#20 Something else is happening here

"Where do you think you are going? You are literally leaving a blood trail behind you!" Someone shouted from behind.

I turned around to see Stefan. I just ignored him and continued walking. "Will you stop?" Stefan whined. "Nope," I said but it came out as a sob. I didn't even realize that there were tears brimming my eyes. "Please stop." He requested. Hearing the word 'please', I stopped. "What do you want?" I asked him, trying to keep my voice as hard as possible.

"You ask me what I want when you are the one who ran off." He said. I ignored him and continued walking, trying to hide my tears from him. "Oh God! Why do you have to be so stubborn?" He grumbled as he ran ahead of me and blocked me from walking ahead. "Leave me alone," I said but it barely came out as a whisper. Without saying anything, he surprised me by hugging me.

I was taken back for a moment but then I couldn't control it anymore and started crying on his shoulder. He just patted my back, silently, and let me cry. "My head is going to explode. All of the things happening. It's just too much. And I miss Ethan. He is always there for me. But that's the reason he is in the hospital and I was at a party. He tried to protect me. I could have handled it. Why him? I should have been the one getting shot. Why did he have to protect me?" I sobbed.

"That's what big brothers do. Protect their little sister." He tried to calm me. "But he is not even my real brother. My parents divorcing is on me. When he wakes up- if he wakes up- then I will have to be the one to tell him that our parents are divorced and I was the reason. He would be so angry. He will hate me for it. I don't want that to happen, Stefan. I am sure to go to hell for breaking my family apart." I cried. "Don't overthink the future, Princess. Face it as it comes at you. And I am sure it is impossible for him to hate you." He smirked as a smile crept it's way up to my face at that thought.

"I even broke the necklace he gave me. It fell in the fire and I couldn't do anything. I miss him. And these attacks. They are not even stopping. Two days. Two attacks. That's not good. What if someone was hurt today. What if Selena was-" "Shh. Just calm down. Everyone is safe today. Thanks to you! If you hadn't noticed it, I don't even want to think about what could have happened. I am sure you saving so many people will help you get to heaven." He shrugged. "Thanks." I smiled. "For what?" He raised his eyebrow. "For listening. I know you have your problems of your own. And here I am unloading my problems onto you." I shrugged. "Well, you are the first person who told me that I am a good listener. That'll I do." He smirked, while I chuckled and playfully hit his shoulder.

"Well, you should get back," I told him, even though I didn't want him to leave. "No thanks. I don't think they need me there. Sean is happy that he got to experience a real 'Iron Man' scene and Selena is doing pretty good. She came running to me, telling that you are a Spider-Woman and a Princess mixed combo. So I am fine here." He smirked. "Sorry. For wetting your hoodie." I shrugged. "Seriously! Does it look like I care?" He raised an eyebrow. I chuckled.

"You know what, I am going to take you somewhere." He suggested. "I am not in the mood Stefan." I sighed. "I am sure you'll love it." He said. "I don't know." I shrugged. "Well, you don't have a choice." He said as he slipped his hands behind my leg and picked me up bridal style. He started walking towards the clubhouse. "Hey!  Put me down." I whined. "You are bare feet and bleeding. No chance." He smirked. I gave up as I knew it was of no use debating with him.

As we neared the clubhouse, I heard the noises of fire brigades and police cars. The fire was almost put out and everyone was leaving. Rather than going inside, he took me to the VIP parking of the clubhouse. "Please tell me, you are not going to murder me," I said. "That won't be a problem." He smirked as he opened a car's door and kept me on the passenger seat. He closed the door and went to the other side of the car. "So, you are going to kidnap me," I said. He just shook his head as he removed a first aid kit and came to my side. He opened the door, kneeled down, and kept my injured foot on his knee as he started cleaning it.

"You are going to kidnap me. All the kidnappers act good first and then they kill the victim." I said, trying to keep my face straight and control my smile. "I am doing nothing of that sort." He smirked.

After bandaging my foot, he went to the tap in the corner of the parking lot and washed his hand. Then he came back and removed a sanitizer from the first aid kit and cleaned his hands with it. I was just staring at him. "What? I don't want the infection passing." He shrugged as I chuckled. He sat inside the car and started the car. "Thanks." I smiled. "You are welcome, Princess." He smirked as he started driving.

