Chapter 9. Delulu

>>Vanessa's POV>>

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I've heard stories about Ryker Holland. They call him the cunning brother who doesn't play fair but wins square.

I heard he was ruthless. Now, I was seeing the side of him that was also needy and twisted.

He was standing on business and I wasn't sure if I would be able to go a day with him talking like this. What if I die of a heart malfunction?

I knew he was trouble the moment he popped up in the bar that fateful night, sliding next to me with that cocky, lopsided grin. And now, he was dragging me into his hell. And me? I've become too boneless to resist. Pathetically speaking.

This is so wrong.

"Five months and that's it?" My grip on the pen tightened as I stared at him, who was now sitting across from me with that calm expression, leg crossed, looking nothing like the man who had almost wrecked my thoughts earlier. Bloody hell. My heart was still racing like he'd hit a switch inside me. "No sexual activities in private. Just appearances, fake smiles and that's it?"

"Yes. Unless you want something more." He was being quite generous.

"I'd rather we don't do anything else. Thank you." I said, scribbling my signature on the contract. Once done, I tossed it on the table. "All signed now."

He nodded calmly, dropped his leg from the other and picked up the file. "Very well then." His upper lip trembled and I knew he was suppressing that annoying grin. One that was probably his default expression.

Without warning, he got out of his chair and strode over to me.

He wasn't going to mess with me again, will he?

I tried to flinch away but he grabbed my chin firmly, his face barely inches from mine.

My breath seized on cue. "What—what are you doing?"

Our eyes locked, something like rage brewed in his eyes as he spoke. "Seeing the bruises that asshole left on you to keep in mind how many punches to plant on his face when next we meet."

I slapped his hand away from my jaw. "No. You're not allowed to hurt him."

"You're under my protection now, I have every right to hurt those who hurt you." He stepped away from me, taking away his warmth. "Therefore, I'll try not to remember that."

My jaw clenched. Something on my face had to tell him that I was serious and he wasn't allowed to tamper with Derek. "I mean it."

"So do I." He stated flatly.

I stood up from the couch, lifting my chin. "I never permitted you to touch him. It might not affect your already wrecked relationship with him because you're a brother-hater, but it would cause a larger rift between the two of us. Don't interfere."

He grimaced. "You think your relationship with him is any better than my relationship with him?" Shaking his head, he snorted. "Delulu."

I felt slapped. No, punched in the guts. But still...

"Say whatever you want but..." My voice fell short when he suddenly reached for my blazer.

My eyes rounded, gasping. "What the hell are you..."

Before I could step back, he pulled the blazer off my shoulder too fast.

A look of disappointment crossed his face before they were gone in seconds, replaced by a scowl. "I thought as much."

"You have no right!" I yelled, feeling self-conscious of my state. I didn't need to look down to know that he had seen the purple bruises on my chest.

"This is the man you're breaking yourself for?" That look on his face...a mix of shock, disappointment, and utter disbelief.

My stomach twisted. My face burned while I blinked, refusing to cry. My fists clenched at my sides, teeth digging into my lower lip.

He continued. "I don't want to misjudge you too much but I can't help but think you feed on toxicity. You seem addicted to it. Just so you know, Derek is a grown ass man, you can't continue to project your love on him. You can't continue to go miles to please him even if it means losing yourself and turning into his punching mannequin. He knows what he wants and that doesn't include you."

Is that all he thinks of my love for Derek? Some toxic bullshit that needs to be sentenced by his cruel words?

"You know nothing about me and Derek." God, my voice wouldn't stay steady without trembling. "And you do not tell me what and how to feel. I love him, deal with it."

He remained mute, but his gaze on me wasn't the nicest anyone could muster.

"You do not know of the concept of our love so you don't get to interject."

" our? " He took small steps towards me and I just wanted to slap him right across the cheek. "It's just you in this, Little Lamb. No Derek. Let. It. Go!"

I laughed dryly. "Now it all makes sense. Now I see the reason why nobody ever speaks of you. Because you only know how to point fingers, Ryker. You're self-centered, mean, ill-mannered and an arrogant asshole." I rambled on.

His eyes darkened, and for a moment I expected him to grab my neck and slam me against the wall, choke me until I pass out—just like his brother.

"At least, I'm not a woman beater. And not as scummy as your Prince Charming who plants blows and punches on you."

"He's done so much for me. None that you would ever understand because you're too judgmental and bitter."

"Just as he has also done so much to you, I mean...the evidence is all over your body." The sarcasm in his voice was clear. But I know what I know..

Before this side of Derek that tormented me, there was a different side of him that I knew. The side I fell in love with. Before all this, Derek was an angel...

He's been like my knight when everything else turned dark around me. He paid up my late mother's hospital expenses when my father refused and turned a blind eye to her predicament. Derek came through for me.

When she eventually died, he kept me company in the morgue when no one cared. He brought me blankets and warm coffee. He asked if I'd eaten. He comforted me and brought out the smile I thought I'd lost when I lost my mom. And I clung to that kindness like it could bring her back.

I know he's not the same anymore, I know, but when someone holds you together in your darkest hour, you don't forget that. You cling to that memory, even when the person becomes a stranger. Even when it hurts.

But someone as bitter as Ryker won't be able to understand. He can't relate.

"Unless you chain him and feed him with some love potions, he won't look your way." He said flatly. "But then again, your loss is my gain. Continue being delusional while I feed on that."

For some reason, I couldn't refute his words. Maybe the exhaustion was finally catching up with me. "I'm done with this conversation. Just show me to my bedroom."

"Of course."

A few moments later, I settled in my new bedroom which was located on the second floor. The room was covered in Grey. Grey bedsheets, Grey colored painted walls, Closets, and curtains. Everything Grey...

"This is where you'll be occupying until our contract elapses." His eyes settled on me and I subconsciously wrapped my hands around my chest, feeling exposed. "And.... I'm sorry about earlier and the way I spoke to you. I should have been a lot nicer with my words."

I never would have imagined that Ryker could apologize. But I just nodded, too tired to argue anymore. "It's alright. If you'll excuse me, I've run out of tolerance for your presence. Good night."