locked the door behind her. She laid down beside me, brushing her fingers through my hair.

"Don't worry," She whispered. "I'll talk to your mom. She doesn't deserve to be with a man like that. I already talked to my mother about it, and she's already taking an interest in it."

"Your mom will get her property back, and she'll divorce your dad," She added.

"Thank you for everything," I whispered back.

Samantha laid her head on my chest, beaming a smile. "I love you," she said softly.

I was silent for a moment, and she looked up at me, a hurt expression on her face. "What's wrong? Won't you answer me? I love you,"

"I already told you what it is," I blurted out.

"I know you'll escort me to the prom. But, that is not why I am helping you. I'm helping you because I still love you. I want us to get back together," She rambled, her voice trembling.

"I love her," I mumbled.