Chapter 23: chapter 23

It sounded ridiculous. Falling in love with someone without even knowing one thing about that person, not even their name.But I was getting to know Rodas. Turned out he secretly knew me even before I noticed him but he was afraid of approaching me because he thought he deserved to rot in hell and the happiness wasn't for him. He was afraid that I might get affected by his existence. I was glad I approached him, no one deserved to think like that about themselves and I was ready to help Rodas.I didn't care about what he does, or how dangerous his works were and I didn't have any idea how cruel he could be. I was merely a 19-year-old girl who fell in love with a person.When Rodas took me to his home for the first time, my jaw dropped. It was huge and had bodyguards surrounding it on every corner. Rodas said he does dirty work. I wondered if it involved killing people. I did my best to not bring that scary thought into my mind again."Are you surprised?" He asked, standing behind me and putting his chin on my shoulder. I was flustered. There were men everywhere although not once had they turned their heads to look towards us. "Pay attention to my words," he whispered, giving a kiss on my nape. "It's so big!" I mumbled.He chuckled and kissed me one more time before taking my hand and walking inside. "You can stay here if you want! I would rather prepare that," he said and gave me a playful smirk.Living together with Rodas. I've not had that thought before but when he mentioned that, I couldn't hide my smile. When we entered through the door, there sitting in the centre of the living room was a person with long black hair, back facing towards us and watching television. At first, I thought the person was a girl because they had such beautiful hair, a small frame and very pale skin because so far I had only seen bulky muscled men in this building but I was wrong. "Jeremy!" Rodas called and the person turned to look at us. A man. My eyes widened and I suddenly looked away with embarrassment. Jeremy was such a beautiful man. I had never seen a man so beautiful before. "Hiiiii!" He squealed with happiness. I found myself looking at him again. He had sparkling ocean eyes smashed by a shade of faded pink eyeshadows. His gaze fell on me and one of his eyebrows raised.Rodas's hand reached my waist and he pulled me closer."She is Elora..." He introduced me to him.Jeremy gave Rodas a confused look but then a smile slowly formed around the corner of his lips."I'm Jeremy! We can be besties" he sounded so excited. "Do you wanna see my make-up collection?"I was baffled."Uh...Um-" "Not now!" Rodas interrupted my hesitant voice.Jeremy's face dropped and he shot a glare at Rodas. "See you, Elora!" He waved his hand elegantly before turning around to leave. "C'mon!" Rodas nudged my shoulder and started walking toward the end of the hallway while his hand protectively held mine. He never left a chance to make me flustered or maybe it was because I was hopelessly in love with him that even the smallest gesture of his made me go red. He opened the door and held it for me to step inside. It was all black. I meant I was aware of his taste in colour because he always wore black but I didn't expect his room's colour to be black too. The only colourful thing was in the fish tank with green grasses, colourful stones and a goldfish. I found myself immediately heading towards it. "What is its name?" I asked, bending a bit to take a close look at the fish. "Do I have to name it?" I heard Rodas say from behind, making me chuckle."Maybe..." I replied without turning to look at him, my eyes were fixated on the movements of goldfish gliding around through the water. Then a warm presence enveloped me from behind, a pair of hands slid around my waist, making my breath hitched. Rodas gently pulled me against his chest as he put his chin on my shoulder. I could feel his warm breath on the nape of my neck and his strong and steady heartbeat against my back. I was struggling to think straight. "Would you name it for me? They said it's a female" He whispered voice tinged with affection. I turned my head slightly, capturing his green eyes already looking at me. A smile played at the corner of my lips."What kind of name do they give to fishes?" He chuckled and smooched on my cheek. "I don't know... That's why I'm asking you to name it!" I tilted my head back, resting it gently against his shoulder, trying to think of a proper name that wouldn't leave me embarrassed."What about Aurelia?" I suggested my voice barely above a whisper. "It means 'golden' in Latin, just like their scales"Rodas's arms tightened around me, his grip feels both protective and tender."Why don't I name it your name instead?... Eloraaa" my name rolled off his tongue and it sent tingles down my stomach. My cheeks felt hot and I shook my head."Why?""Just name it what I suggested," I said."Are you Shy?""I'm not"Of course, I was. I didn't know what to do or say when he was so close to me, giving butterfly kisses over my nape. I gulped. Trying to be composed and give my attention to the beautiful Aurelia but in a few moments, I was standing on my toes, arms around his neck as he kissed me gently. His lips were unbelievably soft for the man who looks so rough, melting me whole. "You're so cute!" He mumbled against my lips. He lifted my chin, making me look at him directly."Don't avert your eyes when I talk to you!" I listen to his words and meet his green gaze but a few seconds later I close my eyes and buried my face into his chest."I can't... I love your eyes so much that you make me so nervous." I said."Then I can't imagine your reaction if you were to feel what I'm feeling right now Elora Green!"