Haven? Laughable

Lina's POV:

[The Hotel = The Parking Lot]

I wanted to change. 

Ever since I could remember, an intimate contact with a man was torture. 

Literally. 

My skin would hardened because of goosebumps, and I'd freeze. 

It was annoying and the cause of my break up with Princeton. 

I had no idea why I was like that but I wanted to change so bad. 

I figured a change of environment might help. I thought I'd find a therapist - a specialist - someone - anyone that'd help. 

In a way, I found him. The devil. 

"Why him?" I muttered, my palms tightening on the steering wheel. 

The city light that spilled through the windshield was blurry because of my watery eyes. 

But something was clear. Riven. His touch. 

Damn! I gritted my teeth and I moved in the driver seat. 

My little mission at the bar ended in a disgusting way. I found nothing about Riven's watch. But something about my body. 

It reacted normally to his touch. His fingers against my neck was warm. 

For a cold hearted bastard, he melted my insides with his hands. 

"That didn't happen" For the uptenth time, I sighed out. 

A palm slid off the steering then ruffled my hair. As locs of brown curtained my face, I wished it'd veil what just happened. Hide it rather. 

I got caught in that kinda position with my soon to be step brother. 

"Fuck!" Enraged, I cursed then slammed a fist on the steering. 

But that wasn't the only thing that got slammed. 

"Jesus!" My gasp blended with a thud. 

It came from outside. From the man I just rammed into it. 

Fuck this. 

Sharply, I slammed the brakes and soon, I was outside.

The cool breeze didn't hit as hard as the sight. 

"I'm so sorry!" My scream pierced the silent night. No like I gave a darn. I just ran over an old man!

I rushed forward but he already rose from the asphalt. 

"You're loud, young lady" His chuckle was calm, and so was his expression. 

The moonlight bathed his bald head, and the gentle smile on his face. 

"And you barely hit me; you drove so slow"

"I'm sorry!" Still, I repeated as my chest rose and fell. Worry made my heart race so fast, and fear cautioned me. 

I almost hit someone because I was thinking of Riven. Screw that devil!

"It's fine. Now carry on, young one" He smiled, the corners of his eyes crinkling. 

I eased up and managed to force my own smile. 

Afterwards, his gaze flicked to a side, and I watched him walk off. 

"I'm sorry once more sir!" I yelled from behind. 

He didn't look back, instead wriggle his cane. 

*

[Throne Mansion]

My bones were heavy. 

Maybe Riven's fiery touch had turned them to ash. Now, my skin felt weighted. 

"Enough Lina" I drove my head back on the seat's headrest. 

I needed to knock out these abominable memories. Fuck, every memory of Riven would be nice too. 

I couldn't allow this happen again. Both meeting Princeton and Riven's touches. 

His warm, deliberate, soft–

"Adelina!" Like a trapped maniac in a car, I cried out, my hand flying to my forehead. 

It flew too hard, and my head ached. 

"Shit.." I winced lowly while seating upright. 

Okay, today needs to end with sleep. A nice, night's rest. 

So I drove here, to the Throne Mansion since my bed was huge. 

Soon, I alighted from the car then marched up the concrete stairs. 

By the large doors, a server stood, ready to collect the car keys. 

Oh, bougie.

I handed it to him then pushed the door open. 

"Where have you been?" Ma's voice abused my ear drums immediately. 

Jesus, I hadn't even taken one freaking step. 

"College, Ma" I answered, too lazy to hide my irritation. 

It couldn't be helped. 

"That's why you didn't pick up your calls?"

"Yes. I was too busy trying to survive at a college where someone got their hands chopped off!" I snapped, and our glares collided. 

Ma's softened too easily, and I knew what was next. Tears. 

"Darling" Ma began, her folded hands dropping. 

"I was worried about me" The long end of her robe dragged across the marble. 

Same way she was dragging this. 

"Ma, please"

"I almost went to the police but Ryker stoppe–"

"Can you not?!" I lashed out like a triggered dog. And I was triggered. By Mr Ryker's name. The existence of his stupid, dastard son. And even Ma's annoying ass. 

"I'm trying so hard to act mature about your marriage to another man while Pa's murder hasn't been solved!"

My throat felt tight yet those words fell out freely. And I didn't regret it. 

I clenched harder on the doorknob, and my nose scrunched. 

"You moved on too fast, Ma. I haven't" My voice dropped to a whisper.

Ma's shoulders dropped too, and I turned around. 

"Lina.."

I didn't look back. I just couldn't. 

My eyes turned glassy but I saw the server by my car, ready to take it to the garage. 

"Stop" But I didn't let him. I rushed down the stairs, collected my keys then slid into my car. 

College couldn't be my heaven in this hell. And neither could this Mansion. 

I'd need to build my own sanctuary but first, a place to sleep.

With that, I turned on the ignition then drove off.