After some time we reached the edge of a forest. "Now, I am perfectly sure you are going to murder me," I said. "Even if I tried to murder you, I am pretty sure you'll kill me first." He chuckled as he got out If the car. I opened my door and was about to get out, Stefan came to my side and picked me up, bridal style. "Not again. I won't be able to defend myself when you try to kill me if you carry me." I whined, even though I knew it was of no help. "Firstly, I am not going to hurt you. Secondly, there are stones and dry leaves everywhere. There is no way I am going to let you walk on that and hurt yourself." He rolled his eyes. I just kept quiet as a smile crept up to my face. He was not that bad.

After two minutes, we reached an open area, surrounded by tall trees. He went to the center of the area and kept me down. He sat down beside me. "Look up," he said as he laid down on the grass. I looked up to see thousands of stars shining brightly. It felt like the sky was alive as all the stars twinkled in the sky, mesmerizing me. "It's so beautiful." I gasped. "I know." He said as he patted the grass beside me, telling me to lay down. And I did as he said. I laid there, in the center of nowhere, staring at the sky. It felt so calming that I temporarily forgot all the problems I currently had.

I don't know how much time had passed by. I loved it. The stars shining brightly, while I laid on the smooth grass, not worrying whether the Knights are going to attack me tomorrow or not. "Like it?" Stefan asked me. "Like it? I love it. It's so beautiful and calming." I sighed. "Emma used to bring me here whenever I would lose it." He smiled. I smiled but then something clicked me. "So you think that I was losing it?" I raised my eyebrows. It didn't even take a second for his smile to turn into a frown.

"I didn't mean it like that. It's just that this place has a calming effect." He tried to convince me. "That better be the reason." I playfully hit his shoulder. "Ouch." He made a babyface. I just rolled my eyes. "That hurt, you know." He continued. "Seriously?" I raised an eyebrow. "Yes." He said as he started tickling me. I controlled my laughter, not wanting him to think that it was working. But he still continued. After a few moments, I couldn't control it anymore and I started laughing.

"S-t-o-p." I tried to say between my laughs. "Stop- okay- I agree- I was- losing -it. Now- just- stop." I laughed as he smirked in victory and stopped tickling me. I took this opportunity and started tickling him. Taken aback by my sudden action, he didn't get the chance to escape or to control his laughter. "S-t-o-p." He laughed. I continued tickling him. "Please." He laughed. Tears started trickling on his cheeks. "Stop- You -win." He laughed.

Hearing that he excepted his defeat, I stopped tickling him and kneeled beside him. I held one of my hands in front of him, behaving like it was a sword. "King Stefan has been defeated. Queen Vanessa remains victorious." I declared. "I except my defeat, Queen Vanessa. Please spare my life." He continues with my stupidity. "Queen Vanessa is in a favorable mood. Your life is spared." I smirk as I lay down on the grass and start laughing. He joins me. "That was fun," I said. "Yeah. I didn't know you could be so cute." He chuckled. "Well, there are a lot of things you don't know about me, Stefie," I smirked.

"Not that again." He whined. I just chuckled. "You called us King and Queen. That means we are married or at least in love." He smirked. "Don't get ahead of yourself, Thompson." I glared at him as I sat up. "Well, I should probably get back to the apartment," I said. His face immediately dropped, which made me regret it. "Seriously? There is no school tomorrow. Plus you don't even have anyone waiting for you at the apartment." He unknowingly said. My face dropped, as the fact that there was no one waiting for me back at the apartment hit me.

"I probably shouldn't have said that. I'm sorry. It's just that I was having fun. I didn't want it to end." He sighed. "It's fine. But I really should get back. And you should get back to the people waiting for you, back at your house." I said and I stood up and walked in direction of the car. I reached the end of the grass and unknowingly stepped on the stones. Something pricked my leg as I realised that I was bare feet. Suddenly, I was picked up, bridal style. "You seriously don't have any patience." He rolled his eyes. I was about to protest but my heart said otherwise. And this time, I agreed with my heart. It did feel nice, being around him.

