Chapter 64

“You’re awake?” Christian spoke in an irritated tone. I removed my headphones and put down the tabletcommunicate with him. “Yes…I couldn’t sleep.”

He scoffed and sighed before he walked off to the bathroom, not saying another word. “Did I do somethWe were obviously all tensed, and having Marc around had calmed my nerves. Instead of thinking aboutlife was in, I had found the motivation to keep myself busy with other stuff instead—

like the baby room.I felt terrible about being scared, and I did not want my bad energy to rub off on Christian. Not until I hasquirrel, all of this seemed so fake—but now that I knew it was real, things were different. I was afraid, tecrying wouldn’t do anyone any good. At least that was what I thought, but Christian’s reaction made meI did push it?

He walked out of the bathroom with a towel around his waist and threw on some sweatpants while ignorexistence. “I missed you.” I tried talking to him, but all he did was roll his eyes as he joined me in bed. Wgetting sick of me?

“You smell like alcohol,” I whispered, earning myself a glare. “Glad to know your nose still works.”

“Christian, where were you?” I blurted out. My insecurities were getting the best of me, and I wondered iback to his old ways. He turned his head to face me and frowned. “Where do you think?”

“I don’t know, that’s why I’m asking,” I spoke, but nothing could’ve prepared me for his answer.

“Then d“Okay…it was just a question.” I turned my head. This was the last thing I wanted to deal with at the momwasn’t his day.

It didn’t take long before I turned my head again and stared at him as he typed away on his phone.

“Whproblem.” He almost growled out. “Don’t be like this, tell me what’s wrong…that’s what you’re supposedrelationship,” I spoke in a calm tone.

“So did you find out more about why someone gave me a dead animal?”

“Serena, please know your place and don’t ever ask me about my work ever again. Because while you arout sparkly paint—I’m fighting for your life.” He spoke in annoyance and turned off the night light.

So that was the issue, me ordering baby stuff? Right, maybe it wasn’t the smartest move and a bit selfishdid he expect me to do when he wouldn’t talk to me about work?

“Christian—I didn’t…, can we talk?” I asked him and touched his shoulder, but he pushed me away.

“Not not in the right state of mind to talk and I don’t want to hurt your feelings…let’s talk tomorrow.”

I ignored him, and once again touched his shoulder. Knowing something was wrong made me worry, andfor getting even less sleep than I had gotten yesterday. “I know you’re angry with me and I want to apolocareless and for…ordering paint or whatever but—“

“I’m not angry.” He sighed. “Okay? Then why are you being like this?”

Christian turned his head and turned on the light again so he could face me. “Being like what, Serena?”

“I don’t know… this Mr. Scrooge behavior?” I caressed his cheek and saw his eyes soften. “Just go to bedtalk tomorrow.”

We’ll talk tomorrow?

“Oh because you’ll be here tomorrow? You’re not even here and you’re always gone before I wake up. Ytime for me and the baby so—“

“No time?” Christian pushed my hand from his cheek. “Then tell me, whose fucking life do you think I’mprotect?” He spat out.

“Poor Serena can’t get sleep for a day? Do you know how many nights I’ve stayed awake, trying to figureprotect the both of you?” He lost his temper and yelled at me.

“I barely have time for myself because all my time goes towards protecting you and the baby—and that’that’s my responsibility, and I know that you’re not exactly the smartest and that you’ve probably lost evcells because you’ve done nothing useful these past months but just for once please use your fucking he

ranted.

Only when he noticed the tear rolling down my cheek, he stopped and had a guilty look on his face.

“SeI’m not in the right state of mind, let’s talk tomorrow.” He told me, without acknowledging his mistake. Ithe truth, but after a few drinks, he had found the courage to say it.

“You know what? fuck you!” I turned my head so I didn’t have to face him. If I had just listened and kept “Serena, I—” Christian sighed, and grabbed put his arm around my waist, but this time I was the one to p“Don’t touch me,” I whispered through tears.

~

The next morning I woke up to an empty bed and a lot of noise next door. The first thing I did was make hallway to check where the noise was coming from—and opened the room next-door.

“Christian?” I rubbed my eyes and stared as he put together the baby crib. He brought all the stuff I had baby room.

After sleeping on it, I felt guilty for the way I approached the situation and felt the need to apologize.

“What are you doing?” I asked and walked closer.

