CHAPTER 79

“He called me, he fucking called—”

Claire said as she clutched her phone

Her eyes were lost, and she was only able to get a spark in them when she realised that Arman had tried to reach out to her

His text read

“Come back”

Claire felt a tear drop unto her phone screen. She couldn't go back. But she wanted to. There were a lot of things she wanted to tell him.

“I can't”

She texted back.

It took her everything to reply him. Because she wanted nothing more than to be in his arms. But that was just her wishful thinking

“Please”

Was his next text. He wasn't backing down easily.

Was he begging her to come to him?

She looked at her depressed self in the mirror. Her eyes trailed down to the self inflicted injuries she caused herself a minute ago, and it made her smile a little

The thought that someone actually wanted her, after everything—

What if she didn't have to get revenge on the Pavilochenki'? what if it wasn't her cross to bear?

What if Arman could love her nevertheless—

“Can I come find you?”

He was asking permission, because she specifically told him not to look for her

She didn't want him to see her in the state she was. She didn't want to give him more reason to despise her

“I look awful”

Claire said, before switching off her phone. She was doing it for him. It was better if he didn't look at her for who she really was,call broken and disheveled

But Claire heard a knock—

No one knew where she was right? What if the Pavilochenki's had come for her? What if?

It suddenly occurred to her that she didn't lock the door.

She swore, and cursed, as she picked the shard of glass she was using to scar herself and clenched it firmly in her right hand

As she walked towards the door, she could feel her heart beat erratically

But the real surprise came, when she saw Arman standing in her doorway

****************

Claire felt like she was going to melt. Her words failed her, but she had a million questions

She shifted uncomfortably from one feet to the other. Because she looked like a victim from a horror movie at that point.

The oversize shirt she was wearing stopped a little above her thighs, but you could still see her panties, if you looked properly. It was stained with blood, her blood. From her self inflicted injuries

She knew she was bleeding from her palm, from holding the glass shard too tight out of nervousness

“How—”

“I tracked your phone”

He walked closer to her, as his eyes scanned her

“This blood better be from your period”

“It's—”

“How long have you been staying here?”

“Two days”

“Are your injuries self inflicted?”

Claire couldn't look him in the eye. He took her hands and examined them, then he placed the shard of glass on the floor

“You're hurt”

“I know”

“Claire—”

Arman walked over to her and wrapped his arms around her. She felt herself relax under his embrace, felt her body melt to his touch

“Where's your bathroom?”

“Over there”

She said pointing to a door by her right

For a second she thought he was going to relieve himself, but she felt herself being dragged along with him

“Arman”

She hesitated a bit when they got to the door, but he didn't give her the time to think it through

He looked like he knew what he was doing

“Your bathroom is too small”

“It's what I can afford”

“You could always live with me”

Claire watched him run a bath, while she stood awkwardly at a corner

He rolled up his sleeves, and mouthed the words

“Get in the tub”

Claire felt a wave of shock pass through her

But she also felt the urge to comply

For some reason, around Arman, she wasn't scared.

The T-shirt came off first, then her underwear. Claire walked to the tub, slowly. As though she was daring him to continue. His eyes wandered from her face, down to her feet

Arman wasn't the type of guy to go back on his word. So if he said something, he meant it

As her feet made contact with the warm water, she felt herself relax instantly.

“You don't have to do this, not for me”

She felt a little sting as her wounds touched the water. But they weren't that deep, so the sting only lasted a few seconds.

She watched him grab a washcloth.

“Give me your hand”

He said, his eyes fixed on her neck

She placed her hand in his, and felt him squeeze it gently, before he proceeded

Claire couldn't think. It seemed like she was dreaming. She felt like she needed to wake up from a really long sleep. It was still so difficult for her to believe

She felt his hands on her back, felt them caress her softly—

“Arman”

His hands moved to her neck. He placed a minute long kiss there. Claire heard herself moan silently. But it was loud enough for Arman to hear

She felt his hands moved down to her breasts, and she bit her lips to stifle another moan

Arman's shirt was already half soaked with water, and Claire's eyes were fixed on his torso. And suddenly it didn't feel like they were strangers, or enemies

It felt like they were in love

Arman felt her pull his arms further to herself. He gave her concerned look, but let her do it anyway.

“Arman I want you”

“Careful”

He felt her write the sentence invisibly on his arm. She looked up to him to see if he was going to complain

But he didn't—

So she stole a kiss. It was a risky move, but she had to do it. Their lips moved in sync

He broke the kiss, and watched her breathe nervously. Her cheeks flushed red, as she sat bare, sprawled in her bathtub. He was watching her, she liked it

“Well Claire

I want you too—”