**********

We reached the car when my stomach suddenly rumbled. I was hungry. I had not eaten anything since lunch, so that was going to happen. "You hungry?" He asked as he sat in the driver's seat, starting the car. "Yeah. But that's fine." I shrugged. "Want to go somewhere to eat?" He asked. "Nope. I'll just make something at the apartment. I am sure Ashy had something that would be edible." I said. Something flashed in his eyes but he turned away before I could understand it.

"So, you like cooking?" He asked. "I hate it. I love eating though." I shrugged. That was true. Even though I was fairly good at it, I hated cooking. "Then it's decided. Your today's dinner will be prepared by a special chef." He smirked. "Stefan, no. I'll just eat something at the apartment." I sighed. "Then I'll call him at the apartment." He shrugged. "Ok. Fine." I said. He glanced at me, confused.

"Okay? Thats it?" He asked. "What?" I raised my eyebrows. "I thought you would debate on it, first before agreeing to it." He said. "Well, who am I to decline a perfect chance to eat food." I rolled my eyes. He just chuckled and continued driving.

**********

I opened the door with my key and we both entered the living room, which had boxes stacked in the center. Well, I was lazy and didn't do much work in the morning. Plus I didn't want Stefan going through my things. So I still had a lot of unpacking to do. I don't even know what is all this stuff. I was snapped back into reality when someone cleared their throat.

"Chef Thompson at your service. What would you like for dinner, Madame?" Stefan asked me? He was wearing a apron which I assumed to be Ash's. "You cook?" I raised my eyebrows still taking in his look. "Yes Madame." He bowed down. I chuckled. "What would you like for dinner?" He asked. "I would like your best Pasta." I answered. "Yes madame." He said, as he bowed down and went unto the kitchen. I stood up from the couch, where he had laid me down and limped to my bedroom to freshen up.

I came out of the washroom when my phone vibrated. Selena was texting me.

Selena-

Where are you? Did you reach?

-Me

Yeah. I'm at the apartment.

Good. You forgot your clutch in Ryan's car. Meet me tomorrow at Starbucks at 9 in the morning

Ok. Cool.

How is your foot?

Fine. Stefan bandaged it.

Stefan huh? I was wondering why he didn't come back after he went to search for you. I want all the details tomorrow.😏

There are no details😒

Yeah. Whatever.😎

I just ignored her. She always thinks about the most pervert ideas. Idiot. The smell of pasta filled the air as I quickly changed and went outside, to see two plates laid on the dining table, filled with Pasta. It looked delicious.

"I present to you, your dinner, madame." He said as he bowed down. I just chuckled and sat down. "Now, I will take your leave. I just have to inform you that one more person will be joining you tonight." He said. I gave him a questioning look. He just shrugged and exited the room. Why is he leaving? And who is this 'one more person'? I mean there were two plates. I thought he would be staying.

My thoughts were answered when I saw Stefan come in, without the apron. "Hey Princess! I see the chef already made the dinner." He smirked. "Yes, he did." I chuckled. "Let's dive in." He said as we both started eating. And I agree. That was the best pasta I had ever eaten. I tasted as good as it looked. A soft moan escaped my mouth.

"Don't do that again. People will think something is happening here, Princess." He smirked. I just rolled my eyes. "Tell the chef, this is very good." I told him. "Your message will be conveyed." He smirked.

**********

After eating, we watched some TV and talked. It felt good. Talking to him. I didn't want it to end. That's when his phone rang. "Hey Mom!" He said. "Okay. I'll be there in fifteen." He said as he ended the call. "You have to go?" I asked him. "Yep. But how do we meet tomorrow morning?" He suggested. "I can't. I am meeting with Selena." I told him. "Okay." He said, disappointment clear in his voice.

We stood up and walked towards the door. "Thanks." I told him. "For what?" He asked. "For today. I know I was a little harsh in the morning-" "A little?" He raised his eyebrows. "Whatever. But thanks for the pasta and everything. And sorry for the morning." I shrugged. "It's okay, Princess." He smiled. "No it's not. It's just that all the things happening, I never had to face so much alone. I always had Ethan. But now. It's just that I really needed tonight. So thank-"

And the next thing I knew that his lips were on mine.

A/N:

Hey guys!

I hope this chapter brought a smile to your face just like it did to mine...

What do you think happens next? If you have any suggestions about the book or what you would like to see in this book, be sure to comment or message me...

See you soon...