“Gio told me, stuff like this means a lot more when I do it on my own, rather than letting people do it, so

“I’m sorry for yesterday.” I apologized first and gave him a back hug. “Serena, we need to talk.”

Christiangesture and gently pushed his hands off me.

Was he already sick of me?

Did I screw things up yesterday?

Was he going to break up with me?

“What happened between us yesterday…it can never happen again.” He grabbed both of my hands. “I waturned to alcohol instead of turning to you—who is always by my side, and for that, I’m so sorry.”

“Are you talking about your feelings now?” I chuckled and held my hand against his forehead to feel his “Don’t get embarrassed.” I giggled at the look on his face.

“I’m really sorry too and what I said was out of line. I know you’re doing everything you can to protect ugrateful.” I apologized.

“It was just…I felt like I was suffocating and I had to do something so I ordered all this stuff, but it was neto hurt your feelings and it was a bit thoughtless, so I’m sorry for that too.” I spoke, but he shook his heawas being immature, and I should be the one apologizing.”

I laughed at the back and forth apologies as he took a deep breath.

“Serena, you can’t stay here anymore.” He suddenly spoke. “W-what?” I stuttered and took a few steps bchuckle. Did he think this was funny?

“No, not like that. I mean it’s not safe for you anymore.” Christian reassured me and walked forward to hwant to protect both you and the baby, but I can’t.”

“But you have!” I cut him off, not liking where this conversation was going. “You have protected me fromso if that’s what you’re worried about, don’t.”

“Christian, I trust you,” I told him and wrapped my arms around his waist before I threw my head against“Serena, if you really trust me I need you to do something for me.”

He sighed and pulled my head away so he could stare right into my eyes, as he touched both sides of myto send you away for a bit, just until things are safe.” He spoke and observed my face to read my reactiofew months, I need you and the baby to be safe, and I can’t l-“

“Fine, if that’s what you want I’ll do it!” I cut him off and held his hand. My biggest fear was losing Christthough I sounded a bit desperate at times and did definitely not want to do this—I would listen to him. “asked surprised as I nodded my head.

“Great.” He pulled me in to hug. I rested my head in his chest and held him tighter. “Are you doing this bgetting sick of my reckless behavior?” I chuckled.

“No, I’m doing this because I…care about you and I want you to be safe.” Christian brushed my hair to thlooked at him in full shock. He almost said it back.

“What’s going on—you’re not dying right?” I playfully pushed his shoulder, but the expression on his fac“Hey, what’s wrong?” I pouted and caressed his chin with my fingers. “Tell me.”

“Dad’s sick.” Christian face went blank. “Oh? Is it like a cold or a pneumonia—“

“Fourth stage lung cancer.” He interrupted me. “He’s dying.”

“W-what do you mean he’s dying?”. I had always seen Lucio as a strong man who was always ready for awords hit me like a truck. “He’s dying and it’s too late to fight it.”

“I wasn’t supposed to tell anyone…he hasn’t even told my mom, but I don’t want you to think that I’m sbecause I’m too lazy to protect you.”

“While we’ll be taking down Fabio, I’ll have to take charge in case he…doesn’t make it. I will be busy andthe baby to be safe—“

“I understand.” I immediately stopped him from talking and hugged him tightly. Hearing that Lucio, whoappeared to be extremely healthy—was on the verge of dying, was terrible enough and me complaining it any better.

“Is there not any treatment that—“

“There’s not.” He stopped me. I could see that he was holding back his tears, and trying to remain strongIf there was something I had admired about Christian it would’ve been his bond with his father, so I coulunderstand to imagine how he felt.

“But you are willing to go to a safe house?” Christian asked me again, with a worried look on his face. Heexpected me to say no, and I did too—but I did not want to question his decision and fully trusted him.

“I’m willing to do whatever you tell me to do,” I told him, while he gave me a satisfied smile. “That’s goosome requests.”

He wrapped his arms around my waist and moved his mouth to my ears, as chills went through my bodycloser and closer…

“Make yourself useful and help me.” He whispered before I pushed him away.

“You’re not funny.” I huffed and made my way over to the brand new rocking chair.

“How about you work, and I watch?” I told him as I sat down.

He laughed as to him it was probably a joke, but to me, it was a way of seeing him before he would sendsafe house.

A way of seeing him, before I would not get the opportunity at all.